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Just got an update from the vets - apparently she's been very quiet all night and hasn't shown interest in eating on her own. She's had quite a bit of pain medication, antibiotics and gut motility drugs. They are syringe feeding her and seem to be getting quite a bit into her which is better than I was managing but she's not passing poops.

Can't believe how much she's gone downhill after we were doing so well.

I've begged them to ring me if there's a change one way or another so I don't feel a need to ring every hour in the hope that she may have improved.

I've got a really bad feeling about this. We lost Gwen in very similar circumstances only a few months ago (although she had been off her food before the hysterectomy) whereas Peggy was in pretty good health but with large ovarian cysts.

I was so much hoping that's she'd pick up as soon as she had some good pain medication.

Do any of you have opinions about nursing at home vs hospital?

I wanted her to stay in so they can give her all the medications she may need and also because I was struggling so hard to syringe feed her. I've syringe fed lots of pigs before without problems but I've not known one struggle as much as Peggy.

Obviously though in hospital, she's in an unfamiliar, possibly noisy environment and without her friends.

I just don't know what to do xx
 
If you're struggling to syringe feed her I really think staying in the vets has to be the very best option. Please don't feel you are failing by not being able to syringe feed her. I have had a little guy here for a couple of weeks now, who was brought to me because his owner couldn't feed him and I have to say he wasn't the easiest to feed. I have considerable experience with syringe feeding as I have probably spent the past three years syringe feeding various piggies as I take in dental pigs, but even I found him rather challenging. I managed to feed him because I have such a lot of experience but I can understand why it would've been hard for his owner. It's also very important to get a lot of syringe food in. If a piggie isnt eating they need approx 120 mls of syringe food per 24 hours.

If your piggie hasn't eaten much for a while it isn't surprising that no poops are appearing. Also syringe food doesn't produce much waste so taking into account that and the fact that her system was pretty much empty means it will take quite a while before she starts to produce poos.

I hope you get some more positive news soon. My thoughts are with you both x
 
Thank you so much.

I was getting so distressed and frustrated yesterday when I couldn't get any food or medicine into her and my emotions must rub off on her. Maybe its better to have someone doing it who isn't as emotionally attached to the piggie.

I really appreciate your message as it's very hard not to feel like you're failing her. Perhaps if she comes home and still needs her syringe, you may have some tips for particularly struggly pigs. I've read a lot about it and like I said, got on fine in the past. I guess her fighting spirit should be a good sign but then I'm thinking if the nurses at the vets are managing so easily, perhaps she's gone downhill even further :(

It's just hard when they're away from home and you want to check for signs of improvements every 5 minutes. I also worry so much that she may feel scared and lonely and need her home-comforts.

x
 
louise_stocker said:
Just got an update from the vets - apparently she's been very quiet all night and hasn't shown interest in eating on her own. She's had quite a bit of pain medication, antibiotics and gut motility drugs. They are syringe feeding her and seem to be getting quite a bit into her which is better than I was managing but she's not passing poops.

Can't believe how much she's gone downhill after we were doing so well.

I've begged them to ring me if there's a change one way or another so I don't feel a need to ring every hour in the hope that she may have improved.

I've got a really bad feeling about this. We lost Gwen in very similar circumstances only a few months ago (although she had been off her food before the hysterectomy) whereas Peggy was in pretty good health but with large ovarian cysts.

I was so much hoping that's she'd pick up as soon as she had some good pain medication.

Do any of you have opinions about nursing at home vs hospital?

I wanted her to stay in so they can give her all the medications she may need and also because I was struggling so hard to syringe feed her. I've syringe fed lots of pigs before without problems but I've not known one struggle as much as Peggy.

Obviously though in hospital, she's in an unfamiliar, possibly noisy environment and without her friends.

I just don't know what to do xx
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I think the fact that I left Cameo there for 3 days gives my opinion!

She's in a place where there's professionals to hand if she's unwell, people who can feed her as often as she needs, even though the night, without the extent of emotional attachment that you have with her. At a time like this, it may be best that she;s without the other piggies - if she's still not home today, maybe you could discuss taking another piggy in to keep her company? Explain she's never been on her own and it might help her perk up etc.

Good luck!
 
Thanks Amanda. You've made me feel better about leaving her at the hospital.

When Gwen was in a similar situation we took Daisy in for company. The vets had never had anyone suggest that before and I think they thought I was mad!

Unfortunately, it didn't really work out as they then weren't able to monitor her poops and also as soon as they put some fresh food in to tempt Gwen, Daisy would eat it so there was never any fresh food around for Gwen if she had wanted it.

Apparently she was a good nurse and cuddled up to her and was gentle but just ate all her food! You don't see that in the NHS.
 
Poor Peggy, so sorry you are having such a tough time. I agree that she is in the right place at the vets. You certainly have not failed her in any way shape or form. Syringe feeding a piggie when they fight against the syringe is very emotionally draining and so hard to do.

I hope you get some good news soon, sending healing vibes Peggy's way and hugs to you. x
 
sport_billy said:
Poor Peggy, so sorry you are having such a tough time. I agree that she is in the right place at the vets. You certainly have not failed her in any way shape or form. Syringe feeding a piggie when they fight against the syringe is very emotionally draining and so hard to do.

I hope you get some good news soon, sending healing vibes Peggy's way and hugs to you. x
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Thanks so much. I appreciate the support more than I can say and its so good to know there's people out there that know what I'm going through. I think non-piggy-loving people just don't understand x
 
Just catching up and so sorry to hear that things haven't been going so well. You definitely did the right thing taking her to the Vets and letting them look after her for a while. In doing so you've given her the very best chance, so that can't be a bad thing.

With regard to piggy company, you can always ask to keep one of Peggy's pals next to her, in a neighbouring cage rather than in the same cage. I've heard of lots of people doing this.

I really hope that whatever has caused this setback has been nipped in the bud, so she can continue to get stronger and better. Sending you both our love x
 
A neighbouring cage is a good idea - I'll see how she gets on today and maybe suggest it later on if there's no improvement.

I've just been advised that antibiotics may take a couple of days to really kick in so I'm trying really hard to stay positive.

I'll let you know if there's any more news and thanks again so much x
 
I've been racking my brains how we could do it as I didn't think they'd have neighbouring cages that would let them see each other. That makes sense though - still waiting for an update but I could suggest that.

Do you think they'll think I'm completely mad if I go in with another guinea pig and cage dividers?

I don't suppose it matters really as long as it gets her better xx
 
louise_stocker said:
I've been racking my brains how we could do it as I didn't think they'd have neighbouring cages that would let them see each other. That makes sense though - still waiting for an update but I could suggest that.

Do you think they'll think I'm completely mad if I go in with another guinea pig and cage dividers?

I don't suppose it matters really as long as it gets her better xx
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Call them and ask - point out that you think it'd help her recovery ;)
 
Just called for an update and to ask about bringing in a friend.

She's much the same, not eating on her own and very quiet. She has produced the tiniest amount of poop though so at least they must be managing to get something into her.

They didn't seem keen on the friend idea and talked about not being able to monitor faeces. I tried to explain about the grids and creating a divider where they could still see and talk to eat other but they said they wouldn't fit in their cages. They didn't even ask how big they were.

They wouldn't even entertain the idea for another 24 hours but said we could see how things stood then.

Just feel helpless :(
 
I so wish you lived closer, then I would have her and a friend to me, and I would syringe feed her for you. I think for now you're just going to have to leave her at the vets. Can you go in and visit her? I really think that could perk her up a bit, and would also make you feel a bit better too.
 
That's so kind of you, thank you, and I would definitely take you up on the offer if we lived closer.

The nurse did say there was only one other dog in the room and he was being extremely quiet. She did say she was in a very calm environment although I know its still unfamiliar and not home. They do seem to be giving her quite a lot of meds in injection form though which she wouldn't get at home.

It's such a juggling act knowing what is best.

I'll ask about a visit tomorrow if she's not coming home. I think they'll be getting ready to close for today.

I've told them I'll call before bedtime to see if there's any change.

Thanks again x
 
Thinking of you both. We have everything crossed for you, hoping for good news soon.

Susan, Yossi and Little Bud x
 
Just had another update - I think the nurses are starting to lose patience with me calling all the time.

Things are much the same - still no interest in food and very quiet. They did say they'd thought about the cage-mate thing and thought they could put them both in a larger kennel, with a hamster cage inside the kennel which Peggy can go in. I know a hamster cage sounds terrible but I don't think its an issue at the moment as she's not moving much.

My other half also had a good idea this evening. We could ask if we could bring Peggy home for a few hours with the intention of taking her back later on (unless she makes a massive improvement at home). I have this uncertainty in my mind that she might just start eating on her own if she's home and trying that as an experiment would answer the question.

I have also been practising my swaddling technique for syringe feeding. I tried it on a soft toy guinea pig first then on Daisy. Daisy normally squirms a lot but she stayed swaddled for a good 5 minutes or so before she started to get fed up. I didn't really manage to get the front feed tucked in though - they kept escaping!

Hope tomorrow brings some progress, I feel like we're getting nowhere at the moment.

Thanks again for everyone's support. It means a lot. x
 
They'll phone you if there's any change, they're probably just really busy, it's not always easy for them to be able to chat on the phone.

Cameo has also been back at the vets today - what a pair they are!
 
I guess it hasn't actually been that long, considering what a big op it was, even though it must feel like an eternity to you (which I can truly appreciate.)

Don't worry about the Nurses. You're perfectly entitled to be anxious/worried and missing her. I'd be exactly the same. It's great that at least they're thinking of possible housing options though.

I really hope that there's a breakthrough soon. Hang in there x
 
Poor little Peggy. At least the vets are thinking of a way to try the cagemate thing. Peggy must be missing her cagemate and that won't help her recovery.

Paws crossed that she starts to recover soon.

Gemma, Ginny and Saffy xx
 
Really hope Peggy is doing better this morning and the vets have some good news for you x>>
 
Gemma McD said:
Really hope Peggy is doing better this morning and the vets have some good news for you x>>
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Me too! Let us know how she's getting on! Everything crossed for you!

Me and Cameo are back off to the vets in an hour rolleyes
 
Thanks so much guys.

The plan today is to ring the vets at about 9 and ask about the possibility of bringing Peggy home for maybe half the day. See how she responds to her other cagemates and her home and generally make a fuss of her and encourage her to eat everything we can think of. May also practice syringe feeding again.

If there's not a miracle we'll take her back with a friend (do you think its okay to leave one at home - she's a baby - approx 12 weeks old). Of course, we'll make a fuss and make sure she's not lonely. This is the problem of having a bonded trio - I don't want to push my luck with the vets and ask to take 2 extra in.

Amanda - please let me know how Cameo gets on - I hope she's not gone downhill too :( I haven't seen any updates on Cameo's thread so hopefully its not too bad.
 
louise_stocker said:
Thanks so much guys.

The plan today is to ring the vets at about 9 and ask about the possibility of bringing Peggy home for maybe half the day. See how she responds to her other cagemates and her home and generally make a fuss of her and encourage her to eat everything we can think of. May also practice syringe feeding again.

If there's not a miracle we'll take her back with a friend (do you think its okay to leave one at home - she's a baby - approx 12 weeks old). Of course, we'll make a fuss and make sure she's not lonely. This is the problem of having a bonded trio - I don't want to push my luck with the vets and ask to take 2 extra in.

Amanda - please let me know how Cameo gets on - I hope she's not gone downhill too :( I haven't seen any updates on Cameo's thread so hopefully its not too bad.
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I know what you mean about having a trio!

Cameo started passing blood yesterday - not sure if its as a result of her spay or a coincidence - but she's no better today and isnt eating by herself so back we go.... :{
 
I'm so sorry Amanda. I hope the vets can sort her out quickly.

As it pretty impossible for us to know how our pigs really feel, I read about hysterectomy recovery on the NHS site. It does make you appreciate what a big op it is. It takes a lady 6-8 weeks to recover fully. I know everything happens quicker in little pigs but it made me feel a little better about it.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Hysterectomy/Pages/Recovery.aspx

I hope it helps to know there's someone out there who is going through the same thing. Maybe one day when Peggy & Cameo are all better they can meet up and have a girly chat about what they've been through! x
 
Thanks so much for the messages. The latest update...

Peggy has come home for a few hours (they did say if she was eating she could stay at home). I've managed to swaddle her and she took 3 pieces of parsley, some cucumber rind and about 20 pieces of hay from me!

She still looks miserable and when I put her in the cage she sits in the corner facing the corner.

I'm going to try a syringe at about 1pm and see how I get on. They've given me some recovery. I have critical care at home - should I feed what they gave me or use our critical care do you think?

They said if she wasn't eating I can take her back at 6pm for the night (or if I can't syringe her to take her back at 4pm). Can't decide what to do but will see how things go over the next couple of hours and how the syringe feed goes.

Hope Cameo got on okay? Please let us know - thinking of you.

It's a good job I work for myself from home - but I'm getting nothing done!

Thank you all again x
 
Wow that's brilliant that Peggy has managed that solid food. Keep it up Peggy!

What is she getting in the way of pain meds? Did they say how long the effect of any pain relief injections would last? Pain could definitely cause her to sit facing the corner of the cage but it's definitely a good sign that she still has some appetite for food.

Some people add a bit of sugar-free cranberry juice (like Ocean Spray Light) to syringe feeds, to make it more appetising. (My pigs hate the taste of cranberry but it could be worth a try as it does work for some.)
 
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