Can my gorgeous Leny have a good quality of life after a stroke ?

[yyoung]

My oldest and dearest piggy last night had a stroke. I was with him when it happened and it was very distressing. He was running around in a circle but sort of listing at the same time and he had no head control....kind of like a new puppy wavering his head about all over. The really distressing bit though was when I picked him up his eyes were spinning around in opposite directions really fast. Obviously I knew something was very wrong and got an emergency vet appointment immediately. On the way to the vets I thought he had died but in retrospect I think maybe he was settling down from his trauma. Vet confirmed he'd had a stroke and that it has left him blind (which I'd already guessed). He was given a steroid shot and we were told to give him some tlc and see how he got on. I put him in my hospital box (the old tuffcrate came up trumps again !) with food and water and hay and some towels. Kept checking on him and again today and he actually seems ok. He is eating food and hay and drinking. He is tucking himself up inside the towels like he is putting himself to bed and he has been sleeping. He is responding to my voice but is still totally blind.

He seems to be getting better and is not doing too badly at all. I have kept him separate from his cagemate who he has been with all of his life and wonder whether or not I should put him back into their own cage. George had been picking on Lenny all day yesterday....do you think he knew something was going to happen ?

Any advice or experiences would be very gratefully appreciated.

 

[Vikki]

I had a guinea come into rescue that had previously suffered a stroke she had a good quality of life and lived with a friend while she was here, she lost her sight but still got around well, and could eat and drink independantly although we did syringe feed also as she enjoyed it.

 

[Tracyxx]

I'm sorry that you went through that, how distressing for both you and Lenny. You did the right thing though so well done.
Blind pigs can have a good quality of life, but they do usually have another cagemate for support. I'd say he probably needs George at the moment to help him adjust. Give him time to settle and recover from his stroke and then perhaps try putting them together. Obviously if George is still picking on him you'll need to seperate them again as Lenny will be at a disadvantage now that he's blind. If they get on together that's brilliant as George will help Lenny and make him feel more comfortable. If not I'm sure Lenny can manage on his own, pigs are very adaptable. Keep his cage layout the same from now on - you'll probably find he gets a bit funny when he's cleaned out because his surroundings will smell different and he'll be a bit panicky. Always put his veg, food and water in the same place and he'll gradually get used to eating/drinking/sleeping in the same spot.
Slightly different but we have a blind hamster, he wasn't blind at birth and he too had to adjust. He loathes being cleaned out but we keep his cage layout the same and he's just fine -c

 

[sueonmull]

I'm sorry to hear about Leny. Can't add much to what has already been said except, if you haven't already done so, start weighing him to make sure he is actually eating enough and personally I would also be giving him some extra vitamin C until you're happy he is eating his greens.
All the best.

 

[MemberY]

I have no experience of this but I would say put him back with his cagemate asap as it will be harder to bond them the more time that goes by. If he is still being picked on, then you will have to separate them.

All the best to you and Lenny x

 

[yyoung]

I have tonight put Lenny back in with George.....so far there doesn't seem to be any problems ! They live in my office which is in my house and so I am around most of the day to keep watch.

Lenny does seem to have turned around very quickly.... can't help but wonder if it is the calm before the storm.... but long may it continue.

He is eating and drinking okay....lots of sleeping but after a stroke thats to be expected I guess. Not sure if he has recovered some of his eyesight too.... but maybe thats too much wishful thinking !

Any more thoughts please..... I love this little man so much I want him to stay with me for some time yet !

 

[rw3399]

I think putting Leny back with George is a good thing. George can help Leny adjust to things such as where his food and water are, and I know this might sound silly, but not feeling scared or alone knowing his cage mate is with him. I think he may need extra help and tlc with his life now but I still think it is possible for him to have a quality of life. Peter Gurney reckons that once piggies have a stroke it is highly unlikely for them to have another, which is quite reassuring. Hope the link helps.

http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/strokes.htm

 

[yyoung]

Thanks so much for all your help.

I can honestly say that if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes and had it confirmed by the vet I wouldn't have guessed he'd had a stroke. He is completely back to normal.... even now I am wondering if he's always had a little trouble with his eyes as he can see as well as before now. Put him back with george and he ran straight into their log hut. Straight through the hole. He's had no problem finding food or water or hay. I've got my fingers crossed but I'm hoping that it's over for him now and he can be well for a long time to come. I did weigh him yesterday and he has lost a lot of weight so I will try and get that back up but this last year has been a little bit up and down with his weight anyway. My vet says he is an old boy now (I can't decide whether he is 5 or 6years old) but I'm not sure that he's THAT old.