Gizmo back at vets again

[squizzel]

Hi all
One of our pigs Gizmo (the brown one) has been really poorly for some time now, he is 9 months old and about 6 weeks ago he started gasping for breath. I phoned the vets 1st thing the next morning and they got him straight in, but ruled out problems with his chest saying that it was higher up towards his nose. Baytrill injection was given and he was sent home with oral baytrill, but he stopped eating over the next few days so we had to mix some of his food with water and feed him through a syringe. After a while he started eating but was coughing a lot while eating but he was steadily gaining weight, untill last week. His weight started dropping off quite quickly and i noticed a large lump under his throat. A trip back to the vets (monday) and an absiss was diagnosed, but the vet thought he was possibly too weak to go through the operation, but he said that he would use as little anesthetic as possible. He got through it and now seems to be putting weight back on, he has to go back to the vets next monday for a check up. There is still white gunge coming from where the vet drained the absess,does anyone know how long untill the discharge stops? (its also very smelly)
He is on baytrill again for 14 days 2xday but he is constantly hungry now so hopefully he`s on the mend.
Sorry for the long post.
Mark

 

[missy]

Sorry I don't know enough to offer any advice but just wanted to wish you well. Really glad to hear that Gizmo has got this far safely and hope his improvement continues x

 

[squizzel]

Thanks, i know one thing hes a fighter. There have been a few times both us and the vet have thought that he wouldnt make it but happily he`s proved us wrong
Mark

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Hi Mark, sorry to hear Gizmo has been through a bit of a rough time! Baytril often affects the appetite as you described, giving a probiotic can sometimes help ease any upset caused in the digestive system by the Baytril. Something worth considering given that he's going to be on Baytril for a while yet.

The abscess needs emptying of pus at least 2-3 times daily, it's good that it's oozing itself a little as it means there is still an opening to the cavity. One of the tricky things regarding abscesses is keeping the incision open so that it can heal from the inside out! Ideally you'd want to keep the wound open for at least 2-3 days after the pus stops filling the cavity, this helps to ensure that the infection is mostly cleared; after that, it's just a case of monitoring the area closely for any signs of the cavity refilling.

For now, as I said you really want to be trying to squeeze any pus out 2-3 times a day. You may well need to towel wrap Gizmo for this - tips are in the Reference Section of the forum - and he may wriggle and squeal and make things difficult for you, but it's something that does need to be done in some way. If you're not confident with emptying the abscess yourself, I would recommend taking him along to the vet and asking to be shown how to squeeze the pus out of it. If this isn't done, there's a high chance of the incision closing over and sealing the infection inside again, which would cause the abscess to refill.

Best of luck - and I really hope he keeps his appetite up now.

 

[squizzel]

Thank you Laura for that.
Unfortunately Gizmo took a turn for the worst this morning, i got him out of his run ready to give him his antibiotics and as i sat down with him he let out a gasp and was gone.
The kids dont know yet as they are at school, but i can`t leave snuggles on his own so i will have to look for a suitable companion. As he is only 9 months old i hope he will take to a new friend easily.
Mark

 

[Laura-CCC4]

I'm so sorry Mark, it sounds like it was very quick, nevertheless a very sad time for you and your family. Hugs to you and Snuggles.

xx

 

[flips]

That's so sad. Big hugs for all of you.

Goodnight little Gizmo. :rose

 

[Monkeynutz]

Aww Mark, I was hoping to read on further and find that Gizmo's health had improved. Am so sad for you, really I am. Hope your little children cope with the news and that you do too. Thinking of you all. Much love. xx

 

[Wiebke]

I am so sorry that Gizmo hasn't made it despite your best efforts!

 

[Saysie]

Oh no I'm so sorry for your loss! Sounds like you did everything you could and more to help Gizmo. Play in peace Gizmo xx

 

[squizzel]

Thanks for all your kind words, he will be missed.

We won`t leave the other one (snuggles) on his own so we will be looking for a new friend for him, and i will let you know when we have a new addition.
Mark

 

[lily_n_dori]

so sorry you lost poor Gizmo after he had done so well.

Hope you find snuggles a friend and you all feel a bit better soon x

 

[Little Piggles]

I'm so very sorry for your loss of Gizmo Hope you and Snuggles are okay x

 

[squizzel]

Thanks for all the kind words.
I didn`t want snuggles to be alone too long so we now have 2 new additions. Gizmo can never be replaced, but we have to think of snuggles. So here is the 2 new additions.
!st picture is cookie (the white and brown one) and the second picture is Fudge.
They get along with snuggles really well, and he seems to have livened up a bit.
Mark