Stopping fresh food (tummy upset) for piggies that don't drink

[Kay701]

One of my piggies has a mildly upset stomach. Poos a bit softer, smellier than normal, some in clumps, also falling apart/being stepped on and broken up more easily. This is only some of the poos, suggesting that it's one piggy. I checked their bums, Honey's was lovely and clean, Waffle had a messy bum which I trimmed but it wasn't just the hair (they get messy bums because of their long hair so i keep it short) but her actual bum was a bit dirty with poo stains. I wiped it gently with a water wipe. They're due for a weekly weigh-in tomorrow which hopefully will be fine.

So I read in the guides that I should stop their fresh veg for a day or two. Should I stop giving veg to Honey as well as Waffle?

And the other issue, the main thing I'm worried about, is that they are horrendous water drinkers - as in I've never seen the bottle or bowl decrease, never seen them show the slightest interest in it, when I draw their attention to it they are very pointed in showing me they don't care! They get most (probably all) of their water from their veg. Will they get dehydrated if I stop the veg? Or will this make them drink the water? am worried about them not drinking even if they're thirsty because they're not in the habit of it and I don't know if they even know how to use the bottle (have tried, it got bitten then ignored) or are aware of the function of the bowl (it has been sniffed but mainly ignored)! and I have no idea if/how they stayed hydrated at their previous home. Am probably just overthinking it and they will drink if they are thirsty but some reassurance/clarification would be good!

 

[Piggies&buns]

If you know which piggy is unwell then you only need to stop veg for that piggy. The other one can still have veg but I would remove her from the cage so a quick bit of hand feeding and then pop her back in.

The need to drink comes before the need to eat so if a piggy is eating, then they are drinking. They won’t deliberately dehydrate themselves.
You can offer a few drops off water from a syringe during the time she isn’t getting veg, but only ever offer, don’t squirt the water into their mouths

 

[Kay701]

Thank you the only interest in water I ever found was when waffle licked some off my finger (although I think it was the excitement of licking rather than the water itself!) so might try that.

have seen that syringe feeding is important when piggies are really ill, obviously it's not necessary now but in the interests of being prepared for the future what kind of syringe is best and where should I get it from?

They are not happy with me about veg being withdrawn!

 

[fluffysal]

I bought 1ml oral syringes from Amazon when I decided to "syringe train" my boys. Sir George used to be a bit wary but Master Boris wants absolutely anything offered from a syringe and is not disappointed when it's water.

 

[Kay701]

I bought 1ml oral syringes from Amazon when I decided to "syringe train" my boys. Sir George used to be a bit wary but Master Boris wants absolutely anything offered from a syringe and is not disappointed when it's water.

so like these? Amazon.co.uk

 

[fluffysal]

Yes. I bought the cheapest ones, they can be refused for a while (I have Milton sterilising tablets for the water bottles) but will need to be disposed of when they get too many lil teefies marks

 

[Kay701]

After over 24 hrs without veggies (3pm Tuesday to 6pm today), poo had normalised and Waffle has just been reunited with her favourite, lettuce! They were very disgruntled and confused about the lack of vegetables (I had taken Honey off too before i got replies just in case) but they seem to have forgiven me now. When waffle got lettuce again, she actually purred! she's never purred at food before

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m glad to hear poops have normalized.

Continue to keep an eye and be slow about reintroducing veg.
(it’s actually recommended that once poops normalise, you still keep off veg for a further 24 hours to really be sure everything has settled and then restart by introducing herbs first as they tend to be milder on the digestion)

 

[fluffysal]

It might be milder on the digestion but I'm willing to bet that it's not milder on the ears.....WHEEK....WHEEK....WHEEK...

 

[Kay701]

I’m glad to hear poops have normalized.

Continue to keep an eye and be slow about reintroducing veg.
(it’s actually recommended that once poops normalise, you still keep off veg for a further 24 hours to really be sure everything has settled and then restart by introducing herbs first as they tend to be milder on the digestion)

Oh dear okay I'll keep monitoring, hopefully it'll stay normal!