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Long-term skinny, any tips

Black piggies

Black piggies

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Hi, I adopted 2 floofy piggies from Hazelcroft Rescue a month ago. One of them is very skinny, (well skeletal :yikes:).

She's 5, was at the rescue for 10 months and barely gained weight, obviously getting the best of care there.

She's been at her stable weight around 670g since I've had her. The previous owners said she had a sister who was also undersized, who died young, and so the rescue thought it was a genetic, maybe absorption issue.

She's very lively and cheerful, jumping on the other piggy and popcorning. She's the most hyper piggy I've had. She wheeks for food and eats well, hay, veg and nuggets. Her poos look OK, just miniature.

Incidentally the rescue recently took her to a vet, because she has a lump on her side. The vet who has pigs herself, just said she is too skinny for GA.

I'm following the advice of the rescue to feed a bit of wheat bran. I don't want to feed too much extra food that isn't hay, because I don't want her becoming dental. She would be eager to eat big carrot chunks though. I'm wondering if there's anything else to consider?
Probiotics.. worms.. ?

Or, if it ain't broke, don't fix it maybe...

IMG_20210709_194536.jpgIMG_20210628_175608.jpgScreenshot_20210712_173840.jpgScreenshot_20210712_173826.jpg
 
I usually give oat flakes to my elderly piggies if they loose weight. I know it's not really recommended to give piggies anything with grain, but I never had any bad side effects with my seniors.

But if she eats a lot and is really very lively, you could let your vet check her thyroid levels.

In the other hand I have had a few piggies who lost weight without showing other symptoms and the vets found nothing. Some piggies are light weights (some are not ;)) and elderly piggies can start to loose weight because they don't process food the way they used to and are loosing muscle mass.
 
Viennese Furbabies said:
I usually give oat flakes to my elderly piggies if they loose weight. I know it's not really recommended to give piggies anything with grain, but I never had any bad side effects with my seniors.

But if she eats a lot and is really very lively, you could let your vet check her thyroid levels.

In the other hand I have had a few piggies who lost weight without showing other symptoms and the vets found nothing. Some piggies are light weights (some are not ;)) and elderly piggies can start to loose weight because they don't process food the way they used to and are loosing muscle mass.
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Ah thyroid issues would make sense thanks. She's so hyper 😊
She's not lost weight, she's always been undersized.
 
My family's piggy Chippy is a little over a year old, has always been on the small side, and doesn't seem like she's going to be any bigger than 700 grams. Our vet said to give a little extra veg (she already gets extra nuggets). Chippy is the leader of her trio, always has been, we've had her since she was a baby. She's a happy piggy and gets along with her cagemates. She eats great and has always had a voracious appetite. She hoovers up anything she is offered. The vet thinks Chippy just has a high metabolism. She hasn't been able to find anything wrong with her. Maybe it's something similar with your piggy as well?
 
Hope4gem said:
My family's piggy Chippy is a little over a year old, has always been on the small side, and doesn't seem like she's going to be any bigger than 700 grams. Our vet said to give a little extra veg (she already gets extra nuggets). Chippy is the leader of her trio, always has been, we've had her since she was a baby. She's a happy piggy and gets along with her cagemates. She eats great and has always had a voracious appetite. She hoovers up anything she is offered. The vet thinks Chippy just has a high metabolism. She hasn't been able to find anything wrong with her. Maybe it's something similar with your piggy as well?
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Aw little Chippy sounds very similar. How much extra veg do you give? How do you make sure it's just her getting extra portions? Do you take her out and feed her? I worry that mini pig's friend is going to become huge 😊
 
I feed my seniors separately, if I feel they need extra. Otherwise they wouldn't get anything, because my piggies are usually very dedicated and fast eaters.

Of course the others know what's going on, but they tolerate it and don't bully the senior.
If it is a younger piggy, that needs extra, it could lead to tension in the group, especially if the harmony is not 100 %. In these cases I give a little bit to the others as well after having fed the piggy who needs more.
 
Viennese Furbabies said:
I feed my seniors separately, if I feel they need extra. Otherwise they wouldn't get anything, because my piggies are usually very dedicated and fast eaters.

Of course the others know what's going on, but they tolerate it and don't bully the senior.
If it is a younger piggy, that needs extra, it could lead to tension in the group, especially if the harmony is not 100 %. In these cases I give a little bit to the others as well after having fed the piggy who needs more.
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That's good to consider thanks. Like @Hope4gem my mini pig is the boss, so that makes it easier. You have a lot of piggies to consider the dynamics for I guess!
 
Black piggies said:
Aw little Chippy sounds very similar. How much extra veg do you give? How do you make sure it's just her getting extra portions? Do you take her out and feed her? I worry that mini pig's friend is going to become huge 😊
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We just give her a bit extra...like a slightly larger piece of bell pepper, a little extra lettuce...that kind of thing. The vet wasn't specific so we're just giving a bit extra for now and continuing to monitor her weight. She's a pretty quick eater so we can usually give her extra in the cage and she'll finish it before the others have a chance to get it. If the others are being nosy we can always take her out to give her extra.
 
She is gorgeous! My Lily has always been "naturally skinny", very mindful of her bikini body, I suppose. I give her some oats whenever I feel like she needs an extra boost, that's always helped us. She is happy and healthy, the boss pig in this household!
 
RosieLily said:
She is gorgeous! My Lily has always been "naturally skinny", very mindful of her bikini body, I suppose. I give her some oats whenever I feel like she needs an extra boost, that's always helped us. She is happy and healthy, the boss pig in this household!
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That's funny. Another mini boss pig 🤩 Thanks, I've ways been happy with wheat bran for topping up, but will try oats now. What kind do you give?
 
Black piggies said:
That's funny. Another mini boss pig 🤩 Thanks, I've ways been happy with wheat bran for topping up, but will try oats now. What kind do you give?
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I just give normal rolled oats that you would put in porridge. Here's RB Dennis enjoying some with a bit of grated apple for breakfast.

Dennis Breakfast 4.webpDennis Breakfast 6.webp
 
RosieLily said:
Oh my! Was Dennis a rex piggy or just a really wild-looking teddy? :wub:

But same here, I use the same oats I make porridge with in the mornings!
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Dennis was a teddy. He was a lovely boy so laid back I could do anything with him and he wasn't phased at all. He was my little cutey pie and I miss him so much!
 
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