Symptoms of pain ?

[Midge&Panda]

I came home tonight and noticed Midge wasn't herself. Couldn't quite put my finger on it. She was laid on her side and her breathing was off- almost like hiccups, not noisy but definate jerky movements of the stomach. Well she went straight to the vets, they gave her a thorough examination and couldn't find anything apart from being slighty uncomfortable when her bladder/bottom area was touched. Just enough for a very quiet grumble. When she was there she passed 2 very large nicely formed poos but she was slighlty hunched up when passing them. The vet suggested we start with a course of metacam to see if this helped. We also have baytril so she has had a dose of both and been put to bed with extra treats. Her breathing has improved and she is no longer laid on her side. Now I know a pig being hunched up is a sign of pain as well as not eating but are there others. I really cant understand whats going on at the moment. By the way Midge is 5yrs and 3mths so when I saw her behaving the way she was I really did think the worse. Any thoughts.

 

[Jerrybelly]

Pigs hide pain very well, so sometimes all you would notice is that they seemed a bit 'off'. Aside from the obvious sign of pain when handled, or when weeing/pooing, then they might be off their food or sitting in the corner with their fur looking fluffed up.
Teeth chattering can also be a sign of pain.

 

[Claire W]

I would be inclined to ask for a urinalysis (urine being tested) as pain around the back end when being touched being hunched up can be a sign of a UTI and / or bladder stones.

I hope Midge feels better soon xx

 

[Freela]

I would ask for a urinalysis- at least test the urine for occult blood. This is pretty much like one of my piggies when she had an acute UTI. Definitely a quick and easy test to do to get some information.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Any change from normal behaviour is a sign of possible pain ; reduced appetite, going off certain foods, not coming forward as quickly as usual, moving around less, being a bit grumpy towards companions, looking hunched, looking fluffed up, whimpering, teeth chattering in situations when usually wouldn't, weight loss, lethargy, laying down or sitting differently to normal (as if can't get compfy), altered breathing ( this could also be a respiratory infection and would need checking by a vet).

all of the above could be quite noticable or very subtle. i believe piggies have many ways of letting us know when they are in pain, the difficulty often lies in pin pointing what is causing the pain.

the first thing to do is to make a prompt trip to the vets, as you have done. as others have said bladder issues are quite common and worth investigating.

 

[Pebble]

. She was laid on her side and her breathing was off- almost like hiccups, not noisy but definate jerky movements of the stomach. .

This is exactly what Alan Maggots used to do and we finally found out (via echocardiogram) that a past infection had damaged his heart valves (endocarditis). Now he is on heart meds and his breathing is uch better and he is more active.

As well a the urine analysis I would be inclined to look to see if there is a heart issue - Xray for fluid around the heart/in the lungs first....as many heart issues can often be diganosed from this. However you may have to have an echocardiogram too if you want to rule out endocarditis.

Hope you manage to find out what's wrong

x

 

[Midge&Panda]

After a rather sleepless night - on my part and her 3rd dose of baytril Midge looks decidedly better. She is no longer inclined to lay on her side and her breathing is back to normal. She is eating quite well but still being quieter than normal. She is back to the vets for another check-up on Friday (different vet) to see what he has to say. Hopefully she is on the mend. Thanks for the advice and kind wishes. xx

 

[flintstones]

Glad your little one's feeling better, Recently my Wilma was noticably grumpy to her other cage mates asserting her dominance. However when she wasn't asserting herself she seemed very out of sorts I actually was considering the possibility of her having a stroke and perhaps she wasn't quite with it. Since being treated with antibiotics all symptoms have disappeared and it appears she was in pain due to an infection. I found it very interesting her response to pain, reminded me they are all individual and any change can indicate something is not quite right.

 

[Midge&Panda]

Flintstones- the mention of Wilma asserting her dominance and the quiet periods after is very much Midge at the moment. She has always been the dominant sow- plenty of rumbling and mounting even after she was spayed. Its gradually got worse over the last 2 months. So thinking about it she may have been poorly for a while but hiding it (as they usually do) until it got too much. Anyhows she back to see her favourite vet today and I will be mentioning all thats been said so far. So thanks again every one for your kind wishes and advice Whee will keep you updated. x