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Fizz at the vets

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madguinealady

madguinealady

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Fizz had a mild head tilt couple of weeks ago but she recovered without vets visit but when I went in this morning she was lethargic and head close to 90 degree tilt.She is still eating but as she was in with pebbles couldn't tell how much .vet weighd her and she was 540 grams.When you put her fluff down she looks really skinny.Vet has given her,batryl,metacam and recovery food.She is back on friday.Said her ear is gunked up so she can't see in and her cheeks were full of mushed food so couldn't check her teeth.Also have antibiotics for me to give her.Do I just give her recovery food every hour or do I give her mushed pellets as well
 
Normally you'd give recovery food every 2 to 3 hours. Is Fizz not eating? When Minky got her head tilt just over 4 weeks ago she was still eating OK so recovery food not necessary. The vet gave Minky 2 injections of antibiotics & anti-inflammatory & then put her on a course of Baytril 0.5ml twice a day + Loxicom 0.17ml once a day. On her next visit a week later the Loxicom was dropped down to ).1ml then 2 weeks later dropped altogether. She's still on the Baytril but since I put her back in the run with the other piggies she's improved tremendously with only a slight hint of the head tilt.

A little tip, if you're going to have to give Baytril to Fizz long term then ask your vet for a prescription & get a 100ml bottle from Vet UK. Overall you should save over £50
 
Mushed pellets can be used instead of recovery food if you didn't have it in. I don't know but I assume the recovery food is optimised nutrition-wise for poorly pigs so may be better for her provided you can get her to take it. I have never used recovery food but it is recommended to use a 1ml syringe to prevent aspiration of the food into the lungs. I always use mushed pellets for mine, but they don't really like it, it's just a case of getting the food into her if she isn't eating.
Hopefully someone with a little more experience syringe-feeding can give you some more help, with how often and how much she needs.
 
She ate her veggies and the.vet said she had cheekfull of mushed up food so must be eating.Don't know if she can manage pellets (blackcurrant birgess excel so may be too small for her).She ate some of the recovery food and syringed some water in case she can't manage the bottle. Will give her more recovery food and water before I go to bed.She is on her own so I can see what she is drinking and eating.Is 540 low weight for a 8 month olf sow.Her balance is crap as well.You have to male sure she is square on her feet or she struggles to get upright
 
When I put Minky in cage by herself when she first ha the head tilt. I found her better on a firm surface so used I used baby changing mats which are similar to puppy pads but bigger. Either would do. I put her food on a saucer or flat dish to make it easier for her. She didn't seem to be able to drink from her bottle so gave her syringe of water at same time as meds. As she eats plenty of veggies she was getting most of her water through them. I'm not sure of the weight but it does sound below normal. Mine are all adult piggies ranging from 900g to about 1350g.
 
Don't know at what age they are full grown so don't know if weight normal
 
No advice sorry, just wanted to send Fizz lots of healing vibes x
 
Fizzes head tilt no better.Not managing pellets herself or water bottle so syringing pellets and water every hour and a half.Will check the cage for poos later. Hanging on to the fact she still wants to eat but not sure if this is good or bad as if neurological she will still be hungry but if,ear infection thought appetite would be crap
 
Just carry on with the syringe feeding, it is important to keep Fizz's food intake up. What meds/doseage is she on?
 
.2 baytril.Asked about probiotics but she said it was in the recovery food but only got 1 sachet of it which I usef yesterday and today.Will I be able to buy some tomorrow up town or doesn't it matter.She is eating mushed up pellets,hay and veggies
 
Just keep at it; hopefully, your care will make the difference. I hope that you can get to the bottom of what is going on, but a totally gunked up ear wold account for the head tilt. P@h have some probiotics, but as far as I know no recovery food; you would need to get that from your vet or order it online.
 
Will get probiotics tomorrow.Because she is eating pellets,hay and veggies think she will be ok without recovery food.Got some oats today so will give her some of that tonight. Thanks for replying so quickly.Would be lost without this forum.
 
She is unreal.Because I am having to feed her myself every hour and a half she is getting tamer and tamer.She has always cuddled in but today she was licking my chin.Going to be heartbroken if she doesn't make it.The receptionist at the vets has fell in love with jer and was grinning like a cheshire cat when I brought her out of the examination room.Had to go to the bank on the way and half the staff fell in love with her too
 
Lots of love to Fizz, your doing really well x
 
I hope she pulls through, she sounds like a lovely piggie, do you have a photo?
 
There is a photo on the thread fizz has pinched my dressing gown.On phone so can't post pigtures
 
Fizz lost her fight on friday.Improved a bit but saturdsy morning sjhe,was really struggling.The vet and myself decided she had had enough.Wasn't eating her,veggies any more and head 90 degrees.Hurts like hell.Now pebbles is on her own so have to bite the bullet and get her a friend.3 rescues are near me and none have baby girls.Tried her with two different adults with experienced rescue and turns out she is very dominant.Wouldn't have either of them so baby girl best bet.Anyone got one near me
 
Fizz lost her fight on saturday Am gutted.Now pebbles is on her own. Tried her with two adults but she is veeery dominant so think it will have to be a baby.None of my local rescues have any so does anyine in cumbria have any baby girls
 
oh no :( So sorry. You did everything you could for little Fizz. It is so hard to let them go but is often the final act of love we can do for them. Love to you and Pebbles x

Sleep well little fizz

RIP Fizz
x x
 
I am so sorry you lost Fizz. How heartbreaking. Maybe pebbles will suit a neutered boar.
 
I'm so sorry she didn't pull through. You did your best for her.
If you are able to travel there are several rescues which are about the same distance from Cumbria- obviously I don't know where abouts you are in Cumbria so it may end up being too far. Have you considered a neutered boar? Sometimes they can be easier to bond to a sow than another sow.
This is the rescue locator map, my closest rescue is about 60 minutes away.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/locator/
 
There are no neutered boars near me and she is such a stroppy cow the rescue lady doesn't think she will accept a boar anyway.There are babies,available in 6 weeks but thats a long time for her.watch this space
 
I'm so sorry for you and for Pebbles.

When I was so upset about loosing my old mare someone said to me that a peaceful ending is our privilige to give our animals, our responsibility and last gift that we will give them. We can spare our animals suffering and let them slip away peacefully. But I know that its so hard.

(hugs) to all of you.
 
mum got me a baby girl on tuesday and pebbles has took to her.Have started a new thread about her.She,is,called poppy.Will post pigtures when I have internet and computer again.
 
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