Pig With Tumors...

[Tewdric]

Took my Telford into the vet this morning. I'd noticed a lump/one of his nipples was swollen when I was nail trimming yesterday. He was sitting in a different position to normal, and that's when I noticed the lump/swelling as it brushed against my arm. It's not good news.... two fairly solid masses, one on each side. The vet got some bloody fluid out of one nipple whilst she was manipulating the lump on the one side.

I feel really bad for not noticing sooner, especially as I check for a full tummy and keep an eye on grease glands and his bottom every day.... but I suppose I missed the early stages as I don't manipulate my boys abdomens just check for nice full tummies along their sides... So - two probable tumors. A non pig savvy vet practice due to the remote rural location we come from/live; so we're going to monitor him, ensure that he has the best quality of life that's possible now and then face the future when it comes.

What I'd like to know now is if anyone has any idea on a time frame? I forgot to ask earlier. I'm worried about how his young rescue companion (Brunel) is going to deal with the eventual separation. He doesn't like being parted from his Telford, he was certainly frantically looking for him when we got back from the vets earlier and was very pleased to see him again.

 

[Elwickcavies]

How awful. Please don't blame yourself fo not noticing sooner. With tumours in small animals there are few options other than to watch and wait and remove if necessary and feasible, so even if you had noticed sooner, there was probably not much you could have done. Timescale is always a tricky one. Often it is the quality of life that determines how long they are with us, and you will know when he's ready. Poor Brunel (are you an fan of engineers?) will find it tough I think, so I would see about getting him a new friend as soon as possible after Telford goes (assuming that you want to get another).

Take each day as it comes. Hugs to all of you. x

 

[Tewdric]

Thanks for the reply. Still feel very bad.

(are you an fan of engineers?)

My husband got to name Telford. He was going to be our bridging pig and was named after Thomas Telford - moving from boars to sows. I was going to neuter him and then get him some girls for company so I wouldn't have the loan boar problem again. Then I found this forum, the risks involved with neutering and that 'boar dating' existed. So, when I took Telford to our nearest approved rescue (quite a way from us) and he chose himself a mottled brown friend he just had to be named 'Brunel'.

 

[Wiebke]

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry! It is the kind of news none of us wants to hear - whether we have got a good vet or not on tap. Not every tumor can be successfully operated, even with the best of vets.

Please be aware that some tumors can come up VERY quickly, so you haven't likely missed them for very long. I have come up against tumors that you pretty much could watch growing. Please don't beat yourself up if you haven't noticed something in an unusual place straight away! You are still an observant and caring mummy and have done your best to have your boy promptly seen. That is all any of us can do.

How long you have left, also depends to a large extent on how agressive they are and how quickly they continue to develop. Take it on a day-by-day basis and make the best of what time you have left. Love and enjoyment don't revolve around quantity, but quality. A happy memory is timeless and will remain with you forever.

 

[Tewdric]

Thank you. Just seems very unfair as Telford is still young. He's only just over a year and a half old. Is a wonderful character and a true gentleman of a pig.

I suppose I ought to see how the next few days go and then get back in touch with the rescue Brunel came from and ask about future boar dating possibilities. He's really going to miss his companion; and we want to carry on keeping pigs - even though they really don't live long enough.

 

[Flutterby]

Poor little one *hugs* xx

 

[Tewdric]

He's deteriorating now, poor chap. But it seems to come in fits and bursts. I don't think he's realistically got much more time left before the bad outweighs the good, if that makes sense.

Slightly concerned he's chewing his one side a bit. I've found a scab, and he's over grooming that area and keeps knocking it off.

Yesterday morning he looked down right miserable and hunched. Yesterday afternoon he was nibbling grass out in the sun and had a bit of a scamper.

This is the worst bit of being a pet owner isn’t it? When to make the decision to help them. Quality over quantity has to be the correct answer – but when he’s having a good spell….. and then you watch him withdraw and wonder how much he is hurting inside…..

 

[lawz]

I had same with piggie i had pts last week...as her teeth just wasnt improving despite teying to manage it and although she was still bright in herself i couldnt keep putting her through having dentals and then her jaw locked so i made choice.
Its never easy..but they trust us to know when to help and we have to.
Big hugs

 

[flintstones]

I wonder if steroids could help him. Realistically it sounds similar to my Pebbles she had Lymphoma started out behind the nipple. When I took her to the vets they noticed her other lymph nobes where swollen also.

It took her very quickly even with Steroids 4 weeks but I do think they helped quality of life. Double edged sword steroids lower the immune system but they do perk them up.

I was fortunate as Pebbles slowed one day and was gone by the morning.I do hope your little one passes quickly.

Please don't beat yourself up even with a piggy savy vet we couldn't do anymore for her.

 

[Elwickcavies]

You will know when the time is right. I had to make the same difficult decision for my beloved Puffle, but in the end I could tell she's had enough and it was best to let her go. Hugs. xx

 

[Tewdric]

He told me.

He didn't want his tea (a nice bag of freshly picked meadow grass) on Monday evening, and was withdrawing from himself.

The vet agreed. He went last night. The hutch feels very empty without him - he was a true character of a pig.

 

[Critter]

I'm really sorry, it's very hard, especially when they are young. I lost an 18 month old piggy from a heart condition and it isn't easy.
You did the right thing though, and there's nothing more that you could have done. I hope Brunel is ok, and of course yourself too.

 

[sport_billy]

I am so very sorry. You did all you could and helped him at the end when he needed you the most. Love to you and Brunel x

Sleep well handsome Telford
x x

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Awwww I am so sorry for your loss You made the hardest decision as an owner, but you put him first, which was the right thing to do. Run free at the Bridge little Telford xx