Violet PBP Health

Question
QUESTION: Please help.  I am so worried about Violet.  She is 3 yrs old and I got her as a baby.  She has always been kept inside in a kennel.  She has suddenly stopped coming out of her kennel to go outside and eat, drink, and use the bathroom.  I am worried to death about her.  She will eat and drink if I put it in the kennel with her but she won't come out.  At first I thought she might have an eye infection because her eyes were watering, could she have went blind and is afraid to come out?  I was coaxing her out of the kennel to the door but she would not come outside the door.  Now she won't even come out of her kennel.  I can't even try to get her to a vet (if I can find one for her) I am afraid of stressing her out trying to force her out of the kennel.  Please any suggestions would be appreciated.  I love her.  Pam

ANSWER:  Any pig that suddenly does not want to come out to eat is in distress.
Your pig needs to see a vet. She is crying out for help.
Blindness can be caused by obesity.....
Take the kennel apart to gently force her out.
But this is not normal, pigs are curious, mobile animals, normally.
How much does she weigh?
Could she be obese, and in pain when she walks?
Just a wild guess, but we see it all the time.
Exercising her, and moving her to a pen might help.
But first, you need to see what would effect a pig this much....
Our thoughts are with you!
Please check out our book at valentinesperformingpigs.com
Hugs,
Priscilla Valentine

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I did as you suggested and dismantled the kennel and was able to get Violet to a pen.  She is walking around and wagging her tail.  I have noticed she appears to have a slight limp.  I am working on trimming her hooves (they are very long)  She trusts and allows me to trim on them a little at a time so not to cut into the quick.  She weights approx. 250 lbs. what do you suggest as far as putting her on a diet?

Answer
I would stop feeding her fruits, sugar makes them fat. Cut down on her pellets, substitute some oats and dark green veggies.
Broadcast her food so she had to exercise to eat it.
Tape measure her tummy every 3 weeks to see if she is losing weight.
With an overweight pig, the slightest injury to a leg, shoulder or foot is painful.
Miniature pigs have inadequate bone structure to hold much weight.
Good luck,
Priscilla Valentine
valentinesperformingpigs.com