Struggling to stay positive....but I will!

furryfriends (TEAS)

furryfriends (TEAS)

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Director at TEAS (East Hunsbury) Northampton
Well after all the positives of yesterday, I got up to find Alfonzo struggling to eat, so an appointment was booked for him to see Simon this afternoon. When I went into the log cabin to get Alfonzo and Freddie ready to go to the appointment I noticed that Benjamin, who is at TEAS because his little mate, Hudson, has dental issues, was looking very sorry for himself! I quickly grabbed a carrier and took Benjamin along too, despite not having an appointment for him! Simon saw him immediately and he was found to have a retrobulbar abscess (abscess behind eye). He’s started on a strong antibiotic (Zithromax) a high dose of Metacam and Viscotears to try and stop the eye from drying out! The prognosis for saving the eye is very poor, but we’ll see how it goes over the next few days. He’s booked in to see Simon again on Monday morning, when a decision will be made as to whether enucleation surgery will be carried out. With good pain relief on board he’s looking much happier this evening, as you can see from the video.
Simon is really pleased with how Freddie is doing, but we are going to give another box of Zithromax, just to make sure we’ve completely cured the internal abscess!
Alfonzo’s teeth were just starting to rub, but now they’ve been filed he’s munching away happily.
Please keep Benjamin in your thoughts! I always try to remain positive, but if he needs enucleation surgery, our bank account will take yet another massive hammering, which is a huge worry. However, if he needs the surgery, we will ensure he has it!
So good news for Freddie and Alfonzo and extreme healing vibes needed for Benjamin!

 
So sorry to hear this, it must really wear you down having so many poorly piggies to worry about, I'm going paypal a donation now x
 
PigglePuggle said:
So sorry to hear this, it must really wear you down having so many poorly piggies to worry about, I'm going paypal a donation now x
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Thank you, that's so lovely and very kind of you.

It's not just the worry of all the poorly piggies, which is bad enough, but I am laying awake at night worrying about running out of money. I am not sure how long this can go on for, as even a large charity would struggle to pay the vet bills that we've had this year. I wish I could think of a way to make it work, but I work full time, I am studying for a degree and looking after poorly piggies, so can't really do much more! Right now I just want to walk away from it all and just have some time for me!
 
Are all these pigs going to be permanently with teas? Sorry you are going through such stress, must be a killer, you'll make it through. The money part I don't know what you can do, other than limit the amount of pigs you take it (which you probably already do) But that must be difficult, and you still can't predict if one will cost thousands on its own to treat 😒 you def need to make you time, ull burn out
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
Are all these pigs going to be permanently with teas? Sorry you are going through such stress, must be a killer, you'll make it through. The money part I don't know what you can do, other than limit the amount of pigs you take it. But that must be difficult, and you still can't predict if one will cost thousands on its own to treat 😒
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Yes, this is the problem. We aren't a rescue and rehome centre who get them in and then back out again, for a rehoming fee! Most stay with us for life, as they need ongoing veterinary treatment.

I can cope with dealing with all the illness and death, but it's keeping the money coming in that is so difficult. I keep trying to get people to sign up to donating £1 a month, as we have nearly 5,000 followers on Facebook. If everyone did that, I wouldn't need to worry about ongoing costs any more!
 
Is there no scheme or something where you can get free consultations? Because my 2 old boars used to be registered with a school, and I didn't tell my old vets when I rescued them and got free consultations and just payed for any meds. Just a thought
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Yes, this is the problem. We aren't a rescue and rehome centre who get them in and then back out again, for a rehoming fee! Most stay with us for life, as they need ongoing veterinary treatment.

I can cope with dealing with all the illness and death, but it's keeping the money coming in that is so difficult. I keep trying to get people to sign up donating £1 a month, as we have nearly 5,000 followers on Facebook. If everyone did that, I wouldn't need to worry about ongoing costs any more!
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That must be frustrating, I'm sure most people can donate £1 a month else what are they doing with broadband or mobile data bills.that sounds harsh, its not my business, but it does make me wonder, unless they are supporting other charities already
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
That must be frustrating, I'm sure most people can donate £1 a month else what are they doing with broadband or mobile data bills.that sounds harsh, its not my business, but it does make me wonder, unless they are supporting other charities already
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People could be donating to many other charities and it all adds up. We get a lot of people making regular donations to us, which is great. We've just had a lot of piggies arrive with complex issues that are costing us a lot at the moment. Hopefully once Benjamin's eye is sorted, then he won't be left with an ongoing problem.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
People could be donating to many other charities and it all adds up. We get a lot of people making regular donations to us, which is great. We've just had a lot of piggies arrive with complex issues that are costing us a lot at the moment. Hopefully once Benjamin's eye is sorted, then he won't be left with an ongoing problem.
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Fingers crossed, it will work itself out
 
I am so sorry; right now it is just one outright loss or life-and-death crisis after the other for you! :(

You have naturally a lot more losses seeing that you are mostly looking after rather frail piggies with often complex medical issues, but this autumn has been truly nonstop and very devastating. I'd so hoped that you would get a bit of a breather now that your last fundraising event of the year is over.

HUGS and fingers very firmly crossed!
 
Sorry things are do difficult for you at the moment. If there is anything we can do to help please ask us. Big hugs from me and the piggies :hug:
 
Thanks guys! I'll be fine and I'm sure Benjamin will be too! I think I'm just so tired and desperately need some respite from all the death and illness.

Let's look at the positives....Freddie seems well on the road to making a full recovery, Alfonzo is back on track since seeing Simon this afternoon and if we can save Benjamin's eye that'll be great, but if we can't then it will be removed and he can then join Tilly's and Matteo's one eye group! No one's died and I've even managed to find time to go swimming twice this week! I may even hit the gym tomorrow!
 
I'm sorry for your unfortunate difficulties.it is important that you do not get burned out.you must look after your health.i will donate each month.you do so much,sometimes it helps if you can delegate out some of the work.you do an amazing job.x
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Thanks guys! I'll be fine and I'm sure Benjamin will be too! I think I'm just so tired and desperately need some respite from all the death and illness.

Let's look at the positives....Freddie seems well on the road to making a full recovery, Alfonzo is back on track since seeing Simon this afternoon and if we can save Benjamin's eye that'll be great, but if we can't then it will be removed and he can then join Tilly's and Matteo's one eye group! No one's died and I've even managed to find time to go swimming twice this week! I may even hit the gym tomorrow!
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You need a nice spa day ♨️👍
 
I can make a monthly donation but am not, and never will be, on Fb. If you can pm me with details I will set it up with my bank. You are a wonderful person for doing what you do for the poorly piggies and hope this will be your last bill for a long time. Me and my piggies send you lots of love and hope some donations will come your way soon xx
 
munchmonster said:
I can make a monthly donation but am not, and never will be, on Fb. If you can pm me with details I will set it up with my bank. You are a wonderful person for doing what you do for the poorly piggies and hope this will be your last bill for a long time. Me and my piggies send you lots of love and hope some donations will come your way soon xx
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Same as me, I'm not on Facebook, so I don't get to keep upto date on there.
 
It’s likely very hard but you really need to take some time out for YOU. It’ll be no help to anyone if you end up burning out. And you are doing an amazing job with all you have on and looking after the piggies FINANCIALLY and EMOTIONALLY. ❣️
 
I've just given Benjamin his next dose of Zithromax, plus Metacam and the Viscotears, to hopefully stop his eye drying out. As his eye is bulging, he can't close his eyelids over it properly, so it is in danger of becoming very dry. Although the chance of us saving his eye is small, I would rather we avoided surgery if at all possible. The problem with an abscess in this area, is that you really need to open it and drain it, as without drainage, the chances of it curing with just antibiotics alone (even a strong antibiotic like Zithromax), is very small. Unfortunately, the only way you can get drainage is by removing the eye!
 
I’m so sorry you seem to be having a nightmare at the moment ☹️After this year with Pedro and his abscess, eye removal and teeth problems and then Jess having her injury and eye removed it has been very stressful and upsetting for me (and expensive!) can’t imagine how blooming stressful it must be for you. Really hope you can avoid surgery for Benjamin and the meds do the trick xx and you can get some time for you! x
 
Just sent a donation via pay pal - it's all i can afford this month but every little helps and please take some time for yourself when you can x
 
Huge thanks for all the support and the donations too! It means a lot! Simon will see Benjamin again on Monday morning at 10.10 am. I am trying to keep the eye has hydrated as possible and he's so good about having the drops in and takes his meds without any problem. He's a little quieter than normal, but I hope we are keeping the pain under control.
 
munchmonster said:
I can make a monthly donation but am not, and never will be, on Fb. If you can pm me with details I will set it up with my bank. You are a wonderful person for doing what you do for the poorly piggies and hope this will be your last bill for a long time. Me and my piggies send you lots of love and hope some donations will come your way soon xx
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Thank you so much! I will pm the bank details over to you xx
 
Hang in there Debbie, I have a feeling you'll have a smooth run after this 👍. Keep up the good work, if you ever need any help with all the clean outs, just WhatsApp me and il help if you like
 
Hopefully get paid today so I'll try and get to the bank next week & send a belated donation.
My gift aid details are still valid that you have on record.

Can I just remind everyone that if they are a standard rate tax payer, they can 'gift aid' their donations to TEAS as its a registered charity - Debbie should get approx. an extra 25p for every pound donated. :D
Tax relief when you donate to a charity

You will need to fill out a declaration form for TEAS to do this (if I remember correctly it's your name, address & signature agreeing that you pay basic rate tax & your happy for TEAS to claim it back on your donation).
Claiming Gift Aid as a charity or CASC

@karonus may be able to help me on this?
@furryfriends (TEAS) is this anything you can make use of?
Donations on cash amounts under £30 claiming back tax
Claiming Gift Aid as a charity or CASC
Xx

Ps would it be possible to add a link or printable gift aid form for people to fill in & send you, so that you can claim it back? Xx
 
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