Heartbreaking

[poppypoppy4321]

I just needed to share a feeling that a great many of you will alread have experienced . the feeling that your heart is being slowly riped out .

Teddy an old old man of mine is 10 plus he is a teddy Rex and is now nearly bald , his eyes are receding (age related dehydration ) small amounts of blood are forming on his
nose and bum, he walks with a pronounced gait /wobble, as his back legs are getting week , though he is still able and willing to harass his sow a silver sow who is also very old a has a gait
worse than her old man Teddy,
The grand old man is in no discomfort and vet said there was no need for meter cam. I just give him fibraplex , and 10/20 ml of syringe paste to keep his as hydrated as possible
in this hot weather
just needed to share

 

[Lady Kelly]

Oh bless you, that is a good age to get to but yes can sympathise with how you feel. When I got told Bea (my avatar piggy) had renal disease and it was a matter of time it was a huge blow (I still feel physically sick thinking back to that moment). She went on to fight various illnesses for another 18 months which amazed everyone at my vets but although it was quite a special time for me and her when we truly cemented a wonderful bond, watching her losing weight and slowly deteriorating was gut wrenching. Now I'm in a similar position with Peter who has fatty lumps affecting his walking and potentially lymphoma but is too old to put through such an intrusive operation, I can still see him in his eyes and he still tries to run around like a rampant male but he is steadily going downhill.

 

[biscandmatt]

what a grand old age. bless him

alot of older piggies suffer with movement issues/joint issues and arthritis so i don't think a course of metacam should be ruled out. even a trial may help you decide. it is more for inflammation and inflammation based pain/discomfort so may be of some benefit. just a thought

sorry to hear he is struggling in the hot weather. it's certainly doesn't help our older and poorly little ones

 

[helen105281]

10 is such a good age. It sounds like he is very frail though and though the vet says he is not in any discomfort it sounds as if he is to me. I would be thinking about quality of life here and if he is struggling to move and is bald it may be time to make a decision for him. Is he inside or outside? if he is outside and not moving about he is at risk of flystrike and also heatstroke. Good that you are giving fluids, but if he is that dehydrated his eyes are sunken I think the vet should be looking at subcut fluids in addition to any that you are giving.

 

[Flutterby]

What a fantastic age! Poor little man! *hugs*

 

[VickiA]

Huge hugs to you. It's heartbreaking to watch our beautiful buoyant piggies turn into shadows of their former selves. Great age to achieve, though, so must be having a fabulous life with you. I'm sure you will know when the time comes to take action. I believe our pigs tell us. I have received that message recently myself. Enjoy your precious time together.