Noddy's sick. Aerococcus. Please help

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BamBam

Post   » Mon Aug 08, 2011 4:04 pm


Yes, the last vet I saw to discuss blood samples used to over cut a toe nail but apparently the new analysis equipment (you'd know more about that Hilary) requires more than can be provided by the technique.

Hilary Holmes

Post   » Wed Aug 10, 2011 12:15 pm


I'm sorry to report Noddy seems to have taken another dip, his weight is falling, even though I'm syringe feeding with Critical Care and tempting him with is favourite treats. There seems little point taking him to the vet, given what was said last time, and I fear the vet will just say the time has come, which I don't believe it has.
Noddy is eating the newspaper which lines his cage, is there a reason for this, and is it harmful?

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DMac
Supporter in '10, '11, & '12

Post   » Wed Aug 10, 2011 12:27 pm


I had a pig eat cage liner once while he was having a soft poop episode. I thought at the time that it was probably because he was unable to eat his caecal pellets because of the soft poop situation, so he was eating it off the the cage liner where it ended up. Can you give your pig poop soup?

Hilary Holmes

Post   » Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:24 pm


DMac, thanks for that. I'll try anything! Sorry to seem dense, but what is poop soup? He's passing solid poops, some of which I'm hand feeding him. I've not seen any other poops. In the past he has had some problems with impaction, which I've had to help him with, but that doesn't seem to be an issue just now.

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BamBam

Post   » Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:29 pm


Poop soup = poops mixed with water so you can syringe feed it to him. Mind you if he's eating them without the water then I'd give the water a miss.

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gvstate01

Post   » Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:01 pm


I usually give poop soup from another healthy gp. Do you have another piggie that can surrender a poo? :D

Hilary Holmes

Post   » Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:55 pm


Thanks, sorry to be so dense! Yes, I'm sure Maggie could spare a few. Shall I give them in addition to giving him his own?

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mkkayla
Supporter in '14

Post   » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:09 pm


Don't use his, only hers, need to be from a healthy pig.

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DMac
Supporter in '10, '11, & '12

Post   » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:20 pm


Try to get a caecal pellet. That's what he really needs. I've read that some people give regular poops if they can't get a caecal, but I'm not sure how effective it is.

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BamBam

Post   » Wed Aug 10, 2011 5:47 pm


Come on people - what are we missing here?

Noddy isn't old, is an indoor pig with absolutely everything a pig could need - most importantly a fantastic mum.

Is the bacterial infection a symptom rather than a cause? Would it cause such a dramatic loss of appetite?

Is his immune system compromised, making him susceptible to infection?

Talishan
You can quote me

Post   » Wed Aug 10, 2011 11:24 pm


Without reading back, has a urinalysis been done? General body X-ray?

I'd want a blood draw but NOT via vena cava. Is there anyone you can get to who will attempt a blood draw from a leg/hip vein?

Has Flagyl (metronidazole) been considered and/or given? It is not a true antibiotic but an antimicrobial and is generally well tolerated. It can get rid of certain bacteria but also protozoans, amoebae (sp?) and the like.

Eating the newspaper is fine, if it is printed with soy-based ink (most common everyday newspapers are nowdays). We had one with chronic GI problems who ate cardboard and paper regularly. It actually helps, pushing insoluble fiber through the system.

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gvstate01

Post   » Thu Aug 11, 2011 12:02 am


Agreed on the vena cava. I personally would only attempt that in a life/death situation. I had a blood draw for a glucose test via front leg. My vet has needles small enough for this; however, once she was pricked with the needle, she bled enough for a sample!

Agree with everything Talishan said :) And I'd like to throw in a recent experience with a kidney infection. I'm not sure if this causes weight loss (I caught it early), but any test that can be done if blood is taken is a good idea :)

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