My runt piglet is weak, shaking, and can't walk. How can I save it?

You can try supplemental feeding with dog milk replacer and keep him warm and next to the mother and others if possible. Sometimes there is an underlying medical problem with the runt and in spite of your best efforts they do not survive. Dogs and other animals have litters with several pups because there is often one or two that don’t live. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lucky.

I'm so sorry to hear about your pup. First step is to warm him up. A Heating pad set on low with the cloth cover on will work. Other types of warm packs are ok too as long as there is a towel/cloth between the heat source and the pup. Keep heating until a rectal temp of 99 is achieved. Meanwhile, rub a small amount of white karo syrup or honey on his gums to help with low blood sugar. Between these two things he will hopefully perk up within 10-20 minutes enough to take the bottle/teat. Then feed as often as he cries. DO NOT try to syringe or force food until you are sure he is swallowing well as this can cause pneumonia if he accidentally inhales a little. Side note: I know it's silly, but be sure that you have poked a hole in the nipple of the bottle (many come with no opening which is weird). Sometimes, despite these efforts, a puppy will not respond and you will need to see the emergency vet for IV bloodsugar and fluids, etc. Even then, we sometimes cannot save them and they do pass. Many times these are the runts of the liver or we suspect there is something else going on (born with a congenital organ problem). Hope this helps and best of luck to you and the baby!

Keep him warm and supplement him with a 50/50 solution owater and evaporated milk. You can use an eye dropper to offer milk every 2 hours around the clock for the first 5-7 days after which you can feed every 4 hours. Guinea pig pups should nurse from the mother for the first few days of life. Unfortunately, many pups who do not get mom's milk in the first 3 to 4 days of life do not survive. You can also soak guinea pig pellets in water and offer those to eat. Normally, pups will begin to nibble solid foods at day 2 but should get milk until weaned at 21 days of age.

You will need to raise this one as an orphan. I suggest you refer to this article for information. If you have more questions after reading this please feel free to post again. Best wishes. ( https://www.petplace.com/article/small-mammals/general/caring-for-orphaned-guinea-pigs/ )

Pigs tend to run hotter than people and a normal temp is around 101.5-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If she's lethargic, not wanting to eat as much, and also has nasal discharge, I'd be worried about something underlying such as a respiratory illness which can affect piglets. Having a vet take a look, especially if she isn't improving, is best. In the meantime, keeping her eating her regular food, and keeping he warm may help keep her comfortable until the cause is found.

Usually any medical issues we see in pigs this young are related to a nutritional deficiency. What type of diet were you feeding? Other options: Dippity Pig Syndrome, mycoplasma arthritis, trauma, other viral or bacterial disease. I don't know if it's a death sentence for him. I would take him to a vet that is used to treating pigs as they may be able to diagnose him and turn him around. I doubt it is anything contagious to your dog but without knowing the underlying cause it is hard to say 100%. To the best of my knowledge pigs do not get tick paralysis so I don't think has anything to do with it. If you are worried about ticks then I just recommend treating your dog with a tick prevention to ease your worry. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for reaching out but you need to take her to the veterinarian. Not sure if this is a back injury or a systemic illness. Try to observe to determine if Pancake is actually nursing or just going through the motions. Babies are very delicate so a vet visit is recommended as soon as possible. Good luck.