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Post by piggypal on Dec 14, 2012 19:59:23 GMT
Hello, I am fostering a mother and her two babies from the local shelter. They were dropped of with two males, another female, and 2-3 other babies from this litter. They already took the other babies away and said they'd bring them back of there were any problems. The big problem is - the mom has a bad fungal infection on her ear. I will be poking up a topical ointment and a shampoo to try and help her. I also have my vet callin me tonight to give some advice. Can anyone help me out on two things? I've only ever owned pet pigs. I know nothing about babie or breeding...we weren't told how old they were..is there a way to tell how old? Heres a picture. I can still feel the little bumps from their cords and was afraid they're way too young to be away from momma. Should I seperate anyway in case momma infection spreads to them?   |
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Post by piggypal on Dec 14, 2012 20:00:20 GMT
I'm sorry for any typos. Im using a mobile.
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Post by piggypal on Dec 14, 2012 20:01:25 GMT
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Post by Kayleigh on Dec 14, 2012 20:07:53 GMT
Id put them back with their mum, its likely the mum had fungal for s few weeks so the pups have been exposed they look fairly young so defo need their mum. Is she producing milk?
Id take weights of the pups and monitor it.
Are they eating dry food/veg and hay?
Id suggest putting a bottle on the cage with evaporation milk/water.
What sex are the pups?
Kayleigh
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Post by Kayleigh on Dec 14, 2012 20:11:52 GMT
Also you can use daktarin althethes foot cream for the fungal on the ears, you can also get a spray for this.
If possible id also suggest taking them off the shredded paper, not great for youngters as they could get tangled, if possible use flat newspaper or shavings.
Make sure they have plent of hay and feed. What are you feeding them?
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Post by piggypal on Dec 14, 2012 20:13:52 GMT
Not sure of sex. If I had to guess I'd say both female.
I will get them off the bedding I just got them home. Leaving now to get the medication.
Will also weigh when I get home.
They do try to nibble hay and all. Am going to pick up good guinea pig feed soon.
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Post by piggypal on Dec 14, 2012 20:15:05 GMT
They only have hay right now as the shelter was suppose to get pig food today...I think they were feeding a rabbit feed to hold them over?
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Post by Kayleigh on Dec 14, 2012 20:23:09 GMT
Ahh ok. Defo sex them as soon as you can as they can breed from 4 weeks old. Boars come away from sows between 3-4 weeks.
They look very healthy from the pictures. Aslong as they are munching hay, veggies and pellets thsts good.
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Post by piggypal on Dec 14, 2012 22:06:43 GMT
Still out to get the meds
I will weigh as soon as I get home.
Is weight the only way to tell age?
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Post by Kayleigh on Dec 14, 2012 22:48:57 GMT
No the weight isnt a definate, it depends on size, weight, nails, teeth can also help and of course with young pups the umbilical cord healing.
I would say they are no older than a few weeks old....so sexing is vital to ensure they are the same sex.
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Post by piggypal on Dec 15, 2012 0:26:12 GMT
I'll have to get pics for sexing.
But, the larger is 115grams and the smaller is 82grams
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Post by piggypal on Dec 15, 2012 0:28:28 GMT
Also, I picked up some clotrimazole for her ear and will order a shampoo.
(I read on another site about this)
I couldn't find the cream you listed
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Post by piggypal on Dec 15, 2012 2:15:24 GMT
Baby #1  Baby #2  Can try to get a better pic of #1 |
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Post by cordane on Dec 15, 2012 4:07:23 GMT
They do look both like girlies to me  But I'm not the best at sexing GPs at all! From their weights, I would actually say they could very well be less than a week old. |
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Post by Kayleigh on Dec 15, 2012 8:33:51 GMT
Both do look like sows and i agree with cordane with their weights say they are a week old...if that. They really do need their mum. Do you have her with you? If so id put them all togeather right away. Regardless if the sow has fungal. This can be treated and as previously said its likely everyone was exposed to the fungal prior to being in the rescue.
Id suggest keeping a record of their weights and ensure they are feeding.
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Post by piggypal on Dec 15, 2012 12:31:08 GMT
I have kept them with their mom. They are always nursing so I knew no one should have taken the other babies away.
What do you think the survival rate is on the babies that left the mom on 12-12-12? That's when the came into the shelter.
They have my number if they bring them back in with any problems.
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Post by Kayleigh on Dec 15, 2012 12:45:32 GMT
The survival rate is generally good for pups being hand reared BUT its essential they are fed correctly and they will need their bottoms massaged to stimulate going to the toilet. Ideally all pups should stay with mum for 3-4 weeks, but in cases where the sow dies or rejects young then they can be hand reared.
Many people use different things, You can use aptamil first baby milk, goats milk or evap milk. The most important thing to remember is to keep them hydrated, so water is a must. Every 2 hours or so id say feed/water and toilet them. Monitor what is taken, 2ml is usually what youngters take.
They begin to nibble on hay, veg etc as young as 48 hours old, but this isnt enough to sustain them. Provide good quality hay, alfafa, timothy, readi grass etc. And plenty of leafy greens, kale, spring greens, spinach and offer peppers, apple etc as they start to explore veg.
I dont understand why any shelter would seperate a mum and her pups so early, regardless if they dont know how old they are. Boars usually start rumbling, and paying attention to their mum / sisters at 3-5 weeks of age, this is when they are removed.
Best of luck, id love to see a snap of them all : ) Your doing a fab job, keep us posted
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Post by piggypal on Dec 15, 2012 12:55:29 GMT
They listened to an extern who said they were ready to leave their mom.
I told them I have a feeling it was a 'they're so cute I just want a baby right now'
I tried explaining they still need their mom..but it's no use at this point.
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Post by Kayleigh on Dec 15, 2012 13:08:12 GMT
Bah some rescues, really need to read up on basics. At least they have you to help with what you can. Its likely if they pups dont get the proper care they will essentially starve or dehydrate and slowly pass away. A cruel way to go and something that can easily be prevented by a little research.
No guinea pig should be rehomed before they are at least 6 weeks of age, sometimes even 8. Too many people want "tiny cute" babies without really thinking of the welfare of the pups themselves.
You wouldnt pass a week old human baby about like a parcel, and take it away from its mum, so why a guinea pig! (The ignorance of some really gets my hackles up) Resuce or not, they should do indepth research of the animal they have resuced if they are unsure, or at least listen to those looking to help.
Rant over : ) I apoligise!
Best of luck with the pups you have now, They can stay with their mum until they are big health and fit, treat the sow with the cream, and once the pups are weaned you can bathe the sow in imaverol (if you can get some) this should clean the fungal up once and for all.
I wouldnt use hideys etc either, just to keep the fungal spores to a minimum.
Kayleigh
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Post by piggypal on Dec 15, 2012 13:25:36 GMT
I agree.
As far as the hideaway..they have an igloo? I've been disinfecting everything with vinegar/water mix. If I disinfect it 2-3xs a day can they keep it? The mom seems to stress out without it.
I'm about to weigh them and put the ointment on the mom. I have nizoral shampoo in the mail. Hopefully I can bring some and wash the other pigs as well.
Will post picture of the mom and their setup soon.
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Post by piggypal on Dec 15, 2012 13:27:24 GMT
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Post by piggypal on Dec 15, 2012 13:35:52 GMT
Baby#1 (smallest/runt?) - 85g +1 Baby#2 - 118g +3 Mom - 613g Yay for pup weight gain!!! Mommas ear doesn't look as angry as it did last night and I've only put her second dose just now. Maybe less stress/better feed/etc is helping her a bit. |
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Post by Kayleigh on Dec 15, 2012 13:40:42 GMT
I would personally swap the pigloo for a heap of hay. This way mum and pups can munch on it and semi hide. Im not a huge fan of pigloo's especially with pups about, just inc ase mum squishes them by accident. Plus hideys encourage pigs to hide.
They look to be good weights. Are the sows ears just dry/white? does she have hairloss anywhere?
They sound like they are in great hands.
Kayleigh
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Post by Kayleigh on Dec 15, 2012 13:42:37 GMT
Just noticed the picture, she has hairloss infront of her ear/eye.
The cream should clear this up if applied twice a day. I would also treat for mites to rule it out.
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Post by piggypal on Dec 15, 2012 14:03:52 GMT
I will read more on mites? Should I get a different shampoo or ointment for that?
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Post by piggypal on Dec 15, 2012 14:05:09 GMT
I'll also switch the hut for hay and I'll just put a blanket over half the cage so it's dark and still cozy for her.
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Post by Kayleigh on Dec 15, 2012 14:08:05 GMT
Ivermectin treats mites, usually a spot on treatment behind the ears, Check the ingriedents to your shampoo. If not the spot on can be bought in most pet shops and online.
Enjoy the pups as they will grow up super quick.
Kayleigh
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Post by piggypal on Dec 15, 2012 14:19:29 GMT
Thank you for all your help!! |
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Post by piggypal on Dec 15, 2012 14:37:30 GMT
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Post by cordane on Dec 15, 2012 15:44:28 GMT
Just had a quick scroll on the page - kind of half asleep here - the ivomec is your best option that I could see. You only need a small amount though. I believe it's .5mL per 2kg for mite treatment. |
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