Calcium Deposits Help

[PipSqueak20]

Hello,

My pig Peanut is leaving calcium deposits every few days. They seem to be bright white and slightly gritty. No huge deposits. She is on a low calcium and on low calcium/grain free pellets. I’ve tried filtering the water but they seem to go off water when I do. I give her the oxbow joint support treats as I can’t get my hands on the urinary support ones. I also give cystease every so often. I’m starting up giving her the potassium citrate again to see if that helps.

Just to note; she has had cystitis before (January this year). From the looks of it she’s not looking or sounding that she’s uncomfortable when she goes to the toilet.

Thanks for any advice

 

[Piggies&buns]

I would suggest a vet check but there are also a few important things to note:

Cystease - when you say every now and then, what do you mean by this?
Glucosamine builds up in the system but takes a couple of weeks to build up so if you aren’t giving it for long enough before stopping then she isn’t getting full benefit of it. It’s something to be given long term rather than stop/start.

A diet too low in calcium can cause as many issues as one which is too high - you have to find a balance which works for you.

 

[PipSqueak20]

I would suggest a vet check but there are also a few important things to note:

Cystease - when you say every now and then, what do you mean by this?
Glucosamine builds up in the system but takes a couple of weeks to build up so if you aren’t giving it for long enough before stopping then she isn’t getting full benefit of it. It’s something to be given long term rather than stop/start.

A diet too low in calcium can cause as many issues as one which is too high - you have to find a balance which works for you.

I don’t cut the calcium out completely just lower it and take out high calcium veg.

With cystease, I was only suggested by the vet to use it short term (I used it for a month). Is there a particular way to use it ( in food, mixed with something else etc) I syringed it mixed with water but I'm having difficulty feeding it to her.

She hasn’t long had a vet check and they said that she was good. In December, they found sludge in her bladder so I’m hoping it’s not that returning. No blood in the urine has been found since January as I’ve been conscious of it ever since.

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s not possible to cut calcium out completely, but if you cut it too low then that can also cause the same problems ie visible calcium deposits/sludge etc - the balance is still wrong, it’s just wrong in the opposite direction. As there is a local element and everybody’s balance is different, we can’t know what you need to do to find the balance - we can only give general advice.
More calcium comes into the diet via pellets and water than through veg.
So, for example, my balance for my piggies is that I barely feed pellets (they get five each on a Wednesday and five each on a Sunday) and instead I do give high calcium veg and dried forage.

Wiebke's Guide to Pees and Stones

 

[PipSqueak20]

I might just start cutting out pellets all together and see if that helps.

 

[PipSqueak20]

I would suggest a vet check but there are also a few important things to note:

Cystease - when you say every now and then, what do you mean by this?
Glucosamine builds up in the system but takes a couple of weeks to build up so if you aren’t giving it for long enough before stopping then she isn’t getting full benefit of it. It’s something to be given long term rather than stop/start.

A diet too low in calcium can cause as many issues as one which is too high - you have to find a balance which works for you.

I’ve taken Peanut to the vets today. She had an ultrasound and they found an ovarian cyst. Their worry was that it was cancerous. So they’ve suggested an immediate full spay and removal of the cyst. I’ve opted for this even with my history of losing my previous piggie Peaches. I think it was the best option possible at this time.

I have full confidence in my vets as they seem confident and knowledgeable in gp spaying.

 

[sport_billy]

I’ve taken Peanut to the vets today. She had an ultrasound and they found an ovarian cyst. Their worry was that it was cancerous. So they’ve suggested an immediate full spay and removal of the cyst. I’ve opted for this even with my history of losing my previous piggie Peaches. I think it was the best option possible at this time.

I have full confidence in my vets as they seem confident and knowledgeable in gp spaying.

Sneding lots of postive thoughts and love to you and Peanut x