Radar seems to be doing great with the doxy - for now! This is the first time in weeks I have not had to take him in to the vet to have his abcess drained. I was ready to party! Then I had to take Reba in instead.
We have noticed lately that Rojita was being a bigger bully towards her - or at least she was being more of a whiner and snitching on Ro, so that daddy would come running, waving the back-scratcher of Doom.
Then I noticed at the regular weigh-in a couple days ago that her weight had dropped from 1082 to 982. I started looking closer. But everything else looked good and her weight has always fluctuated. However, Wednesday nite I had that "feeling". Her weight was now 954. She also seems to be hopping when she walks and isn't moving away from her bed to pee. Unusual for her. I spoke my concerns to husband and watched a brown daddy turn white. This is the diva... the star... Miss July... the BABY! His siezure kitty is the only other one that comes close in his heart.
This morning her weight was 932 and I called the vet. One nostril was kinda yucky and her white ear was bright pink. Vet said her lungs are clear and heart sounds good. Nose ever has gotten yucky again since I cleaned it the first time. But lymph glands felt kinda swollen to the vet and she did have a fever. Started her on Baytril and gave her fluids with some b12 thrown in.
The vet couldn't judge the walking/hopping cuz she wouldn't walk - she played Radar's "I am statue" game. She whined when the vet played with one back leg but then she was whining at everything by that point. She is the queen of whining - but daddy wasn't there to save her this time!
We talked about her being a satin and will look into things further on that end once she feels better. She did tell me to give her vitamin C every other day or so in case she is lacking there. It is hard to tell what her veggie intake is as she eats with Radar and Rojita. For now I am pulling her and feeding her veggies by herself so I can monitor better. Doing the CC thing too.
She peed on daddy twice tonite and he never moved! Just cheered her for peeing cuz she hadn't for a few hours.
Now I have 3 out of the 5 piggies on meds! Plus the cat on phenobarbitol and both dogs on glucosamine. Yikes!
I am stressing.
Reba: Satin w/arthritis, bone loss, & teeth issues
Did you print off Pinta's case history of the Satin bone loss? I printed it off for my vet even though I don't have satins. Dr. Kathy is giddy with joy when I give her print outs from here.
I'm only guessing, as I usually do, but could it hurt to give her more calcium rich treats for awhile and see if that helps? I know it sounds like she's got an infection too so I'm really just grasping at straws. I get so so worried when your babies are not feeling well. Take care of your mushy kids, MB. I'll be thinking of you.
I'm only guessing, as I usually do, but could it hurt to give her more calcium rich treats for awhile and see if that helps? I know it sounds like she's got an infection too so I'm really just grasping at straws. I get so so worried when your babies are not feeling well. Take care of your mushy kids, MB. I'll be thinking of you.
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mammabear66
- With a Touch of Insanity
I haven't printed it yet cuz it honestly didn't enter into my head until I was there. But I plan to take it in (unless critterluv02 already has) and will probably do a baseline xray also.
We did talk about adding more calcium. I gotta be in a frame of mind to read and understand the charts tho, so I know what to give her.
Thanks for the thoughts - both of you.
We did talk about adding more calcium. I gotta be in a frame of mind to read and understand the charts tho, so I know what to give her.
Thanks for the thoughts - both of you.
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Lynx
- RESIST
I was thinking calcium too -- the vitamin C is also important.
When pigs don't eat as much and lose weight, they can certainly become deficient in vitamins and minerals due to decreased appetite.
One of the first things to check with weight loss is teeth. An xray will really help get a total picture. You might want to reread all the malocclusion info.
When pigs don't eat as much and lose weight, they can certainly become deficient in vitamins and minerals due to decreased appetite.
One of the first things to check with weight loss is teeth. An xray will really help get a total picture. You might want to reread all the malocclusion info.
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WindeSpirit
- Sewing for a Cause
Nothing new to add, just wanted to let you know I'm here thinking of you and the whole 66 gang there.
~~~~~~Good Vibes~~~~~~
~~~~~~Good Vibes~~~~~~
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mammabear66
- With a Touch of Insanity
I never thought about teeth Lynx, due to finding the crusty nose. I will definitely go read the info and look into it more.
The Baytril seems to have hit her appetite this morning. We had to force the CC into her and then only got about 10cc down. She did just voluntarily eat some veggies, and then ate more with the help of daughter's fiance. She gets tired really easy I think.
The Baytril seems to have hit her appetite this morning. We had to force the CC into her and then only got about 10cc down. She did just voluntarily eat some veggies, and then ate more with the help of daughter's fiance. She gets tired really easy I think.
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mammabear66
- With a Touch of Insanity
The problem with doing the xray the other day is that Reba was already highly upset at being examined. The vet was more concerned about thouroughly checking out lungs, ears, nose, etc. and getting subQ fluids into her (which REALLY upset her). By the time she was done with all that, Reba was so upset that she was constantly crying and trembling to the point that the xrays woud have been blurry. It was decided that I could make another appointment for xrays on a day that she wasn't getting poked by needles. Reba would make a good piggy candidate for Valium.
I was considering starting calcium supplements anyways. I just need to find out what kind to get and how much to give.
She is feeling better. She has been on the end of the couch (Radar is pissed - that is his spot) except for when I am sleeping or not in the room. Right now she is eating/playing with a TP roll, which is one of her favorite toys.
She isn't eating pellets much but never has. She is readily eating a lot of veggies. Sometimes we have to hand them to her, but she takes them. She is rotating what she eats - lettuce is an always, tomatoes were yesterday and bell peppers and cucumbers are today. Carrots are just nibbled. Everything is offered every time. I wonder if they know what foods they need?
She munches on bits of hay pretty regularly. She eagerly took CC on Thursday but fights it now. She has gained a few grams so maybe she is just not hungry. She does get a lot of veggies down throughout the day. I force water (she never has drank much). She grabs the ABs away from me and looks for more.
Overall, I am pleased. She really looked bad by Thursday nite and she was SO hot. Last nite I joined her on the couch and she curled up on my arm and napped. I felt honored as she is usually very much a daddy's girl.
I was considering starting calcium supplements anyways. I just need to find out what kind to get and how much to give.
She is feeling better. She has been on the end of the couch (Radar is pissed - that is his spot) except for when I am sleeping or not in the room. Right now she is eating/playing with a TP roll, which is one of her favorite toys.
She isn't eating pellets much but never has. She is readily eating a lot of veggies. Sometimes we have to hand them to her, but she takes them. She is rotating what she eats - lettuce is an always, tomatoes were yesterday and bell peppers and cucumbers are today. Carrots are just nibbled. Everything is offered every time. I wonder if they know what foods they need?
She munches on bits of hay pretty regularly. She eagerly took CC on Thursday but fights it now. She has gained a few grams so maybe she is just not hungry. She does get a lot of veggies down throughout the day. I force water (she never has drank much). She grabs the ABs away from me and looks for more.
Overall, I am pleased. She really looked bad by Thursday nite and she was SO hot. Last nite I joined her on the couch and she curled up on my arm and napped. I felt honored as she is usually very much a daddy's girl.
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mammabear66
- With a Touch of Insanity
OK. All signs of infection appear to be gone.
Reba eats her couple cups of veggies a day minimum (she gets extra treats right now), she eats her hay, she still isn't eating pellets much but really never has, she drinks her water, she poops, she pees, etc. She was switched to Doxy cuz the Baytril upset her tummy - is still on it. She is also still getting vitamin C and calcium.
BUT, she is still hopping and I can't get her weight up. It has progressively dropped to as low as 886 (3 days ago). I got more aggressive with CC and upped her to over 60ml a day! This is on top of all her regular food! Now she is hovering around 898 - 902. She weighs over 930 right after I feed her and then it is back down by the next meal.
I have an appointment on Saturday for her, Radar (STILL going), Momma (med check for heart meds), my seizure kitty Xena who is having problems, and my boy kitty Hercules who needs shots. I wanted to get feedback of what I should ask for concerning Reba, besides xrays. I have no clue what to think with the weight loss despite her eating.
Reba eats her couple cups of veggies a day minimum (she gets extra treats right now), she eats her hay, she still isn't eating pellets much but really never has, she drinks her water, she poops, she pees, etc. She was switched to Doxy cuz the Baytril upset her tummy - is still on it. She is also still getting vitamin C and calcium.
BUT, she is still hopping and I can't get her weight up. It has progressively dropped to as low as 886 (3 days ago). I got more aggressive with CC and upped her to over 60ml a day! This is on top of all her regular food! Now she is hovering around 898 - 902. She weighs over 930 right after I feed her and then it is back down by the next meal.
I have an appointment on Saturday for her, Radar (STILL going), Momma (med check for heart meds), my seizure kitty Xena who is having problems, and my boy kitty Hercules who needs shots. I wanted to get feedback of what I should ask for concerning Reba, besides xrays. I have no clue what to think with the weight loss despite her eating.
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mammabear66
- With a Touch of Insanity
She has an appointment on Saturday to get xrayed. I tried bumping it up but couldn't.
I have been giving her about 50mg calcium daily. I had a hard time finding an actual dosage on here and finally just went with a dosage someone else listed for a pig that was close in size.
What IS the best dosage? And what is the best and worst types of calcium?
I have been giving her about 50mg calcium daily. I had a hard time finding an actual dosage on here and finally just went with a dosage someone else listed for a pig that was close in size.
What IS the best dosage? And what is the best and worst types of calcium?
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mammabear66
- With a Touch of Insanity
Duh, I never remember to go look at the reference thread. I always search for the Hollister pig thread thinking that is the main one.
Anything specific, besides xrays, that I should ask for? Like specific bloodwork?
Any suggestions on getting her weight up. The CC just isn't doing much.
Anything specific, besides xrays, that I should ask for? Like specific bloodwork?
Any suggestions on getting her weight up. The CC just isn't doing much.
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mammabear66
- With a Touch of Insanity
OK...
The vet was an experience! Hercules, my boy kitty, is now mostly bald, thanks to the vet's awesome clippers and my being tired of trying to pin him down to get the matts off him - very interesting lion cut! Momma piggy got an "A" and is continuing on the same dose of Enacard. Radar is still filling up with gunk (but not as much) and is going to go off ABs for a few days before his next appointment so we can culture it again. Xena, my seizure kitty, threw her normal witchy fit and managed to bite the vet, so they made her go nitey-nite long enough to draw her blood. From now on, that will be the automatic protocol. As for Reba...
Her bottom front teeth were a little long. Vet was initially concerned about possible molar problems but I have not witnessed any difficulty eating really, just lack of appetite for the most part. I was still more concerned about the hopping, especially due to her being a satin.
Xrays revealed no signs of calcium deficiency at this time (YAY!), but she does have arthritis in her back hips and knees. We are putting her on a daily dose of Metacam.
The vet figures the arthritis is what has had her not wanting to eat. However, if her weight doesn't start coming back up now then she will go back in on a day that they can put her under and really check out the molars.
What other therapies can I use, in combination with the Metacam, to help her out? I personally know how bad arthritis can hurt. My two older dogs have been on Glucosamine with great success - can piggies take it too? What about heat therapy or water therapy?
Any ideas would be MUCH appreciated! She is only 1 1/2 years old! I am in shock at this diagnosis at such a young age, even tho I know critterluv rescued her from a really crappy situation.
The vet was an experience! Hercules, my boy kitty, is now mostly bald, thanks to the vet's awesome clippers and my being tired of trying to pin him down to get the matts off him - very interesting lion cut! Momma piggy got an "A" and is continuing on the same dose of Enacard. Radar is still filling up with gunk (but not as much) and is going to go off ABs for a few days before his next appointment so we can culture it again. Xena, my seizure kitty, threw her normal witchy fit and managed to bite the vet, so they made her go nitey-nite long enough to draw her blood. From now on, that will be the automatic protocol. As for Reba...
Her bottom front teeth were a little long. Vet was initially concerned about possible molar problems but I have not witnessed any difficulty eating really, just lack of appetite for the most part. I was still more concerned about the hopping, especially due to her being a satin.
Xrays revealed no signs of calcium deficiency at this time (YAY!), but she does have arthritis in her back hips and knees. We are putting her on a daily dose of Metacam.
The vet figures the arthritis is what has had her not wanting to eat. However, if her weight doesn't start coming back up now then she will go back in on a day that they can put her under and really check out the molars.
What other therapies can I use, in combination with the Metacam, to help her out? I personally know how bad arthritis can hurt. My two older dogs have been on Glucosamine with great success - can piggies take it too? What about heat therapy or water therapy?
Any ideas would be MUCH appreciated! She is only 1 1/2 years old! I am in shock at this diagnosis at such a young age, even tho I know critterluv rescued her from a really crappy situation.
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mammabear66
- With a Touch of Insanity
After you mention it, I remember reading about that Lynx! I have one of the little keychain lasers with a max output of <5mW. I wonder if that would be enough for a piggy?
I really want to find other treatments that I can add to the Metacam. I know that it really won't do much but help the pain. I would like to work at giving her more freedom of movement. Especially considering her age - I don't want the arthritis crippling her before she even hits middle-age for a piggy. I would really like to stall its progression and not just mask the symptoms.
I really want to find other treatments that I can add to the Metacam. I know that it really won't do much but help the pain. I would like to work at giving her more freedom of movement. Especially considering her age - I don't want the arthritis crippling her before she even hits middle-age for a piggy. I would really like to stall its progression and not just mask the symptoms.
Ask your vet about using Omega 3 fatty acid supplement. Dr. Kathy is supposed to send me more info on this soon. Since Smokie's heart problems popped up and she's lost a little weight, she suggested using Omega3 to help with her cardiac function and to help her put some weight back on. I guess it's used frequently in dogs, cats and even birds to help with cardiac patients. She consulted the leading veterinary cardiologist in the country recently and this treatment came up. She gave me some to try for a few weeks and I read the ingredients. There's nothing that will harm the pigs in it and the manufacturer is in Canada.
I will be getting more info on this soon and I will be using this on my heart pigs to see if it helps.
I will be getting more info on this soon and I will be using this on my heart pigs to see if it helps.