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Running Up A Never Ending Hill.

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funnehmare

funnehmare

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I haven't been around much recently as one of my piggies has been really rather unwell :( I'm currently fighting an ongoing battle to keep her going. Taffy currently stands at 500g over a 250g loss. I'm feeding her round the clock and have been for the last week, she is eating on her own but very minimal and is starting to fight syringe feeds which is very unusual for her as she loves anything to do with syringes and will often attempt to run away with them given half the chance. She went in for bloods on Friday (results through Tuesday fingers crossed), to see if there is anything untoward going on which would attribute her dramatic weightloss. She has always been on the small side, her weight increased when on heart meds, but she still remained slight. We've been on thyroid medication for a while which seems to have helped her gain some.

The UTI she was treated for two weeks ago has crept back up on her and is giving her discomfort. Woke up this morning to her being very bloaty. Poor girl is on a cocktail of drugs (with potentially more to come), pro biotics and syringe feeds so I'm not surprised she is feeling rough. The anesthetic for the bloods must have taken their toll too although she was bright Friday night and yesterday morning. She is very withdrawn tonight and I feel like I might be headed for the difficult decision, but holding out some hope as she is willing to eat a little grass and hopped over for a nibble of fresh hay. Veggies hit and miss too.

Sorry if this is a bit rambly, lacks sense. I'm exhausted and feeling quite emotional. Fingers crossed my girl continues fighting. I feel like I've missed something and this is my fault. Logically I know it is isn't but I can't help feeling guilty. I'm so glad to have the forum and you guys as I know you'll understand.

My beautiful and strong little madam
 
Poor angel, she really is going through it.

Am not too sure what to suggest, but if she is bloaty it would be a good idea to add Gripe water into the mix as it will help relieve any discomfort.

Is she still on heart meds?
 
HUGS

I am ever so sorry! Round the clock care is so draining physically and emotionally. I know, I am usually a wreck after a few nights, especially the older I get and the more recovery time I need myself. it is worse when there is no sign of Taffy getting better and you are left feeling that you haven't got to the bottom of it. :mal:

I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed, but it sounds like you are coming to the edge of what you can do. It is such a gutting experience and it can really mess up your feelings; worst are usually the nights because you are bone tired and without anybody who can give you a time hug and moral boost!

We all feel that we should be able to get our beloved pets through every crisis - but they are unfortunately very small animals that can cope with only so much. Her no longer wanting to hand feed and bloating is probably related. whether you can get her through it depends to some extent whether it is caused by the meds or whether it is a sign that her body is starting to slowly close down. You could try some gripe water and see whether that is helping.

I am tagging @Pebble for you.
 
Sending lots of love and hugs to you both, I hope Taffy finds the strength to pull through, and you the strength to keep giving her as much love and attention
 
Hang in there. I'm hand feeding at the moment too, although not round the clock, but I know how hard it can be, especially if there is no end in sight. Sending healing vibes. Fingers crossed for you both. x
 
Sorry don't think i'm able to give any advice :(
But big bucket fulls healing vibes for her, she's a gorgeous little poppet :love::wub:
You must be shattered, its so draining with all the extra feeding/TLC a big hug for you too:hug:
fingers & paws all crossed for good results tomorrow & a speedy recovery:tu:

xx
 
Big healing vibes sent. Poor Taffy and Poor you. I think a lot of us know what you are going through and it is so so hard. Overnight feeding is exhausting and add to that the worry, its a killer. I usually lose loads of weight as I get so stressed and depressed. Hugs to you and taffy x
 
@helen105281 ahh yes she's been having, or was having should I say, gripe water too which helped a lot. Switched awhile back when I saw your recommendation for another forum user for the woodwards one and have stuck with it as it worked wonders for my bloat prone piggy Jammy. Sorry if that wasn't clear...managed to get a little more sleep last night as she is beginning to eat on her own again. Yes still on heart meds, last xray she had (checking for stones) molly checked her heart too and said it is looking much better than before we started meds a while back. Though I might ask whether she might need a dosage revaluation due to the decreased weight.

@everyone else, sorry I've not replied individually am still shattered but I appreciate your support and well wishes for Taffy, having the forum and knowing you are rooting for her has been so very invaluable. Brought a little light and hope for me during the night feeds. We are now at the stage where I have dropped extra feeds from every 2 to 4 hours, Taffy is still reluctant but doesn't protest greatly, she came darting over for meds and has been in the hay pile throughout the day. When she took her first bit of hay by herself, I have to admit I burst into tears. I know she isnt out of the woods yet but it was such a relief to see she wants to carry on fighting. So things are looking a little brighter, no word from the vets about results yet unfortunately :(. Have a few other things to mentioned when the vet calls tomorrow. I've noticed her hobbling and bunny hopping today, her back legs seem to be very stiff and she was struggling to get in and out of the hay trays, I know bunny hopping can be a sign of a lack of vitamin C so I will be upping that, but I've also noticed a trend in relation to bloat and back leg mobility? Second issue is she is starting to bald. I'm not sure if this is down to Stan and Biscuit, who can be overzealous at times and will often set up an impromptu piggy Barber Shop, usually she will tell them off as soon as they try but have noticed, due to her being so unwell she is just sitting there letting it happen, or whether I'm not managing to get enough protein into her via hand feeding or a combination of both. I have tried a temporary separation to give her some breathing space with Dodger for company but she spent her whole time chewing to get back to the others and became frantic when they moved away from the divide so for her sake they are all together. Taffy likes her group so I've just been fending off the others from her hay pile (they have three dotted about their cage) so she can grab what she wants before the hoard of (starving) piggies descend on her as invariably they always want what eachother has.

edit: I tried posting this last night but my tablet had a hissy fit and I gave up. This morning she is much brighter still and came bumbling over for meds and a tickle. I dumped more hay in her favourite spot and hid some nuggets throughout the hay which she has had fun searching for. Dodger is sticking by her side most of the time and has been keeping Taffy warm for me by squeezing herself into hideys and cozies with her. I feel blessed to have such a sweet, laid back piggy who likes taking care of other piggies. Hoping the vets will have the results in today and I will be booking another appointment to have her looked at again as she still isn't right. I feel a little more hopeful today. Thankyou again for all your kind words and well wishes x
 
Glad the Gripe water is helping, I have started taking it myself for IBS related pain and it does ease it. The hair loss could be down to her being so run down, Nigel when he was very poorly suffered a lot of hair loss. I would run that and the bunny hopping past Molly when you see her. It is times like this when skin issues can flare up too. You could also add Metatone vitamin tonic into the mix if you are not already giving it, as it will give her a bit of a boost.
 
Sorry to hear this, hope the results will give you a clearer picture of what is going on. You have one of the best vets in the business and you are fighting so hard for Taffy. I know have emotionally draining it is and can relate to bursting into tears when she had some hay on her own. Is she on anything for the bloat? Zantac etc....
 
Makes you wonder if it's a parasitic thing. Also, wonder if it could be an iron deficiency (if they get such things). When you said about potential vit c deficiency, it did stir a memory of scurvy symptoms in humans. Poor you and your little pudding; good luck x
 
@funnehmare so sorry about your girlie :( My vet has had my Petal in since Monday, I had an awful weekend she had bad diarrhoea I thought I was going to lose her :( Anyway they have been giving her a food called Emeraid, it is white & you don't have to feed as often as Critical Care as it is very high energy food & Petal loves it & has really been eating better than on the Critical Care. Just a thought, it may be easier for your girlie to digest & help her put o a little weight. It isn't cheap but I am hoping it will help my piggy recover a bit quicker. Good luck tomorrow x
 
My brave little lion was helped to the bridge at 00:10 last night. My best friend is gone and my world is falling apart. Her struggles are over now. I think she had a massive stroke but unfortunately being the fiesty lady she was refused to let go and needed help, so with her in my arms we found a 24 hours vets and did the kindest thing we could do for her. I'll miss you my beautiful little lady :(
 
I am so sorry for your loss of Taffy :( She was a beautiful, strong girl and knows what a great mummy she has. Big hugs xx
 
I am so sorry, you have fought so hard for her. We are all here for you, massive hugs x
 
Oh I'm so sorry. Its horrible when you are exhausted and loose your piggy after fighting so hard for them. Big Hugs xxc
 
BIG HUGS!

I am so sorry that you have lost your battle. You have given Taffy as big a chance as possible for such a long time; that is all you can do!
But it comes at a huge emotional and physical cost to you and it is such a gutting experience. :(

Taffy couldn't have asked for a better mum.
 
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