[Gpdd] [health] piggy not eating

[Dr Kay Dudman]

Hi Carole

It is really important to help your four-and-a-half year old piggy eat if
she can't eat by herself yet.  It may be that her mouth is sore after having
her back teeth done (maybe from being wedged open so the vet could see to
trim the teeth.  

You might find she will take syringe food happily (critical care, or her
normal pellets crushed and mixed with a little water).  You might also want
to add a little vitamin C to the pellet mash.  Another option is to chop up
her food into really small pieces and hand-feed her so that she doesn't have
to chew larger pieces into mouthful size.  Another option is fruit/veg baby
food (apple & banana seems to go down fairly well).  Make sure that it
doesn't have onion, though.  This will get some nourishment inside her
without hurting her little mouth.

You might want to ask your vet for a probiotic to help her gut; some people
ue yogurt, but there are specially veterinary products like Bio-Lapis and
Fibreplex that are made for the job.  

If she is picking up the food, she obviously wants to eat, but she is
dropping it because it is uncomfortable for her.  Piggies have serious
problems if they go for a day without any sort of food; they can end up with
liver failure.  Don't give up on hoping your little piggy will pull through,
but do give her a helping hand.

Kay