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Euthanasia: When is it “time”?

Remarkable Hamish lives to fight another day! I barely slept and feel very ill today so I’m relieved he got on ok. Basically, Simon agreed with everything we’re currently doing for him. He wasn’t entirely sure the neck lump was his thyroid. He suspected a sealed abscess or a tumour that could only be properly investigated through an operation which we don’t feel Hamish could withstand. So I can choose whether to continue or stop the Thyronorm. He didn’t want me to increase it. He trimmed his teeth as felt they were probably bothering Hamish and gave me some Stronghold for him and Herbie.
So it’s just a case of carrying on how we are and supplementing his food with two syringe feeds per day.
He’s back in his cage and already squeaking for dinner!
 
Pleased Hamish is okay, hope you feel better soon. Love to Hamish x
 
piggieminder said:
I loved your post for Hamish @alexr I am so sorry you are feeling ill today, I expect it's all the stress. I hope you feelbetter very soon.
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Thank you 😀. Yes, I think the stress has manifested itself physically as I’ve been so worried about the declining state of my frail little man these past few days. I’m hoping now I know things aren’t as bad as originally thought, I’ll start to feel better. I certainly feel a great sense of relief!
 
T
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
So glad you saw Simon today and it sounds like Hamish is still enjoying life! Hope you feel better soon x
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Thank you! I’m so glad I took him to see Simon rather than waiting and worrying until Kate’s back. I felt very reassured to know I’m doing all the right things and it’s just a case of keeping on with his routine. I’m sure he’ll feel better with his teeth being more even at least. His weight had started dropping again and he was 850g today so I’m hoping he starts eating lots more as well as being syringe fed.
As an amusing aside, I took the opportunity to wash all the pigs the other day as they were getting sticky grease glands. I was expecting all hell to break loose with Fernando and Barnaby. They were actually the most calm pigs of the lot and just sat there quite enjoying the process. Model students! ❤️😂 x
 
Hamish is doing ok in himself but I am encountering some problems. I am finding his care really exhausting and feel terrible for even saying so.

I feel like I’m being harsh but I’m trying to get him to be more independent with his syringe feeding by encouraging him to eat off a spoon as it takes about an hour a time to syringe feed him. I’m also putting some in the cage but I think most of that is being gobbled up by Herbie. I worry he isn’t getting enough as I’d previously aimed for 30ml twice per day. He seems to be happily eating everything else but I know he needs the additional food to keep his weight up. I feel like a terrible person for not always syringe feeding him having done so for months. I have had a horrible flu-like virus and feel too exhausted.

He is now constantly wet underneath as he tends to just lay in one spot and prefers to lay on hay and not fleece. I keep cleaning and drying him but he isn’t keeping himself clean.

He had a Stronghold spot on treatment on Tuesday but his skin round his shoulders has become much worse: Very bad flaking and lots of clumps coming out attached to flakes. Is it safe to bath him tomorrow or do I need to wait longer after the mite treatment? I’m wondering if it’s actually fungal. The skin is so dry, I’m feeling inclined to give him an oil treatment on his shoulders and wash him in Nizoral. I think, looking at it, an awful lot of hair is going to come away and I’ll be looking at a very thin, frail and partially bald pig. I’m then going to worry about keeping him warm.

Oh it all breaks my heart. It’s so very hard when he has all these complications going on. 😢
 
Will he eat porridge oats? For those who aren't so keen, I mix baby food into the oats and often they will eat them then. If you are around a lot during the day, just give him a couple of mls of syringe food, each time you pass the cage. This seems to keep them interested in eating for themselves too and over a day you can get a lot in, doing it this way. I keep a tally chart at the side of the cage and you soon see the amount mounting up! Personally I wouldn't be bathing him, but just keep him clean underneath using fragrance free baby wipes. Our piggy, Freddie, also had very dry skin and was given Stronghold. Initially it didn't seem to help, but now, four weeks later, he looks great.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Will he eat porridge oats? For those who aren't so keen, I mix baby food into the oats and often they will eat them then. If you are around a lot during the day, just give him a couple of mls of syringe food, each time you pass the cage. This seems to keep them interested in eating for themselves too and over a day you can get a lot in, doing it this way. I keep a tally chart at the side of the cage and you soon see the amount mounting up! Personally I wouldn't be bathing him, but just keep him clean underneath using fragrance free baby wipes. Our piggy, Freddie, also had very dry skin and was given Stronghold. Initially it didn't seem to help, but now, four weeks later, he looks great.
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Can the Stronghold cause the dryness? Hard to know if it’s just doing its job and killing off the mites or if it’s fungal. Herbie also had a dose but he’s not gone flaky like Hamish. I guess his immune system is younger and more robust! I do normally just use baby wipes as I use them for bum cleaning. I might give him one bath to clean him and try to get out as much of the affected hair as comes loose but then leave him be and see how things are looking.
Can you offer the porridge oats dry? We do have some but will have to get baby food tomorrow. I have a feeling Mr Herbie may be the one who’s more keen though!
That’s a good idea about trying to offer a bit at a time. He does seem more keen to try it for himself so offering him some each time I go in sounds like a plan. 😀
 
I felt I needed to take the risk as he was so itchy with loads of hair coming out. I used a Gorgeous Guineas oil soak on his shoulders then gave him a bath. His skin was so flaky it felt like sand. I’ve got rid of as much loose hair as possible and he has great big bald patches - especially down one side. I’ve dried him off and his skin is looking very clear. Can you recommend a soothing ointment if the skin gets flaky in the next few days? I really want to avoid baths for him as much as possible.
 
alexr said:
I felt I needed to take the risk as he was so itchy with loads of hair coming out. I used a Gorgeous Guineas oil soak on his shoulders then gave him a bath. His skin was so flaky it felt like sand. I’ve got rid of as much loose hair as possible and he has great big bald patches - especially down one side. I’ve dried him off and his skin is looking very clear. Can you recommend a soothing ointment if the skin gets flaky in the next few days? I really want to avoid baths for him as much as possible.
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It doesn’t sound like it’s fungal, if his skin is clear. I wouldn’t put anything on it, as it could be ingested, without first seeking veterinary advice. I find bathing dries the natural oils in the skin and makes it dry, so I only do it if absolutely necessary.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Yes feed porridge oats dry. Most love them. Some piggies are more prone to dry skin. I find the Rex piggies, in particular, tend to have drier skin. I do find bathing older piggies risky as it can tip them over the edge.
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Great news - Hamish is living up to his Scottish name and seems to love the porridge oats! ❤️
 
I don’t feel like Hamish is doing very well. He’s spent several days looking very miserable. He’s still eating but he seems to lack any interest in anything else.

I put the piggies outside for a brief spell in the sunshine earlier whilst I tidied their room. Initially, Hamish was keen to munch the grass but showed absolutely no interest in the other pigs which is unusual. He just kept taking himself off. Eventually he gave up and went into a bush where he sat shivering so I immediately brought him in and sat him on a towel in the kitchen.

He sat facing the corner for a long time and didn’t move until I offered him some oats which he tucked into but he hasn’t left the towel.

I am concerned that he is in discomfort and I’m not sure that he’s really enjoying life. I think I need to get him checked out to see if there’s anything else we can do for him.
 
Bill & Ted said:
Aw, hope Hamish pulls through and just having an off few days x
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I really hope so as he’s on the maximum doses of Metacam and Tramadol so I don’t think there’s much more that can be done from that perspective. X
 
Aww bless him, come on Hamish eat your oats, they'll help you grow big and strong ;)
Sprinkle some bits of grass or dandelion on his oats, see if that encourages him to eat too.

What a tough old boy he is 🤗
Healing vibes being sent your way from the girls & I. Xx
.. Ps look after yourself too :hug: xx
 
GPTV said:
Aww bless him, come on Hamish eat your oats, they'll help you grow big and strong ;)
Sprinkle some bits of grass or dandelion on his oats, see if that encourages him to eat too.

What a tough old boy he is 🤗
Healing vibes being sent your way from the girls & I. Xx
.. Ps look after yourself too :hug: xx
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Thank you 🤗 xx
That’s a good idea about the grass and dandelions. I bet he’d like a bit of the dried stuff you can get in packs too.
 
Ha well I thought making Hamish a little nest area was a nice idea but the sight that greeted me this morning made me chuckle. Herbie had decided to get in on the action and has pulled the bed forward, taking up residence and leaving Hamish with a little space at the back. 🤣🤣

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I’m just recovering from quite a shock when I took Hamish to see Simon today. I took him at the same time as Harry who was undergoing investigations for his UTI. Simon saw Hamish first as we thought he’d be the easiest to deal with. Sadly not!

Hamish needed his teeth burring again and I wanted Simon to examine the strange crusty clumps he’d developed on his shoulders and legs. A while ago, Hamish had flaky skin and hair loss on his shoulders. Simon gave him Stronghold last time but Hamish started losing lots of hair until he was almost bald on his shoulders and had very dry skin. This seemed to be improving and hair grew back but then he started to develop clumps of hair stuck to big hard lumps on his legs and shoulders.

Today, Simon said he’d not seen anything like it and was really baffled as to what it was. He didn’t think it looked like mites or fungal. He pulled two clumps off to reveal sore craters underneath. When he pulled the second clump off, Hamish has a massive fit. His head rolled to the side and he keeled over with eyes rolling. I honestly thought he’d passed away! 😭 After, what felt like forever, he suddenly came to.

Simon is baffled as to what it is and thought it was must either be mites or even something more sinister.

Once he was happy Hamish could take another intervention, Simon gave him a Panomec injection and said Hamish needs another one next week. We’ll see if that helps.

To be honest, I’m worried about whether he can handle anymore but we’ll see how he goes. We had to keep checking he was still alive in his box while Harry was being examined. I think the poor lad just needs to keep quiet and calm now.

My poor nerves and poor, poor Hamish. 😰
 
alexr said:
I’m just recovering from quite a shock when I took Hamish to see Simon today. I took him at the same time as Harry who was undergoing investigations for his UTI. Simon saw Hamish first as we thought he’d be the easiest to deal with. Sadly not!

Hamish needed his teeth burring again and I wanted Simon to examine the strange crusty clumps he’d developed on his shoulders and legs. A while ago, Hamish had flaky skin and hair loss on his shoulders. Simon gave him Stronghold last time but Hamish started losing lots of hair until he was almost bald on his shoulders and had very dry skin. This seemed to be improving and hair grew back but then he started to develop clumps of hair stuck to big hard lumps on his legs and shoulders.

Today, Simon said he’d not seen anything like it and was really baffled as to what it was. He didn’t think it looked like mites or fungal. He pulled two clumps off to reveal sore craters underneath. When he pulled the second clump off, Hamish has a massive fit. His head rolled to the side and he keeled over with eyes rolling. I honestly thought he’d passed away! 😭 After, what felt like forever, he suddenly came to.

Simon is baffled as to what it is and thought it was must either be mites or even something more sinister.

Once he was happy Hamish could take another intervention, Simon gave him a Panomec injection and said Hamish needs another one next week. We’ll see if that helps.

To be honest, I’m worried about whether he can handle anymore but we’ll see how he goes. We had to keep checking he was still alive in his box while Harry was being examined. I think the poor lad just needs to keep quiet and calm now.

My poor nerves and poor, poor Hamish. 😰
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Poor you and poor Hamish!
I hope that the news about Harry is better?

I have never come across something like this on the forum, either; but I can link in @Abi_nurse for you in case she has seen or heard about something like this at the exotics clinic she works at.
 
Sorry to read this upsetting news about Hamish. Fingers and paws crossed for him and big hugs for you.🤗
 
Wiebke said:
Poor you and poor Hamish!
I hope that the news about Harry is better?

I have never come across something like this on the forum, either; but I can link in @Abi_nurse for you in case she has seen or heard about something like this at the exotics clinic she works at.
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Thanks Wiebke, I posted about Harry on his thread to try to keep the issues separate. Simon was 50/50 as to whether it was a UTI/stone. We’re going to try the antibiotics for another 2 days but if no improvement or worsening of symptoms, we’ll X-Ray.

Hamish’s weird skin is very odd. Simon advised not to touch, bathe or put anything on the sores from where he removed the clumps of skin or it might tip Hamish over the edge. He said the only way to find out more would be to send a biopsy to a lab but they’d probably need tissue from the wound site and not just what he pulled off. We agreed prodding and poking wouldn’t be fair to Hamish.

So I guess it’s just a case of making sure he’s comfortable really.
 
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