Gimmick ripped her claw out

[Carma Violet]

Saturday, after a bop on the bum from the Alpha Sow, Gadget, Gimmick jumped out of their forage pit and caught her claw on the fine mesh grid at the back of the enclosure, ripping it clean out.

As a note, I would suggest to everyone to use these finer mesh portions with caution. I know I will from now on!

So, anyway, off to the vets we went straight away, she bled heavily for about 30 seconds, then it stopped. She obviously was in a lot of pain, she wasn't squeaking but didn't even flinch when she had two injections both of which seemed to go in with a jerk. Which surprised me as she is a wriggler at the best of times. The vet sent us home with anti-biotics, she said she shouldn't need anymore pain killers (one of the injections was one). But to keep an eye on her eating to be sure (Which surprised me as ripping a claw out has got to be intensely painful)

Once we got home we decided to seperate her for 4-5 hours, which turned out to be a bad idea... Once we put them back together when Gimmick seemed to perk up, Tuck (The Omega Sow), decided she was now second in command. It was very close to being violent but Gimmick was strong and alert enough to reclaim her place. We now realised that they are FAR too close in rank to seperate for any period of time.

Anyway, everything seemed to be fine, up until now. I have just noticed that Gimmick isn't really that interested in eating, and is avoiding putting weight on her right front paw. She is clearly not happy, and hasn't been seen out of her hidey hole all night.

I am not sure what to do, as taking her to the vets would mean venturing out in the cold. I am off on Wednesday, but I am wondering what course of action to take right now...

Anyone have any ideas?

-Carma

 

[paulag]

She does need to go back to the vet as she may have developed an infection that needs quite aggressive treatment if it is deep.

Not sure how many girls you have but if possible take them together to avoid them having to reestablish pecking order when she returns.

Paula

 

[Carma Violet]

She does need to go back to the vet as she may have developed an infection that needs quite aggressive treatment if it is deep.

Not sure how many girls you have but if possible take them together to avoid them having to reestablish pecking order when she returns.

Paula

Thanks Paula, I have 3 girls, but it's just two of them who are a concern. Gadget the Alpha Sow is very much secure in her place. So taking both Tuck and Gimmick shouldn't be a problem.

Would you say this is something that needs addressing first thing tomorrow? I am of course presuming yes, everything about my piggies comes first.

-Carma

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Hi Carma, how are things with her now?

I find that children's Nurofen, either strawberry or orange flavour, both do the painkilling job well in cases of minor injuries. Dosed, for an adult pig, at 0.2ml 2x daily. I've no experience of using Calpol, but know it is safe.

The loss of appetite is quite possibly connected to the pain.

 

[Carma Violet]

She's doing better, she is still very much more quiet than usual. Hiding away from the world. BUT she is eating now, and sometimes comes out for a quick potter around. Last night, she must of spent 20 mins at the water bottle.

Basically the vet was shocked. She lost 60g in 3 days, and is only normally 700-800g anyway. The vet did admit that she should have sent Gimmick away with pain killers too. Never mind, she has some Medicam now, 0.1mg a day.

She also sent her away with some powdered food to make up. But I have to admit, I haven't even this too her yet due to Gimmicks huge distress when syringe feeding. Would you guys recommend I suppliment her food intack with the formula for now and see if she perks back to her normal self?

The main thing is, she is drinking, and seems to be giving up putting up so much of a fight with me as she knows I will win anyway lol

Thanks everyone for the advice.

-Carma

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Given she is a lightweight pig anyway, if she is continuing to lose weight, then syringe feeding is a must. It's harder to get weight on them than it is for them to lose the weight. You can give her the opportunity to take the food off a spoon or off a dish, some pigs will do that, but most need some syringe feeding.

If needs be I can email my factsheet over to you or you can have a look at my thread in the Reference section about wrapping pigs and administering meds (applies to a degree to food too), although I am well aware in some cases it is the pig that makes it more difficult as opposed to your skill.

That being said, if she is eating regularly and is able to maintain her weight, it's not as essential.