• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Hamish ill again

Status
Not open for further replies.
yyoung

yyoung

Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
252
Reaction score
0
Points
0
It's only been just over a year that I battled to save this piggys life and here we are again. He just will not eat.

As I knew I was going into hospital for a major operation I was being very watchful and took him immediately to vets when I realised something was wrong. We have been hand feeding this piggy for weeks now and he is still losing weight. He is eating nothing at all and hand feeding is a struggle (i dont normally have a struggle with hand feeding). Anyway my OH had to deal with the feeding and drugs when I was in hospital and I got out on Monday and had to go straight to the vets with Hamish. They don't seem to know whats wrong. He has been on Septrin, Marbocyl, Metaclopromide, Metacam, extra vit c in water, any tempting titbit I can think of and nothing is helping. He has been thoroughly examined and there doesn't appear to be any blockages or lumps. Teeth been checked and they did say there was a slight bridge at the back but nothing they thought would be the cause. They are suggesting a light sedation (gas) and a thorough inspection of the back teeth. I am giving him another 2 more days to see if I can turn it around now I'm home.

Any thoughts .... no matter how obscure would be greatly appreciated as the only other thing the vet said was that his organs may have shut down and euthanasia might have to be considered and for me that is not an option...... not yet :...

He doesn't look anyway near as ill as some of the piggys I've nursed back to health but he has gone from 1378g to 994g in 5 weeks and thats with syringe feeding :...

Please help .... anything.
 
I am sorry for your worries.

You and your vet seem to have covered all the obvious possibilities. It so frustrating when there is nothing you can do depite trying best.

I hope that one of the bigger medical guns is seeing this and has perhaps more of an idea.
 
Sending lots of love and healing vibes to you and poor Hamish. Sorry I can't offer any advice but thinking of you. x x
 
I am sorry he's so unwell, and I'm sorry to hear you've also been in hospital lately.

How old is he? Is he pooping ok? How much syringe-food is he generally taking and how often? Is he showing any interest in his surroundings, any interest in life?

In terms of treatments, have you tried Daktarin Oral Gel? Handy for piggies with oral fungal infections and can soothe some soreness which may be preventing him from wanting to eat.
Metatone is another one worth trying - dose is 0.3ml - 0.5ml daily as an appetite stimulant.
Has he ever been 'wormed' with Ivomec & Pancur (or Valbazen)?

Sometimes a pig will refuse to eat and fight the syringe-feedings, it can be hard knowing when they are just being stubborn or when they are trying to tell you something. If he is showing some interest in life/his surroundings, then it's generally worth trying to continue encouraging him. If he seems to simply be 'giving up' then continue offering food frequently, but not try to "force" it so to speak. Fingers crossed he's just being stubborn and there's a simple reason there for his problems. xx
 
Hi

If he is still loosing weight then you need to increase the amount of food you are syringe feeding (Obvious I know). About half a cup per day is about right.

You may need to start feeding critical care and also check for de-hidration.

The bridging of the molars will also not be helping him but they may be a symptom of not eating rather than the reason

Fungal Infections, Dental Problems, Gastric and Urinal problems will all put a piggie of their food.

What area are you in, are there any rodentoligists near you, they may be better than a general vet and they will be able to clip his teeth without the use of Gas.

He has been on quite a bit of medication, they may just be trying their luck without any real diagnosis

Paul & Jeanette
 
HI,

Thanks all for your help....

I isolated him as soon as I returned from hospital and discovered that he isn't pooing or weeing which is very worrying.

Currentley his regime is every 2 hours 5 -10ml of science recovery and 5ml of water and vit c so thats about 30-40ml of recovery and 30-40ml water per day. Twice a day doses of 1ml metaclopramide and .2ml marbocyl. Also 3 drops of Metacam daily.

I have daktarin gel in the house so I can def give that a try immediately..... how and how much do I give ?


The vet did indicate that perhaps he thought there may be a urinary problem and he needs to pass some uric crystals but he did say he couldn't feel any stones or any lumps at all actually.

He has been ivomeced 3 times 1 week apart as at the start of all this I noticed he had the start of mites (little scabs/scurfy bits on his skin).

I got my OH to get some grass today... not the best but grass nonetheless and he did stir and the grass and nibbled a bit so I guess his appetite is not totally absent.

Here is a pic taken today and you can see he does not look totally desperate yet.......

016-2.jpg
 
He is lovely, gorgeous colours (my favourite!). He doesn't look like he's given up on life yet from that photo and it's great he's trying some grass. The Metatone may well help stimulate his appetite but if AP is right (which he tends to be) then you won't get too far without having the teeth seen to.

Daktarin Oral Gel dose is 0.5ml, syringed into the mouth as you would any other medicine.
 
Do you think he has dental problems because of the saliva under his mouth ? Thats actually from trying to force food into him and overloading his mouth I think.

He is a little brighter this morning.

I am in Co. Durham. I am thinking I may give him another day with a very strict regime seeing as how I am home from hosp now. He maintained his weight overnight. Anyt thoughts ?
 
"a slight bridge at the back but nothing they thought would be the cause".

That says it all. A slight bridge is all it takes to stop a pig eating, it cannot be left untreated.
 
Ok .... thanks for that. I will get back in touch with the vets today. Should they be able to do this without anaesthetic of any nature ?
 
No anaesthetic is necessary. Fact, not opinion.
You just have to hope that the vet knows what he or she is doing.....
 
Give the CCT a ring and see if they have a dental trained Rodentoligist in your area.

Most dental work can be done without anaesthetic.

Did my training at CCT last week, they have people trained all over the country so there is probably someone not to fare from you who could help.

Paul & Jeanette
 
"Did my training at CCT last week"

What training was that, I wonder what was involved?

All dental treatment can be carried out without the need fro a GA.
 
That was Dental Training

It involved the Identification of common dental problems and the Clipping of teeth.

It was a very interesting course.

Paul & Jeanette
 
Yep

I took one of my Piggies who has dental problems so spent plenty of time sorting his teeth out for him.

Which is a good thing as his problem will require weekly tooth clipping for the rest of his life.

He go so used to it he ended up sleeping through most of it zzz

Paul & Jeanette
 
Its basicaly Bucal Pad speaders to hold the mouth open and small bone ronguers to clip the teeth and diamond files to file the teeth down.

And a pillow case to wrap the piggie to stop him wriggeling about

Correct wrapping is as important as dental abbility
 
Sorry for all of the questions.
What sort of light do you use to see the back teeth? How do you trim those teeth that you can't see when the ronguers are in the mouth?
How can you tell which teeth need to be trimmed?
What happens if something goes wrong, such as a back tooth splitting from top to bottom? It must be a nerve wracking experience for you!
 
Last edited:
Questions Questions Questions :x

I use one of the Iluminated Magnifiers but realy only for the light, a good pair of eyes or good glasses is all that is needed.

If you use the smaller Ronguers you can see what you are doing.

Its actualy quite obvious once you see a set that need clipping

What happens if it all goes wrong mallethead I will let you know should it happen although its normally only the front ones that you need to be extra carefull with.

Paul & Jeanette
 
I admire your confidence.
Presumably you have a high degree of manual dexterity?
 
I have been looking at the cost of the bits and pieces....magnifying light, ronguers, tweezers, separators, magnifying loupes, otoscope. I stopped counting at £900.
 
Do what I did and look to ebay

Magnifying Lights that sell for £100 cost £30 on eBay

Bone Rongeurs that cost £95 in the Uk cost £10 from eBay USA

Bucal pad seperators £9 from USA

The whole lot cost me under £100

Paul & Jeanette
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top