Mange and Severe Pododermatitis

[Paravati]

Goodness. I euthanized Arthur after struggling with the same problem for a while. His stone was in the bladder, however, and would work its way into settling into the bladder horn and preventing urination.

I could shift its position with massage, lots of fluids, and putting him on the washing machine in "spin" cycle in a container.

But after a while, it was obvious he was in terrible pain and I shouldn't keep up bugging him. We thought it was probably multiple stones, and my vet was really surprised upon necropsy to find only one:

[luvmypigs2]

How's Rhett doing?

[Josephine]

He's gone. I haven't been home long. We stayed several hours past closing to work on him. I never recovered him from the operating table.

We found a huge abdominal mass we originally thought was the bladder. It was connected to the mesentery, GIT, and possibly urinary tract.

We couldn't get the possible urinary stone out of the urethra. We tried passing multiple catheters from the bladder to the prepucial oriface and the other way around. His urethra was probably ruptured in the process.

The vet and I didn't see how he could possibly recover well and be able to urinate or urinate without the pain he'd been having at least all day. Anti-inflammatories can only do so much.

I sent the urinary tract (from the bladder to the penis) and the mass out for histo. There are so many unanswered questions.

I miss my Rhetty boy. He turned into a great snuggle pig. He had been through so much and turned into the most social, endearing little thing. Such a chow hound, too. He was always looking for more treats and loved getting in the carrier to travel since it meant more VEGGIES!

I'm exhausted both mentally and physically. He was such a special boy. Thank you Leah and Sharon for sending him to me. He had some good months after that foot healed up. He would have doubtless been euthanized in the shelter in January if you hadn't pulled him.

His cagemate Ciel is alone (YET AGAIN). He's a 6 1/2 year old INTACT boar. If he gets another cagemate I guess it has to be a neutered boy unless I neuter him and throw him in with some girls. We'll see. :(

[Josephine]

I just looked at his first pictures again. They're making me cry, but man did he come a long way. He looked so much better than that.

[luvmypigs2]

I'm so sorry you lost him. He was a special little guy. I'm so glad he found his way to you and your excellent care. You gave him a good life and love that he never knew before. Rest in peace little one.

[JHand]

Ditto what Lumvypigs said. Thank you for giving him the care he deserved. You were his angle.

[Piggster]

I'm so, so sorry to hear this. Rhett was a very special boy. I got to meet Rhett once and he was everything that Josephine said he was, a very sweet, snuggly, social boy.

Josephine thanks so much for caring for him and rehabilitating him the way you did. leebee, thanks for pulling him from the shelter and saving his life and soaking that poor foot.

I'm sitting hear crying too. My heart goes out to all those who cared enough in order to give him eight wonderful months where he knew great care and love probably for the first time in his life.

[lisam]

I'm so sorry. I'm glad that his last months were with you.

[Lynx]

I am so very sorry, Josephine. Life with you had become a good life. It sounds like he was loved and will be missed. I'm so sad.

[Talishan]

Josephine, bless you and thank you for caring for him so well. He could not have had a better, more knowledgeable, or more competent caretaker than you.

Remember how far he came with you, and how much better he got.

Godspeed and safe passage, Rhett.

[HollyT]

I'm sorry to hear.

[Pooka and Pixie]

I'm so sorry. Rest in peace, Rhett. And keep your chin up, Ciel.

[Paravati]

I'm sorry, Josephine. It really sounds like you did everything you could. It still really sucks, though. My condolences.

[Teresa]

Oh Serafina, I'm so sorry.

You did such a wonderful job with him. It's so so hard to lose the ones that we work really hard on. They know you are trying to help them, too and that makes the bond even stronger.

I'm sad he's gone, too.

[Mum]

Ah, I'm so very sorry he's gone. It's so hard, particularly when you've spent so much time nursing them - it's easy to become very attached in a short time.

I read back through the thread, and it does sound as if Rhett had a wonderful time with you after his horrendous start. How wonderful that he was able to spend his last months with a friend and in your very capable hands.

[snowflakey]

Oh, I am sorry to hear the news. Rhett was a lucky boy to live his life out with your love and care.

[Fossil Barb]

After following Rhett's early plight and the care that it took for him to come as far as he did and then the stone. You made him a happy, loved piglet. Goodbye little man. Mum hit it on the head. These little furballs are so loveable and when you spend so many hours with a sick one the attachment grows tremendously. I felt like such a failure after Rodney passed but we give them what we can with the knowledge that we have. You did a fantastic job.

[ottosmom]

Oh no S! I'm so sorry about Rhett. He was truly a special boy and so lucky to have you as his caretaker. My heart aches for you and Ciel.

[cavyslave8]

I'm so sorry about Rhett. I do hope Ciel will be ok. My heart goes out to you.

[klynne]

Ah, so sorry. Poor lonely Ciel.

That is so cool that Rhett learned to trust again and to be a snuggle pig. I'm sure his time with you was the best of his whole life.