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Herbie needs your vibes

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Caviesgalore (EPGPR)

Caviesgalore (EPGPR)

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Hi all, I'm sorry to have to do this, but please could you all send mega healing vibes for Herbie my gorgeous agouti rex. Herbie was absolutely fine in himself this morning, giving me the run around as always, but when Rachael went to give the piggies their supper tonight Herb was tucked up in the corner looking very uncomfortable.8...

On closer inspection it appears he has bloat, his tummy was very distended and very hard, he was lethargic and his breathing was laboured. I have just done an hours round trip to the out of hours emergency vet and I have had to leave my gorgeous boy with them whilst they fight to save him, but it is very touch and go.8...8...8... He has been given pain relief, muscle relaxant and subQ fluids and will be closely monitored etc. for the next couple of hours. The vet said to call at any time of the night for an update as he would be with Herb all night, if there is any change before midnight he will call me otherwise we will speak first thing in the morning.

I am now sitting here feeling so helpless and guilty for not spotting Herbie might have had a problem earlier, silly I know, but you all know what its like. Any spare vibes you might have for my wee man would be very much appreciated. I will update when I have any news.
 
Acute bloat is one of the few gp problems that demands immediate attention, as you realise it is a potentially life-threatening condition.
Whatever the outcome, you have followed the "correct procedure".
Bloat can occur extremely quickly, you cannot watch pigs continually.
Here's hoping for a good outcome from his affliction.
 
Oh dear we're so sorry to hear that Herbie has bloat :(
Well done for recognising so quickly Sandra xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
HUGE healing vibes from us all in OZ xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>

COME ON HERBIE
 
Herbie - Update not good news

Just a really quick post to thank you all for your messages of support.

I am sorry to say that Herbie didn't make it, despite all our bests efforts we lost him at 12.30 this morning.8...8...8... The only good thing was that the vet had given him a hefty dose of pain relief so at least he was as comfortable as possible whilst they tried to save him. In the end he just drifted away.8...

Had the heartbreaking job of telling the girls before school this morning, despite warning them that it was very touch and go last night, it was obviously still very upsetting for everyone.

Will post more later, thanks again for your support.

Sleep well my darling boy, we will all miss you - particularly your big lump of a brother Curly.
 
I'm so sorry Sandra. You did everything you could for him. *Hugs* to you and your family. xx
 
I'm so sorry for your loss Sandra, I've only just saw this. Sleep peacefully Herbie. x
 
Ah Sandra, I only just saw this - I'm so sorry :( I honestly don't think there was anything more that could have been done, what a shame.

Big hug for you and the girls xx
 
Sorry, I only just saw this once you'd posted in Rainbow Bridge. You couldn't have done any more for him, I'm glad he was free from pain at the end.

Sophie
x
 
Thank you all for your replies, I have posted a thread in Rainbow Bridge for Herbie. I can't believe my big boy has gone and I don't think Curly knows what is going on bless him. I have been trying to put on a brave face all morning (had puppy classes first thing), Rachael my eldest has an inset day today so is home from school, I even managed to stay composed at the vets when I went to collect Herb, but now I'm home I'm falling apart.8...

I keep telling myself that Herbie had a lovely (almost) four years with us, he was a healthy strapping piggy up until last night and unfortunately it was obviously "his time" - but is doesn't make it any easier.8...

Thank you once again to everyone who has taken the time to post, I really appreciate it.
 
Only seen this now Sandra, what a shock...I am so sorry, poor Herbie 8...
You of course did all you could. Hugs to you and the girls...off to post in RB as well x
 
Poor you, and poor family. It's awful when your beloved piggies go so sudenly, a real shock to the system. Sending sympathy to all of you, and especially to Curly as well. RIP Herbie.
 
so sorry , did`nt even realise pigs got bloat, what causes it?
 
Sandra i'll go into RB but want you to know how much we were pulling for this little guy 8...8...
HUGE HUGS xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
So sorry to be late, but I was very sad to hear about Herbie - it's bad enough to lose a beloved pet any time, but when it's so sudden it's an awful shock with no time to prepare. Thinking of you and your family.
 
luluhound said:
so sorry , did`nt even realise pigs got bloat, what causes it?
Click to expand...

In Herbie's case Luluhound we have no idea, apart from moving him and the rest of the gang into their summer quarters in the shed from my girls playroom (which we do every year) nothing was different.

Bloat is generally caused by a build up of gases in the gut, come piggies seem prone to it and quite often cabbage and other gasey green veg can cause them problems - but not in Herbie's case. I have known pigs to get it when they have been allowed access to lush spring grass when they haven't been out in a run all winter and for this very reason I have always introduced grass gradually when the pigs go back outside, again Herbie had been fine and in fact hadn't had any grass that day.

In Herbs case the vet wondered whether there was an underlying health problem which hadn't shown itself i.e. teeth or something similar, but we will never know. Bloat is one of the conditions that you must, in my opinion, get vet treatment for immediately please don't hang around because even with prompt care the outcome is not generally very good in severe cases. Hope that helps.
 
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