On Apr 18, 2:53=A0am, Ted <Heather_pell...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On Apr 14, 6:10=A0am, Scorpio <mwhit...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Hiya Heather,
>
> > You mentioned about cleaning out their bottoms because they get
> > impacted with poo. =A0What do I use? =A0Just my finger or what?
=A0Gross=
!
> > We gave them a bath last weekend. That went surprisingly well. =A0We
> > didn't keep them in too long as it was their first time and we got one
> > rather loud yelp but that was about it. =A0They coped quite well and I
> > was rather pleased how it all went.
>
> > It's absolutly pissing down here at the moment. =A0I've got the whole
> > hutch wrapped in a tarp and an old waterproof playmat. =A0Not much fun
> > for the one who is in the back though coz he can't get out now that
> > I've had to divide the hutch until we get an extra one. =A0Hey Kelvyn,
> > is it raining where you are?
>
> > Megan
>
> Hell NO - not yet!!! That's something that happens with OLD male
> piggies just like old folks really. I had old female piggies and I
> never had any problems in that area but I have read that male pigs
> often get into trouble with poo when they are old - It's caused by
> slackening of the anal muscles and the soft pellets merge and get
> stuck. They need to eat the soft pellets for their vitamins so you
> have to sort it or they will get very poorly. The problem presents
> with a large bulge behind the testicles and you need to squeeze the
> lump out from behind with a thumb and finger greased with Vaseline.
> You would firmly towel wrap the piggy with a small square of towel and
> lay it on its back on a soft cu****on to relax. You have to do it daily
> for an animal that gets into difficulty =A0- it literally take s a few
> seconds. Once you see the condition appear, it persists indefinitley
> but they are sensible and attempt to alter their diet to higher fibre
> if you provide it. SO NO BOTTOM FIDDLING YET FOLKS!!!I If =A0a young
> piggy got constipated ( hard dry lumps or small poo like a string or
> sausages ) I would give a 0.5 ml liquid paraffin orally with a
> syringe or restrict the diet to hay or mashed oats only for a day or
> 2. Groundsel and dandelion are the 2 plants that a pig will seek out
> in the wild to help themselves with this condition! Clever piggies!!!
> If the first dose of paraffin doesn't work you can repeat it once but
> NOT a third time as you will wipe out vital gut enzymes. I know that
> my vet lady used to use 'Swarfega' to clean the grease gland next to
> the anus. Personally I prefer a mild shampoo and 2 or 3 lathers.
>
> Glad their first bath wasn't traumatic. You should be OK from now on -
> as once they get used to it, they can sometimes enjoy a bath
> especially with a warm cuddle and lots of treats afterwards. Remember
> that if they are living outside you should keep them in =A0until they
> are thoroughly dry as they catch colds =A0- yes the old wives tale of
> catching cold after being cold is true, as it knocks your immune
> system out of whack sometimes. It's quite scary to hear your piggies
> with a cold - they cough like we do and get runny and blocked up noses
> needing 'Vick's' =A0decongestant rub or similar :0(. Some of our viruses
> pass to them and some don't - so if you have a cold just avoid close
> contact with them anyway. A pig with a cold needs indoor nursing and
> lots of TLC.
> Hope this helps. I may not always check this site , so if you get a
> problem you can always email me.
> Heather- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Thank you Heather. You have so much knowledge! All taken on board.
Megan
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