• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Barney Bubbles - Lots Of Things Going Bit Wrong

Status
Not open for further replies.
lauraboara said:
Thanks B and everyone who has thought about Barney B today. He is home and eating himself so the dental work seems to have gone OK. At least he made it through the tests etc today.
However, the 'mass' that the vet could feel appears to a cancerous bony growth under his pelvis - inoperable in the position that it is in.:( The vet believes that it is linked to the sarcoma that was removed from his hip (on the outside) last october. Even though a big margin of tissue was taken when that first lump was removed, the cancer was aggressive and so there must have been a tiny 'root' of cells going internally? The growth is beginning to compromise his movement in his leg - but not much yet.
So it is completely bad news for the little lad but he doesn't know that and is pottering around OK. Going to syringe feed him in a bit.
Click to expand...
Oh that is sad news Laura, l am sorry. At least you can prepare yourself and make the most of the time he has left. Thinking of you xx
 
Don't worry - he will be very spoilt. He is also allowed loads of metacam which he will be pleased about!
I saw the X rays this morning as back at vets with of my others (ugh). The Xrays were heartbreaking but interesting to see - the bony tumour is large, dominating much of one side of the pelvis. His heart, lungs, bladder looked great though which I think upset me the most because all the more usual things that might go wrong with age are doing well. Apparently this tumour is most likely to attack chest/ lungs next - if he gets to that.
The vet briefly mentioned chemo but I don't feel I want to go though there - massively experimental and poor chance of success. getting a biopsy alone would be a nightmare. So we are looking at monitoring him and lots of metacam, syringe feed top ups and TLC which I am happy to give!
My worry really is about whether his cage mate is a bit too rough with him in his frail state - he is humping Barney more than normal as he knows he is a bit low and not getting out of the way. Barney slept in hospital pen last night as fragile after the vet tests and dental but i need them together again really.
Any thoughts eg @pig in the city about whether they can be together? I am being too protective or will the humping hurt Barney's hip?
 
eileen said:
hi Laura is there any way you can divide the cage so that BB is not pestered undually by his mate,but can still see,smell and communicate through a divider.thats a solution ive used on my poorly piggie.xx
Click to expand...
Thanks Eileen - that is a good idea. I am so preoccupied I can't think straight! It would involve some boys moving between cages as I have only 1 C and C but defo worth a try.
 
I'm sorry to see it's not the news you were hoping for but you at least have him home and can make the most of your time together.
Regarding the cagemate, i think funnily enough being rough can be a good sign - it won't do poor barney's hip much good but it might mean he's not feeling too bad at all in himself. I think cage mates know when there's a very ill/dying pig in the cage and tend to be respectful.
I'll keep you in my thoughts and look out for updates xx
 
lauraboara said:
Don't worry - he will be very spoilt. He is also allowed loads of metacam which he will be pleased about!
I saw the X rays this morning as back at vets with of my others (ugh). The Xrays were heartbreaking but interesting to see - the bony tumour is large, dominating much of one side of the pelvis. His heart, lungs, bladder looked great though which I think upset me the most because all the more usual things that might go wrong with age are doing well. Apparently this tumour is most likely to attack chest/ lungs next - if he gets to that.
The vet briefly mentioned chemo but I don't feel I want to go though there - massively experimental and poor chance of success. getting a biopsy alone would be a nightmare. So we are looking at monitoring him and lots of metacam, syringe feed top ups and TLC which I am happy to give!
My worry really is about whether his cage mate is a bit too rough with him in his frail state - he is humping Barney more than normal as he knows he is a bit low and not getting out of the way. Barney slept in hospital pen last night as fragile after the vet tests and dental but i need them together again really.
Any thoughts eg @pig in the city about whether they can be together? I am being too protective or will the humping hurt Barney's hip?
Click to expand...
It's a tricky one this Laura, I guess only you can decide if the separation would be more stressful than the humping. Eileen's idea is a good one and you can see how they are, if BB seems more settled then you have your answer. I suspect Fred will be chewing the bars all the time, so you may have to separate them completely. Have you space to do that? So sorry, what a sad time for you xx
 
I sneaked Barney B back in with Fred last evening when Fred was preoccupied with some freshly picked grass - Fred didn't actually notice and BB went straight to sleep:roll:. Sleeping near one another this morning so will just monitor and separate for meal times so Barney can eat in peace. He had massive breakfast this morning so is doing OK.
 
lauraboara said:
I sneaked Barney B back in with Fred last evening when Fred was preoccupied with some freshly picked grass - Fred didn't actually notice and BB went straight to sleep:roll:. Sleeping near one another this morning so will just monitor and separate for meal times so Barney can eat in peace. He had massive breakfast this morning so is doing OK.
Click to expand...
That's lovely x
 
UPDATE: Just a bit of news on Barney Bubbles. He is now in a period of palliative care as we try and keep him as comfortable as possible. He is taking syringe feeds like a dream - he whips the syringe off me if I don't refill fast enough! Loads of metacam is being appreciated too. He is doing more hoppity / skipping as the hip tumour starts to affect his movement more. The tumour is growing fast - when I took him to the vet a couple of weeks ago you couldn't see anything, it was all internal, under the hip inside. Now you can see the swelling from outside - if you are looking. But his behaviour is his normal self - Barney has always just got on and he continues to do just that! We are having some lovely cuddles with mint leaves provided.
Fred is still humping him at times which makes me wince but BB is coping so far. Here is a little pic of him in a small run in the garden with Fred - you can see the right hip looking swollen if you look closely. But you can also see his little face:love:.
 
BB has a lovely little face. I know his vet will be giving you the best advice on his care. It is amazing how the metacam can relieve the pain. If you need any C and C grids I have about 8 going spare at present. We could meet up at vets as I will be gong for some metacam for Rupert soon.
 
worried val of york said:
BB has a lovely little face. I know his vet will be giving you the best advice on his care. It is amazing how the metacam can relieve the pain. If you need any C and C grids I have about 8 going spare at present. We could meet up at vets as I will be gong for some metacam for Rupert soon.
Click to expand...
Thanks @worried val of york - that is a good thought - will PM you if I think I need some grids.x
 
What a lovely photo @lauraboara , they both look great. So sorry about BB but you really couldn't ask for a better end of life experience. Well done for being such a caring piggy owner. By the way we are in north Yorkshire atm are you around Friday afternoon?x
 
I am very sorry about BB's diagnosis, but I'm glad he is doing well in himself at the moment. I have a terminal piggy too, and i know how hard it can be. Literally take one day at a time, let him tell you how he feels and when hes had enough.

Fudge and i have a little ritual at bedtime.. Meds, veg, chin dry.. Pellets, a cuddle and a little word in her ear..
"For today, you've been a very bright and happy girl, heres hoping tomorrow is another good day Fudgey."

Followed by a kiss on the head and a "mummy loves you."

I will be keeping you both in my thoughts x
 
pig in the city said:
What a lovely photo @lauraboara , they both look great. So sorry about BB but you really couldn't ask for a better end of life experience. Well done for being such a caring piggy owner. By the way we are in north Yorkshire atm are you around Friday afternoon?x
Click to expand...
Hopefully see you later B! Better get tidying;)
 
Adelle said:
I am very sorry about BB's diagnosis, but I'm glad he is doing well in himself at the moment. I have a terminal piggy too, and i know how hard it can be. Literally take one day at a time, let him tell you how he feels and when hes had enough.

Fudge and i have a little ritual at bedtime.. Meds, veg, chin dry.. Pellets, a cuddle and a little word in her ear..
"For today, you've been a very bright and happy girl, heres hoping tomorrow is another good day Fudgey."

Followed by a kiss on the head and a "mummy loves you."

I will be keeping you both in my thoughts x
Click to expand...
Thanks Adelle - yes I have been reading about Fudge - she is doing so well with your care. Like you I am just taking one step at a time - vet check up today to make sure he is comfortable and teeth are OK. Vet explained the type of tumour he has can be very painful so just want some reassurance that I am on top of his care.
 
Barney B had his vet check. Vet agreed that he seemed bright and cheerful BUT that the tumour had doubled in size since first found 2 weeks ago :(. BB can't bend his back leg at all now but to be honest he is still pretty nippy on his feet. But if tumour continues at this rate of growth he probably has only a short time left - less than a month. Sad news for little man and us.
 
I am so sorry it wasnt better news. I'm praying he continues to be the happy piggy he has always been for a while longer- let him be your guide. Thinking of you both xx
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top