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Please keep your fingers crossed for Billy

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doglovinpiggylover said:
my god its just like peppy was, he was a MASSIVE 1500 then went down to 900, but he was eating loads and was very interested in his food which i found weird.

Pepper attempted to pee every ten minutes from the moment he started sqeaking you know, does billy do this? It never went away after it started. I felt so sorry for him, i have a video of him doing it and it breaks my heart watching it, but it is one of the later ones of him so i need to keep it.

I think deep down he went because his mate died, it was almost as if i lost Salt one day and the next day Pepper started :( I really hope you have a happy ending it would be so rewarding after all Billy has been through x
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I think a lot of the weight loss is due to the fact that he had to have the second op to remove whatever it was. He is eating as normal too. I've not seen him squeek when weeing over the last couple of days but there is still some blood although yesterday he did a wee that was clear - & there are some normal wees on his towels. He seems to be weeing like he always has done - I think I'm just going to have to give him time & see how we go on. His scar is healing nicely now though x
 
thats brilliant, peppers wee changed daily from pink to clear, but the sqeaking never ever stopped and I'm sure i could still hear it for days after he passed.

But then i had been listening to it every ten minutes for about 6 or 7 weeks!

I think thats really good that hes healing and not squeaking, no discomfort.

One day soon hon..............:(|)
 
He's certainly throwing every trick in the book at you, how he is still going I don't know, what a fighter he is. You must be utterly exhausted, I am just from reading this thread, it is all credit to you that he is still going and still enjoying some things in life. I really hope he turns a corner very soon and starts to improve, you know where I am if you need me, my ears are ready to be bent and shoulder to cry on if needs be. xx
 
Laura-CCC4 said:
He's certainly throwing every trick in the book at you, how he is still going I don't know, what a fighter he is. You must be utterly exhausted, I am just from reading this thread, it is all credit to you that he is still going and still enjoying some things in life. I really hope he turns a corner very soon and starts to improve, you know where I am if you need me, my ears are ready to be bent and shoulder to cry on if needs be. xx
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Thanks Laura & to everyone who has sent their wishes xx

I am completely exhausted but as long as Billy wants to fight, I'll do everything I can for him. I spoke to soon before about him not crying when weeing - he's just done it 8... It may have something to do with not having any metacam today - I stopped everthing except fluids with yesterday's events so I'm going to start him back on it again & see how he goes :...
 
Billy sounds like a right fighter and i hope with the metacam he stops squeaking when weeing.

Well done to you too for all the hard work you are doing with Billy and hopefully it will pay off soon and he will recover more.

Thinking about you and Billy x x x x
 
Oi - sweetheart..(yoo-hoo - waves) .......PP - Don't give up hun (hugs)

You've done brill to date and....honest - it's all OK.

I know it is starting to wear you down....but there is still a lot of life (and hope) in the old burger yet (more hugs)

All the signs so far are encouraging (despite the ups and downs recently) ......and in view of the extent of his surgery- don;t let the weight loss worry you as it's normal in view of what he's gone through ...if he gets below 850g (from a 1450g chunky piggie) then we need to rethink....

Major surgery is JUST THAT - he has lots of stuff going on atm - possible adhesions/pain/trauma/inflammation - this is NOT a two week recovery process....(ask any woman that's had a laparascopy or laparotomy and surgical intervention)


Poos, bladder etc (e "bottom output") WILL have it's ups and downs over next few weeks owing to "surgical trauma" - it's distressing - and you WIll need to ensure vet imput with each symptom just to check....

..But SO FAR - whilst very distressing (more hugs) - not seen anything in your posts that kicks the "big alert " buttom ...

If you're worried at anytime - please PM me for my phone number (or even get it in advance...;););))

Attend to any symptoms via your vet - but sounds like, in the main, he should be OK

It's a stressful and bluidy long haul but "courage ma soeur" - we are here.......and Billy WIll make it !...bless him!

Go BILLY Go

x
 
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Thanks Pebble, that's really kind of you xx
I have been consulting my vet all the way through - I think he actually sees more of me than my family mallethead. It's quite strange really, he's not my 'preferred' vet but I had no choice to go to him when I had to rush Billy in, but I can't fault how supportive he has been :)
 
I am so glad to come back on and see that Billy is still hanging in there and hopefully - finally turning a corner! All credit to your determined care!
 
doglovinpiggylover said:
How is Billy today? :)
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Thanks for asking hun xx
He had really bad runny poops again last night and lost over 70g. He's taken some syringe feeds and nibbled at hay and veg through the day but he does seem a bit quiet. I really don't know what to think anymore to be honest x
 
Well the thing is, whichever way he goes you know you have totally given it your best shot and Billy has fought all the way so neither of you could do anymore.

Just enjoy your time together cos you never know do you eh?

We still have everything crossed here, were not giving up yet ;)

I bet you feel totally helpless dont you, i know with Pepper the vet and me tried everything we could think of and nothing made a difference, heartbreaking really but he was my man and he was loved that all anyone can ask for x Even the vet cried when i lost him because she has spent so much time seeing him and looking things up for him lol bless her.

anyway, chic, tomorrow is another day...........:)
 
Sorry to hear that Billy has been quiet today.

Hoping that he has just had an 'off' day and is starting to feel better again in the morning xx
 
Sorry to hear this...must be a nightmare for you

Can you get any dioralyte into him? 70g weight loss overnight would suggest he's becoming dehydrated......and if he won;t take in fluids very well he may need a fluid injection from the vet to perk him up.

Is he on any antibiotics atm and if so which one?

x
 
Pebble said:
Sorry to hear this...must be a nightmare for you

Can you get any dioralyte into him? 70g weight loss overnight would suggest he's becoming dehydrated......and if he won;t take in fluids very well he may need a fluid injection from the vet to perk him up.

Is he on any antibiotics atm and if so which one?

x
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Yes, luckily he likes dioralyte so I've been giving him that at intervals throughout the day. I put him back on septrin on Wednesday but after the tummy issues & taking advice from vet on Thursday I took him off it & to be honest I'm scared to start it again :...
His poops have firmed up again now & he has put on 5g today (I know that's not a lot but at least he's not lost eh?). He has been drinking & eating hay but is not impressed with the fact I can't give him lettuce. He looks so small & frail now & still has blood in his wee but he just keeps fighting - he was biting the bars at breakfast this morning again.
I just don't know what to do for the best - every time I go in the piggy room I expect him to be gone & every time I leave I say bye to him but he's still here, bless him. I can't sop crying, haven't slept for days on end & he's all I think about 8...
 
I'm so sorry he's having such a tough time at the moment. I can't remember whether you said but is he on any kind of probiotic? This has cleared up runny poo in one of my piggies in the past. Are you giving him critical care?

I wasn't aware that septrin caused tummy upsets ( I've had a few of my piggies on it and never had any problems ).
 
Gems said:
I'm so sorry he's having such a tough time at the moment. I can't remember whether you said but is he on any kind of probiotic? This has cleared up runny poo in one of my piggies in the past. Are you giving him critical care?

I wasn't aware that septrin caused tummy upsets ( I've had a few of my piggies on it and never had any problems ).
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Yes he's having probiotics but they've made no difference :( I've never experienced a piggy with upset tummy from septrin either but I think that Billy's digestive system is well & truly messed up. I think that whatever the vet removed may have had more importance than we first thought. Yes he does have critical care too xx
 
He's definitely not lost Hun.

The runny poops was possibly a reaction to going back on the septrin (it's 20+ hrs transit time through a guinea pig GI tract) and so good to see it's been stopped and that the poops are firming up.

The weight gain is positive - but you really need to feed more fluids to replace the 70g lost. 10ml water/cranberry juice every hour or so if he will take it. Are his eyes bright or do they look dull/sunken and does his skin spring back if you gently pull the fur area near his shoulders upwards (if it doesn;t he might need vet to inject fluids)

Keep on also with the CC - is he able or allowed to eat dried food or veggie atm or is he just restricted to hay?

I find that softened pellets work very well (and I sometimes include ground up vit c, biolapis and/or cranberry juice in the water i use to soften them up)

If he is allowed veg - Baby corn is good to help them put weight back on - and some grated carrot might help as well....but I would stay off the green stuff atm in view of the precarious poop situation.

Do you have any idea what it was that the vet removed?

With regard to him looking frail - I know it's upsetting seeing a chunky piggie lose so much weight. Grommie went from 1.3kg to just under a kilo last year - but despite looking a bit bony and frail he continued to be quite active despite his respiratory condition and age (6yrs +). Over the last 6 months I expected every morning to find him gone so I do understand what you;re going through.


A couple of months ago Grommie got neck tilt and was looking very poorly and I really thought the vet would advise putting him to sleep - but 12 hours later following ear mite, diuretic and steroid injections he was a different piggie. He had been kept in overnight in case he needed oxygen because his breathing was bad on admission- but the following day when I picked him up the duty vet said - "I don;t know what all the fuss is about - his breathing has been absolutely fine all night and i can find nothing wrong"

So don;t give up hope - Our little furries do have an amazing capacity to recover from some pretty dire situations and if Billy is biting the bars then that is a good sign.

(Do keep a check out for mites on Billy as a poorly piggie has less resistance and these can develop (ears especially - look for gunky stuff) )

Give me a ring if you want to chat

x
 
He may be just turning that corner.. if he's started putting weight back on, its a good sign.. entice him with broccoli, cucumber(full of water), dandilion leaves (good for urinary tract).. don't give up yet, him chewing the bars is a real good sign he's feeling better:) OH and lots of fresh grass ;)
 
Pebble said:
The weight gain is positive - but you really need to feed more fluids to replace the 70g lost. 10ml water/cranberry juice every hour or so if he will take it. Are his eyes bright or do they look dull/sunken and does his skin spring back if you gently pull the fur area near his shoulders upwards (if it doesn;t he might need vet to inject fluids)

Keep on also with the CC - is he able or allowed to eat dried food or veggie atm or is he just restricted to hay?

Do you have any idea what it was that the vet removed?
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Thanks hun xx

In repsonse to your questions, I'm giving him lots of fluids, his eyes are bright & look normal & his skin is springy - I have become a bit obssessed with checking this as he did have sub cut fluids the other week.
I've just been giving him hay & tiny bits of celery, carrot etc which he is able to tolerate, he did also have a tiny bit of cucumber yesterday with no probs. His nuggets are there but he doesn't really touch them.
The vet said it was part of his digestive tract that was removed - it had protruded through where his stitches had opened & was damaged so he had no choice but to remove it. I have noticed that as soon as he eats, after a small amount he poops almost like it goes straight through him - I know it probably isn't this but I've never noticed it before :{
 
Sorry to hear that Billy is still not well. I do hope he gets better soon.
 
pompypigs said:
T
The vet said it was part of his digestive tract that was removed - it had protruded through where his stitches had opened & was damaged so he had no choice but to remove it. I have noticed that as soon as he eats, after a small amount he poops almost like it goes straight through him - I know it probably isn't this but I've never noticed it before :{
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In that case, [*]please don;t give him corn[/*]....it can cause bloat and as his gut has had a bit of a bashing I don;t think it's worth the risk. Could also explain the runny poos - and he might have some further episodes of this until the gut settles down....(think irritable bowel)

Better to stick with hay and critical care etc until the gut has a chance to heal up and get over the shock.. Bear in mind that cucumber and celery are mild diuretics - but nevertheless cucumber is also a good way of getting fluids into him at the moment. Are you also able to try fresh grass? I find this is the most favoured with a poorly pig. Also make sure he is getting enough Vit C in view of the reduced veggie intake.

A bowel resection involving the small amount of intestine that was probably removed shouldn;t have an adverse effect - it could make his food transit time longer and experimental research papers suggest that rabbits and rodents might put on weight as they absorb more following this type of procedure...biut this would depend uon which bit of the bowel has been removed

Poor little Billy - and poor you - what a rough time you are both been having. He'll probably be a bit up and down for a few days yet in view of the ops he has had - but stick with what you;re doing as you really are helping him to recover and get better.

xx
 
Unfortunately I have very bad news, I had to help Billy on his way to Rainbow Bridge this evening. It was clear he was giving up & he was suffering so we made the decision it was time to let him go. I am devastated & feel so guilty but at the same time I am glad he is at peace.

I will post a tribute in the Rainbow Bridge section when I have had time to let it all sink in but just wanted to thank everyone who sent their wishes & for the great advice & support xxxxx
 
Bless him....... you gave him every chance you possibly could, please dont feel guilty........ My thoughts are with you....

R.I.P. Little man xxxxxxx
 
I'm sorry to have missed all of this Suzanne :( I haven't been around on the forum for a while, Laura was telling me yesterday about Billy :( I'm so so saddened to hear he has gone :( He will be at peace now bless him, beautiful boy, you tried so hard to help him and you should not feel guilty, he is no longer suffering at Rainbow Bridge x
 
BIG HUG

You have fought so hard for Billy; I am so sorry that it wasn't meant to be. You must feel devastated! 8...
 
Oh no. I'm so sorry.

He battled on so bravely and you allowed him to do so, by holding his 'hand' all the way through his troubles and giving him the best help possible. It was so very inspiring to read about your dedication to your special piggy, who you clearly adored.

Sleep tight little Billy, rest in peace x
 
Oh Suzanne, I'm so sorry to read such sad news. I can only echo what missy has said, she has summed it up perfectly.

Huge hugs to you honey.

Rest well, beautiful, strong, courageous Billy. xx
 
I totally agree with Laura and Missy. Billy was such a brave little fighter, take heart from knowing that you did everything you possibly could for him. I'm so very sorry that it wasn't a happier outcome8... - sleep well little chap, and sending hugs to you Suzanne.
 
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