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Boris!Off to vets for emergency visit

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Leopard_print said:
Sorry but to me his eyes look dead, maybe its just the camera I don't know.

I am a great believer in giving animals every chance but not at their expense. Sorry I've upset you but I was just thinking of Boris, I hate to see animals distressed and suffering.

I don't really post on here but this has really bothered us in this house and I just had to post how we feel.
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understandable that you post how you feel BUT i have enough trouble caring for everyone in my own household that includes
a business,sick partner and child,a dog on bedrest,a sick guinea pig,4 other piggies,a house,3 other dogs,anyone else who seems to need me and somewhere in that i fit a little time here to get some support for Boris and I its what gets me through all of this,and to read something like that just makes it all so much harder!until now all Boris and i recieved was love and support and to the so many other members i sincerely thank you for that,but with you saying these things you make me question the path i am taking with Boris.
I have never believed in perserving with life if the animal is suffering badly,my vet is also over the moon with Boris's progress and has never recommended PTS.
If your opinion was of this than you could have kept it to yourself instead of making our lives even harder!
 
Sorry about THAT upset you on top of everything else, Bonnie. Reading through the Boris threads makes for tough reading; and to somebody who hasn't seen it unfold, he looks quite shocking, I guess.

Boris has certainly been trough the wars. Some of his current problems are down to inadequate and traumatic treatment by other vets at that clinic, but Boris is definitely on the mend and has now a dedicated vet who is looking out for his wellbeing.

You are now well into the mop up battles, with a good diagnosis for Boris recovering completely. It simply takes time...

You'll make it, Bonnie! As you say, Boris is a fighter and still wants to live!
 
Not read all this thread, but well done for helping Boris. Take no notice of the idiots that tell you to put him to sleep, I had this a lot when I had a sick bunny (even the vet wanted to put her to sleep), I am glad I didn't listen as she made a full recovery.
 
Vickyt said:
Sorry about THAT upset you on top of everything else, Bonnie. Reading through the Boris threads makes for tough reading; and to somebody who hasn't seen it unfold, he looks quite shocking, I guess.

Boris has certainly been trough the wars. Some of his current problems are down to inadequate and traumatic treatment by other vets at that clinic, but Boris is definitely on the mend and has now a dedicated vet who is looking out for his wellbeing.

You are now well into the mop up battles, with a good diagnosis for Boris recovering completely. It simply takes time...

You'll make it, Bonnie! As you say, Boris is a fighter and still wants to live!
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thankyou xx>>> i do agree it is now only a matter of time and thanks to chrissie from GG and a member on here who sent foot ointment and extra yummy hay that arent available here, Boris has the best of everything and all the comforts needed to make a full recovery,Boris will prove he can do it when he makes a full recovery i will do a nice big alburm for him just so he can thank all of you for being a part of that,thanks again xxxxxx
 
Too many animals are killed for the "benefit" of the owner or because the vet does not have a clue what to do in the way of a diagnosis or treatment.
As I wrote on another thread, the circumstances where a pig must be killed are extremely few and far between. As long as a pig wants to eat there is hope, however little. When a condition is terminal pain relief can be used, if needed.
Death will come to all pigs and humans eventually. It is a very fine line between euthanasia to relieve suffering and euthansia for the sake of convenience and/or financial reasons.
I have been with many guinea pigs that have died, either belonging to me or not, and many have effectively chosen when to die and who with eg living on until their owner has arrived and then dying, often only minutes later. Boris will die when he is ready and not before.
 
alcesterpigs said:
Too many animals are killed for the "benefit" of the owner or because the vet does not have a clue what to do in the way of a diagnosis or treatment.
As I wrote on another thread, the circumstances where a pig must be killed are extremely few and far between. As long as a pig wants to eat there is hope, however little. When a condition is terminal pain relief can be used, if needed.
Death will come to all pigs and humans eventually. It is a very fine line between euthanasia to relieve suffering and euthansia for the sake of convenience and/or financial reasons.
I have been with many guinea pigs that have died, either belonging to me or not, and many have effectively chosen when to die and who with eg living on until their owner has arrived and then dying, often only minutes later. Boris will die when he is ready and not before.
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thankyou AP,he does have determination to live so i suspect this is quite a while off yet xxxxx
 
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If anyone is in doubt take a look at these pics,i can assure you they were taken today he has such a bright look in his eyes and his progress never ceases to amaze me xxxxx
 
Whilst it is all too easy to "see what you want to see" in a still photograph, that does not seem to be a picture of a pig whose death is imminent.
 
Agreed. I, too, go on the basis that if the pig is still eating, there is hope. I don't give up until the pig is ready to give up. A pig who is truly suffering and in pain will not eat. Not only is Boris eating, but he has a brilliant appetite. Why take away his life just because he's not in a very good physical condition?

We have had animals here in far worse condition due to old age, but they continued to eat, took joy in what they could do, and they pottered about as best they could, until something happened that stopped them doing those things. In the cases of our dogs, we managed their conditions until it was right to say that they were starting to suffer and they were unable to eat and enjoy anything in life. I should add that at every veterinary check, we were pressured into considering having them PTS the second the vet found out their age. (15 and 17)

Boris no longer has a complex spinal injury, what he has now are the after-effects of the treatment for that, and there is nothing to say that the problems he has canot be resolved. He only has two current issues - loss of muscle tone and a skin condition. Skin conditions can be far worse than Boris has, and cause seizures very frequently in such worse situations, and yet can be cured with the right treatment. Muscles can be built up and, while it will take time, he's already progressing very happily.

If Boris was going to give up because of his physical difficulties, I think he would be long gone by now. He's had a rough time, he doesn't look healthy or pretty in the photos compared to healthy piggies, there is no doubting that. But as long as he is happy and eating, I'm supporting his recovery all the way.
 
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Nobody knows Boris better than Bonnie. Her brave little piggie is a fighter; he eats well and is clearly making progress. You know when a piggie is ready to give up and I don't think Boris is anywhere near that stage. In my experience many vets rather rush to offer the PTS option, yet this has not been recommended for little Boris. There is a reason for that: this piggie still has some life in him.
 
I agree with everyone who said that Boris would have stopped eating and given up by now if he wouldn't want to live anymore. He looks really like he is on the way to get back to good health, I think his seizures were just a little hiccup on the way but with time his muscles will built up again and I am positive he will run around like before in the end, it just takes some time.
You wouldn't put a human being to sleep just because he broke his pelvis and needed to start learning to walk again! Fingers crossed his skin problems will clear up soon.

Also I find it amazing what Bonnie is doing for Boris, I am sure other not so caring people would have not gone through all the trouble and vet bills! I think Chris is a great vet as well, well done for finding him and stick with him!

All the best to Boris and you!
 
Sorry i haven't updated,
its been a touch and go day with Boris,He has had what i think is a temp which i fixed with metacam,but he has also been droopy and very tired looking,i was very worried all day today,
Tonight he seems to have perked up so i am a little confused but its better than he was today;)he is going well with the swimming and massages,i have booked him into the vets for tomorrow as i want to inform them of the new treatments AP has suggested,Boris is still eating so thats a good sign
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
sorry to hear he's been a bit under the weather.

If he's still eating, that's good, though. Give him a bit of European love from us...
 
thanks yes he is eating,today his appetite was down today and he wasnt drinking much either but tonight he seems normal again,the things they do to usmallethead
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Poor Bonnie - recovery is never easy or straightforward!

Sending my best to Boris!

BIG VIBES xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
Sweetie i know what you're going thru.......they go up and down, two steps back, one forward.....and then the roundabout starts again, there is a quite few of us on here that have been thru this 'wringer' and each time we've all said nope we're gonna give them a go......
As Laura said you know Boris best, you'll know and if and when that time comes, you be with him darling xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Gosh he's a little trooper he is so determined!
Come on Boris whee all sending you more loves and wheeeeeeeeeeks from us down south xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>

Good on you Bonnie for speaking your mind to !
 
How is Boris today? I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for him!
 
UPDATE!-long

Hi all,
I decided its about time i updated about Boris.
He hasn't been very well so i have been preoccupied with looking after him and i also wanted to wait until i knew whether he would be ok or not.
Forgive me if i repeat anything i've already posted its been a long 9 weeksrolleyes
Well so far Boris went to the vet the other day and got so stressed he had a seizure,we calmed him quite quickly when we took him outside to munch on dandelions and grass while the vet checked him over.
We then took him home where Boris has been like a yoyo with his health ever since.
We think he may have also had a mini stroke.

One minute he is happy and eating but the next he is slumped and refusing his veges and water,i have been syringing him water and am about to start syringing veg also,he is eating plenty of hay so thats a good sign.

The reason why most of his health has detoriated is because his fungal condition has gotten worse despite his bathing and massages is that we think it may have gone internal,his bumblefoot has also gotten very bad and he now will mostly refuse to walk even to his food bowl.

He also had another fit last night when i picked him up,this lasted around 40seconds and he was soon back to his calm self,

I have run into all sorts of problems with treatment as i have noticed Australia can't get any of the products we needmallethead.

his plan for recovery was
Rymadil-for pain and to reduce inflamation
Betadine-bathed 3 times per week for fungal condition
bepanthen or GG ointment-for Boris's feet
intrafungal-for internal fungal condition
Vit C-higher immune system

i have since found out from the vet and a few chemists that we can't get rymadil here or intrafungal so here's the new plan.

sporanox-similar to intrafungal and it has been recommended by a rodentologist.
Betadine
bepanthen/foot ointment
Nurofen-instead of rymadil,i wanted to double check that this is ok(thats what the chemist sent us home with) its based on ibuprofen
Vit C
and also a new idea that is sold at herbal shops so is 100% safe for anyone or anything,a girl that had a piggy used it overseas so i know its safe. its called Coloidal silver(hope i spelt it correctly)-its known to boost immuntiy and fight off illnesses and infection,i know that most people don't know what it is but I'm running out of ideas so its worth a shot.

i might also start syringing CC,does anyone think i should?

ok well i hope i covered everything,also wanted to say a couple of big thank yous as well
To Glynis for her constant support and help from the day i arrived here x
Alcesterpigs for helping sort out correct meds and doses.
Laura(CCC4) for trying to help anyway that she can and helping me with info on medications.
and Vickyt(wiebke)for constant support, helpful tips,and helping me see the bright side of all of this.
And also everyone else who has added helpful tips and so much support it is very much appreciated and has helped keep me strong for Boris.
My little man is a fighter and its not over yet,can we please get good vibes for Boris xxxxxxxxxx

Here are some pictures i took last night there is no flash on his face shot as i don't want to stress him or set off another seizure
there are foot shots also they are quite yukky so beware.sorry for the quality i took them as quick as i could xxxxxx
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Oh Bonnie our paws are all crossed for our dearest little mate Boris xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
It was lovely to chat i'm sorry tho in these circumstances :( hopefully the meds kick in and we can chat in a few weeks and talk about the day that Boris will popcorn again xx>>>xx>>>
all our loves xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

remember 24/7 x

mumble hit button too quick..........
yep start the syringe feeding even if it's only as a top up, he needs as much energy as he can to fight off this latest set back xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
Bonnie this is what Dukey's feet were like 8...8...
poor little man 8...
extra soft kisses and gentle hugs for the little brave boy xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
 
oh Glynis I'm so sorry:(i didn't want to make you upset,i put the pics up so people could suggest ideas on extra treatment as i don't think words describe how bad his feet are:(,big hugs to youxxxxxxxx
 
KingBoris&HisFollowers said:
oh Glynis I'm so sorry:(i didn't want to make you upset,i put the pics up so people could suggest ideas on extra treatment as i don't think words describe how bad his feet are:(,big hugs to youxxxxxxxx
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It's ok love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
hey maybe thru what Dukey and Boris have been thru we can help other piggies xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
bout to go check the links you put up :)
 
Been thinking about you loads, hoping Boris is ok today. Your little fighter. Hope he gets sorted, and just wanted to let you know I'm still thinking of him, even though i havent been around the past 2 days much.
Loads and loads of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
mstori said:
Been thinking about you loads, hoping Boris is ok today. Your little fighter. Hope he gets sorted, and just wanted to let you know I'm still thinking of him, even though i havent been around the past 2 days much.
Loads and loads of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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thanks so much,i didnt even expect to see you in this thread because of what you are going through,thanks for caring,sending my love to you and Naz xxxxxx
forgot to add that Boris has had some veg and lots of hay tonight so thats a good sign x
 
aww, well thats good!
i just popped on briefly to check how he was, and to update nazs.. I'm off now, need to get a shower.. had nit lotion on my head for 8 hours..lol.. its fab when kids get to school age and share everything! haha
Then off to the vets :(
Glad Boris has perked up a bit. Was thinking of him and *! last night xxxxxxxxxx
keep up the good work
 
Bless him, it certainly appears to be bumblefoot. Prolific fungal infections and inactivity tend to "encourage" it. Childrens Nurofen is fine, the dose is 0.2ml twice daily. Hopefully it will reduce the inflammation and the pain.

Rimadyl and Intrafungol are veterinary meds, but have just looked up Sporonox and it is also itraconazole - same as Intrafungol. Should do the same job. The Nurofen (ibuprofen) is int he same class as Rimadyl (carprofen) so should hopefully be a bit more effective.

You are doing great Bonnie, and that Boris is still eating is a good sign. I think once you've managed to find that one product that will improve his skin and his feet, he too will improve significantly.
 
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