[Gpdd] HEALTH: Important-Callie is not eating

[Sandra Oliver-Poore]

Hi Lyn,  Sorry that Callie is off feed.  Piggies eat all the time so
syringing or spoon feeding should be done as often as you can until she
refuses more. She will decline quickly without water so give her water at
least hourly.  More important is why she isn't eating. The most likely cause
is that her molars are overgrown and molars are very hard to observe without
tools. Second cause is oral thrush, are there whitish or yellowish patches
in her mouth?  Has she been on antibiotics recently, that's the most common
cause of thrush. Its treated with the oral  antifungal gel, Daktarin. Ask
your pharmacist for the brand they carry, ask for a version that's meant for
oral applications, the active ingredient is miconazole, like for anti-fungal
foot spray. It's important that she be treated right away, and of course,
it's Friday night but a vet visit is in order as soon as you can arrange it.
Ask in advance if they know how to trim piggie molars and have the right
equipment including buccal pads of the right size. Buns use a different
size.  Read up on the correct procedure and take it with you as many vets
want to sedate but usually a skilled vet can do it without sedation.  There
could be an internal problem that has her feeling so poorly she doesn't want
to eat. You might try some pain meds and if that helps then you know she
won't eat because she feels poorly.  Check out Ann's Website
http://piggyville.com/
In any case its urgent so feed as much as you can and get her to a vet.
Also note sometime a piggie with tooth problems can eat romaine if its cut
in narrow strips like hay.
Good luck!  Sandy
 


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