Scooter has lost weight
Hey DaCourt you stole my pigies name. Well actually i may have stole your piggys name. Anyhow im glad to read that your pig is doing good just wanted to let you know thats my pigs name also.
Just got back from the vet. We got the xrays done. Let's just say, they suprised Dr. R so much that he had 2 of the other vets come in and look at them too.
When he was doing the examination, he said his bet was on URI and heart, or both. He asked if there was any signs of pain when he peed or pooped. Just then Scooter peed and pooped on him without a sound being made. He said, well, that's a no. I told him that one of the things that crossed my mind was stones. He asked if there was ever any discharge or blood. I told him no. When I had put him in a cage by himself for those 2 days, I put dark fleece in for the 1st day (discharge) and light fleece the 2nd day (blood). I never saw anything.
So we were all surprised to see two large, pee sized stones in the xray. Not only that, but there is also a sack which has about 5 tiny little stones. He was very surprised he did not feel the 2 large ones, especially because of how think Scooter is. The other 2 vets held Scooter, felt for the stones, and could not feel them either. They are very high up. The sack is lower.
He wants to get some weight on Scooter before he operates. He is afraid he won't survive the surgery if he does it now. So, he is is back on Metacam and is also on Baytril. Yesterday, we aslo started him on poop soup with vit. B, acidophilus, and aluminum hydroxide. He is slowly getting a little of his appetite back. He is scheduled for next Tuesday to have them removed. I have to call Dr. R every 2 days to give him a progress report on his weight.
When he was doing the examination, he said his bet was on URI and heart, or both. He asked if there was any signs of pain when he peed or pooped. Just then Scooter peed and pooped on him without a sound being made. He said, well, that's a no. I told him that one of the things that crossed my mind was stones. He asked if there was ever any discharge or blood. I told him no. When I had put him in a cage by himself for those 2 days, I put dark fleece in for the 1st day (discharge) and light fleece the 2nd day (blood). I never saw anything.
So we were all surprised to see two large, pee sized stones in the xray. Not only that, but there is also a sack which has about 5 tiny little stones. He was very surprised he did not feel the 2 large ones, especially because of how think Scooter is. The other 2 vets held Scooter, felt for the stones, and could not feel them either. They are very high up. The sack is lower.
He wants to get some weight on Scooter before he operates. He is afraid he won't survive the surgery if he does it now. So, he is is back on Metacam and is also on Baytril. Yesterday, we aslo started him on poop soup with vit. B, acidophilus, and aluminum hydroxide. He is slowly getting a little of his appetite back. He is scheduled for next Tuesday to have them removed. I have to call Dr. R every 2 days to give him a progress report on his weight.
Honestly, Mum...I am not sure. Nikki told me to get it for him. She uses it with her pigs. We figured out he had started losing weight after he wnet off metacam, so she thought he migh tbe having upset stomach. It is one of the active ingredients in products like Mylanta.
EDIT: Just found this link
http://www.gianteagle.com/healthnotes/Drug/Aluminum_Hydroxide.htm
EDIT: Just found this link
http://www.gianteagle.com/healthnotes/Drug/Aluminum_Hydroxide.htm
You think the metacam dulled the pain for a temporary time? Once it wore off, the stones were hurting and caused him to stop eating?
The AH can be helpful for pigs with kidney problems, and does something to excess calcium.
Good luck.
The AH can be helpful for pigs with kidney problems, and does something to excess calcium.
Good luck.
Not sure Sus...just somthing Nikki was tossing around. She asked me when he went off the Metacam and when he started dropping weight. Just so happened his weight started dropping after he went off of it. He had dropped weight right after his teeth were done and was down to about 850. Over the next week he got as high as 965. He went off the Metecam on Tuesday, and that is when he started to drop again.
He is back on Metacam. But now I have a question.
I was asked tonight about the shape of the stones and the location. They are perfectly round and a pretty good size. It was mentioned that because of the shape of these stones, along with the size and quantity of the smaller ones, that this is not a good sign.
I don't know enough about how stones form so I want to get everyone's opinion. I was told that this probably means he is in kidney failure, and that is may not be in his best interest to put him through the ordeal of surgery. Of course, I want to do what is best for Scooter, and not just for me. I don't want to put him through more than his small little body can handle. Dr. R is always very optimistic and I am sure in mind Scooter will be ok. But if we remove the stones, and if he is able to get all of them, then what? Am I just tormenting Scooter and causing him mroe pain in the long run?
I was asked tonight about the shape of the stones and the location. They are perfectly round and a pretty good size. It was mentioned that because of the shape of these stones, along with the size and quantity of the smaller ones, that this is not a good sign.
I don't know enough about how stones form so I want to get everyone's opinion. I was told that this probably means he is in kidney failure, and that is may not be in his best interest to put him through the ordeal of surgery. Of course, I want to do what is best for Scooter, and not just for me. I don't want to put him through more than his small little body can handle. Dr. R is always very optimistic and I am sure in mind Scooter will be ok. But if we remove the stones, and if he is able to get all of them, then what? Am I just tormenting Scooter and causing him mroe pain in the long run?
Poor Scooter. But at least you know what the problem is.
I would do the surgery.
All three of mine have had various surgeries, but not for stones.
In each case it improved their quality of life. Lightning lived almost a year and a half and VERY well after his abscess surgery.
Pandora has done very well almost seventeen months after her spay and Pippin is better than ever almost two years after he had his tummy lump removed.
I would do the surgery.
All three of mine have had various surgeries, but not for stones.
In each case it improved their quality of life. Lightning lived almost a year and a half and VERY well after his abscess surgery.
Pandora has done very well almost seventeen months after her spay and Pippin is better than ever almost two years after he had his tummy lump removed.
It's not the surgery that concerns me. It is what is causing the stones in the first place. This touched a nerve with someone in OCCH because it was very similar to one of our rescues that had the same perfectly round stones and the same cluster of small ones. He did not make it through the night. He was in full blown kidney failure. I just don't want to have the surgery because it is what I want. I want to be as kind as possible to Scooter.
-
ellenvega
- Skol Pigs!
It doesn't appear there is an easy answer for this. If he perks up now and puts on weight perhaps the surgery will go well for him. But it seems that certain types of stones usually come back, and it will be an issue you'll face again.
However, if this was happening to one of my pigs I would see if he improves enough for surgery, to give him a chance in case it's a one-time thing. And maybe with a special diet and other meds the stones could be held at bay.
But I know it's a tough decision to make.
However, if this was happening to one of my pigs I would see if he improves enough for surgery, to give him a chance in case it's a one-time thing. And maybe with a special diet and other meds the stones could be held at bay.
But I know it's a tough decision to make.
-
Pigginess
- You are my sunshine
I think a urinalysis could determine if he is in kidney failure.
Also, if you have the surgery you might want to have Dr. R contact Michelle Hawkins and arrange to send her the stones. She is doing a bladder stone study and would be able to analyze them the give you information on them.
Michelle Hawkins, VMD Dipl. ABVP (Avian Practice)
Assistant Professor
Companion Avian and Exotic Pet Service
(530) 752-1363
mghawkins@ucdavis.edu
Also, if you have the surgery you might want to have Dr. R contact Michelle Hawkins and arrange to send her the stones. She is doing a bladder stone study and would be able to analyze them the give you information on them.
Michelle Hawkins, VMD Dipl. ABVP (Avian Practice)
Assistant Professor
Companion Avian and Exotic Pet Service
(530) 752-1363
mghawkins@ucdavis.edu
I think you'll have to go with your gut on this one. It's not an easy decision. I like the idea of waiting to see how he looks in a few days so you can feel confident he's strong enough for the surgery.
I'm sorry, I don't have any good advice for you but I'll definitely be thinking of you and Scooter.
I'm sorry, I don't have any good advice for you but I'll definitely be thinking of you and Scooter.
-
cavyslave8
- I GAVE, dammit!
I'm sorry to hear about Scooter's troubles. I am glad that you got some answers.
I would also see how he looks in a few days and go from there. We're thinking of you.
I would also see how he looks in a few days and go from there. We're thinking of you.