Help for Casper - deaf/blind white baby with teeth problems

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pigsforlife3

Post   » Mon May 05, 2008 5:38 am


Casper is very very cute.

Unfortunately all of the 'normal' vets dont know a hell of alot about pigs and so I would not believe anything the vet on Risely Street told you until you have seen Dr Vickeridge. I had to take Ella to the Balcatta Emergency Vet when she first came here as it was after hours, and looking back they did alot of things wrong.

Grating veggies up is a good idea, pigs with teeth problems tend to find it easier to eat this way. I have also found that the pigs like the Critical Care better if it is as thick as possible - yet can still be syringed up. It takes a bit of experimenting but it gets easier with practice.

If she isnt eating by herself at all, then you need to aim to get about 50mls of the CC down her each day. It is a heck of alot I know. Be sure she is getting plenty of fluids as well.

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salana
GL is Just Peachy

Post   » Mon May 05, 2008 8:20 am


Einy's lower jaw was a total mess and he lived to 2 and a half.

EllieMom

Post   » Mon May 05, 2008 9:30 am


Casper is a beauty, and lucky to have you. Sometimes doctors are pessimistic because they assume that people aren't willing to do what's necessary to keep these little guys. Einy is a great example.

You've got her this far. She's weaned. She's eating grated vegetables. You've got Critical Care and know how to syringe feed her. Most lethals never get to that place, so most doctors know zip about what's possible and what's not.

Hang in there, Casper and Caspersmom.

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Bethie
Still supporting in 2014

Post   » Mon May 05, 2008 2:04 pm


She is beautiful. All you can do is give her your best for whatever time she has. I hope she does well.

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mmercedesmom
Supporter in '09

Post   » Mon May 05, 2008 3:49 pm


She is adorable and I think she looks great. She sounds like one determined piggy too, feeding Critical Care will help, and is a great bonding time for you two.

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amy m guinea

Post   » Mon May 05, 2008 9:41 pm


She looks great! I admire what you are doing for this beautiful little girl. Her pictures are so cute.

Can I ask how you filed down her tooth? Did you use a metal file? I am very curious.

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Caspersmom

Post   » Mon May 05, 2008 9:47 pm


Casper definitely does not like the Critical Care watery (we had quite the few fights over it yesterday), thanks for that tip on making it thick, good idea!

She is eating all on her own now, and putting on grams with each meal, but I'm going to supplement with a bit of Critical Care till I get in to Dr. Vickeridge.

Also, does anyone know if it's ok for pigs to eat Wonder Wheat Cat Litter? It says its safe for them - I put some in their litter box yesterday and they both love it (it's small enough for Casper to eat, too). It's 100% wheat grain, very starchy, but weight isn't an issue for either pig.

I'm also going to start another post under Reference on her feral mom Pig, who's made an amazing turnaround with a proper size cage and hiding spots, as I think this is more important than newbies like me realize!

klynne

Post   » Mon May 05, 2008 10:15 pm


"Most lethals never get to that place, so most doctors know zip about what's possible and what's not."

Well said, EllieMom.

Caspersmom, I wouldn't let them eat the Wheat litter stuff. It may say it's fine, but then, exercise balls and cedar chips are still marketed for gps, right?

Grains are indeed very starchy and you will most likely wind up with pigs with a gut flora imbalance, diarrhea, stasis, all that glorious and life-threatening stuff.

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Caspersmom

Post   » Mon May 05, 2008 11:14 pm


Amy M, I used a small metal file and very gently ran it back and forth across the pointed end of her tooth - it didn't take long at all, just had to be careful to not file her lip.

I've removed the wheat litter!

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Caspersmom

Post   » Fri May 09, 2008 1:06 am


Update on Casper - I just got home from the specialist. Casper has only one upper front tooth (the one I filed down) and we couldn't see a lower tooth at all, though I'm sure I saw a small pointy one there last week - maybe it fell out?

Casper's back teeth are also growing in wrong, at an angle over her tongue, so she was knocked out and had them trimmed. She's on .72 of metacam twice a day for pain, but she started eating about 5 minutes after waking up so that's good. And she's eating again, now back at home.

I'm taking her back for a check up in three weeks (I did such a good job on filing her one front tooth down that the vet wants to see it grown back in - in the future, the vet said I can just file that sharp tip off the front tooth myself like I did, and she'll keep an eye on the back teeth). I'm also getting her mom Pig spayed at the same time, to prevent her from getting cysts.

Thanks to everyone here for helping me through this emergency - I really appreciate your advice and all the kind words. Casper does too but she's too busy stuffing her face to write a proper thank you!

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babytulip07

Post   » Fri May 09, 2008 7:30 am


I am so glad to hear Casper is doing well. She looks a lot like my lethal Maddie. If she is eating on her own and gets supplemented with Critical Care then I think she has a good shot at living a wonderful life.

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Catie Cavy
Supporter 2011-2020

Post   » Fri May 09, 2008 7:58 am


I just want to make sure you are comfortable getting the mom spayed. Does your vet have a lot of experience spaying guinea pigs? Is the only reason to prevent getting cysts? I'm terribly biased on this issue because I had one guinea pig spayed and she died later that same day, probably from a blood clot. In my mind I feel like there is a 100% failure rate even though many others here have experience with sucessful spays. Every surgery carries some risk. Just want you to think this through and not automatically do it because your vet recommended it.

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