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Advice needed for piggy with pnemonia

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Dolomite66

Dolomite66

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Hi everyone! Haven’t posted on here for a long time but due to current events I really need some advice and support.
I have a female piggy, Liddie who I adopted some years ago from a member of this forum.

Poor Liddie had an infection in her right lung back last June and again in December. Both times she was treated with Baytril and recovered well. Unfortunately it seems to have come back this time in a more aggressive form. She was diagnosed with pneumonia last Monday. I am in complete shock as I heard no breathing problems and the only indications I had that she was in trouble was weight loss and crusty eyes.

She is on Baytril 0.2ml x twice a day and Ronaxon (spelling probably wrong) 0.17ml twice a day. She’s due back at the vets this Wednesday.
I have been syringing her critical care and pureed vegetables to support her as she was still eating small amounts of hay and veggies but after two days of this medication and she’s stopped eating altogether. It’s only the syringe feeding that’s kept her going.

Today for the first time I am really frightened for her and I cannot see a happy outcome as she is still losing weight.

I have been trying to syringe at least 7ml every 3 hours of critical care mixed with a probiotic and pureed veggies. She does pass pellets – very small ones – and still manages to wee.

I’m calling the vets first thing Monday to get Wednesdays appointment brought forward to the earliest available tomorrow as we can’t go on like this.
I feel so depressed that I might lose her after coming this far. Any advice/support would be much appreciated x
 
I've only had one experience with a pig suffering with pneumonia... sadly we weren't aware of it in time to get him vet care and he passed away in my arms after hours of cradling him during the night. He was only 3 and I was only 14 :(

I think you're doing a great job looking after your girl. If she is still eating, that is a brilliant sign, she hasn't given up so neither should you, but I'm sure you wouldn't unless she lets you know its time. We all know how hard it is caring for sick piggy, but they are little fighters!

Hope she makes a full recovery :)
 
When I syringe feed her, there has been times when she's given me some nasty nips - two of them drew blood. That really made me happy because as long as she's angry enough to respond that way then there still some fight in her which gives me hope!
 
I'd be doing just what your doing! ringing the vet first thing, and in the mean time keep up with the syringe feeding, I haven't got much experience but I'm sure someone will be along soon who can tell you the quantities you need to be getting into your piggie, I can remember being very surprised at just how much I need to be feeding at a time.
I also know that the meds can really play havoc with their appetites.
Sorry I'm not much help, if you are very worried you should call the emergency vets number, it will be recorded on a message on your own vets number, your vet might consider increasing the dose of baytril, but in the mean time all I can do is wish you and your piggie the very best of luck, and send healing wheeks your way.
 
Your piggie has likely gone off her food due to the Ronaxan, although you shouldnt stop the drug, talk to your vet about it.

Your little lady will need 120ml of Critical care food over a 24 hour period to maintain her weight up if she is not eating on her own. This is approx 20ml every 3-4 hours to keep her guts working and moving. Piggies who have stopped eating are a lot of work, so please dont feel bad, it can be very overwelming at times, especially if its your own pet.

I hope all goes well with the vets, perhaps they can change the medication to something else, there are lots of alternatives of antibiotics that she could have.

Let us know how you get on.

x.
 
op furryfriends is trying to send a message but seems to be a problem with this thread, look out for a new thread about this
 
My little piggie had pnemonia too, it started in November and he didn't fully recover until the end of Jan I think, but he did recover. Although we had different medication from you so I cant offer much help, other than to say at some points it looked bleak for my Diego but he got better and now he is fitter and happier than ever. Keep positive, we'll be thinking of you x
 
Thank you all for your comments and help, it is so appreciated!
I have an update for you all. I managed to get an appointment this morning at 9 and they have kept her in for a re-assessment.

There has been an improvement in her breathing - the left lung is clear but there is still wheezing on the right (same lung that gave her trouble in June and December). They're going to take an xray of that lung without anesthetic - (music to my ears) and check for any reason why that lung is poor - whether there are growths. If it is clear of any growths then he has talked about putting her on steroids for a short time but because her skin is a red colour he has said this indicates her system is already under a lot of stress which isn't great news.

They are going to call me back around 11 after the original vet who took a look at her has arrived and has had time to assess her as well.

I'll post again when I have heard from them. Really hoping it's going to be good news and I'm trying to stay positive despite feeling desperate!
 
At least you know that you've done everything possible for her and she's in good hands.

Paula
 
Ok .... the vets have just got back to me and they're much happier with her lungs and breathing but have picked up a possible problem with her heart which may explain some of the re-occurring lung problems.

She's yet to have an xray of her lungs but she's going to have one done to see if her heart is enlarged.

Poor little girl! I hope she hangs in there :...:(
 
Glad to hear she is improving.

Stella had repeated chest infections until we got her on Furisemide. She's now 6 and been on it since last June. it's not a miracle cure and would only work with mild heart failure with fluid building up on lungs, not if the heart failure was caused by something else.

Paula
 
Sad news. My lovely Liddie passed away this evening. I had been syringe feeding her all day and had been concerned that she had difficulty in swallowing and seemed to be getting weaker. She rejected water. She'd just open her mouth and let it all drain out. When I went to give her the 4pm feed I saw she had deteriorated. I spent that hour keeping her warm wrapped in a fleece and just cuddled her and told her it was ok to run off to play in rainbow bridge.

I had to leave her for a short time and when I returned to her, she passed away. I take comfort that she waited for me to be with her.

I will post a tribute to her on the Rainbow Bridge page in the next few days - can't do it now as my emotions are just too raw at the moment.

Thank you everyone for your help, advice and just sharing your experiences with me - it gave me strength to know that there are folk out there who care when things look bleak xx
 
I'm very sorry for your loss, please take comfort in knowing that you were there for your girl right to the end. RIP little one, your Mummy loved you very much,xx.
 
My boss at work today was really callous when he wanted to know why I was so emotional. He couldn't understand why I was upset over 'just dead guinea pig'. And kept laughing.

I can't even summon up enough energy to hate him. But I do feel a huge amount of pity in that his life is only in black and white. He has never had the honor of sharing his life with a pet and to love and care for them and to see them very much as a family member.

For us that do have that honor, our lives are in glorious technicolour, 3D and HD!
 
Dolomite66 said:
My boss at work today was really callous when he wanted to know why I was so emotional. He couldn't understand why I was upset over 'just dead guinea pig'. And kept laughing.

I can't even summon up enough energy to hate him. But I do feel a huge amount of pity in that his life is only in black and white. He has never had the honor of sharing his life with a pet and to love and care for them and to see them very much as a family member.

For us that do have that honor, our lives are in glorious technicolour, 3D and HD!
Click to expand...

Those of us that love the deepest, fly the highest, and unfortunately have the farthest to fall, but we would not have it any other way. People like your boss, never feel our pain, but they never feel our joy either, and I think that is very sad, they have something missing from their lives and they don't even know it.:(
 
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