Going off vegetables

[Lauraspigs]

Just after the heatwave (uk) Luna started to leave her vegetables, she was ok in every other way but has had respiratory issues in the past, she’s never showed any signs of an infection but has had courses of antibiotics/metacam because she makes a noise and her breathing is more noticeable than others. Usually the noise stops and only starts when she gets over excited etc the vet said they can have damage to their nasal passages/vocal cords so it could just be her.

The vet checked her over and couldn’t find anything wrong but started on the antibiotics again to be safe, the last time was before Christmas. She’s had 3 weeks of sulfatrim so far. She will eat coriander, romaine lettuce, parsley, cress, sometimes tomatoes and carrot but isn’t interested in cucumber/courgette/pepper anymore. Can pigs just go off their vegetables? Should I keep offering them or give her something different?

She’s eating hay, pellets, recovery food on her terms when she wants it, grass and her weight is stable. Sadly my other girl Saffie passed away last week after 5 days at the vets so Luna has been on her own for nearly 2 weeks now. I don’t know whether I am worrying over nothing or if I should be worrying more. She’s not a fan of being handled so vet visits are very stressful for both of us.

Luna isn’t really pig friendly so not sure a new friend is a good idea. She fell out with her sisters last year, they had been living together in a 7x2 c&c cage for nearly 3 years at that point. So she was separated by a divider, she is a funny little thing and keeps her beds clean and dry and doesn’t like to share with others, she would try and bite them through the bars etc so a new pig would have to live separately and I don’t think that’s very fair.

We lost Lexie last December (following surgery for ovarian cysts) and Saffie last week (following an op for bladder issues). They came from a breeder and haven’t been lucky with their health. She seems happy and wasn’t worried about being separated, I work from home and am with her most of the day/evening. She’s so clean that she’s got a lovely sheepskin bed that she loves and she’s got a comforter toy, she has regular popcorn parties nearly every day so I think she’s happy. It’s just the veg issue.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks for reading

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes they can go off certain veg and be a bit fussy with things. Veg is only such a small part of their diet though, more of a snack, pellets are even less important so as long as she is eating hay and maintaining weight, then being fussy with veg isnt a massive concern on its own. If she starts to lose interest in hay and lose weight then that is obviously more of a worry.

She may have been separated and not have wanted to get on with the others, but they would still have been there for interaction and companionship and now being alone would still be an adjustment for her even though they didn't live together.
You are right, it wouldnt be entirely fair to get another single piggy to live alongside, but having another pair alongside would give her interaction and companionship - of course that's only an option if you are looking to continue with piggies or perhaps even if you had a foster pair to live alongside which you could hand back.

 

[Lauraspigs]

@Piggies&buns thanks she’s eating everything else so I’ll try not to worry unless that changes.

I was worried that fosters might pose a risk if they hadn’t been quarantined (not sure how it works) especially with her breathing issues. the nearest rescue is quite a way from us so not sure if they would consider us though.

To be honest I’m not keen on continuing the cycle of having more. I love them so much and they are such wonderful little creatures but I’m struggling with the losses and their lives are so short.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Do just keep an eye on her, of course seeing a vet if things change.

All piggies from a rescue would be quarantined before being rehomed. My guess is it would depend on the situation - fosterers may sometimes act as the quarantine but as you already have a piggy and wouldnt want contact with another until quarantine had been undertaken then I'm sure arrangements could be made to ensure any foster piggies were quarantined beforehand.
Distance is less of an issue, for most rescues its about suitability of home.
Something to bear in mind anyway - there will come a time when all of us want to end our piggy cycle and fostering temporarily is an option to give companionship (even if only through bars) to a remaining piggy while being able to end the cycle should you wish to go down that route.