This is the post I've long dreaded ever since joining this forum.
I lost my beloved Harvey last night.
Following his bladder stone operation on Monday afternoon, he seemed to be doing well, looking quite bright and even eating a little carrot and leaves on Tuesday (as well as the syringe feeding, pain killer and medicine he was receiving). First thing Wednesday morning I thought he looked okay but a bit sleepy - although it has been very hot here - though I was concerned to note no further improvement throughout the day, and he didn't take any more offered food. When I woke on Thursday and immediately saw Harvey looked very tired and lacklustre so rushed him to the vets, where - as like on Tuesday - he stayed there for the day receiving critical care food and medicines from the nurses. Upon phoning for an update, the vet had said he had shown no tangible improvement despite the feeding and rehydration they gave him during but that I should take him home and continue with that myself through to bed-time and they’d have him back in first thing on Friday to continue the process, so there was still some hope. However, while I was bringing Harvey home he seemed to flop onto his side and be twitching so I rushed him straight back to the vets.
The vet said it was difficult to tell for sure what had happened but he may have taken a stroke, an embolism or else a body organ was failing and there was nothing more that could be done. Despite the risk of the operation he was recovering well initially and this is so hard to accept.
I was aware of the various risks involved - his age (5 years, 4 months), coming around from the anaesthetic, risk of infection. plus trying to build up his strength again after the operation etc. However, the bladder stone had to be removed to give him any chance so there was no choice but to proceed.
When I think too that just two weeks ago - while I was very worried about my other pig China who had stopped eating and didn’t look good at all (but quickly responded to treatment and has recovered, thankfully) - Harvey seemed completely healthy with no indication whatsoever of any problem. Now – against my long-held expectation, it is China who is left alone, despite always being much the more fragile of the two.
Harvey was a brilliant wee beast and I can't believe he's gone, especially as it all happened so quick and he had never had anything wrong with him previously and seemed strong and healthy (in spite of being quite old, and I had really thought that he might be one of those who live to a really ripe old age) up until less than a fortnight ago, plus how the vet was very happy with how he was coming along on Tuesday - (but things can happen with wee animals such as these - as I say, on the Wednesday morning he looked a bit sleepy and it was downhill from there). My mum has been brilliant - she was at my house all day Wedneday syringe feeding him every hour and was with me at the vets yesterday, which I was very grateful for, as I was in pieces, totally.
Despite the traumatic and extremely upsetting time at the vets yesterday, somehow it seems rather surreal to me now, almost as if, “did that really happen?â€, but seeing China alone is a stark reminder of the harsh reality. 8...
I know Harvey had a happy life and - aside from a couple of times when mites got at him aside (which were quickly dealt with of course) - never had any health worries at all until this bladder stone appeared, seemingly suddenly. I know it had to be tried but I feel so upset that his last days involved such regular syringe feeding (which he did not enjoy) and perhaos he wasn't very comfortable throughout the last week or so.
Harvey, I will always love you and you will never to be forgotten.
As the vet says, I need to keep China company as best as I can now and, for me, can only hope that I don't have to go through this pain over again for quite a while yet.
I lost my beloved Harvey last night.
Following his bladder stone operation on Monday afternoon, he seemed to be doing well, looking quite bright and even eating a little carrot and leaves on Tuesday (as well as the syringe feeding, pain killer and medicine he was receiving). First thing Wednesday morning I thought he looked okay but a bit sleepy - although it has been very hot here - though I was concerned to note no further improvement throughout the day, and he didn't take any more offered food. When I woke on Thursday and immediately saw Harvey looked very tired and lacklustre so rushed him to the vets, where - as like on Tuesday - he stayed there for the day receiving critical care food and medicines from the nurses. Upon phoning for an update, the vet had said he had shown no tangible improvement despite the feeding and rehydration they gave him during but that I should take him home and continue with that myself through to bed-time and they’d have him back in first thing on Friday to continue the process, so there was still some hope. However, while I was bringing Harvey home he seemed to flop onto his side and be twitching so I rushed him straight back to the vets.
The vet said it was difficult to tell for sure what had happened but he may have taken a stroke, an embolism or else a body organ was failing and there was nothing more that could be done. Despite the risk of the operation he was recovering well initially and this is so hard to accept.
I was aware of the various risks involved - his age (5 years, 4 months), coming around from the anaesthetic, risk of infection. plus trying to build up his strength again after the operation etc. However, the bladder stone had to be removed to give him any chance so there was no choice but to proceed.
When I think too that just two weeks ago - while I was very worried about my other pig China who had stopped eating and didn’t look good at all (but quickly responded to treatment and has recovered, thankfully) - Harvey seemed completely healthy with no indication whatsoever of any problem. Now – against my long-held expectation, it is China who is left alone, despite always being much the more fragile of the two.
Harvey was a brilliant wee beast and I can't believe he's gone, especially as it all happened so quick and he had never had anything wrong with him previously and seemed strong and healthy (in spite of being quite old, and I had really thought that he might be one of those who live to a really ripe old age) up until less than a fortnight ago, plus how the vet was very happy with how he was coming along on Tuesday - (but things can happen with wee animals such as these - as I say, on the Wednesday morning he looked a bit sleepy and it was downhill from there). My mum has been brilliant - she was at my house all day Wedneday syringe feeding him every hour and was with me at the vets yesterday, which I was very grateful for, as I was in pieces, totally.
Despite the traumatic and extremely upsetting time at the vets yesterday, somehow it seems rather surreal to me now, almost as if, “did that really happen?â€, but seeing China alone is a stark reminder of the harsh reality. 8...
I know Harvey had a happy life and - aside from a couple of times when mites got at him aside (which were quickly dealt with of course) - never had any health worries at all until this bladder stone appeared, seemingly suddenly. I know it had to be tried but I feel so upset that his last days involved such regular syringe feeding (which he did not enjoy) and perhaos he wasn't very comfortable throughout the last week or so.
Harvey, I will always love you and you will never to be forgotten.
As the vet says, I need to keep China company as best as I can now and, for me, can only hope that I don't have to go through this pain over again for quite a while yet.
I lost my oldie recently & it does hurt so bad I know. Give China lots of cuddles hopefully you will find some comfort in each others company, mine was my last piggie & I miss her so much.
