Need advice on my piggy

[kiraral]

Hi everyone.

Given that I am unsure what is wrong with my little piggy, I thought this was the most appropriate forum. If it's not I am very sorry, it is my first time here. He is a 4 year old male who lives alone. He did have a cage mate (a litter mate I believe) but he died 2 years ago. He went into distress in the middle of the night. Took him to urgent care (I was living in another state at the time...luckily the urgent care place was only 40 min from me so we could take him) and they said his heart was failing, most likely a congenital issue that was unpreventable or treatable, and we had to put him down. The vet said he would not have made it until morning on his own. So I think it is something totally different...but that's why he now lives alone.

I need some advice. Late last night my pig started acting like not himself. He did not want to eat (pellets or hay...he took a couple bites of veggies but almost nothing). Also does not want to drink. He sounds like he might be congested or something in his respiratory tract and I know pigs are prone to URIs, so that is my best guess right now...

I know he needs a vet, and I wanted to take him right away, but no where is open. Only emergency vets I can find are equine. Although I would have no problem asking the horses's vet for advice, I know he deals strictly with horses, as is common around here, so I am not sure he would know much about a guniea pig. Although I would have no problem driving quite a distance, I live in the middle of no where so I am stuck until first thing Monday. Calling the vet is my number one priority, but I want to do what I can until then....

I moved him into the warmest room of the house and am keeping it warmer than normal. I have started giving him small amounts of water via syringe (3 cc w/ lunar tip) but am not positive how much I should give? I know he needs water, but I want to help, not make things worse. Any recommendation of amounts and or frequency would be appreciated. He does "drink" it when I squirt it into his mouth, or so it seems. He just has no interest in his water bottle. I work today, but I live on the same piece of property so I can come in frequently to take care of him.

He now seems to have some diarrhea (as of when got up about an hour ago). Not sure if it is due to the stress of being sick or the sickness itself....also no idea if it would mean an infection from his respiratory system is now in his digestive tract or if this new symptom means it is not a URI. He is my first pig, and although I have done a lot of research over the years to educate myself I have very little first hand experience with pig illnesses.

He is lethargic but aware. He still responds and moves about on his own. He seems to be moving normally, not dragging his hind end or anything, just less and with less energy than normal.

He has lost a little weight from the last time I weighed him, but that was before Xmas, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

What else can I do for him until the vet can see him? Would it be better to strip bedding from his cage and put in towels? He has one in there that he has been resting his head on. Is there a good temp to keep the room? All I have found in my searching is to keep the pig as warm as you can...

I am incredibly worried and am very grateful for any advice anyone has to keep my little guy as comfy as possible until we can get him in. I have already talked to my boss about needing to take him ASAP Monday and she has given me the okay to go whenever the vet can see him.

[Kayleigh]

Hi

I wouldnt say pigs are prone to URI's as such, its just a more common illness that pigs get. If its a URI he will need antibiotics from a vet usually baytril or septrin. Keep him warm and away from windows etc. Keeping him hydrated is also important, Will he eat veg, cucumber, peppers etc?

What is his diet like? What pellet do you feed and what are his usual veggies? Do you supplement him at all?

Have you checked for impaction at all? Can sometimes be common in older boars. I like to rule out most things before rushing to the vets.

If hes not eating, try mashing some pellets with warm water, this may entice him to eat something.

What bedding is he on? I dont think this will make much difference, just keep him comfortable.

Are his eyes, and nose free from discharge?

Kayleigh

[kiraral]

He eats forti-diet pellets and timothy hay. He gets a lot of peppers (he loves them) as well as carrots, celery, and sometime broccoli stems. Occasionally he will also get bits of squash or whatever other veggie is in my fridge. I put a vitamin C supplement in his water. He is bedded on shavings. His nose is fine but his eyes are a little crusty. It seems to be clear.

Right now he doesn't even have much interest in eating veggies. He took a couple small bites and decided he was done =/. Going to try soaking some pellets for him now, thank you.

EDIT: I don' think he seems constipated, I cant feel anything...but there's also now blood in his stool He sniffed the soaked pellets but doesn't want to eat them.

[Kayleigh]

Is it possible for you to check his anal sack (i know not the most pleasant thing) Is he pooping ok? are they normal shaped?

Blood in faeces isnt a good thing. Keep him hydrated, do you have any critical care to hand to feed?

[Orlaith]

Definitely bring him to the vet in the morning.

Keep giving him water and if you don't have critical care, mash up some pellets with warm (not hot) water and syringe feed him every few 3-4 hours. It's important to get a little food into him.

Let us know how he gets on.

[kanderson19]

It does sound a lot like a URI. Just let him relax tonight and keep him hydrated. But do take him to the vet tomorrow as soon as possible.

[kiraral]

How much should I try to syringe to him at once, for the wet pellets? I will definitely give that a shot.

Poops have previously been normal shape/consistency etc. He hasn't been pooping much since he stopped eating, I assume the two are connected.

I don't feel anything abnormal in his lower abdomen, any advice for checking his anal sack, like what I would be looking for? I feel bad just poking at him aimlessly.

The blood seems to have stopped, now. Although he is very sleepy. Am really hoping he can pull through and see the vet. I'm very attached to the little man, as I'm sure you all understand.

[Orlaith]

To syringe feed, mush up the pellets with as much water as you need to get it to a syringe-able consistency (try not to use too much water, just as much as you need) and syringe about 0.1-0.2 ml into his mouth. Make sure he's chewing, otherwise he isn't swallowing. If you can get him to take about 3ml every few hours it'll keep him going. Ideally he'd take more but I know when one of my girls was sick that's all she would take to begin with (and she was eventually taking about 20ml every few hours!)

[kiraral]

Thank you all for your advice. I am very grateful for your kindness. Sadly, Reese, my little piggy, didn't make it through the night to see the vet. He got much worse a little after 10 pm. Shuffling uncomfortably and having difficulty breathing. I was able to hold him for his last few minutes and he passed in my arms not long after, maybe 10 min. Although I am incredibly sad to lose him, I hope that the efforts I made, mostly thanks to the advice here, made his last day better. He helped me through every tough time I had in college and I hope I was able to give him even a fraction of that comfort.

Thank you all again, I wish that I had a better outcome to share with you. Although I am not planning to get another pig right now, I am sure the time will one day come, as they are wonderful animals. When it does, I am glad to have some better information about what to do in case of an emergency, thanks to all of you. <3

[Kayleigh]

So sorry to hear this rip piggie!!

You done what you could and thats all anyone can ask for. Well done.

Run free lil pig

Sent from my GT-I9300 using proboards

[Orlaith]

Aw, so sorry to hear that. Sleep peacefully little guy.