Stones...Kidney removal in an older pig with heart condition
He's on Metacam for pain. He's also on Reglan, Cisipride, Probi, Enro, Enacard, Lasix, Cytra-K, Cholestyramine, and Gas-X
I'm the only one who seems worried - they thought his behavior was normal...so I'm probably just worrying too much. Beppo and his brother, Speed are our first pigs, so I just don't really know what to expect.
I'm the only one who seems worried - they thought his behavior was normal...so I'm probably just worrying too much. Beppo and his brother, Speed are our first pigs, so I just don't really know what to expect.
I think he is.... Not eating, not moving... The vet recommended syringe feeding twice a day 10-15cc but I've been trying 6-7cc every 4 hours sine he isn't eating anything else. I'm going to start weighing before and after to see how much is getting in and how much he's spitting out. I've tried mixing with Odwalla juice and pedialyte but he didn't like either. Going to try mixing with a little carrot baby food next...he's never been a fan of critical care, but will usually go for it when mixed with the Odwalla...
Glad to hear Beppo came through surgery, but he desperately needs you feeding him to have the strength to pull through recovery. I'm not a big fan of Exotic's feeding instructions, & think your plan is better.
Have you looked over the hand feeding page?
https://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html#techniques
I'm not sure what size syringe you're using, but it's a lot easier to manipulate a pig into eating with a 1cc syringe (with the tip cut off).
Critical Care is best to feed. Every pig is different, but I've had luck mixing in some canned pumpkin. Another of mine enjoyed it mixed with (unsweetened) cranberry juice. And while you don't want it too runny, make sure it has a smooth consistency. When my Creole was ill, he improved significantly once I started making it moister.
Are you offering him any water? Creole was my only experience with Cholestyramine, but he was absolutely GAGA for the stuff! I mixed it with water, & syringed it to him in between bites of Critical Care.
Make sure you aren't giving the Metacam, Enro or Enacard on an empty stomach, since they can all cause stomach upset/affect the appetite.
Sending Beppo healing vibes, & keep us posted!
Have you looked over the hand feeding page?
https://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html#techniques
I'm not sure what size syringe you're using, but it's a lot easier to manipulate a pig into eating with a 1cc syringe (with the tip cut off).
Critical Care is best to feed. Every pig is different, but I've had luck mixing in some canned pumpkin. Another of mine enjoyed it mixed with (unsweetened) cranberry juice. And while you don't want it too runny, make sure it has a smooth consistency. When my Creole was ill, he improved significantly once I started making it moister.
Are you offering him any water? Creole was my only experience with Cholestyramine, but he was absolutely GAGA for the stuff! I mixed it with water, & syringed it to him in between bites of Critical Care.
Make sure you aren't giving the Metacam, Enro or Enacard on an empty stomach, since they can all cause stomach upset/affect the appetite.
Sending Beppo healing vibes, & keep us posted!
Thanks for the tips, Elvis...this morning Beppo took a piece of red bell pepper from me and moved it around. Looked like he was interested in eating it, but never did. I'll try mixing his cholestyramine in water, I've always mixed it in CC. When Beppo was well(er) that is the only time he would eat the CC on his own
I did read the hand feeding page and got some tips from there...I did find that the 1cc syringes work a lot better than the 10cc syringe I was using before his surgery.
He's moving around a teeny bit more today and not squinting his eyes so much, so I hope that means he's starting to feel a little better.
I did read the hand feeding page and got some tips from there...I did find that the 1cc syringes work a lot better than the 10cc syringe I was using before his surgery.
He's moving around a teeny bit more today and not squinting his eyes so much, so I hope that means he's starting to feel a little better.
Sounds positive. Less eye squinting is always a good thing.
Has he been uninterested in the CC mixed with Cholestyramine since surgery? The only reason I mixed it with water instead was so I didn't have to worry about getting in all the CC. Turned out to be a plus, since it got him to drink more (so I started mixing it with even more water).
Has he been uninterested in the CC mixed with Cholestyramine since surgery? The only reason I mixed it with water instead was so I didn't have to worry about getting in all the CC. Turned out to be a plus, since it got him to drink more (so I started mixing it with even more water).
Yeah, he was generally uninterested in everything yesterday and this morning. His feeding an hour ago went well, he didn't resist nearly as much and didnt keep holding the CC in his mouth to spit out. He seemed to like the cholestyramine mixed with water so I'll keep doing that. I was also syringing him some plain water too since he still isn't eating or drinking on his own. I'm weighing him before and after each feeding and so far after losing a few grams yesterday, he's stayed pretty constant or gained a gram here and there...he was also moving around while I had him sitting next to me on the couch earlier after his mid-day feeding. Seems like he's felling a teeny bit better :)
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