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Treacle is very poorly

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threelittlepigs

threelittlepigs

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Treacle is one of the original Three Little Pigs. I adopted her in April 2006 and she was 15 months old so she is now about 5 1/2.

She is very poorly. I had a funny feeling about her yesterday as she was looking a bit dazed and seemed to be withdrawing from the herd. She was late for her breakfast which is unusual as she has been the alpha pig since George passed on.

This evening she is really unsteady on her feet and I think that she has gone blind. I have taken her out and had a look at her and also syringed some fluids into her and I really got the impression that she couldn't see my hand. Her eye was also runny and she seems to have a lump on her back.

Poor Treacle. I will be taking her to the vets tomorrow but I'm afraid I'm not very optimistic. To be honest having her put to sleep is the first thing on my mind. There are no real symptoms and I feel that she is shutting down and that giving her a helping hand on her final journey might be the kindest thing for her. If she is blind, it must be very frightening for her after all of these years being sighted. It also suggests that she doesn't have long to go and I feel it is a bit unfair to keep her going given her age.
 
Try extra Vit C (tescos high dose - without zinc - grind up and suspend in water.)

Also Potters tabritis tablets (Peter Gurney recommends them for aged pigs and my 6.5yr old Grommie has had a new lease of life since being on them....and he has recently gone blind but is still very happy and active.........)

Dosages as follows:

Tescos chewable Vit C 500mg:
Grind and dissolve in 5ml water and feed 0.2ml/kg once daily
(So if you piggie weighs approx 1kg, give 0.2ml, if 1.5ml give 1.5 x 0.2ml = 0.3ml; if inbetween then give "piggie weight in kg" x 0.2ml

Potter tabritis: Grind and dissolve 1 tablet in 1.0ml. Give your piggie 0.5ml daily for 1 week then reduce 0.25 ml daily thereafter
HTH


x
 
Thanks Pebble, that's great advice. I have a Tescos on my road and can pop there first thing tomorrow.

Can I ask where you get the Potters tabritis tablets from?
 
Think it was Holland & Barrett?

You might also be able to get at selected Boots and Waitrose stores

x
 
I am so sorry that Treacle isn't doing well.

I hope the vet is able to help her. Some blind guinea pigs can continue to live many years happily.

Good luck with the vet.
 
I'm so sorry to hear she isn't well, Pollie. Sometimes old age can catch up with them very suddenly. I hope she is comfortable and the vet can help.

Sending hugs

Sophie
 
I do hope the Vet can help Treacle and ease any pain she may have.

Blindness is something that our elderly rescue ginny (Angel) takes in her stride. She is about 5-6 ish and still doing strong, aside from being on 0.2ml of frusol diuretic every other day. I am going to try and get hold of some Potter Tabrits also as per Pebble's advise.

Good luck today X
 
Hope Treacle is feeling a bit brighter this morning! :(

Good luck at the vets! :)
 
Thinking of you and sending Treacle my vibes!
 
Just to let you all know that Treacle was much brighter this morning, so we didn't go to the vets. She was much more spritely and scurred away from me when I went in to give breakfast. She seemed quite cross that I had forced 20ml of pineapple juice into her last night.

I am keeping a close eye on her, but for the moment she seems fine. I am guessing that the heat may also be a factor (although they are inside in an east-facing room so they are not really too warm). I'll keep you all posted. I have been through this before with my other pig Piggy Wiggin and she seemed to falter and then picked right up. I don't get the impression that she is in any pain.
 
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