6yr old pig with bladder stone **need advice

[JelloB123]

My 6yr old intact male pig has a large bladder stone. The X-rays also showed a possible mass in the bladder. Ultrasound was not able to confirm this. My only other option is surgery to remove stone. If the vet opens him and sees a tumor, the stone will not be removed and he’ll be euthanized.
This is my first pig. I rescued him 2yrs ago and love him dearly. I need guidance as to whether or not I should put him through surgery as I know at 6yrs he’s a senior pig. The surgery is very expensive and I’ve paid $1,000 out of pocket so far for ultrasound etc. I don’t want his care to be about money but I’m trying to be realistic here. He’s not eating or drinking and I don’t want him suffering. Has anyone gone through this? I would love some guidance.
Thank you!

 

[sport_billy]

So sorry to hear this Am tagging in @Wiebke @Freela @furryfriends (TEAS) @Abi_nurse @Jaycey @helen105281

 

[sport_billy]

Has the vet put him on pain relief?

 

[DM030819]

@JelloB123 If the stone is large enough then he's not in any risk of it moving out of the bladder and getting stuck and causing more serious issues.

But on the other hand stones are very spiky in texture and are likely to cause pain when they're rubbing against the bladder walls.

I've opted for bladder stone surgery twice with my 5 year old boar and he recovered fine. But, it's never a guaranteed success and it all depends on how competent your vet is.

 

[Merab]

I can’t advise but wanted to offer support

 

[Wiebke]

My 6yr old intact male pig has a large bladder stone. The X-rays also showed a possible mass in the bladder. Ultrasound was not able to confirm this. My only other option is surgery to remove stone. If the vet opens him and sees a tumor, the stone will not be removed and he’ll be euthanized.
This is my first pig. I rescued him 2yrs ago and love him dearly. I need guidance as to whether or not I should put him through surgery as I know at 6yrs he’s a senior pig. The surgery is very expensive and I’ve paid $1,000 out of pocket so far for ultrasound etc. I don’t want his care to be about money but I’m trying to be realistic here. He’s not eating or drinking and I don’t want him suffering. Has anyone gone through this? I would love some guidance.
Thank you!

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry; it is always the kind of bad news we all dread! Is your boy on painkillers?

As your boy is not eating you have basically got two options: To euthanise straight away or to risk a make or break operation that may not come off. There is no right or wrong whichever way you decide and there is no shame attached if you decide to not put an elderly piggy through a major and very expensive operation and recovery when the success chances are not great.
I have a few times decided for old/frail piggies of my own to call it a day and not put them through the wringer if the prognosis was not not good enough for an operation success and a fairly straight forward recovery. But I have had 5-6 year olds operated when the odds were very much in my piggy's favour. I have lost younger piggies during a make-or-break high risk op and post-op in years gone by. It is not easy at all without knowing the outcome!

The best way to decide what is the right decision for you is to listen to your guts and to opt for what you feel you can live with best in the long term. You are also always allowed to ring the clinic and ask your vet for their honest assessment and make your decision based on that.

The stone will not go away on its own and cannot be medically broken up. The pain it is causing in the bladder is so bad that it is causing loss of appetite.
If you decide to go for an operation, you need to step in with syringe feeding fibre (mushed up pellets will do in a pinch) and water straight away to keep the guts going; the longer he is not eating, the less his chances to make it through the op and through recovery (increased risk of gut stasis, i.e. the intestines stopping to work) as well as him losing strength very quickly.

Not Eating, Weight Loss Over 50g And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Tips For Post-operative Care
Euthanasia - What happens when it's time to say goodbye?

 

[JelloB123]

He’s on buprenorphine and I’m feeding him
oxbow critical care.
My concern is the diagnosis of a stone and possible mass. It’s my understanding their lifespan is generally 8yrs. Would you opt for an expensive surgery on an older pig that isn’t guaranteed?

 

[Wiebke]

He’s on buprenorphine and I’m feeding him
oxbow critical care.
My concern is the diagnosis of a stone and possible mass. It’s my understanding their lifespan is generally 8yrs. Would you opt for an expensive surgery on an older pig that isn’t guaranteed?

The average life span is 5-7 years, so your boy is right in the middle and he is definitely counting as an older citizen.

 

[JelloB123]

I appreciate everyone’s input and support. I have opted for emergency surgery which will happen today. Keep fingers and toes crossed for us please.

 

[GPTV]

good luck for the surgery, i know girls aren't quite as complicated as boys but i had a bladder stone removed from Grace & she was about 4.5yrs at the time, but sailed through it, she had also had an abscess mostly removed & left stitched open to drain about 5.25yrs & again sailed through - although it looked ghastly at the time
So if your little man is generally healthy, that will be a big advantage for him, regardless of age.

I've not had boars before - but i gather that a stone in their bladder is less dangerous than one getting into their 'pipework' shall we say. so that's another advantage for him.

make sure he has plenty of pain relief afterwards, pain can cause lack of appetite which causes other complications (teeth/digestive/lack of general resilience/recovery rate)

All fingers, toes & paws crossed for a full & speedy recovery.

let us know how he gets on. love the girls & I.xx

 

[Merab]

Whatever you decide I know you will do the very best for your boy.
Keep us posted

 

[PAMELAKT]

I have to say one of my Boys had a bladder stone which I had removed & he recovered instantly from this - however a week or so later and another stone appeared & I lost him. The vet had warned me - they have a nasty habit of coming back again.

Difficult decision for you I totally sympathise..

 

[Freela]

Best of luck with the surgery! I had a piggie that lived with a bladder stone for years, but the difference is that she was not in any discomfort. With pain, you really have to do something to make him comfortable. He is definitely a senior (the average life expectancy for a piggy is 5 to 7 years), but many senior pigs still do well with anesthesia/surgery. Please keep us posted!