Parkin's likely twisted gut

[dessertpigs]

Today we bought our 4 piggies home after a 4 night stay with a reputable small animal boarder.

Piggies seemed fine, exploring then sleeping- but Parkin wasn't eating with as munch enthusiasm as usual. He was hand feeding nuggets and other treats.

We kept an eye on him, but when we noticed drooling (and soon some heaving) we called the vet and took him in as an emergency. Our vets have a hospital, an exotics were giving uncalled advice to the vet team.

On the journey there, what went from a small amount of drool to a puddle and a wet pig when we got to the vets.

He had an exam and an Xray, with likely twisted bowel, and has been admitted.

We could have PTS, however at 4 years he is a happy boar. Had a previous episode of cystitis, but is mostly well.

We've just had a call to say that the decompression of his stomach has gone well, and his repeat Xray looks better.

If he gets worse overnight, they will try and decompression and potentially surgery overnight or the morning to untwist the gut.

We know that the prognosis outcome isn't great, but we wanted to give him this chance... of our 4 piggies, 2 others have life limiting conditions. I swear they are trying to max out their insurance plans.

Thanks to the forum team for the care guides. We took him in as soon we saw the drooling, so if he does pass away, at least he'll be in the right place to be comfortable.


Get well glossy boi. Someone needs to rumble at the ladies, and you do such a good job.

 

[Truffolo]

I hope he pulls through, sending wishes for healing It's excellent that the forum guides helped you. Get well soon beautiful Parkin ❤

 

[Wiebke]

Today we bought our 4 piggies home after a 4 night stay with a reputable small animal boarder.

Piggies seemed fine, exploring then sleeping- but Parkin wasn't eating with as munch enthusiasm as usual. He was hand feeding nuggets and other treats.

We kept an eye on him, but when we noticed drooling (and soon some heaving) we called the vet and took him in as an emergency. Our vets have a hospital, an exotics were giving uncalled advice to the vet team.

On the journey there, what went from a small amount of drool to a puddle and a wet pig when we got to the vets.

He had an exam and an Xray, with likely twisted bowel, and has been admitted.

We could have PTS, however at 4 years he is a happy boar. Had a previous episode of cystitis, but is mostly well.

We've just had a call to say that the decompression of his stomach has gone well, and his repeat Xray looks better.

If he gets worse overnight, they will try and decompression and potentially surgery overnight or the morning to untwist the gut.

We know that the prognosis outcome isn't great, but we wanted to give him this chance... of our 4 piggies, 2 others have life limiting conditions. I swear they are trying to max out their insurance plans.

Thanks to the forum team for the care guides. We took him in as soon we saw the drooling, so if he does pass away, at least he'll be in the right place to be comfortable.

View attachment 281299
Get well glossy boi. Someone needs to rumble at the ladies, and you do such a good job.

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry. That is not the kind of thing to come home with your piggy after a holiday. Nobody's fault.

Sudden strong salivation means that your piggy is either unable to swallow or there is a blockage of some sort in the digestive tract between the back of the mouth to the anus when the constantly produced saliva cannot pass and backs up. The heaving body movement in combination with excessive drooling is indeed usually an indication of a twisted gut.
A twisted gut happens totally randomly and thankfully not very often but it is sadly not good news.

My fingers are very firmly crossed for Parkin.

PS: For the sake of searches, here are the links to the guides you have mentioned. Glad that they have helped you!
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
First Aid: Immediate Care Measures and Non-medication Products

Wiebke's Guide to Tummy Trouble
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

 

[dessertpigs]

Thank you.

We were worried about how our older sows would fair away from home, so that it is Parkin has been a shock. The last few holidays we've had a pet sitter- but now that one piggie needs 4 times a day meds- it made more sense to take to a reputation piggie boarding place- but I wonder if the change of environment was a bit much for him. If he pulls through we'll ask the boarding place about things like if he was over or under eating veggies and type, but that won't change outcomes right now.

Thank you for posting the guides.
We'll see how he is overnight.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you.

We were worried about how our older sows would fair away from home, so that it is Parkin has been a shock. The last few holidays we've had a pet sitter- but now that one piggie needs 4 times a day meds- it made more sense to take to a reputation piggie boarding place- but I wonder if the change of environment was a bit much for him. If he pulls through we'll ask the boarding place about things like if he was over or under eating veggies and type, but that won't change outcomes right now.

Thank you for posting the guides.
We'll see how he is overnight.

There is no direct cause for a twisted gut; it happens totally randomly and deteriorates quickly.
Unfortunately, it needs immediate action by an experienced operating team because the bit of gut caught in a loop of the constantly moving gut will swell badly and very painfully.
Even in humans a twisted gut can be deadly.

Please try not to find faults and causes with you or the boarder. There are none. He may have had some more active gut movement than usual but one sling of the gut slipping over another and cutting it off is not something you can ever predict or avoid. It is simply one of the rare short straws in the lottery of random cosmic bad luck - whether it happens to a piggy or a human.

We don't see a case of twisted gut every year - it is not all that common at all. We are just listing it because it is important to recognise whenever it happens. It's just that we humans have this need to make sense and to find fault, either with us or with somebody else; even where there is none to find.

It is always very difficult to make sense of something so sudden, so deadly and so unpredictable and out there there happening to you or a pet or person you deeply care for.

I totally feel for you. Be upset as much as you want to but, for your own sake, please try to stay off the blame game, which will lead you nowhere in this instance, and concentrate on sending your boy your love and soothing green healing vibes.

Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters

 

[weepweeps]

Sending Parkin healing vibes. I’m so sorry this has happened.

 

[Wiebke]

How is Parkin and how are you this morning?

 

[dessertpigs]

Thank you.

I'm not trying to find fault in the boarder, just trying to make sense of things. His signs were very subtle when we first brought him home, so I don't think there has been any missed opportunities.

We had a call overnight that he needed further decompression of his stomach. This morning, he had deteriorated, so despite a willingness to eat, his stomach had completely twisted and he had developed aspiration pneumonia. There was also suspicions on the Xrays that he may have further complications with bleeds, potentially needing a splenectomy. If we went in for surgery it would be a long recovery, with potentially life long complications if he did make it. We decided that euthanasia was the kinder option.

We're very grateful to the Veterinary team for giving him that chance overnight, and to the exotic vet for coming into work early to assess him. We knew the chances of recovery were low, but glad of the opportunity he was given.

I'm very upset. We have two piggies who have comfort based care, so we weren't expecting that Parkin would say goodbye first. Part of the reason we extended the herd, was to reduce the risk of Parkin being on his own when his older lady, Misu dies.

Our other piggies are home now. They are subdued but eating. The older ladies look a little rough with urinary staining, so it's fortunate we don't have a prolonged vet stay.

At least Parkin came home for a few hours before he deteriorated. He'd had a good sleep in the hay and was chutting around the living room before we found him drooling.

Thank you all for your supportive comments. It is very much appreciated.

 

[piggieminder]

Sending you my very best wishes at such a sad time.
You did everything you could for Parkin I'm so sorry he was too ill to make it through.

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry.

Popcorn high over the bridge Parkin.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you.

I'm not trying to find fault in the boarder, just trying to make sense of things. His signs were very subtle when we first brought him home, so I don't think there has been any missed opportunities.

We had a call overnight that he needed further decompression of his stomach. This morning, he had deteriorated, so despite a willingness to eat, his stomach had completely twisted and he had developed aspiration pneumonia. There was also suspicions on the Xrays that he may have further complications with bleeds, potentially needing a splenectomy. If we went in for surgery it would be a long recovery, with potentially life long complications if he did make it. We decided that euthanasia was the kinder option.

We're very grateful to the Veterinary team for giving him that chance overnight, and to the exotic vet for coming into work early to assess him. We knew the chances of recovery were low, but glad of the opportunity he was given.

I'm very upset. We have two piggies who have comfort based care, so we weren't expecting that Parkin would say goodbye first. Part of the reason we extended the herd, was to reduce the risk of Parkin being on his own when his older lady, Misu dies.

Our other piggies are home now. They are subdued but eating. The older ladies look a little rough with urinary staining, so it's fortunate we don't have a prolonged vet stay.

At least Parkin came home for a few hours before he deteriorated. He'd had a good sleep in the hay and was chutting around the living room before we found him drooling.

Thank you all for your supportive comments. It is very much appreciated.

BIG HUGS

I am so sorry but at least Parkin is now at peace and is no longer suffering. You have made the right decision after giving him a fair chance overnight.

It is always always hardest when you haven't got anybody or anything specific to blame for a loss and to unload your hurt onto, as I know myself. 'It's just one of those utterly random things' doesn't even lap at the base of the emotional rocket you strongly feel you need to aim somewhere, does it?

If at all possible, I would recommend that you have a chat with the trained volunteers of the free Blue Cross pet bereavement platforms (UK only) so you can unload some of that heavy emotional payload you have nowhere to go but that is eating you up right now. What you have experienced has been very traumatic and the less you get it to fester the better.
Talking it out of you is the best available measure you can take at this stage because the last thing you want to do is blame somebody who hasn't caused what has happened and who is very likely wrestling with their own feelings of failure and guilt as well - but that leaves you without a target.
Being civilised has admittedly occasional some drawbacks because all that hurt needs to go somewhere before it does some more serious harm... and this is the best place I know where you can let it all out one on one, in confidentiality.
Pet Loss Support

We are also here for you for as long as you need. Grieving is a journey that can take you to some unexpected and strange places. We can give you our peer understanding of what you are experiencing and our moral support during this time as well as some practical tips or discuss potential ways forward with you.

Try to concentrate on his old ladies and on that you have given him all your love and the happiest of boar lives. We can plan - but life often has other ideas as I know only too well from my own piggies and any long term solutions that haven't worked out the way they were expected to when a younger companion suddenly developed a fatal problem...

Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

I continue to hold you in my thoughts.

 

[Merab]

So very sorry to read this.
You gave Parkin the best possible chance and care.
I only have experience of a twisted gut in a human, no apparently reason for it and it happened fast.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve

 

[eileen]

I'm so sorry for your loss.you did everything that you could.Take care.xx