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Poorly piggy - very lethargic

Ted is still here this morning. He was a little more feisty in trying to get away from his medicine and has moved around a little. He’s going back to the vet this morning and Elvis is going as well for some company. Thanks for all the well wishes so far!
 
So, Ted is home again tonight. The vet said he seemed happier having Elvis with him. He managed to produce a few droppings but still isn’t eating by himself. He seems to be trembling a lot and lying as stretched out as he can with his legs extended back behind him. If he doesn’t start eating tonight he has to go back in tomorrow. He is more active but is struggling to walk properly. Not sure whats normal or not?!
 
We’ve managed to get Teds medicine in him and he’s tried to eat some apple. He seems to have a lot more strength now and is really fighting the syringes and trying to scamper away. I’m worried because he’s very trembly and jerky with his movements, like he’s not properly in control. The way he’s acting is almost as if he can’t see properly either. Any advice please? Looks like he’ll be back to the vets tomorrow. Really hoping for improvement as it’s our daughters birthday tomorrow!
 
I posted a couple of days ago about finding Ted suddenly very lethargic, not eating or drinking. He’s had 2 full days at the vets receiving treatment for bloating and being syringe fed. Elvis went with him for company yesterday which seemed to make him more comfortable. He is stronger and tying to move around - mostly to get away from the syringes. I’m worried because although the bloating is better, he doesn’t seem to have control over his body. Drags himself along rather than walks, very trembly. He seemed excited by the apple we gave him but couldn’t control his movements trying to get it to his mouth. Sort of kept lunging at it. I’m wondering if he could’ve gone blind by the way he’s acting. Can anyone offer advice please? Taking him back to the vet today. I’m also worried that Elvis is getting a bit stressed and depressed with the whole thing.
 
Elvisistheman said:
I posted a couple of days ago about finding Ted suddenly very lethargic, not eating or drinking. He’s had 2 full days at the vets receiving treatment for bloating and being syringe fed. Elvis went with him for company yesterday which seemed to make him more comfortable. He is stronger and tying to move around - mostly to get away from the syringes. I’m worried because although the bloating is better, he doesn’t seem to have control over his body. Drags himself along rather than walks, very trembly. He seemed excited by the apple we gave him but couldn’t control his movements trying to get it to his mouth. Sort of kept lunging at it. I’m wondering if he could’ve gone blind by the way he’s acting. Can anyone offer advice please? Taking him back to the vet today. I’m also worried that Elvis is getting a bit stressed and depressed with the whole thing.
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Hi!

Ted needs to see a vet because that is not normal; he may have had a stroke or a bad fit. :(

Please keep him with Elvis; it is natural that Elvis is worried for his companion under the circumstances, but he won't be any less if he is kept away.

I am very sorry. Keep on syringe feeding as Ted is obviously not able to feed himself although he seems to have some appetite back. PLEASE be careful with fruit and vet so soon after major bloating. Any further decisions depend on your vet's findings and assessment for the short and medium term.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Ted needs to see a vet because that is not normal; he may have had a stroke or a bad fit. :(

Please keep him with Elvis; it is natural that Elvis is worried for his companion under the circumstances, but he won't be any less if he is kept away.

I am very sorry. Keep on syringe feeding as Ted is obviously not able to feed himself although he seems to have some appetite back. PLEASE be careful with fruit and vet so soon after major bloating. Any further decisions depend on your vet's findings and assessment for the short and medium term.
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I’m just leaving the vets now. He’s been in every day for care since becoming ill. They give him back at night so we can get him through til going back to them. I think he’s had a stroke from what I’ve been reading. Poor baby can’t control his movements properly. Pretty sure he is blind too which is why he’s so terrified when anything touches him. It’s so sad! The vet I saw this morning agrees that his symptoms are now neurological. She thinks they were masked by the bloating but now that’s relieved they are showing through. I don’t think she holds out much hope for him. She said they don’t recover well once so ill. It’s our daughters birthday today so we really don’t want bad news. Elvis is still keeping him company but seems sad himself. Has anyone had experience with strokes, blindness etc? I don’t want to give up on him if he can recover but don’t want him suffering needlessly either. He’s only 9 months old and a sweet boy!
 
Poor Ted! TEAS deals a lot with piggies with disabilities, neurological issues, etc., so maybe they can offer some advice. Hopefully, if he is blind, it'll just take a bit of getting used to.
 
Elvisistheman said:
I’m just leaving the vets now. He’s been in every day for care since becoming ill. They give him back at night so we can get him through til going back to them. I think he’s had a stroke from what I’ve been reading. Poor baby can’t control his movements properly. Pretty sure he is blind too which is why he’s so terrified when anything touches him. It’s so sad! The vet I saw this morning agrees that his symptoms are now neurological. She thinks they were masked by the bloating but now that’s relieved they are showing through. I don’t think she holds out much hope for him. She said they don’t recover well once so ill. It’s our daughters birthday today so we really don’t want bad news. Elvis is still keeping him company but seems sad himself. Has anyone had experience with strokes, blindness etc? I don’t want to give up on him if he can recover but don’t want him suffering needlessly either. He’s only 9 months old and a sweet boy!
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HUGS!

Unfortunately, prognosis is not good with a major life changing stroke; there are usually more. :(

I can understand that you do not want to make this decision today, but please put Ted's quality of life before your instinctive desires when reviewing tomorrow. These things never happen at a good time!

I have been looking after a major stroke survivor for a friend two years ago, but she lived only for a few weeks longer and then had to be pts when she suffered a series of small strokes, which meant that her fast overgrowing teeth on the side she was blind and couldn't chew properly could not be treated - she was simply too unstable for any major vet trip and procedure, even without anaesthetics. Syringe feeding full time only speeded up the teeth overgrow. It was very upsetting being so limited with the care I could give her and hard to see her slip down despite her zest for life. :(

You may also have to keep Ted's eyes hydrated with visco tear gel as he may not be able to clean them himself anymore, but these things differ from case to case depending on which brain areas have been affected by the stroke.
A major stroke has all kinds of nasty little complications, which can add up quickly unfortunately once the neurology and brain wiring has been disrupted. :(

I know that it is NOT what you want to hear, but we can never choose when and what our piggies fall ill or die. All we can do it giving them happy todays and a kind end with as little suffering as possible at the sharp end. :(
 
I’m very sad to say that Ted died about an hour ago.😭 He fought hard but started seizing and it was too much for him. I’ve been and said goodbye to him and collected Elvis. He was with him when he died so knows what happened to his friend. The vet said he’s obviously sad so to keep a close eye on him for depression. Worried about him now as he was depressed before we got Ted but has been fine with a buddy. Unfortunately, I’ve now got to break the news to the kids and it’s my eldest’s birthday today.☹️ Does anyone have any advice for a lonely piggy who’s lost his friend? This is our first time dealing with this even though we have 10 other piggies.
 
Elvisistheman said:
I’m very sad to say that Ted died about an hour ago.😭 He fought hard but started seizing and it was too much for him. I’ve been and said goodbye to him and collected Elvis. He was with him when he died so knows what happened to his friend. The vet said he’s obviously sad so to keep a close eye on him for depression. Worried about him now as he was depressed before we got Ted but has been fine with a buddy. Unfortunately, I’ve now got to break the news to the kids and it’s my eldest’s birthday today.☹️ Does anyone have any advice for a lonely piggy who’s lost his friend? This is our first time dealing with this even though we have 10 other piggies.
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BIG HUGS

I am so sorry that it is all coming together for you in perfect storm. It sounded very much like Ted was already on borrowed time for me. :(

Could you perhaps tell your kids that Ted is very unwell and is staying on at the vets/with a vet nurse overnight (where he then dies during the night) if you'd rather not spoil the birthday celebration itself with the bad news?

Here are our tips for looking after bereaved piggies in the immediate and medium term.
The guide also contains links to good standard rescues in several countries, most of which offer boar dating under expert supervision at the rescue - this would allow Elvis to choose who he gets on with and you are assured that you come home with a fully quarantined/vet treated, properly sexed piggy only after acceptance has happened. You also have the rescue as a back-up if the relationship is running into trouble at any point of the adopted piggy's life.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
ok I'm really sorry Ted has died and you got to be strong. Tell the kids the truth straight up as personally I don't belive in sugar coating things. Ask youre child for help doing Ted's rainbow post be involved. As for a mate I'm 100 yes and on here and I'm sure people will help is advise for this.
RIP Ted you are pain free runaway little guy into rainbow world. x
 
Wiebke said:
BIG HUGS

I am so sorry that it is all coming together for you in perfect storm. It sounded very much like Ted was on borrowed time for me. :(

Could you perhaps tell your kids that Ted is very unwell and staying on at the vets/with a vet nurse overnight (where he then dies during the night) if you'd rather not spoil the birthday?

Here are our tips for looking after bereaved piggies in the immediate and medium term.
The guide also contains links to good standard rescues in several countries, most of which offer boar dating under expert supervision at the rescue - this would allow Elvis to choose who he gets on with and you are assured that you come home with a fully quarantined/vet treated, properly sexed piggy only after acceptance has happened. You also have the rescue as a back-up if the relationship is running into trouble at any point of the adopted piggy's life.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
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great advise again. x
 
Wiebke said:
BIG HUGS

I am so sorry that it is all coming together for you in perfect storm. It sounded very much like Ted was already on borrowed time for me. :(

Could you perhaps tell your kids that Ted is very unwell and is staying on at the vets/with a vet nurse overnight (where he then dies during the night) if you'd rather not spoil the birthday celebration itself with the bad news?

Here are our tips for looking after bereaved piggies in the immediate and medium term.
The guide also contains links to good standard rescues in several countries, most of which offer boar dating under expert supervision at the rescue - this would allow Elvis to choose who he gets on with and you are assured that you come home with a fully quarantined/vet treated, properly sexed piggy only after acceptance has happened. You also have the rescue as a back-up if the relationship is running into trouble at any point of the adopted piggy's life.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
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Thank you for all you help and advice. My husband and I discussed last night how ill we thought Ted was and were prepared to make a decision today but obviously didn’t have to in the end. We gave him hours of cuddles last night to make sure he knew he was loved!
 
We told the kids when they came home from school that Ted had died but has fought as best he could. There were lots of tears and it’s obviously put a dampener on the birthday celebrations but we also talked about how we all need to support Elvis now and give him lots of love to get him through. He’s had lots of time on the couch with them and even did a wee on it! (I had to strip the cover off quickly and get it in the wash!) Poor thing is definitely missing Ted though as he hasn’t eaten anything yet since we got him back. He got really depressed before when he was alone, which is why we got Ted, so we are trying our best to keep him happy. He’s an outdoor pig though so I’m worried about him being alone as it’s going to be getting colder soon. We’ll keep him inside tonight to watch over him. He’ll definitely need a new friend. We do have other pigs but I don’t think I can risk trying to bond him with them. His sons are a bonded group of their own and have only just sorted out their pecking order so I dont want to risk messing with that. He’s not neutered so I’m definitely not putting him near the girls!
 
Elvis has been enjoying extra cuddles and is eating but still a little out of sorts and sad. I’ve called both rescue centres closest to us and no one has and single outdoor boars to try him with. ☹️ There might be the possibility of a baby obese that a nearby breeder has though. Fingers crossed...
 
Elvisistheman said:
Elvis has been enjoying extra cuddles and is eating but still a little out of sorts and sad. I’ve called both rescue centres closest to us and no one has and single outdoor boars to try him with. ☹️ There might be the possibility of a baby obese that a nearby breeder has though. Fingers crossed...
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Come on Elvis . . you dig deep little guy. we all want to see you perk up pal.
 
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