Poorly Baby Pig

[Mishka]

Hi All, already posted this on the Guinea Lynx forum but adding here as well as the timezone gap can be alleviated this way by being on a UK forum.

Long story short, Thursday I brought home an 8 week old baby girl. Found she had a URI as soon as I got through the door with her. Straight back out to my vets, who weren't convinced she had URI, gave her an anti-inflammatory injection and talked about injecting her with penicillin. Left the vets immediately and will not be going back there again.

Took her to Coastway in Brighton Friday, who confirmed it was a URI, gave her 0.05ml Sulfatrim twice a day and Bisolvon. Had her hospitalized over the weekend as she got a squiffy tummy.

Took her back to Celine yesterday (she was off over the weekend so it was the first chance to see her personally) as we found a fungal infection plaque between her neck and shoulder on her left side. Celine shaved the area, tried to remove the plaque but couldn't. Prescribed cleaning with hibiscrub and applying F10 ointment, with the dual edged sword approach of treating the fungus but also softening the plaque so it would fall off. It must have worked very quickly, because last night baby managed to pull the plaque off entirely. Poor little mite was in so much pain, I thought she was having a fit. It was just awful.

This morning it seems to be a bit better. It's dried out and scabbed over cleanly overnight. It seemed much less tender when we cleaned her and applied the ointment this morning.

Celine is also pleased with the progress of the URI, said her lungs sound clear themselves. She's still sneezing a fair bit, this morning we had some nasal discharge after a sneeze but it was clear.

She's eating and drinking well on her own. We are supplementing her with Emeraid to try and make sure she gets enough to eat, and giving Pro-C either side of her antibiotics to help her tummy. Her poops are soft now, but poop shaped. Before she was just passing mush. We are giving very very little in the way of veg atm. Talking a tiny strip of lettuce here and there, almost nothing, as don't want her tummy to get bad again. We're maintaining strict quarantine and cleaning her cage daily.

She seems to be coping well. but I am so desperately worried about her. Particularly with the state she was in last night. About an hour after she ripped it off she was up and eating again, so that helped put my mind at ease a bit. But she is so so young and so tiny. And I feel really isolated in this. People at work can only say "Stop getting pets."

Has anyone been in this position with such a tiny baby? How did they pull through?

 

[2 fluffy boars]

Sorry, I don't have any tips as I have never been in this situation, but if you need someone to talk to, I'm here.

 

[Mishka]

Sorry, I don't have any tips as I have never been in this situation, but if you need someone to talk to, I'm here.

Thank you *hugs* I have just spoken with Celine again about what happened last night, she's given the go ahead to give her a little metacam, so hopefully that will help her be more comfortable. She seems pretty confident in how she's doing, she told me she gained weight when she weighed her yesterday (my OH had to take her to the appt). I'm at work today and hating being away from her... So scared of what I might get home to.

 

[Janice C]

Where did you get her from? If she arrived so Unwell they should be paying the vet bills for you! I know thats not priority in your mind at the moment but they shouldn’t be allowing sick piggies to leave!
Sounds as if you’ve dealt quickly with all the problems but poor you and poor piggy having to go through all this instead of enjoying each other’s new bond. Let us know how you both are!

 

[Mishka]

Where did you get her from? If she arrived so Unwell they should be paying the vet bills for you! I know thats not priority in your mind at the moment but they shouldn’t be allowing sick piggies to leave!
Sounds as if you’ve dealt quickly with all the problems but poor you and poor piggy having to go through all this instead of enjoying each other’s new bond. Let us know how you both are!

This is highly embarrassing to admit, but she was from a private breeder... I know I know.. Trust me, I am paying for my sins now... Never ever again... It was a stupid act of desperation because I had a very lonely sow at home who lost her cage,mate. Now I'm even worse off... I have the RSPCA involved but there is honestly no way I will get the vets costs out of this person.

 

[Janice C]

Oh

This is highly embarrassing to admit, but she was from a private breeder... I know I know.. Trust me, I am paying for my sins now... Never ever again... It was a stupid act of desperation because I had a very lonely sow at home who lost her cage,mate. Now I'm even worse off... I have the RSPCA involved but there is honestly no way I will get the vets costs out of this person.

! I’m so sorry to hear that this person may get away with not paying your bill. At least you have involved the Rspca so let’s hope they can do something about the care the piggies are getting there!
Please don’t feel anyone on the Forum would judge you for getting a piggy from a breeder. We are only here to help, if we can, and to give you support. Be reassured that a lot of us have gone down the way of buying our piggies from pet shops or breeders if unable to rescue when we’ve needed piggies! I rescued some from a so-called guinea pig Show/ breeder who couldn’t or wouldnt tell me the proper ages of the piggies. I took one little Dutch one who was in a cage all alone. Then weeks later returned for the three she still had! No idea the ages except the three piggies all had twisted nails and one a full blown cataract and obviously had never been out of the cages for free time. Keep in touch and post photos once you’ve both recovered!

 

[Mishka]

Oh

! I’m so sorry to hear that this person may get away with not paying your bill. At least you have involved the Rspca so let’s hope they can do something about the care the piggies are getting there!
Please don’t feel anyone on the Forum would judge you for getting a piggy from a breeder. We are only here to help, if we can, and to give you support. Be reassured that a lot of us have gone down the way of buying our piggies from pet shops or breeders if unable to rescue when we’ve needed piggies! I rescued some from a so-called guinea pig Show/ breeder who couldn’t or wouldnt tell me the proper ages of the piggies. I took one little Dutch one who was in a cage all alone. Then weeks later returned for the three she still had! No idea the ages except the three piggies all had twisted nails and one a full blown cataract and obviously had never been out of the cages for free time. Keep in touch and post photos once you’ve both recovered!

Honestly, I am so heartsick over the whole thing. I broke every moral code I have and feel like this is comeuppance. my lonely girl is really boisterous and I thought a baby would be easier for her to bond with. Now she is still alone and I have a tiny, poorly pup. And it's costing me literally hundreds. Today is actually the first day she will have been at home all day...

The RSPCA said I may get an update on the case, but I'm not holding my breath, I know how busy they are. And I got a nasty text from the breeder after they'd visited, saying there was nothing wrong with her...

 

[Janice C]

Honestly, I am so heartsick over the whole thing. I broke every moral code I have and feel like this is comeuppance. my lonely girl is really boisterous and I thought a baby would be easier for her to bond with. Now she is still alone and I have a tiny, poorly pup. And it's costing me literally hundreds. Today is actually the first day she will have been at home all day...

The RSPCA said I may get an update on the case, but I'm not holding my breath, I know how busy they are. And I got a nasty text from the breeder after they'd visited, saying there was nothing wrong with her...

Of course you’d get a nasty text from someone so devious! The RSPCA should have tried to protect your identity a bit better! Keep on at them to keep you updated! They always state the public should report their concerns so should keep you posted.
It is not Payback time for your purchase of this poor piggy. No one expects to come home with a sick animal. Very, very hard for you but at least the piggy got a home with someone that recognised it was so ill. Could have gone to someone who’d have just let it succumb to its illness.
Hopefully, once she is over this you’ll be able to bond her with your older sow. X

 

[Mishka]

Of course you’d get a nasty text from someone so devious! The RSPCA should have tried to protect your identity a bit better! Keep on at them to keep you updated! They always state the public should report their concerns so should keep you posted.
It is not Payback time for your purchase of this poor piggy. No one expects to come home with a sick animal. Very, very hard for you but at least the piggy got a home with someone that recognised it was so ill. Could have gone to someone who’d have just let it succumb to its illness.
Hopefully, once she is over this you’ll be able to bond her with your older sow. X

Oh I don't think it was the RSPCA who let slip for a moment. this person just put two and two together. I let her know the pig was sick and asked her to get treatment for the others, no response. So at that point my hand was forced. I knew there were likely dozens of other sick animals.

I might call them again today. See if this person can somehow be held accountable for the costs. It's not my major concern atm, I just want baby to get well. I'm so in love with her already. But this has really bit me financially...

I'm so glad she came to me, in a way. It is agaony, yes, but someone else might have missed it, particularly if it'd just been someone shopping for a kid's pet or something... I am -extremely- hot on respiratory stuff because I have lost a couple of pigs to URIs over the years... She was hiding it well too, didn't come out until I got her home, the stress of the journey must have made it surface...

 

[Janice C]

Oh I don't think it was the RSPCA who let slip for a moment. this person just put two and two together. I let her know the pig was sick and asked her to get treatment for the others, no response. So at that point my hand was forced. I knew there were likely dozens of other sick animals.

I might call them again today. See if this person can somehow be held accountable for the costs. It's not my major concern atm, I just want baby to get well. I'm so in love with her already. But this has really bit me financially...

I'm so glad she came to me, in a way. It is agaony, yes, but someone else might have missed it, particularly if it'd just been someone shopping for a kid's pet or something... I am -extremely- hot on respiratory stuff because I have lost a couple of pigs to URIs over the years... She was hiding it well too, didn't come out until I got her home, the stress of the journey must have made it surface...

Good for you! You tried to do the best for whatever stcock she still has. Sometimes people are reticent about tackling the person in the wrong.
Yes. The stress may have worsened an already dormant virus. Glad that you are able to nurse her through it. Have you named her or are you wanting to see how things go?

 

[Mishka]

Good for you! You tried to do the best for whatever stcock she still has. Sometimes people are reticent about tackling the person in the wrong.
Yes. The stress may have worsened an already dormant virus. Glad that you are able to nurse her through it. Have you named her or are you wanting to see how things go?

I did name her in case the worse happened. She's called Ceridwen. She's absolutely the sweetest, she's a PEW with a crest on the top of her head. I actually went to look at her to check in case she was a Lethal (call me paranoid) and then once I had her in my hands it was instant infatuation...

 

[sport_billy]

Poor little girl. Is she on metacam now for the pain? that will certainly help.

What does she weigh and how old is she?

 

[Mishka]

Poor little girl. Is she on metacam now for the pain? that will certainly help.

What does she weigh and how old is she?

She weighs 350g and she is 8.5 weeks old... I will dose her as soon as I get home with the metacam. I've got 3 hours of my shift left... I needed to check the dosage first

 

[sport_billy]

She weighs 350g and she is 8.5 weeks old... I will dose her as soon as I get home with the metacam. I've got 3 hours of my shift left... I needed to check the dosage first

Give the vet a ring they'll work out the dose for you. Sending lots of healing vibes

 

[Mishka]

Give the vet a ring they'll work out the dose for you. Sending lots of healing vibes

I have, it's 0.7 ml twice a day for the dog stuff. I was on that asap today.

Next step is to see if anything can be done to help with bills. I spoke to the RSPCA again, case is still open so legally they're not allowed to tell me anything currently, but they advised I apply for help from them as this animal's health is not my fault...

 

[sport_billy]

I have, it's 0.7 ml twice a day for the dog stuff. I was on that asap today.

Next step is to see if anything can be done to help with bills. I spoke to the RSPCA again, case is still open so legally they're not allowed to tell me anything currently, but they advised I apply for help from them as this animal's health is not my fault...

Please double check that with a vet - 0.7ml of dog metacam is a huge dose, especially for a small piggy.

 

[Mishka]

Please double check that with a vet - 0.7ml of dog metacam is a huge dose, especially for a small piggy.

Oh I'm sorry, that was a typo on my part! It's 0.07ml >.< Sorry if I frightened you!

No help to be had for the bills. Going to be a cancelled christmas this year I think

 

[sport_billy]

phew! You'd be surprised what people get told... so I just wanted to make sure.

Sorry you are going through it with your little one, she is lucky to have such a caring piggy slave

 

[Mishka]

phew! You'd be surprised what people get told... so I just wanted to make sure.

Sorry you are going through it with your little one, she is lucky to have such a caring piggy slave

I have lost 7 in the lost 12 months. It's been Hell. I -refuse- to lose another.

 

[Elwickcavies]

You are doing your very best for her, and that is all you can do. Try not to beat yourself up about where you got her from. What's important now is to get her well again. I haven't nursed such a young piggy through something like this, but she sounds like a fighter and she has you on her team. 0.07 ml is a tiny amount to measure out. Have you got a 0.1 ml syringe? The vet may be able to give you one or provide a weaker concentration so you can give more. Fingers crossed, hugs and healing vibes!

 

[Mishka]

You are doing your very best for her, and that is all you can do. Try not to beat yourself up about where you got her from. What's important now is to get her well again. I haven't nursed such a young piggy through something like this, but she sounds like a fighter and she has you on her team. 0.07 ml is a tiny amount to measure out. Have you got a 0.1 ml syringe? The vet may be able to give you one or provide a weaker concentration so you can give more. Fingers crossed, hugs and healing vibes!

I haven't, but I have 1cc ones. Her Sulfa is only 0.05ml so I have had a little practice with the tiny doses fortunately. I will be very very careful not to give her too much, I would rather underdose...

 

[TheLottiediarys]

I have lost 7 in the lost 12 months. It's been Hell. I -refuse- to lose another.

She's luckily to have you for sure,
Hopefully either you or the RSPCA can get some help with the vet costs for you,
I hate breeders who don't care about their animals, it's sickening.

Good job getting her to a vet and treated so fast! X

 

[Mishka]

I hate breeders who don't care about their animals, it's sickening.

X

I am so angry, you have no idea. Fair enough, maybe one slipping through the net. but the refusal to acknowledge there was a problem... I dread to think how many piggies might have died already since I was there last week...

 

[Lady Kelly]

You could go down the route of suing the breeder in the small claims court though you will need to change your mindset in order to follow the process and argue it correctly. You would need to envision the piggy as "faulty goods" which I know would be extremely difficult for any member of this forum as the argument would need to be along the lines of "goods provided not fit for purpose". You would need to follow pre action protocol though so writing to the breeder to outline the problems and ask for payment of all vets bills (or get a solicitor to do this) and then if they don't respond you could go to the small claims court. Its not free unfortunately so would be initial outlay and that can be risky as there are ways and means to avoid paying a county court judgment if the breeder is so inclined.

 

[Mishka]

You could go down the route of suing the breeder in the small claims court though you will need to change your mindset in order to follow the process and argue it correctly. You would need to envision the piggy as "faulty goods" which I know would be extremely difficult for any member of this forum as the argument would need to be along the lines of "goods provided not fit for purpose". You would need to follow pre action protocol though so writing to the breeder to outline the problems and ask for payment of all vets bills (or get a solicitor to do this) and then if they don't respond you could go to the small claims court. Its not free unfortunately so would be initial outlay and that can be risky as there are ways and means to avoid paying a county court judgment if the breeder is so inclined.

That is something I might consider if I pull her through. Right now I am willing to pay whatever to get her well, but later down the line I will look into this option.

Got home about 25 minutes ago. She's looking pretty good actually. She came right up to the bars to see me when I came in, something she hasn't done before. She put away -9ml- of Emeraid. I don't know where she put it, but she chowed down like a thing possessed. I weighed her before hand and he weight is now 365g. So she's getting plenty of food. Took her metacam easily, didn't want to give the syringe back in fact.

She's managed to leave the wound alone. Scab is intact and clean.

Poops are almost normal. A little shiny and teardrop shaped, but definite poops. And there are LOADS so her gut and appetite seem to be holding.

Best of all, when I put her home, she popcorned. For the first time. 5 big ones, right off the floor and spinning around.

And then went to eat hay.

I have hope for this baby.

 

[Mishka]

So it might be wishful thinking, but I think Ceridwen might be turning a corner with her chest. Basically, I have noticed the sneezing is slowing down. It was a couple of times a minute before, it's now maybe once every 5 minutes, if that. Last night she went well over an hour without one. We had a little nasal discharge this morning, but it is still clear. No signs of yellow or green in it. I think it was post-sneeze.

She did manage to catch her scab at some point during the night, so she was a bit sore and cross being cleaned and creamed this morning. The feeling of the cream seems to be driving hr a bit mad as well, it's a very thick emollient so it's obviously feeling odd on her skin. She keeps trying to itch/clean it but fortunately can't get to it.

I know that as she is on sulfatrim to treat hr URI it is going to be a slow recovery, realistically. It's not a big, aggressive drug like Baytril. but does anyone know how long it might be before she is symptom free? Celine is not in any rush to stop the antibiotic, which is nice. She's due a check up on Monday, we're going to review at that stage. It does seem to be working, but does anyone know how long this could take? She just seems to be doing so well, I am terrified of a downturn.

She did do another huge popcorn this morning after we put her back post wound clean. She tucked into a couple of slithers of lettuce and a carrot shaving (I feel now it is safe to start increasing her veggie intake a tiny bit). So although it was unpleasant for her, I don't think the pain is bothering her too much. I think the metacam must be making a difference for her too, she was much more cheerful last night and more perky this morning. I put my finger through the bar to say hello when I woke up and she came and nibbled on it

 

[helen105281]

It sounds like she is doing so much better bless her, I have such a soft spot for PEWs. I would say give it at least another week before she is symptom free, it is good that your vet is happy to continue the antibiotics though.

 

[Mishka]

It sounds like she is doing so much better bless her, I have such a soft spot for PEWs. I would say give it at least another week before she is symptom free, it is good that your vet is happy to continue the antibiotics though.

Okay, so I shouldn't be in total panic that we are still getting the odd bit of runny nose?

I'm so in love with her, I have to say. I keep calling her my 'little mouse', she is just the prettiest baby, even with her big sore bit. She's got flappy ears that bounce up and down when she's exploring and her crest gives her this little monobow, so she looks like she is giving you stink eye all the time.

 

[helen105281]

It has been less than a week hasn't it? I think it can take up to 3 weeks for an infection to clear completely, whenever mine have had antibiotics it has always been for a minimum of 10 days and some have needed a longer course. Sometimes an adjustment to the dose or type of antibiotics is needed too. The fact that she is popcorning though shows she is feeling brighter.

She sounds wonderful.

If you need any further fungal treatment, Imaverol dips are safe for use on a baby pig so you could always speak to your vet about that.

 

[Mishka]

It has been less than a week hasn't it? I think it can take up to 3 weeks for an infection to clear completely, whenever mine have had antibiotics it has always been for a minimum of 10 days and some have needed a longer course. Sometimes an adjustment to the dose or type of antibiotics is needed too. The fact that she is popcorning though shows she is feeling brighter.

She sounds wonderful.

If you need any further fungal treatment, Imaverol dips are safe for use on a baby pig so you could always speak to your vet about that.

Yes, we only began proper treatment Friday afternoon. I'm frightened is all. I want the antibiotics to work so badly. But I got a copy of the vets notes today and reading them actually put some perspective on it for me; on Friday they had her condition noted as severe. On Monday they had lungs and heart noted as clear. So clearly we are indeed making progress.

I'm really hoping we dont get to the dip stage tbh. Again, because of her breathing. I really don't want her to be wet/stressed. For now the fungus seems very localised so hopefully the hibiscrub and cream will do the trick.