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Jasmine slowly losing weight

Aw, so lovely that Jasmine‘s home, she will feel so much better now she is back with her friends x
 
Fingers crossed! I had to give her all five meds and syringe feed her this evening when I would've rather just let her be. After battling to get the recovery mix into her (I only managed 4ml instead of the 8-10ml she's supposed to have each feed), she needed a break and flopped on the desk. Jasmine is active and moving around, but absolutely exhausted and resting a lot; she's clearly not herself yet, and made some rather disgruntled noises at me!

However, she is picking at bits of food. As soon as I put her back in the cage, she nibbled some hay. I hope she gets more enthusiastic about food soon; I'm a bit nervous I won't get enough in her to keep her guts moving.
 
HeatherW said:
Fingers crossed! I had to give her all five meds and syringe feed her this evening when I would've rather just let her be. After battling to get the recovery mix into her (I only managed 4ml instead of the 8-10ml she's supposed to have each feed), she needed a break and flopped on the desk. Jasmine is active and moving around, but absolutely exhausted and resting a lot; she's clearly not herself yet, and made some rather disgruntled noises at me!

However, she is picking at bits of food. As soon as I put her back in the cage, she nibbled some hay. I hope she gets more enthusiastic about food soon; I'm a bit nervous I won't get enough in her to keep her guts moving.
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Could you spread the recover mix and feed more often? So that you’re not under pressure to get her taking 8-10ml in one setting?
 
Siikibam said:
Could you spread the recover mix and feed more often? So that you’re not under pressure to get her taking 8-10ml in one setting?
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Yes, I think I might do that. I've just got the final 6ml into her and she's been fighting hard against it! I don't blame her after the week she's had. Once I put her back down, Jasmine went straight to the hay pile to prove that she can eat by herself (but is stubbornly choosing not to). :P At least the wound doesn't appear to be causing her much pain, if any, and there are a few thin, tiny poos dotted about the cage. I feel that, for my own peace of mind, I'm going to end up doing some night syringe feeds.
 
Sounds like things are going in the right direction, maybe you could spread the recovery food on cucumber or carrot sticks then hold them so she can nibble without the fuss of coming out of her cage so much? Its such a worry isnt it when us hoomans have a fixed number of mls of recovery food we need them to eat and the awkward poorly piggy just doesnt appreciate your concern! Healing wheeks to Jasmine and hugs for her stressed out slave x
 
I woke up at 1am, so thought I'd rather get some more food down her else it would play on my mind. Her poops are tiny like a hamster's and a little stringy at times, but at least there are poops!

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Jasmine is calmer today now she's had time to decompress, although still lying down a lot and not that interested in food. To my surprise, she's even rejecting the Metacam! She's better at accepting the meds and I'm giving her longer breaks between them, but she absolutely does not want the recovery food. She keeps grabbing the syringe and throwing it down in disgust, so I guess that's good in a way! Despite being unhappy with me, Jasmine appears to grumpily acknowledge I'm only trying to help, but she's understandably fed up.

I admit I wasn't expecting the surgery to have as big an impact on her as it has. It's quite sad to see her in this state, especially considering how happy she was before the op. Hopefully it can only get better from here! Her meds should reduce in number on Monday.

In terms of me, I tend to sleep pretty well and quite flexibly. In fact, I'm about to leave for a nice brunch at my favourite cafe! It's a self-care day today! :)
 
Glad to hear you're taking a bit of time out for you! Maybe she would go for a different type of recovery food, or some mushed up pellets, or eat the recovery food if you added some apple or carrot puree? Or a bit of fibreplex too to stimulate her guts to get going?
Or a strawberry says Blodwen pig who only takes medicines and syringe feeds if there are naughty fruits involved- Blod says Guinea Pig Union rules clearly state that for adorable floofy pigs then every ml of anything in a syringe requires half a grape or a blueberry or a strawberry top or in an emergency an entire strawberry repeatedly dipped in a mix of fibreplex, recovery food and medicine!
 
PigglePuggle said:
Glad to hear you're taking a bit of time out for you! Maybe she would go for a different type of recovery food, or some mushed up pellets, or eat the recovery food if you added some apple or carrot puree? Or a bit of fibreplex too to stimulate her guts to get going?
Or a strawberry says Blodwen pig who only takes medicines and syringe feeds if there are naughty fruits involved- Blod says Guinea Pig Union rules clearly state that for adorable floofy pigs then every ml of anything in a syringe requires half a grape or a blueberry or a strawberry top or in an emergency an entire strawberry repeatedly dipped in a mix of fibreplex, recovery food and medicine!
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Oh Blod, you have got those humans of yours whipped into shape haven’t you?! :D:))
 
HeatherW said:
I woke up at 1am, so thought I'd rather get some more food down her else it would play on my mind. Her poops are tiny like a hamster's and a little stringy at times, but at least there are poops!

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Jasmine is calmer today now she's had time to decompress, although still lying down a lot and not that interested in food. To my surprise, she's even rejecting the Metacam! She's better at accepting the meds and I'm giving her longer breaks between them, but she absolutely does not want the recovery food. She keeps grabbing the syringe and throwing it down in disgust, so I guess that's good in a way! Despite being unhappy with me, Jasmine appears to grumpily acknowledge I'm only trying to help, but she's understandably fed up.

I admit I wasn't expecting the surgery to have as big an impact on her as it has. It's quite sad to see her in this state, especially considering how happy she was before the op. Hopefully it can only get better from here! Her meds should reduce in number on Monday.

In terms of me, I tend to sleep pretty well and quite flexibly. In fact, I'm about to leave for a nice brunch at my favourite cafe! It's a self-care day today! :)
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So glad you had a pretty good night, glad she’s calmer, sure she’s happy to be home! :) Very glad you’re escaping for brunch too! Enjoy! :drool:x
 
PigglePuggle said:
Glad to hear you're taking a bit of time out for you! Maybe she would go for a different type of recovery food, or some mushed up pellets, or eat the recovery food if you added some apple or carrot puree? Or a bit of fibreplex too to stimulate her guts to get going?
Or a strawberry says Blodwen pig who only takes medicines and syringe feeds if there are naughty fruits involved- Blod says Guinea Pig Union rules clearly state that for adorable floofy pigs then every ml of anything in a syringe requires half a grape or a blueberry or a strawberry top or in an emergency an entire strawberry repeatedly dipped in a mix of fibreplex, recovery food and medicine!
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I've left some Emeraid in a bowl for her, but she's not really eaten anything except a bit if cucumber and a piece of sweet potato I shoved under nose. She wasn't even bothered about parsley! I'm going to pick some grass for her later; she's still hoovering that up, even if it's in stages and a lot slower. :) Thanks for the tips!
 
They really do love it don’t they. Hope Jasmine has a good old chomp on that grass now x
 
I don't think she's in pain, but she's clearly still exhausted and not particularly happy about meds and food. She's galavanting about the desk, but definitely not herself and lacking energy which isn't surprising if she's not eating.

I'm going to take my time with the recovery foods, and try to get a bit more in her than 8-10ml.

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Well, despite barely any poops today, Jasmine's looking a bit brighter this afternoon. She's still fighting the syringe, but she doesn't appear to have quite the same "defeated" look as this morning or be quite so wiped out in the process. Perhaps pacing the feeds and meds has helped.

However, if there are barely any poops today, is that because she didn't get enough yesterday evening? I know there's a delay through the digestion tract, but I'm not certain by how much. The vet said I don't need to get up in the night, but I think I will until she's eating more. I don't want to risk it!

I'm supposed to feed her 8-10ml four times a day if she's not eating by herself (and she's still only picking at things). However, I'm trying to give her more than that as I'm not certain how much has gone down her chin rather than into her mouth! I've watched the syringe feeding guides, but I'm still having a bit of trouble getting it into the corner of her mouth. Any tips? :)

Thanks for all your help and support so far! I'm eternally grateful and so thankful for the Forum! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
 
The poop is usually about a day behind. I’d be tempted to give her some Emeraid if she will eat it. In fact I’d give her anything she will tolerate. Syringe feeding techniques tbh vary from pig to pig. I tend to make my recovery food a bit thicker so it’s less likely to spill out/run down the chin. Personally, when the piggy is feisty like Jasmine in fighting the syringe, I find that quite encouraging.
 
Have you left some syringe food in the run with Jasmine so she can eat it by herself? My lot like a few oats and a bit of grated apple/carrot/sweet potato added have you tried that?
 
Mine love a bit of banana mashed into their Critical Care so when it’s been necessary I put a dish of that in the cage along with a dish of oats & grated carrot or sweet potato.

I think surgery is tiring- we would be wiped out for a few days after major surgery so it’s not surprising that the piggies take a while too.
Jasmine is in the best possible hands.
 
i agree with the above posters.it is difficult syringing a pig who is unwell.I'm feeding to seperate piggies,both stubbornly will not eat it out of a bowl.i hope it gets easier.i would give the emeraid if jasmine will tolerate it.mine seem to be much better with both versions,emeraid sustain and elemental emeraid.i use the sustain as they are getting better !
 
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