What Questions Should I Ask?
Tomorrow I am taking my 1 year old boar, Oscar, to his first vet appointment for a wellness check-up. Hes all black with a tiny crest on the top of his head and I was told by the rescue that he is a Satin. Reading around on these forums as well as peeking around other places, I found out that Satin piggies can sometimes develop health problems such as a piggy form of osteoporosis. I intend to ask the vet, who is a small animal/reptile specialist, what special treatment I may need to give Oscar--if any is required. I also have a small check list of things I would like to ask that seem to be odd behaviors to me. If anyone see's anything I am missing, please tell me so I can add it to me list. I would like to cover all bases at this initial check up just incase I ever need to take him for an actual appointment, god forbid.
Heres my list of concerns:
-Oscar has never drank out of his water bottle. I check the valve on a daily basis and everything is in perfect working order. I have tried two different types of water. First, I used bottled water to avoid adding any extra clacium from tap water. I asked the rescue what they thought about this and they said to try tap water instead, so I did. They also said that since he gets two plates of various veggies and fruit per day, he may be getting all the water he needs from what he is consuming. Does everything sound in order to you or does he need to be drinking from his bottle?
-He pees ALOT. I can take him out of his cage directly after he urinates and 15 minutes in to floor time, he will go again. His urine also appears to be slightly thick and cloudy. Is any of this normal?
-What can I use to clean the grease gland on his bottom? I read that Swafega works, but what is this and where can I find it?
-Can you please show me the proper way to trim his nails?
-How often will I need to bring him in for a teeth trimming, if at all?
-What is his current weight?
-Do you have an emergency line?
Have I covered most of the bases? If not, please give me some suggestions. Thanks a bunch!
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