Poorly piggy

[Frouby]

My poor little Rubble pig has an UTI. He has finished his.course of baytril tonight and after rallying a bit mid week is going downhill again. His breathing is laboured, he hasn't run away when getting him out for his meds and isn't struggling even for the vile tasting metacam.

He is still eating hand picked grass though. And still drinking though I suspect it's the metacam keeping him going.

Poor piggy is only 2. Am ringing the vets tomorrow for a phone consultation as I can't see the point of dragging him down of there is nothing else they can do.

Anyone any advice? Pretty sure he has pneumonia and wondered is anyone has brought one back from it? Love my little piggy and don't want him to suffer of there is no hope but don't want to give up when he is still eating.

Sorry not a UTI an upper respiratory tract infection.

Hi op, sorry to hear this. My Fuzzbert suffers with regular respiratory infections. Baytrill usually sorts them out but last year he became quite poorly so the vet did a trachea flush (to collect a swab) and the cultures came back with a name for the bacteria and what antibiotics were needed to tackle it. Within 24 hours of being on the right ABs he rallied and he’s still here (recovering from yet another uri!). To get him through I syringe fed him Critical Care and also water every few hours - including through the night. Mushed up pellets and water would also work until you can get critical care. Careful on the syringing, not too much or fast or he’ll choke.

Hope this helps? Thinking of Rubbie pig and hoping he rallies. Is there an emergency vet who can advise over the phone?

I phoned the vets yesterday and they just said keep an eye on him, finish the ABs and phone again monday.

He really picked up on Wednesday so am pretty gutted he's gone downhill.

Vet recommend baby food (the purees) instead of critical care as long as it's eothrr fruit or veggies as less likely to choke or inhale as it's sweeter so they lap it rather than it being forced in via a syringe? Am not sure but he is still eating naice bits like celery leaves, grass and grated carrot.

The metacam is definetly keeping him going. He starts struggling about 3pm as his last dose wears off, had another dose at 5pm and is brighter by 8pm.

I don't really want anything else invasive tho. He was really distressed at the vets last week and I thought I would lose him that afternoon. And I know Abs and piggies aren't the best mix.

Vets gave him an anti inflammatory and ABs last week. I would let him have the anti inflammatory again, either orally or via a jag but I don't think I would want him scoping or anything I don't think he would survive a GA and I don't want loads of interventions. Would rather he go tonight in his own bed with his friend by his side.

He is such a little character too. You shouldn't have favourites but he is definitely mine.

Just about to nip off again to the grass verge and pick more grass in my pjs and slippers. Neighbours must think I am odd but at least he is still eating I suppose.

Will see what vet advises in the morning if he is still here.

Totally understand the not wanting to mess him about. We have said the same but it’s hard isn’t it? You just want to do what’s right for them but also make sure you’ve done all that you can for them.

I know. You are damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Am wondering if the vet will give a different AB based on a telephone call. They are pretty good vets generally and were understanding Saturday when I said I didn't want to bring him back down.

While he is eating I will keep trying but if he stops I think I would either let nature take it's course or have him pts if I think he is in pain. Have lots of metacam so in an emergency could give him an extra dose to relieve any suffering overnight for instance.

Poor piggy.

Eating is a good sign, maybe try to keep him hydrated too. Fingers crossed op. I hope he rallies, they do worm their way into our hearts don’t they? Thinking of you too.

Well he is still with us this morning and looking ever so slightly brighter. His breathing is still laboured but not as loud, he doesn't have any mucas on his nose or eyes and he is ferreting around in the bottom of their cage looking for the apple tree stick I brought home for them.

Drinking ok too and even having a little chunter at his friend over the water bottle.

Only vets open this morning is about 8 mile away so leaving him today and will phone my own surgery tomorrow if I think he needs more ABs. Have plenty of metacam so he won't particularly be in pain and it is an anti inflammatory too.

Fingers crossed tho he does OK without more ABs. They aren't brilliant for piggies so hoping he can shake it off himself.

Good to hear Frouby!

We also have a guinea savvy vet and he has nebulised Fuzz in the past which has really helped his breathing and sometimes, somehow makes his rattle disappear. Sometimes we can also help him if we run the shower and take him in the bathroom whilst it’s on for a steam treatment. Honest to god, we have the most faffy, most pampered pig in the world! But I love the little fella so i’m prepared to pander to his (many needs!).

I might possibly have done some googling last night and used DS baby inhaler thing to give him a bit of ventolin. Piggies can have most of the same drugs as horses and ventopulmin is given horses quite readily, and is safe for babies so he might have had a puff of ventolin last night and this morning and just now.

He seems brighter in himself without the abs. And the metacam will be keeping him comfortable so am going to play it by ear.

I do have a steroid inhaler as well but am reluctant to give it as there are contraindications with horses. And the metacam is an anti inflammatory too so not worth the risk.

I don't normally do DIY medical treatment for pets but desperate times call for desperate.measures.