Hi all
Some of you are aware, there is a bug going through my herd that is antibiotic resistant and despite cultures etc we do not know what it is yet. It starts off as a respiratory - some pigs also get renal involvement and most develop fluid on the lungs-(heart problems whether genetic or from infection will be ruled in or out by echo by a specialist vet - to be performed in early Jan) Some had had impaction/gas in the caecum but this could be due to the effects of the antibiotics (firstly baytril, now on septrin) Last night I lost Whisp very suddenly (possibly stroke) in the same way I lost Pebble in early October whose sudden death was what started this whole nightmare. Whisp's body was delivered for PM to the specialist vets last night for culture and histology but obviously it will take some time to get back the results. Whatever this bug is, it starts as a URI but then it looks like it affects other organs including the heart brain and kidneys.
My immediate problem is Charlie. He was one of the last to start showing signs of this bug, developing respiratory symptoms two weeks ago that started with a runny nose and along with the rest of the herd was put on septrin. This has kept the respiratory symptoms at low level in most of them. However yesterday evening his breathing became very laboured and it is clear there is now a considerable fluid build up affecting the lungs. Unlike the other piggies, respiratory signs are all that he is showing at the moment apart from a sensitive area on his back where a vet removed a cyst whilst doing a neutering operation in late August.
He is still on septrin. I have given him a one-off dose of sudofed yesterday, sniffs of Olbas Oil today and lastly started on frusemide this afternoon (2mg/kg twice daily). I have put damp towels on the radiators to up the humidity (although the radiator nearest to him is switched off). He is still eating veggies/dried food/hay but finds it very difficult to take a syringe/liquids because of his breathing difficulties. He is pooping normally and peeing but I am slightly concerned he is not drinking enough and am trying to get runny Recovery down him but this is in very small doses.
Is there anything more I can do tonight to ease his breathing and stop the fluid build up in his lungs from possibly suffocating him which is my worst fear? I have rung my vets and they say that I’m doing all I can but to repeat the diuretic every 6 hours and make sure he gets plenty of fluids. They have pointed out that if the fluid on the lungs is from an inflammatory reaction then the diuretic won’t help so he is also on metacam for anti inflammatory purposes.
I guess it's just a matter of keeping him comfortable and crossing all paws - but if anyone can offer any other suggestions to buy more time for Charlie until the PM results from Whisp come through, I'd be very grateful.
Some of you are aware, there is a bug going through my herd that is antibiotic resistant and despite cultures etc we do not know what it is yet. It starts off as a respiratory - some pigs also get renal involvement and most develop fluid on the lungs-(heart problems whether genetic or from infection will be ruled in or out by echo by a specialist vet - to be performed in early Jan) Some had had impaction/gas in the caecum but this could be due to the effects of the antibiotics (firstly baytril, now on septrin) Last night I lost Whisp very suddenly (possibly stroke) in the same way I lost Pebble in early October whose sudden death was what started this whole nightmare. Whisp's body was delivered for PM to the specialist vets last night for culture and histology but obviously it will take some time to get back the results. Whatever this bug is, it starts as a URI but then it looks like it affects other organs including the heart brain and kidneys.
My immediate problem is Charlie. He was one of the last to start showing signs of this bug, developing respiratory symptoms two weeks ago that started with a runny nose and along with the rest of the herd was put on septrin. This has kept the respiratory symptoms at low level in most of them. However yesterday evening his breathing became very laboured and it is clear there is now a considerable fluid build up affecting the lungs. Unlike the other piggies, respiratory signs are all that he is showing at the moment apart from a sensitive area on his back where a vet removed a cyst whilst doing a neutering operation in late August.
He is still on septrin. I have given him a one-off dose of sudofed yesterday, sniffs of Olbas Oil today and lastly started on frusemide this afternoon (2mg/kg twice daily). I have put damp towels on the radiators to up the humidity (although the radiator nearest to him is switched off). He is still eating veggies/dried food/hay but finds it very difficult to take a syringe/liquids because of his breathing difficulties. He is pooping normally and peeing but I am slightly concerned he is not drinking enough and am trying to get runny Recovery down him but this is in very small doses.
Is there anything more I can do tonight to ease his breathing and stop the fluid build up in his lungs from possibly suffocating him which is my worst fear? I have rung my vets and they say that I’m doing all I can but to repeat the diuretic every 6 hours and make sure he gets plenty of fluids. They have pointed out that if the fluid on the lungs is from an inflammatory reaction then the diuretic won’t help so he is also on metacam for anti inflammatory purposes.
I guess it's just a matter of keeping him comfortable and crossing all paws - but if anyone can offer any other suggestions to buy more time for Charlie until the PM results from Whisp come through, I'd be very grateful.