Hi
I've just spoken to the vets after another reasonably successful feed of tit-bits (2 dandelions, several pieces of hay and 2 pieces of parsley).
They want her to stay here and for me to pick up some baytril which is fine, however:
1. they don't want to give me any more recovery and told me to stop syringe feeding her as she's eating on her own - she's only having pretty small amounts though but obviously this might be because she's full.
2. they won't give me any pain medication for her and told me to just use baytil. If she stops eating again I need to take her back but surely being on pain meds will help her eat?
3. they're not too keen on giving me fibreplex either?
Would really appreciate your input
Thanks, Louise xx
Cameo is doing better - she's pooing again now so thats good, they're going to keep her in over night to syringe feed her and continue her medication so that I don't have to be up all night again!
As for your questions above...
1 - Put your foot down - ask for some more - she's not eating anywhere near enough to sustain her. My vets are working with Cameo on the basis that a 1kg pig needs 120mls of critical care in a 24 hour period, so Cameo (being 1.03kg this morning!) is having at least 10mls every 2 hours as a minimum. She should be syringe fed until she's eating totally normally on her own. Obviously you can drop back on the feedings as she increases eating by herself. Was it a vet or a receptionist you spoke to about this?
2 - Depends on the medication - they're probably using either metacam (lasts 24 hours) or vetergesic (lasts 12 hours), so if you get home and after 4 hours she's not eating, she's still quite well dosed up. Pain meds can affect the gut (especially metacam, much like NSAIDs can in humans). If you're concerned she's in pain even though she's eating, you can book an appointment to see the vet to ask for another shot of pain relief. Since her spay, Cameo has only had injectable pain relief, although saying that, she's only been home one night rolleyes
3 - Again, who did you speak to about this?! Vet, nurse or receptionist? Fibreplex isn't a prescription medication, so you can buy it over the counter. As she's on baytril, they should be the ones trying to convince you to buy this. I ask who you spoke to, as a receptionist might not know the benefits of fibreplex, as they generally don't get involved with that kind of thing, and therefore think you're asking for medications that the vet hasn't prescribed, hence why they didn't sound too keen. I on the other hand, am a super duper receptionist, and know this stuff
