JessBun
Mama Doe
So we've had a big upset and worry over Albert yesterday. He's usually a very happy piggy and popcorns and runs about his cage lots, loves running about outside his cage and is very wheeky and beggy for extra food. Thursday late evening he was very quiet and I just noticed the lack of his presence, is the best way I can put it. We brought him out for a cuddle, he flopped on OH and seemed to perk up. He had very small plug of poop at the entrance to his bottom which we gently removed. Had a nibble of a treat. Put him back in his clean cage, which he usually loves clean cage time and runs about like mad - this time he didn't, so we knew something was up. He did however drink and was nibbling his hay. Not many poops but the ones he was produced were normal, if a little wet.
Friday morning was much the same except he was very huddled in a corner. Hadn't touched his pellets. So vets appointment for 6.15pm. The vet checked his temp, listened to his heart and breathing and weighed him - all fine. Checked his teeth. When the vet was checking his tummy, he did cry very quietly a little indicating pain/discomfort in the lower right area of his abdomen. I told the vet we'd fed everybody a small amount of cabbage, broccoli and tomato on the Wednesday evening so I think it may have been this. Although they are very used to this food (although we don't feed it very often to avoid upset tummies) everyone else is, touch wood fine. Her summary so far, until (IF) we have to do more checks, is he was unlucky with a bit of the food that maybe wasn't so good. She asked if I have other pigs, which I do, and told her that a week ago I got two new pigs, two young sows which are housed near to him but haven't come into contact with him (obviously!). I have admittedly, and very stupidly, shared cleaning utensils (handbrush and shovel). She did mention Salmonella and told me to keep the poop I'd brought to show her, in the fridge incase they needed to test it.
She gave him two injections of what she said was pure water, but I guess was probably some saline solution as he was a bit dehydrated and had salty stuff round his eyes, sent me away with baytril and metacam for 2 days, plus recovery food to syringe food - I'm to bring him back if there's no improvement, and if course if he goes downhill rush him to emergency vets. He perked up quite a lot last night after dosing his meds and giving recovery food (which he loves!), but I think it was the metacam that masked discomfort. He pooped more after this. He is back to quiet ish this morning, although a bit better than before we took him the vets. I'm about to give him his baytril and recovery food again. He's drinking and eating hay. Can't give him another dose of metacam till this evening as it's once per day.
I am worried sick that I'm going to end up losing Albert. He is such a lovely happy pig, to see him like this is very upsetting. I'm confused there was no temp if he's poorly. Anyone had similar experience? Thank you xx
Friday morning was much the same except he was very huddled in a corner. Hadn't touched his pellets. So vets appointment for 6.15pm. The vet checked his temp, listened to his heart and breathing and weighed him - all fine. Checked his teeth. When the vet was checking his tummy, he did cry very quietly a little indicating pain/discomfort in the lower right area of his abdomen. I told the vet we'd fed everybody a small amount of cabbage, broccoli and tomato on the Wednesday evening so I think it may have been this. Although they are very used to this food (although we don't feed it very often to avoid upset tummies) everyone else is, touch wood fine. Her summary so far, until (IF) we have to do more checks, is he was unlucky with a bit of the food that maybe wasn't so good. She asked if I have other pigs, which I do, and told her that a week ago I got two new pigs, two young sows which are housed near to him but haven't come into contact with him (obviously!). I have admittedly, and very stupidly, shared cleaning utensils (handbrush and shovel). She did mention Salmonella and told me to keep the poop I'd brought to show her, in the fridge incase they needed to test it.
She gave him two injections of what she said was pure water, but I guess was probably some saline solution as he was a bit dehydrated and had salty stuff round his eyes, sent me away with baytril and metacam for 2 days, plus recovery food to syringe food - I'm to bring him back if there's no improvement, and if course if he goes downhill rush him to emergency vets. He perked up quite a lot last night after dosing his meds and giving recovery food (which he loves!), but I think it was the metacam that masked discomfort. He pooped more after this. He is back to quiet ish this morning, although a bit better than before we took him the vets. I'm about to give him his baytril and recovery food again. He's drinking and eating hay. Can't give him another dose of metacam till this evening as it's once per day.
I am worried sick that I'm going to end up losing Albert. He is such a lovely happy pig, to see him like this is very upsetting. I'm confused there was no temp if he's poorly. Anyone had similar experience? Thank you xx
It's many years since I had GPs and I am not up to speed with their specific health issues. I know that bladder problems can often be involved when a Piggy is unwell. Not sure if the Vet alluded to that at all or if she felt it was definitely all a GI tract problem
