Weak And Refusing To Eat?

[AmyP&M]

Hi everyone!

I made this thread about my piggie Pippa a while back Not Sure What To Do! Ovarian Cysts And Bad Teeth!
basically after managing to get her to a piggie specialized vet we found out Pippa had an abscess at the back of her mouth causing her pain so she wasn't eating and her teeth got all uneven and her jaw was out of line. After taking her back recently she had an x-ray and was put under anesthetic. The vet took some cells out of the abscess to ensure us it wasn't a cancerous lump. She said that the abscess was mainly in the bone so it would be harder to get rid of it. She told us to carry on giving her anesthetics, painkillers and continue syringe feeding her for the next 3 weeks and then take her back. Its been about a week and a half since, shes been taking her syringe feed well and shes been trying hard to eat as much veggies as she can. She'd been putting on weight until suddenly she stopped putting the weight on and infact lost some. Yesterday we noticed she was completely refusing syringe feed and any veg. Shes been very lethargic and has been wobbling whilst walking. She seems slightly more lively today but shes still wobbly on her feet. I'm completely baffled as to whats wrong with her. I did notice a couple days ago she had poo hanging from her bum like she wasn't pooing it out properly herself and we had to wipe her to get it out. But that hasn't happened since.

I'm not sure to do, she was doing really well up until now but now shes suddenly getting worse. I can't see the weight loss and acting weak being because shes not eating enough because shes been eating quite a lot and taking syringe feed 3 times a day. Not too sure what to do. Shes been put through quite a lot during the problems with her teeth in terms of anesthetics, vet stays teeth grinding and just basically pain. I don't want to mess her round too much more its not fair. Any advice?

 

[RosieMaia]

From your post, I understand you were given pain relief and anestethics, right? What about antibiotics? An abscess, especially where the bone is involved, is unlikely ro spontaneously heal without at least some antibiotics. I think there are very experienced forum members who can advise you on dental issues, but I would go back to the vet and ask for azithromycin. I assume your piggy is also on metacam for pain relief, which will also help with the inflammation. You mentioned that the pig also takes anesthetics - is she actualy on some kind of opoid like tramadol? If so, depending on the dose, that could cause drowsiness and diminished appetite.

I would continue syringe feeding her, regardless of her protests. She needs food to fight the infection. You could try different "recipes" for the syringe food and see if she likes one better. I keep in stock Oxbow's banana and apple and the standard variety, Supreme Science recovery and also use their pellets to soak in water.

Is she drinking? If not, I'd offer water with a syringe, or better yet - an electrolyte solution.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone!

I made this thread about my piggie Pippa a while back Not Sure What To Do! Ovarian Cysts And Bad Teeth!
basically after managing to get her to a piggie specialized vet we found out Pippa had an abscess at the back of her mouth causing her pain so she wasn't eating and her teeth got all uneven and her jaw was out of line. After taking her back recently she had an x-ray and was put under anesthetic. The vet took some cells out of the abscess to ensure us it wasn't a cancerous lump. She said that the abscess was mainly in the bone so it would be harder to get rid of it. She told us to carry on giving her anesthetics, painkillers and continue syringe feeding her for the next 3 weeks and then take her back. Its been about a week and a half since, shes been taking her syringe feed well and shes been trying hard to eat as much veggies as she can. She'd been putting on weight until suddenly she stopped putting the weight on and infact lost some. Yesterday we noticed she was completely refusing syringe feed and any veg. Shes been very lethargic and has been wobbling whilst walking. She seems slightly more lively today but shes still wobbly on her feet. I'm completely baffled as to whats wrong with her. I did notice a couple days ago she had poo hanging from her bum like she wasn't pooing it out properly herself and we had to wipe her to get it out. But that hasn't happened since.

I'm not sure to do, she was doing really well up until now but now shes suddenly getting worse. I can't see the weight loss and acting weak being because shes not eating enough because shes been eating quite a lot and taking syringe feed 3 times a day. Not too sure what to do. Shes been put through quite a lot during the problems with her teeth in terms of anesthetics, vet stays teeth grinding and just basically pain. I don't want to mess her round too much more its not fair. Any advice?

Please have her seen by a vet asap. It can be that the infection has gone further, but this is not a good sign and needs to be treated as an emergency. What antibiotic is she on?