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Lenny is so very very poorly

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yyoung

yyoung

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My darling Lenny is so sick it is unreal. He looked kind of 'off' if you know what I mean and then the next day he couldn't walk and was holding his paw right up tight. Took him straight to the vet and he was very concerned. He reckons he has an internal infection that has sent some bacteria to his foot which is swollen and very painful. He gave me some metacam and septrin.

My god this poor little piggy is so ill. The vet actually asked me to call him on Saturday to check on his progress with a view to making some decisions about poor Lennys future 8...

He wasn't so good yesterday. I have been feeding him every 2 hours with CC and cucumber and a teeny bit of hay and then some water. It all has to be syringed or put into his mouth as he cant move. I lay him back in his special box and he doesn't move until I get him out again. He is weak and poorly.

If anyone has any suggestions I would be so grateful...I love my Lenny so much. He is oldish (6-7 years) but I would like to think it's not over for him yet even though it is looking like it is.

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Please .... anything...I will try.
 
I'm so so sorry to hear Lenny is so very sick. I don't want to sound completely defeatist, but from the pics he really does look like he's a very poorly pig indeed. You're doing everything right with the syringe feeding, but obvioulsy if he's got an infection then the antibiotics need to start kicking in ASAP. Keep him hydrated with as much fluid as you can, or Metatone (tonic) if you have some. Is he eating anything voluntarily?

Make sure he's warm and snug (does he feel cold?), I usually wrap mine in a fleece or towel and cuddle them if I think it's their time to go. He's a good age, all you can do is keep him comfortable. I'm so sorry. Sending you huge hugs.

Sophie
x
 
He does look so very poorly :( & am sorry but I can't add anything to sophie's post :( Sending hugs to you & hope the antibiotics kick in soon xx
 
He cant eat on his own as he cant even stand up. On a positive note he did stand today while I cleaned his eyes and brushed his hair as he was all messy from the syringe feeding. That is the first time in 3 days that he has been able to stand up.... even if it was a bit wobbly.

He is warm and I do wrap him up and he has been cuddled loads. Funny thing is this is the grumpiest pig I have and when he is sick he loves to be cuddled. When he is well he will do anything to avoid being picked up. He has had a rough year.... he got a resp infection and then last Sept he had a stroke and now this.

I do hope this is not wishful thinking on my part but I do see a slight improvement today.
 
Oh bless, you're doing all the right things and I hope the Septrin starts to beat the infection. Poor fella. I really hope he fights through it

Sophie
x
 
Poor little man, its horrible seeing them so ill. I woudn't know what to suggest but usually when when they are off their legs calcium can be given, but as you say its an infection so maybe it wouldn't help.

Hope he does buck up. x
 
hi before i got boris and basil i had one of my sisters pigs named sprite.Now out of no where i found sprite looking and acting exactly like that after he was healthy 2 hours before.It was 2.30am but we rushed him to the vet and were told his nervous system was failing and that there was nothing we could do and eventually he would die very painfully, so with much sadness we had him pts.I hate to say it and I'm no vet but your boy looks in exactly the same way and his age is a good one.I know your heart would be torn right now at the thought of it but it may be time to let him go to the bridge just so he can be free from his pain.I don't know what i can offer that can help because he doesnt look well enough to take much through a syringe but all i can say is make him feel loved and as comfortable as possible and let him know its ok if he needs to go away he will love you all the more for being such a caring piggy mum.I hope your boy fights this with all of his might and i wish the both of you the very best.
P.SMaybe try a heat pad for comfort and his fave herbs pureed it might lift his spiritsxx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
 
Poorly piggy and poor you. You must feel like you want to cover everything, but you are doing the very best you can for your little man. The best thing is to keep making him as comfortable as possible; you have my best wishes that he recovers soon back to his grumpy old self! x
 
I am so sorry to read about Lenny and see the photos of him looking so poorly.

You obviously love him very much and he is an excellent age for a piggy.

If I was you, I would go with my gut feeling whether it is appropriate to carry on syringe feeding him. Keep him warm and snug with as much company as possible.

The position that you are in now reminds me so much of when my beloved Joey gradually begun eating and drinking less. I was syringe feeding him until he made it plain that he didn't want that anymore. He passed away in my arms wrapped nicely in a towel while I was talking to him.

I really hope things get better for Lenny ... but he does look a very poorly little chap.
 
Poor Lenny!

See whether he is really getting better with the antibiotic, but be realistic if he isn't. It's about the hardest decision you can make (at least I found it so)! But as we are so attached to them, we have to decide how much suffering we are willing to put ourbeloved ones through!

I hope from the bottom of my heart that Lenny will make it.

PS: I find that my pigs welcome cuddles when they are not well, even if they otherwise don't like really being touched.
 
What a sad sight :( Poor Lenny :( Her really does look unwell. I too hope that it isn't his time to go. Just keep on doing what you are doing. Give him lots of cuddles too. He has had a fantastic life so far and will be pleased about that. I am thinking of you x
 
I agree with Goldie, go with what your heart tells you to do, as this is ALWAYS the right thing to do. He looks so poorly, but from what you said there is slight improvement. Please think carefully as one decision can not be undone. No-one here will judge.

Lots of love and best wishes to both of you cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
I'm so sorry about Lenny - he does look poorly in the pictures. I don't have any suggestions, I'm afraid, everyone else has said what I would've. But I'm sending him healing vibes, and hugs to you, because I know how hard it is when they get so sick.
 
I'm so so sorry to hear about Lenny! 8... I hate infections! grrrr
It seems like your doing all you can already. And hopefully within time he can pass this icky sickness. (With the help of you and his vet ofcourse :) )
I don't know exactly what to say, but my heart is out to you both.
All I know is that, your doing the right things by feeding him and being by his side. I'm sure he knows your there for him.
Hope all gets better! ♥ Keep us informed!
 
Thank you so much for all your kind wishes....

I think we can see an improvement....just ever so slightly. When I went to get him for his food and meds he had moved in his box. Not much but he had moved. Maybe he was warm and needed to get out from under his blanket.

He also held his head up after food tonight. I know these are small (tiny even) improvements but I am looking for any glimmer of hope that I can hang onto. He grunted at me which is his normal mood too.

I know in this picture he is a mess becasue I've got food all over him but he does have his head up

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Aww he does look a little better doesn't he? Come on Lenny we are all rooting for you! x
 
I'm so sorry to hear he is so ill, and has had such a rough time over the past year. He does look a bit better in the latest pic you posted, the first ones were so sad. I can only keep my fingers crossed for you and Lenny and hope things improve very quickly. xx
 
Awwwww I'm so sorry Lenny is so poorly :( I will pray that he continues to show slight improvements, you are doing so well with him and he does look a bit brighter :) Those first pictures made me cry 8... you must be strong for your boy and keep doing what you can for him - he will know how much you love him x
 
So sorry to hear about the wee man. I had a piggy who was acting in the same as Lenny. After Administering Metacam he quickly came round and is still very much with us. This is just something else you could try. Bananas are also good for poorly piggies so mavbe give these a go.
I hope he pick up soon. Thoughts are with you
 
poor boy =[
the only times i've had any of my pigs look like this, i hate to say it but they were terribly ill and i had no choice but to have them PTS (one had had a stroke and the other a kidney problem)
so if you've seen improvement that's brilliant news, and i really hope he starts to pick up more soon
sending lots of hugs to you both <3
 
OMG i just caught up with this thread :(
I'm really sorry to see Lenny looking so sick, poor little guy, yes he's been thru so much hasn't he :(
SUPER healing wheeeeeks and loves from me xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
Keep up the syringe feeding and the extra water and whatever you can get into him, give him lots of cuddles and keep whispering your love to him, i do hope the meds kick in now....he looked a little brighter in his pigture bless him xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
 
If I am being honest there's little change or maybe even worse. He does eat happily whatever I give him though. I am really worried now as he has had ab's for 3 days now and i would have thought i would see some improvement by now.

Do you think I should ask the vet for another antibiotic to run alongside the Septrin ? I dont see whats the harm, as if not he is going to die anyway so I might as well hit it with everything I can...... what do you think ?

Also not quite sure how much cc I should be getting into him so I am feeding him until he seems to want to stop. He is eating quite well actually but only rolled up in a towel and me giving it to him.
 
Is there any reason Septrin was given instead of Baytril? Although Septrin is much gentler on tummies, Baytril might be more effective AB at knocking a particular infection. Worth a shot, remember to give probiotic as well if you do go with a stronger AB.

Feeding as he wants is the best plan at this point, I think. A pig who is not eating for himself should be getting at the very least 50ml - preferably 70ml - a day, spread over a minimum of 4-6 feedings. With Lenny so ill, the best thing is to just do what he wants. If he is ready to go, he'll refuse the feedings. While he is still willingly taking them, it's best to take it as his pace - you don't want to force him too much as, if I'm honest, the outlook isn't great at the moment.

We are all rooting for him. Keep us updated, and stay strong yourself. xx
 
When Connie had all her bladder problems, there were 2 incidents where she went all wobbly and thin. The vet said it was something to do with her nervous system and she was given Baytril for that. Within a week, she would be back to herself. Remember to get lots of fluids in to him x
 
Claire made a good point about the fluids. It is the most important one, but one many people do forget. Subcutaneous fluids are preferable for the weaker and more poorly pigs, but if you can carefully give some orally, it will help.
 
Yup like i said syringe extra fluids it's so important for them :)
ahhhhhhhhh Lenny boy i do hope you're feeling a tad bit better today little man, loads of loves from me xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
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