Possible aspiration?

[andisafc]

Hi, as you know we’ve been having on going issues with Bramble but he has been improving day on day! I’m on weaning him off the critical care but today when I put 0.4ml of feed in his mouth he somehow either breathed in it or it went up his nose? He did a few sneezes together then did this weird jerky move forward a few times as if coughing but no noises. Since then he’s been ok with no sneezes or anything, what is the chance he could end up with something from this like aspiration pneumonia? So annoyed but it was a freak thing!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, as you know we’ve been having on going issues with Bramble but he has been improving day on day! I’m on weaning him off the critical care but today when I put 0.4ml of feed in his mouth he somehow either breathed in it or it went up his nose? He did a few sneezes together then did this weird jerky move forward a few times as if coughing but no noises. Since then he’s been ok with no sneezes or anything, what is the chance he could end up with something from this like aspiration pneumonia? So annoyed but it was a freak thing!

Hi

Please take a deep breath. It sounds like it has mostly gone up his nose and come back out; that is actually more common. If it goes down the lungs it is generally coughed out again - that is the normal body defense reflex for the lower respiratory tract, the same as for humans. It is very effective.

Aspiration pneumonia is fatal for syringe fed baby orphans because they are just so small and haven't yet got a working immune system; we have a guide about how to use safer methods of feeding them if really needed.

It has never been an issue for my other piggies; no matter how frail. I usually don't feed more than 0.3 ml at once, whether that is fluid or feed and I try not to just push it in quickly.

 

[andisafc]

Hi

Please take a deep breath. It sounds like it has mostly gone up his nose and come back out; that is actually more common. If it goes down the lungs it is generally coughed out again - that is the normal body defense reflex for the lower respiratory tract, the same as for humans. It is very effective.

Aspiration pneumonia is fatal for syringe fed baby orphans because they are just so small and haven't yet got a working immune system; we have a guide about how to use safer methods of feeding them if really needed.

It has never been an issue for my other piggies; no matter how frail. I usually don't feed more than 0.3 ml at once, whether that is fluid or feed and I try not to just push it in quickly.

Thanks @Wiebke you know me too well, mind has gone into overdrive. He is such a greedy boy, he was greedying more so my finger slipped a bit! I guess it is still possible but it could be treatable? He’s been running about & eating & drinking since. Just so annoyed as he’s on the mend & I'm scared it could set us back? x

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks @Wiebke you know me too well, mind has gone into overdrive. He is such a greedy boy, he was greedying more so my finger slipped a bit! I guess it is still possible but it could be treatable? He’s been running about & eating & drinking since. Just so annoyed as he’s on the mend & I'm scared it could set us back? x

Hi

It is very, very unlikely. Please stop worrying. You are more likely to win the lottery.

 

[andisafc]

Hi

It is very, very unlikely. Please stop worrying. You are more likely to win the lottery.

I wish I could switch my mind off, plus we’re in the middle of a thunderstorm at the min (scared of them) which doesn’t help! Thank you so much, I’ll try to stop worrying. Ha ha could do with winning the lottery after everything this year! x