Sagan's Medical Thread
Neither noted heart concerns...I hope they would if they had them. We went through lots of issues with our first pig with them...he was a heart pig.
Sagan's congestion went away after we stopped force feeding him last. We could hear it when he made his sounds and a few other times...then he sneezed or coughed loudly twice and seems ok now. His eyes are much brighter since being back in his cage.
Sagan's congestion went away after we stopped force feeding him last. We could hear it when he made his sounds and a few other times...then he sneezed or coughed loudly twice and seems ok now. His eyes are much brighter since being back in his cage.
That's what I'm hoping. I was definitely panicked when I heard it initially.
Since the stones are in both ureters, the vet mentioned being concerned that Sagan wasn't able to urinate. He did twice while we were at the vet--no blood and no signs of pain. How will we know if he has lost the ability to urinate other than separating him from his cage mate? Would he show a clear indication of change in pain level? I know he wouldn't survive long after losing this ability. I just don't want him to be suffering, but want to buy as much time with him as I can.
Since the stones are in both ureters, the vet mentioned being concerned that Sagan wasn't able to urinate. He did twice while we were at the vet--no blood and no signs of pain. How will we know if he has lost the ability to urinate other than separating him from his cage mate? Would he show a clear indication of change in pain level? I know he wouldn't survive long after losing this ability. I just don't want him to be suffering, but want to buy as much time with him as I can.
I should also mention, surgery was not an option in our area. I have read that even if we found someone to do the surgery, it would leave a bump in the ureters which would make it likely to gather a stone again. Is it unusual to have stones in both ureters like this?
I was wrong, I can still hear congestion when he talks but not in breathing. His right eye is now runny too.
- Sef
- I dissent.
From what I've read (and my own experience with Zachary), no. Ureteral stones appear to be fairly aggressive and fast-forming.Is it unusual to have stones in both ureters like this?
As far as inability to urinate...that never became an issue for Zachary, despite having multiple stones in both ureters. The biggest problem was the failure of his kidneys. Towards the latter stages, he had lost a dramatic amount of weight and clearly didn't feel well.
I'm so sorry that you're both dealing with this stuff.
How are you hand-feeding him? I still wonder if he may have aspirated a bit of the CC.
Thank you. Yes we are still giving CC. The only thing he is willing to eat now is lettuce. He no longer resists the CC, but doesn't go for it either.
Do we give him something in case it is an infection? No nasal discharge but congested sometimes and has the eye discharge on one side.
So my question for all of you would be, am I crazy for giving him more time? Am I being cruel? I know the ultimate outcome, I just feel like it is giving up to throw in the towel....but I'm petrified of putting him through the pain of being unable to urinate, if he hits that point. We have never had to make this decision and it just sickens us. I have a hard time because he doesn't seem at the point of no return like Milo so often did.
He currently has no UTI...no squealing while going to the bathroom..no blood...moves around fine (but doesn't want to).
Do we give him something in case it is an infection? No nasal discharge but congested sometimes and has the eye discharge on one side.
So my question for all of you would be, am I crazy for giving him more time? Am I being cruel? I know the ultimate outcome, I just feel like it is giving up to throw in the towel....but I'm petrified of putting him through the pain of being unable to urinate, if he hits that point. We have never had to make this decision and it just sickens us. I have a hard time because he doesn't seem at the point of no return like Milo so often did.
He currently has no UTI...no squealing while going to the bathroom..no blood...moves around fine (but doesn't want to).
Are you mixing the CC with pumpkin? If not try that or pureed cucumbers. The cucumbers were especially popular with one of my pigs who had kidney failure.
Is his abdomen bigger and feeling sort of like a water balloon if you push on it? When my kidney failure pig was failing, he developed ascites (abdominal fluid). Lasix helps to stimulate its removal and, in the case of my pig, also stimulated his appetite.
Still looking to see if I can find anything else to suggest.
Is his abdomen bigger and feeling sort of like a water balloon if you push on it? When my kidney failure pig was failing, he developed ascites (abdominal fluid). Lasix helps to stimulate its removal and, in the case of my pig, also stimulated his appetite.
Still looking to see if I can find anything else to suggest.