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Post by gpmum2 on Jul 15, 2008 20:23:01 GMT
Can any one give me any more advice on what to do for Ranger. He hasn't been eating and drinking for over a week now. (Unaided).
I took him to the vets and she has given him some probiotics to get everything moving as he also hasn't been pooping or weeing much.
He normally drinks loads of water, more than any of my other piggies ever have but he hasn't touched his water bottle for a week now. He also isn't eating his dried gerty food. He is still moving about and does eat a little grass and a very tiny bit of lettuce. I am syringing him water and diluted pineapple or prune juice as the vet instructed but it now about 9 days and he still wont eat or drink. He does chatter when he is sat on your lap. As was a rescue piggy from the RSPCA I think he must be about 3 - 3.5 years old male.
The vet isn't being particularly helpful or inspiring confidence, although he has lost weight it isn't as dramatic as you would expect.
Any advice much appreciated
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Post by gpmum2 on Jul 16, 2008 6:58:23 GMT
The little bit of poo around his bum, smelt awful today. I put him out on the grass last night in the sun for about 30 mins, he had obviously nibbled some grass as it was hanging out of his bottom but hadn't been digested at all. I will take him back to the vets tonight, but if anyone else knows what it could be before then that would be great.
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Jul 16, 2008 9:34:20 GMT
Oh Karen that doesn't sound good I hope the vet can find out what is wrong with Ranger. Keep us updated wont you?
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Post by weecheenranoksmum on Jul 16, 2008 10:44:35 GMT
 i hope he is ok soon |
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Post by gpmum2 on Jul 16, 2008 19:03:45 GMT
The vet not much use again and has now given Baytril 3x daily for 5 days, but she said she was surprised to see that he was still here seeing that he isn't eating or drinking except what I am syringing into him. He has passed the sticky smell mucus today. He now feels thin around the soulders today, but his tummy still feels quite full and he doesn't seem in pain and is still chatting when you give him a cudddle.
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Jul 16, 2008 19:38:08 GMT
Awww... poor little fella, keep syringe feeding him Karen and hope the baytril works. Don't forget to give him a probiotics too.
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Post by celia on Jul 16, 2008 20:07:29 GMT
I think your vet would have checked his teeth but thats what i think could be wrong with him . If you say he has eaten grass but it is coming out his bum then that tells me he is not chewing it ?? The mucus coming from his bowel is not a good sign this is gaps in his bowel because of not eating properly . Its great he is not showing signs of pain but be carefull incase his full belly is not a sign of it getting a bit bloated . I hope he gets better soon you are giving him the very best of care x
P.s forgot to say my alpaca boar stopped eating for no reason and i spoon fed a veg baby food into him , he was back to normal after about a week but itwas hard work
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Post by gpmum2 on Jul 17, 2008 6:36:54 GMT
Thanks yes she did look at his teeth, as I mentioned to her that he has ground his teeth for a long time.
I am going to take him back to the vets this morning as he sort of sitting hunched up today, although still chattering and dosn't seem to be in pain. You can feel his back bone. I have been trying to get pured vege or mashed up dried food down him, but I am trying not to stress him, what with the fluid & meds.
I am worried the vet will say she wants to keep him as I feel this will mean I wont see him again as this has happened twice in the past! Not too sure what to do for the best.
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Jul 17, 2008 11:31:00 GMT
Oh dear he doesn't sound well at all good luck at the vet Karen. Let us know how i goes wont you?
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Post by celia on Jul 17, 2008 12:57:43 GMT
Aww it sounds like his teeth if he has been grinding them . It does sound like he is unhappy if he is sitting all hunched up . Let us know how yo get on plz , i will be thinking about you x
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Post by gwen on Jul 17, 2008 14:34:29 GMT
Any news yet Karen? I keep checking to see if there's any news of Ranger yet.
Gwen
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Post by gpmum2 on Jul 17, 2008 14:59:18 GMT
The vet gave him a shot of pain killer, but says his teeth are fine. As I thought she wanted to keep him in but whether it was right or wrong I have brought him home. He isn't so scrunched up but still hasn't eaten or drank anything. He is on painkiller, antibiotics and probiotics
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Post by celia on Jul 17, 2008 18:39:37 GMT
I would have brought my guinea pig home too . The only advise i can give you is that you need to force feed him , dont force him to drink if he wont take it himself . If you dont get some food into him he will die :-( , his system will shut down if his gut and bowel dont get moving . I wish you luck x
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Jul 17, 2008 19:14:30 GMT
I agree with Celia Karen syringe feed him get his system workng again as soon as you can. Good luck with him I hope he picks up soon.
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Post by gpmum2 on Jul 17, 2008 19:55:18 GMT
Any ideas what is the best food to try and syringe down. I have tried his mushed up pellets, carrots, brocoli over the last few days and tonight I gave him banana which he did take quite willingly. Well about 1.5 cm of a banana. HIs head looks shrunken and one eye is a little sticky. So I have cleaned that with cool boiled water.
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Jul 17, 2008 20:14:22 GMT
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Post by gpmum2 on Jul 18, 2008 6:14:13 GMT
Thanks Dawn, I shall get onto that right away. Still with us this morning. I am amazed on his willingness to stay with us.
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Post by celia on Jul 20, 2008 0:07:38 GMT
So glad to hear he is still fighting . I forgot to say i used the science recovery too its great stuff . Is he pooing and peeing ?
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Post by gpmum2 on Jul 20, 2008 10:05:05 GMT
I got up at 5.oo am on Saturday and I decided the kindest thing to do was to let the vet put him to sleep. When I went back at 7.00 am he seemed to be really searching for the syringe of banana. So I kept feeding the banana & mushed pellets all yesterday and we had a squashed poop today 1st one since the mucus stuff a few days ago. One foot is looking as little sore and I am not sure if he is leaking a dribble of wee or it is more like a bed sore, so I am treating that. Whilst I am waiting for the science recovery to arrive I am off to get some Dirolyte & Abidec vitamins. I am also worried that his teeth may NOW cause him a problem as he hasn't eaten any hay or hard food for nearly 2 weeks!!
I find it iall so stressful when my animals are poorly.
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Post by celia on Jul 20, 2008 13:28:07 GMT
Yes i agree it stressful when you animals are ill but you get a great feeling if you can nurse them back . It can also break your heart but would you have it any other way ? I know i wouldn't lol . He is a fighter and i hope he will get back to full health you will know if its not fair to keep him going and then its time to do the right thing
take care x
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Post by Niki on Jul 21, 2008 0:03:32 GMT
Oh Karen i've only just seen this, i'm so sorry to hear about Ranger The mix my piggies loved was mushed pellets mixed with carrot & potato baby food (you can use any veggie baby food) with some probiotic in it & a crushed vit C pill. Make sure Ranger has vit C - 30mg daily, i used to halve a 60mg one & just popped it into their mouths & as poorly as some have been they all chomped it on their own. I agree with what's already been said that if he doesn't eat his body will shut down & altho it's can be stressful for him to be forced and upsetting for you it has to be done. Just a thought, will he take food from a spoon easier than a syringe? Good Luck with him, he's such a fighter, am thinking about you Niki x |
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Post by gpmum2 on Jul 21, 2008 6:41:56 GMT
Thanks Niki
Diane reminded me about abidec vitamins which I have given him, but this morning he is blue round his nose & mouth. His nose is a little red on one side where he hasn't moved much since I last fed him. I am now just waiting for the vets to open. If you pick him up he, does have energy to wriggle or move about on my lap. Or when I put him back he will hop over to his prefered position under his suggle basket but doesn't move again. He isn't holding his head up anymore either. Although today I could feel his heart pounding harder than before which I don't like the feel/sound of. I don't feel we will be winning this one.
I have been feeding him mashed pellets, soft fruit & water & very diluted fruit juice, along with probiotics 3-4 hrs 24/7 for nearly two weeks and I think we are both shattered.
I couldn't go back to having a baby!!
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Jul 21, 2008 11:33:43 GMT
Awww.. poor Ranger, this is what Tilly was like Karen. I have been syringe feeding her for more than two weeks before I decided enough was enough and took her to the vets to be put out of her misery.
Sometimes it is the kindest thing to do even though it is so hard to make the decision. I hope you don't have to make this decision with Ranger though. Come on Ranger get better please.
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Post by tracy on Jul 21, 2008 13:21:17 GMT
This might be a long shot but I do find that organic, fruit or veggie based baby food is wonderful when it comes to syringe feeding. It doesn't take a lot of digesting and can be easily swallowed. It will be gentle enough on his tummy which will be sensitive as he hasn't eaten much lately. I did this on a very skinny rescue pig. I think she had pear and apple flavoured, but of course there's lots of different ones that will be suitable for him. When it's finished, give him a little 'flush' of tepid water (about 2-3mls) to keep him hydrated and make sure the food has been eaten.
Has she done any scans or x-rays? I wonder if there's a problem with his bowels. Has she given him a good examination and any blood tests?
Get better soon Ranger, fingers crossed for him.
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Post by gpmum2 on Jul 21, 2008 19:47:44 GMT
Thanks for all your help, but unfortunately I took Ranger back to the vet and we made the decision to let him sleep.
She did say that his tongue was slighlty red on one side that could of been caused by rubbing on his bottom back tooth, but this could of been done by the syringe. She did say she would give him some gas and file the tooth, but I felt she was clutching at straws and the little fellow had been through so much in his short life.
He just looked so sad I thought it was the kindest thing to do. I brought him home and have burried him in the front garden in a sunny patch I can see from the kitchen window and bought a rose bush to put by him.
I am terribly sad and keep ursting into tears.
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Post by tracy on Jul 21, 2008 21:09:57 GMT
I'm so sorry, but you did everything a person could have done to try and save him. He's not suffering anymore and you should keep that in your mind when you're sad. RIP Ranger X
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Post by Niki on Jul 21, 2008 23:29:13 GMT
Oh Karen i am so very very sorry  The last act of kindness we can do for them is to lot them go when they have had enough, it hurts like hell but you know he's no longer in pain. There are no words to say to ease your pain, i'm thinking about you Niki x |
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Post by luvcats22 on Jul 22, 2008 6:12:44 GMT
that was a hard decision to make. you did all you could for him. rip ranger xxx
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Post by weecheenranoksmum on Jul 22, 2008 8:29:06 GMT
aww, thats so sad you did everything you possibly could, but in the end you made the right choice for Ranger. he is happy now. RIP Ranger xxx |
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Post by celia on Jul 22, 2008 22:00:57 GMT
Aww you tried so hard to keep him here , but you did the right thing having him pts . Big hugs sent your way x
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