Food Intake and Nursing

[southcalihedgie]

Hello All,

I have a rescue hog that unexspectantly had a litter of 5. I noticed that she is not eating as much as she did when I first brought her in. I just thought she was incrediably over weight :dunno: . She is eating and drinking, and the babies look fine...but I am still concerned. Does food intake normally go down a bit in the first week, maybe due to spending a lot of time with the babies?

My normal vet is out of town, and the others that fill in are not too knowledgeable. So I thought I would ask the experts here.

Thanks in advance.

[southcalihedgie]

Hello All,

I managed to get her and her litter in to see a vet. I was concerned about her low food intake, and her spending less time caring for her babies. The vet thinks the previous owner had fed her to the point of obesiety and that the pregnancy was such a strain on her that it made her weak/ ill. She also thinks that she has the beginning signs of a resp. infection, luckliy we have causght it soon enough. Hopefully we can prevent it from getting out of control. So I am injecting sub Q fluids twice a day, giving her antibiotics twice a day, and giving her supp. + syringe feeding 3-5 times a day. And I am trying to raise a litter of 4. I am so tired but their little faces keep me going. The vet said that the babies have a good chance since they were able to nurse for a week and a half before the milk dried up.

Just thought I would let you all know how my rescue mama is doing.

[Vampira_666]

sorry for the late responce-- I just want to wish you good luck with momma and babies!!

also for future reference--- food intake will go down slightly in the first week, and water intake go up -- I've noticed it here because mom seems to be spending all her time with the babes! I've also noticed the week before they are due food intake goes up quite a bit-- I think they are eating all they can so they can spend more time with the babes!

dont quote me-- I'm fairly new to breeding-- hopefully someone more knowledgable will come along and help you out!

again GOOD LUCK!!

[HedgieHaven]

I hope mommy and babies all pull through. Good Luck.

[Nancy]

I weigh my girls kibble daily starting about 2 weeks prior to their due date. Their food intake before delivery is high. For the first few days after delivery they slow down but then they pig out like crazy for about 3 weeks and then slowly start to go down. The food and water is best kept within easy reach of mom, preferably so she doesn't have to totally leave the nest box to eat. I love it when they hang out of the nest box to grab a bite.

My current moms of 4 weeks olds are currently eating between 35 - 40g's per night. Two weeks ago 60g's per night was average.

Good luck with her and the babies. :)

[southcalihedgie]

Hello,

Unfortunately 2 babies passed last night. I am really upset because theu were doing so well. The remaining two look good, but I am still really worried. And worst of all mom looks terrible, she is not huffing, or even raising her quills when I nudge her. So in my hedgie ER she is getting fluids, a heating pad, meds, and feeding. I am trying to remain hopeful but my experice tells me that I am in for a lot of heart break.

I am exhausted and really depressed. But it just feels like I am doing all I can and nothing is good enough.

I am going to take a shower and try to get some sleep. Thank you all for you kind words and prayers.

[Nancy]

If she is letting you feed her, try giving her some high calorie foods. If this is FLD a high calorie food can sometimes help reverse the disease.

Poor girl and poor babies. It's heartbreaking but handfeeding is usually not successful.

(((HUGS)))

[southcalihedgie]

Mamma has passed. I found her after I got out of the shower. The poor babies are the only ones I have left.

[illinidairychic]

That is very sad :( I hope the little babies are doing well. They do have a better chance since they did get to nurse on mom a bit. Don't get too discouraged, you did all you could for her. The babies would have all been dead without you.

[herbiesmom]

Oh I am so sorry for you! Momma was not strong enough poor little thing. It truly is a blessing you got to her though because at least two of her little ones have a fighting chance. None of them stood a prayer without you.
Peace and prayers,
Cyn and hedgie boys