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Poorly Billy - Long Term Meds Question

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sport_billy said:
I guess it depends on the jaw issues, we cut all cookies food into strips and had to tear the lettuce up small for here. She has had to eat separate to all the girls for a year now due to how slow she eats
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Yeah I'm thinking I need to cut things into strips as he seems to be able to eat grass but anything leafy is an issue & he doesn't eat so well. Thanks!
 
PAMELAKT said:
How would you manage messy roots & inflamed jaw?
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Messy roots are neither here nor there - the crowns are the key part in dealing with dental issues. Inflamed jaw would suggest a brewing abscess/infection, so would hit it straightaway with appropriate, proven antibiotic and adequately dosed Metacam and review as necessary.
 
MintyAndGarry (TEAS) said:
Messy roots are neither here nor there - the crowns are the key part in dealing with dental issues. Inflamed jaw would suggest a brewing abscess/infection, so would hit it straightaway with appropriate, proven antibiotic and adequately dosed Metacam and review as necessary.
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I believe the jaw joints are inflamed on both sides - would that still be a brewing abscess?! I am really struggling to get the meds in...
 
Any tips for getting these meds in? He was so good this morning, this evening he has been a nightmare!

I've never met an animal that didn't like metacam either - but he's not interested at all.
 
PAMELAKT said:
Oh I know I can't do it anymore, Billy is my last pig I just couldn't face getting another after i lost Rodney last year. Thankfully Billy has done very well on his own he's such a dominant strong character he's remained quite chipper - but I can't do it. It's more heartbreaking the older I get! I don't have an option either as his jaw is giving him pain so he can't eat, so I will just have to ride it out.... It is reassuring to hear other small animals are on meds for life & arent having too many issues. Thanks :) xx
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You're welcome! Wishing all the best for Billy!
 
MintyAndGarry (TEAS) said:
Could be signs of arthritis, which can still be managed with Metacam. Did your vet not give a definitive diagnosis?
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He didn't mention arthritis he just said the jaw was inflamed both sides. I have to call him tomorrow to tell him how Billy is doing so I will ask him to explain more - I didn't see the xray because as I don't live local I had got there earlier than my appt due to traffic & he popped out to see me. I'll question it more.

He said he would be on pain relief for life and we would manage the dosage as we go along changing it here & there. He said the anti biotic was to remain for the time being too rather than a length of time which worries me a bit as I know it causes gut upset.

I'll question him tomorrow & let you know what he says..
 
helen105281 said:
For getting the meds in have you tried the technique in the syringe feeding guide?

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
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Ah thank you! I am not wrapping him tight enough & because I know he has a sore jaw I am probably not being firm enough. He's running rings around me!

I'll let you know how this morning goes, he's tucking into some breakfast first ;)
 
All meds in easily this morning - as was the case yesterday. I think he's sleepy in the morning & in the evening he's full of beans & having none of it! Haha
 

Hi , what type of syringe are you using ?
just looking in my pig records , and l found an "Empty"Fibraplex (15ml) syringe to be wourth its weight in gold!

it has a mesuring ring at the back , set it and you can deliver the amount required with out fear of chockiing



wfi
 
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gizzy said:

Hi , what type of syringe are you using ?
just looking in my pig records , and l found an "Empty"Fibraplex (15ml) syringe to be wourth its weight in gold!

it has a mesuring ring at the back , set it and you can deliver the amount required with out fear of chockiing



wfi
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Oh I have one of these too actually, I hve a variety of syringes! I'm doing ok, he is just particularly naughty in the evenings...
 
MintyAndGarry (TEAS) said:
Could be signs of arthritis, which can still be managed with Metacam. Did your vet not give a definitive diagnosis?
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I have asked him today and it is not arthritis as such, it is infection but he said it is complicated as it involves the bone so it isn't as easy as a week of anti biotics will solve it. He said if you had an infection In your toe you would rest it, but obv he can't rest his jaw so we use the anti biotic and pain relief together and get the pain under control & then see how we go.

That's how I understand it...
 
Actually he's eaten most of a leaf of a big cos lettuce tonight along with some bits from a salad bag.

He's also gained 26g today :)
 
I would think Zithromax would be more effective and I know that is what Simon would usually use (and Marbocyl if not), maybe you could ask John that if there is no improvement?
 
I just wanted to say I understand the not wanting to feel like you are "killing" him. My Bea was really quite ill and only put on to metacam for the last couple of weeks before she finally passed so when I found out that Bumble had severe arthritis as well as the start of kidney failure I felt awful getting her on metacam, she went for 2-3 months on it during the whole diagnosis process and after before she went. I went through the same as you, feeling like I was killing her by trying to give her a quality of life but watching her in those final months she was happier than she had been for a little while and was very socialable so I know I did the right thing by her.
 
Oxytetracycline - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia oxytetracycalin hydraclorate (mixed with water )

Just a thought, perhaps try Billy on Oxytetracycalin!
. this is one of the anti b's we used to use in the old days,
l uesd to get it from the vets in powder form (yellow powder), despenced it a paper bag :shh:though l imagin it has long been discontinued, ?
 
Just to add my experience to this - my Jerrypig has chronic bladder issues, and has done since early 2012. He has been on Metacam every day since then and is now 6.5 years old. We were told that Metacam doesn't cause kidney problems, but would exacerbate them in a pig which already has kidney issues. I keep him on the lowest possible working dose, and increase it as and when needed. It gives him the quality of life which he certainly wouldn't otherwise have.
 
helen105281 said:
I would think Zithromax would be more effective and I know that is what Simon would usually use (and Marbocyl if not), maybe you could ask John that if there is no improvement?
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Thank you - I will mention this. He is doing quite well altho seems to be funny about eating leafy veg. Other that that he is eating not too bad... X
 
Lady Kelly said:
I just wanted to say I understand the not wanting to feel like you are "killing" him. My Bea was really quite ill and only put on to metacam for the last couple of weeks before she finally passed so when I found out that Bumble had severe arthritis as well as the start of kidney failure I felt awful getting her on metacam, she went for 2-3 months on it during the whole diagnosis process and after before she went. I went through the same as you, feeling like I was killing her by trying to give her a quality of life but watching her in those final months she was happier than she had been for a little while and was very socialable so I know I did the right thing by her.
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Thank you for your words x
 
Jerrybelly said:
Just to add my experience to this - my Jerrypig has chronic bladder issues, and has done since early 2012. He has been on Metacam every day since then and is now 6.5 years old. We were told that Metacam doesn't cause kidney problems, but would exacerbate them in a pig which already has kidney issues. I keep him on the lowest possible working dose, and increase it as and when needed. It gives him the quality of life which he certainly wouldn't otherwise have.
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Wow thank you it really is nice to hear of people in similar situations. I can only hope Billy would live a decent while longer, he seems bubbly & happy enough he is just being picky with leafy veg at the moment, it does make me feel better to hear of piglets living for some time on meds. I am keeping Billy on as low a dose as possible & have actually been only giving him tramadol in the morning rather than twice a day as I just don't think he needs it all. Xx
 
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