Is it normal for pigs to become closer during illness?

[RosieLily]

Hello, hope all is well with you!

Rosie and Lily are both a bit poorly - Rosie is recovering from URI + both of their tummies are a bit gassy and upset currently. They’re both on meds. They’re still very energetic, happy and curious despite not feeling as good as they should.

Rosie has always been the boss-pig, she always had very specific boundaries. She liked her space. And Lily, though very affectionate, knew not to bother the little boss, so they’ve always gotten along well!

After Rosie became ill with URI, they suddenly became a lot closer. Eating close together, sleeping close together. Rosie also became a lot more tolerant of Lily.

THIS would have been unacceptable for little Rosie prior to her illness!


Of course they still bicker a little bit, Lily is a very dangerous automatic wee-gun, the acrobatic jumps Rosie does to avoid her bum are world-class. And Rosie does nip when she’s had enough.

Is this normal? My previous pair had a falling out when one of the girls got sick, they never bonded again. Could it mean that Rosie is too uncomfortable to bother with Lily and her approaches? Or perhaps they simply enjoy it?

Thank you!

 

[Free Ranger]

Lovely girls I've seen that with my piggies when one is poorly and the other is worried about them. Boss pig accepted affection and comfort whereas before (although no squabbling) everyone knew their place. If Lily is just being caring and is not challenging for top place they might develop a whole new appreciation of each other. Keep an eye on those poops to make sure the guts keep working as meds can affect them in different ways. I'm assuming Rosie got antibiotics for her URI - what did Lily get?

( PS With 2 boars I have seen the opposite... the Boss got something wrong and underpiggy took his chance! I had to split those boars up to stop the fighting but as soon as the bars were between them they were both happy again and spent time together as neighbours)

 

[Wiebke]

Yes, companions are great comforters. In some cases, their changes behaviour has alerted me to a sudden serious illness or a sudden downturn. I always knew in my two elderlies groups when one was coming to the end of their life - the mates would take in turn to snuggle up with them. They will do that even for an ill neighbour across the bares, as my Cerian did for Dylan when he was developing a jaw abscess. A very few will even bring food to their ill friends.
That is why companionship during illness is so important and why we recommend not to separate if at all possible. There has been quite a change of mind in piggy savvy vets on that score.

On the other hand, when a leader is no longer able to fulfill their vital responsibilities, the second in command will step in sooner or later as every group needs a leader to function and to survive. In this case, it very much depends on the relationship - do you have a sidekick who is rather gingerly stepping into some large paw prints or do you have an ambitious one who has been waiting for a chance to take over. it also depends on how long the illness lasts and how the recovered leader is reclaiming their place in the hierarchy (and how willing the sidekick is too step down again). It can on occasion even lead to a fall-out in an adult pair or to a whole group of sows to fall apart.

All the best and good a recovery!

 

[RosieLily]

Lovely girls I've seen that with my piggies when one is poorly and the other is worried about them. Boss pig accepted affection and comfort whereas before (although no squabbling) everyone knew their place. If Lily is just being caring and is not challenging for top place they might develop a whole new appreciation of each other. Keep an eye on those poops to make sure the guts keep working as meds can affect them in different ways. I'm assuming Rosie got antibiotics for her URI - what did Lily get?

( PS With 2 boars I have seen the opposite... the Boss got something wrong and underpiggy took his chance! I had to split those boars up to stop the fighting but as soon as the bars were between them they were both happy again and spent time together as neighbours)

That’s so lovely to hear! I was so worried that they might have a terrible falling out like my previous pigs did, but it honestly looks like they are genuinely enjoying each other’s company. They slept snuggled close together all night!

Rosie just got off antibiotics, currently they’re on probiotics, Espumisan (kids’ tummy medicine) and C-vitamin as I am currently not giving them any veggies. They’re not terribly gassy or bloated, but my vet did notice some gas build up. We’re hoping to solve it like this!

 

[*kate*]

When Betty was nearing the end, Elsie started grooming her a lot

 

[Free Ranger]

Right. I've not got any personal experience of bloat but I have read some threads on here where they talk about a medication called Simethicone which is good for gas in people because it collects all the little gas bubbles into one big one. I think people just burp it up, but I'm not sure piggies can do this. So I think I've read that some people don't give it to their piggies because a big bubble of gas can be uncomfortable? This simethicone might be the active ingredient in your Espumisan...

I'm going to tag some of the people who know a lot about health and illness so see what they say about it. @Siikibam @Piggies&buns ? It could be that if pigs are a bit gassy it helps but if they have a proper nasty bout of bloat it is avoided so don't stop giving any prescribed medication - but see what some of the replies might say to learn more about how your piggies might react. I hope they feel better soon! ☺

 

[Free Ranger]

Or @Wiebke perhaps you are on line and can help with current knowledge about the Espumisan?

 

[Wiebke]

That’s so lovely to hear! I was so worried that they might have a terrible falling out like my previous pigs did, but it honestly looks like they are genuinely enjoying each other’s company. They slept snuggled close together all night!

Rosie just got off antibiotics, currently they’re on probiotics, Espumisan (kids’ tummy medicine) and C-vitamin as I am currently not giving them any veggies. They’re not terribly gassy or bloated, but my vet did notice some gas build up. We’re hoping to solve it like this!

Espumisan is another brand name for simethicone. NOT recommended for guinea pigs with their thin and very long gut because - unlike the much short and thicker gut in humans and prey animal pets who live off a protein based diet and not a hard to break down grass based diet - simethicone collects the gas in one bubble. This is easier to expel in a short gut but can be very difficult to move out in a piggy gut.

If you cannot find information on a particular brand name, the first step is to google for the active ingredient. We are trying to always include the active ingredient in any guides with medical information so country specific or generic brand names can be worked out wherever you are in the world.

 

[RosieLily]

Espumisan is another brand name for simethicone. NOT recommended for guinea pigs with their thin and very long gut because - unlike the much short and thicker gut in humans and prey animal pets who live off a protein based diet and not a hard to break down grass based diet - simethicone collects the gas in one bubble. This is easier to expel in a short gut but can be very difficult to move out in a piggy gut.

If you cannot find information on a particular brand name, the first step is to google for the active ingredient. We are trying to always include the active ingredient in any guides with medical information so country specific or generic brand names can be worked out wherever you are in the world.

I’m not sure what to think now, the vet who recommended it to me is the ONLY exotic vet in my city :/.

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Sending your piggies lots healing vibes.

 

[Wiebke]

I’m not sure what to think now, the vet who recommended it to me is the ONLY exotic vet in my city :/.

Do you have herbal baby colic teas or preparations (they are known as gripe water here in the UK)? They are usually better at dispersing mild gas, like fennel tea etc. because they break up the gas bubbles. They do not work for severe potentially fatal bloat attacks but in my own experience with cases of bloating, they are more effective with secondary mild bloating.

However, the decision is yours.