Nifen
New Born Pup
Hello! My piggie momo was sick for about a month with an infection. He had to be force-fed for that month. The vet thinks the infection has now cleared. However, he's still not eating fully on his own and is having issues swallowing/coughing up food. He wants to eat as he's often picking at food, but he struggles to swallow it/chew it. When I force-feed him, I can only get so little in before his mouth starts overflowing.
The vet struggled to look inside his mouth as there was a lot of food in his cheeks. She suggested that we take x-rays and do a procedure to look inside his mouth and down his throat; however, he would need to be sedated for this. She was honest with me and told me there's a risk that he may not make it through the sedation process. He is weak right now, super wobbly, and unable to walk right, but he is alert and looks bright and will walk around when I have him out. He is only 1.5 years. I'm scared, especially considering his state, but I know he needs it; otherwise, he'll just pass anyway from other issues. The procedure is scheduled for Wednesday as it was their soonest available, and I'm concerned that I have to wait so long because I don't want him to get any weaker. I'll try to see if anyone cancels and try to move it up, but I'm unsure if I will be able to.
I was wondering what I can expect after the procedure and or if anyone had any tips on how to give him the best possible outcome to do before he goes under? Do I hydrate him, do I not feed him a few hours before?
I was also wondering about anyone's experience with anesthesia, positive or negative, for a weak, sick piggie. If positive, what did you do to help beforehand and after? and if negative what was wrong with your little one?
I've never had a pig go under yet, so any knowledge would help! Also, if anyone has tips on force-feeding with swallowing issues, I'd appreciate it, as I'm scared of aspirating him.
Thank you!
The vet struggled to look inside his mouth as there was a lot of food in his cheeks. She suggested that we take x-rays and do a procedure to look inside his mouth and down his throat; however, he would need to be sedated for this. She was honest with me and told me there's a risk that he may not make it through the sedation process. He is weak right now, super wobbly, and unable to walk right, but he is alert and looks bright and will walk around when I have him out. He is only 1.5 years. I'm scared, especially considering his state, but I know he needs it; otherwise, he'll just pass anyway from other issues. The procedure is scheduled for Wednesday as it was their soonest available, and I'm concerned that I have to wait so long because I don't want him to get any weaker. I'll try to see if anyone cancels and try to move it up, but I'm unsure if I will be able to.
I was wondering what I can expect after the procedure and or if anyone had any tips on how to give him the best possible outcome to do before he goes under? Do I hydrate him, do I not feed him a few hours before?
I was also wondering about anyone's experience with anesthesia, positive or negative, for a weak, sick piggie. If positive, what did you do to help beforehand and after? and if negative what was wrong with your little one?
I've never had a pig go under yet, so any knowledge would help! Also, if anyone has tips on force-feeding with swallowing issues, I'd appreciate it, as I'm scared of aspirating him.
Thank you!
