|
|
Post by lisa21264 on Jul 23, 2012 11:00:29 GMT
For some reason Terra isn't eating his hay or pellets. He eats his veggies fine but wont take his pellets not even from a syringe. He is eating peppers,spinach and oranges. He is also eating syringe fed applesauce. He won't take the pellet mixture from the syringe. What should I do?  |
|
|
|
Post by Orlaith on Jul 23, 2012 13:40:27 GMT
You'll probably have to force him to eat mushed up pellets via the syringe. It's horrible, I know, and it seems really mean, but you have to keep food going into him. Are his teeth sore or anything?
|
|
|
|
Post by lisa21264 on Jul 23, 2012 14:56:12 GMT
The vet checked his teeth and said they were a good length. I am thinking maybe a sore in his mouth.??
|
|
|
|
Post by canadiancomforts on Jul 23, 2012 15:49:33 GMT
I would check for a sore. What type of hay have your tried and what brand of pellets?
|
|
|
|
Post by Kayleigh on Jul 23, 2012 18:05:12 GMT
If he has sore in his mouth avoid oranges. Offer him as much veg ect as he will take, Keeping his digestion moving is a must. What pellet are you feeding? Also offer fresh grass ect. If hes eating veg and such thats good.
Kayleigh
|
|
|
|
Post by lisa21264 on Jul 24, 2012 8:20:37 GMT
I'm feeding him an alfalfa based pellet. He gets plenty of fresh veg and Timothy Hay. I am thinking of getting him some orchard grass just for a change. Is that ok to try?
P.S. I keep his pellets in an air tight container so they stay fresh and also pellets are fortified with vitamin C.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kayleigh on Jul 24, 2012 11:28:21 GMT
Any hay will do. The pellets sound ok. The vit c in food degrades super quick though but if hes getting and eating veg thats good.
Is he an older pig? Do you know his background?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using ProBoards
|
|
|
|
Post by canadiancomforts on Jul 24, 2012 16:29:27 GMT
If he is over a year I would suggest putting him on a Timothy based pellet. There are a few brands out there depending on where you live. KMS pellets are the best in the USA, Oxbow can be found almost anywhere. In the UK there is bluegrass (sp?) pellets. In Canada I love Little Martins Timothy pellets. My guys have been doing great on those.
I have a pig who hates Timothy hay and since switching to Orchard grass he now drives right into his hay. Fixing his poop issues.
|
|
|
|
Post by lisa21264 on Jul 24, 2012 21:59:03 GMT
Terra is 8 months old. Ive had him on the alfalfa based pellet so he will get enough calcium so he will grow properly. I am going to buy some orchard grass and try that today. He's eating a little more but still not as much as usual. I am thinking of switching pellets too. He is eating but I notice he is droping pellets out of his mouth.
|
|
|
|
Post by clairfo on Jul 24, 2012 22:04:49 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by canadiancomforts on Jul 24, 2012 23:51:34 GMT
If he is dropping the pelllets I would have his back teeth checked. I know you said the vet checked them, but it wouldn't hurt to have them checked again, maybe even some xrays. Seems to me that it could be teeth problems. Here is some photos of a friend of mines pig who has back teeth issues: (Mods if its too graphic feel free to link to the photos instead) Before the trim:  After the trim:  |
|
|
|
Post by canadiancomforts on Jul 24, 2012 23:52:33 GMT
Oh forgot to add, this pig was put under to do this so these tools aren't felt by the pig.
|
|
|
|
Post by madmommy on Jul 25, 2012 0:54:23 GMT
Wow, I had no idea they had so many teeth inside such a small mouth!
|
|
|
|
Post by piggiluv on Jul 25, 2012 18:10:00 GMT
Awesome pigtures!
|
|
|
|
Post by lisa21264 on Jul 26, 2012 12:14:20 GMT
I think I have figured out what's wrong with Terra. I have had him on stabilized vitamin C for four days and he has picked up considerably. He is sprinting and popcorning. His leg and nasal discharge are totally better and his eating is beginning to pick up. Vet says 50 mg a day for 10 days. I found out also that I was overfeeding peppers, Peppers contain phosphorous that block absorption of vitamin C. So it's possible he wasnt getting enough vitamin C. I feel terrible. I shouldn't have given in to him and let him eat a lot of peppers. They are his favorite.
|
|
|
|
Post by Orlaith on Jul 26, 2012 17:29:17 GMT
Wow, that's the first time I've ever heard that! Mine get a piece of pepper once or twice a day!
Great teeth pics!
|
|
|
|
Post by madmommy on Jul 26, 2012 22:03:26 GMT
Are you saying green (red, orange) bell peppers should be given infrequently? I thought they were great for vitamin C. Mine get them daily. Help?
|
|
|
|
Post by lisa21264 on Jul 27, 2012 3:26:14 GMT
You can feed peppers every day. Just limit if to 1/8 to 1/4 pepper per day. I was feeding him about 1/2 pepper a day. Also I learned that overfeeding peppers can cause gas and Bloat.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kayleigh on Jul 28, 2012 8:36:07 GMT
Green peppers are best for vit , mine get a slice every day or every other day. Iv never had any issue with the veggies i feed.
Kayleigh
|
|
|
|
Post by madmommy on Jul 28, 2012 15:58:07 GMT
Ok, that's what I've been doing then. Phew! They really, really adore their peppers, but I don't cut a lot up each morning.
|
|
|
|
Post by lisa21264 on Jul 28, 2012 19:48:19 GMT
Just make sure you don't spoil them. My guy was wheeking after he ate the pepper wanting more and I gave it to him. No more of that! I was feeding him too much. He is doing much better and I also switched his pellet to a timothy based pellet. He is eating it like crazy! I also got a fresh bag of timothy hay and he seems to be liking it a lot better than the old bag. Just to note I am switching his pellets gradually mixing them in with the old pellets.
|
|
We have this hay 
