[Gpdd] HEALTH: Worried about Elder Piggie Audrey --- What's GoingOn?

[Penny Charlesworth]

Pat,

Poor Audrey. She could, as you say, be a very old piggy indeed and, in my 
experience, elderly piggies often do lose weight. They sleep more which 
leaves less eating time and, like in humans, I believe the appetite becomes 
less acute as they age.

You are doing the right thing in supplementing her food with the syringe but 
it is a shame that you do not have anyone who could check her teeth without 
an anaesthetic, which is a dangerous procedure at any age particularly in 
the elderly. Piggies that eat less are, obviously, more prone to a dental 
problem as they are not using their teeth as much as they should. I wonder 
if anyone knows of a rodentologist in your area.

I have treated a piggy or two for hind leg paralysis using Osteocare Liquid, 
which contains liquid calcium plus Vitamin D. If you can buy this product 
where you are, the dose is 1ml. daily for 2 days, then 0.5ml for a few more 
days. If you cannot get the liquid you can try giving 3 500mg. calcium + Vit 
D, one every 8 hours on the first day. Make sure that the tablets contain 
Vit D as this is important. On the second day give only 2 tablets, 12 hours 
apart and on the next four days give just one tablet.

You will not harm Audrey with this remedy, even if this is not hind leg 
paralysis as the Osteocare can be beneficial following a stroke, which is 
another possibility.

Piggies can even trap nerves just as we can and if she was lying down for a 
while, this could have happened.

As you cannot see the vet for a few days, continue with the painkiller. I 
like children's liquid Nurofen for piggies. 0.4ml twice a day but whatever 
you have is fine. A pain free piggy is more likely to eat. I also give 
Metatone tonic, which helps improve the appetite but I believe that this is 
unavailable outside of the UK.

If she should prove to have arthritis, I can highly recommend Potter's 
Tabritis tablets if you are able to buy them. These helped my late Diamond 
no end and are great for people too.

Paws crossed for Audrey. Keep her as warm as you can. Good luck.

Penny and the Piggyfriends.