Sierra

[brendab]

Giving wet veggies but she is down from 930 to 878.

[brendab]

I think Sierra is dying.

She is eating less. I started Critical Care. She refused a carrot today. Her poops are small. I gave lettuces. She picked at them and some hay but not very interested. She is having trouble getting up and down the ramp.

She does not appear in any pain. Just weaker than usual. She pops her head up after falling asleep too.

I held her for a long time and just put her back in the cage. I don't know what to do. My daughter thinks she should be with Cass and Guinness.

God I love this pig. I had my 2 but fell in love with her picture and got her. Keeping her well has been a 15 month battle. I can't believe this is happening.

There is no blood or other signs of anything to treat. Is it possible it is just her time?

I feel like so helpless...

[Sef]

Are her eyes crusty? Or do they look slightly sunken? If so, she could be having trouble with dehydration (with all of her bladder issues, her kidneys could be compromised). As Jenn said, small, dry poops can be an indication that she's not getting enough fluids. Other symptoms can be lethargy, inappetence, and sometimes a dry, dull coat.

If it's dehydration, can you get her to a vet this morning first thing for a subcue? Or do you have subcue fluids there?


I'm sorry she is doing poorly, brendab.

[brendab]

Her eyes look ok. I have been syringing water, 3-4 cc's every 3 hours. Also 10 cc's of critical care.

She is somewhat lethargic. Stays in one place for a long time. But still alert. But she will not eat or drink on her own except for a bit of lettuces.

She goes to the water bottle and looks at it. Then walks away.

I've been up all night. I will call the vet when they open.

[Sef]

If it's indeed dehydration, and/or if she's in renal failure, she'll likely need anywhere between 30ml-50ml of fluids pushed at one time. The few cc's you're able to get in her orally just isn't going to cut it, although it's good that you're trying.

Fingers crossed that you can get her in this a.m. Please keep us posted.

[brendab]

I am just going in in an hour without an appt and begging for help.

[sabrina]

I'm thinking of you and Sierra. I really hope the vet can help her.

[brendab]

Ok,

She was not dehydrated.
No bloat.
Teeth and molars good.

So, she may have hurt herself. He felt her spine and she cried a bit. Or it may be GI or bladder troubles.

He gave her a sub q because I asked if it "might" make her feel better and also a vit c shot.

Then he started her on metacam for pain and inflammation and bactrim for any possible infection in her gut or bladder. (as this has been a chronic problem with her).

I am to continue critical care and water via syringe. Add variety of wet lettuces to increase interest. return for blood work if no improvement seen.

Then, I come to work, exhausted after being up all night and find that I may get my hours cut in 1/2. Since the DH and I already owe taxes I am a wreck. How can I afford to care for my animals?

[Paula]

I'm sorry to hear Sierra's having trouble Brenda. How old is she?

Something that really helped with my sludge pig Chompsky was heat. Do you have a snuggle safe or hot water bottle you could give her?

I'm also sorry to hear about your job - that sucks. Maybe your vet can work with you on a payment plan or something for the animals?

[brendab]

I have no idea how old she is. She was a shelter dump. OCCH thought she was about 4. Owner said 5. Vet thinks about 3 or 4. But, who knows. She may even be older...

She is hopping a bit now too. She always walked funny and rarely popcorned. Maybe she got hurt?

What is the very longest they can go without being force fed? On Wednesday I will be away for 7 hours.

I don't have any heat source. What do you suggest? She chews things. We do keep the house warm (70-72 in CA)and they are on fleece and have beds and sleeping bags.

[brendab]

I'm afraid to post because I don't want to jynx it...BUT...she started to eat and drink!

She ate some baby greens, escarole and parsley. She never gets parsley or romaine so it was different and she ate it! Then, she drank on her own for about 3 minutes!

She nibbled some hay and is now grooming herself. She is still a bit "off" so I wonder if she did possibly tweak her back?

I will give metacam and critical care in about an hour.

I know that she can take a turn for the worse at any time but I am feeling hopeful.

[brendab]

OMG-she is at the pellet dish!!!!!!!

[Sef]

Yay!!!

[sabrina]

Yay indeed, eat up Sierra!

For heat, maybe a rice sock? If you have an old sock, fill it with rice and warm it in the microwave. Although, if she chews I'm not sure how well it will work.

[brendab]

Her poops are still tiny but there are more of them. But they are like rat or hammie poops...

I hope what we are doing works. The vet said that she was not "wasting away" or hunched up so to give it a try....