S
simply splendid
Bonnie Agatha, born 09/2006, (see photographs in album) appeared unable to eat normally and lost weight (down to 950 gms from 1200 gms). Vet consultation identified small swelling on base of left lower jaw and overgrown cheek teeth. Was anaesthetised 20/02/09 for trimming of all teeth. Baytril (0.5ml daily) prescribed.
On return from vet was lame in left foreleg; had large swelling on left upper jaw under eye; unable to grasp, chew or swallow food although appeared interested in food. Was given water and food (soaked pellets with added vitamin C and probiotic) by syringe approximately every three hours. Given Baytril with food in two 0.25 ml doses twelve hours apart.
Textbook suggests 6 gms food per 100 gms body weight therefore Bonnie should be taking 60 gms per day minimum (more if she is to recover lost weight). She is weighed before and after every feeding. For first week would accept only small feeds (less than 5 gms per session). Total daily intake around 20-25 gms. Second week, accepted 10-14 gms per session but at wider intervals. Total daily intake around 35-45 gms. Her weight varies during average day from 975 gms at 8 am to 1000 gms at midnight. Most of this intake is water; she is receiving very few calories per day.
During second week began feeding herself but with great difficulty as front teeth have become maloccluded (they were not noticably maloccluded prior to this episode). Her incisors are useless and she attempts to grasp and chew food using the right side of her mouth and right cheek teeth. Eats only soft foods (e.g. cucumber; lettuce; cooked broccoli). I will attempt to photograph this and post it in my album.
Cries if placed in the large enclosure with my two other female g. pigs therefore housed alone in small wire-walled enclosure (4’ x 2’) inside main indoor pen. She can hear, smell and see other g. pigs and seems to be stimulated to eat by their eating. Is also encouraged to eat if I make eating noises whilst syringe feeding her.
Is no longer lame in left foreleg. Can move quite freely but spends most of her time in her pen sleeping on hay. If she hears me she sits up and begs to be held. Not restless. Enjoys cuddles of an hour or more (used to get restless after twenty minutes). Coat shiny; eyes bright – appears well except very thin (hollows over hips) and this enormous swelling on left upper jaw. Produces small, dry stools regularly (some of which she is able to eat). Produces urine regularly – urine appears normal but smaller quantity than usual.
Advice requested:
(a) How to stimulate her appetite in order to encourage her to feed herself as much as possible, especially to encourage her to begin eating hay and drinking water?
(b) How to ensure she receives highly nutritious food? Are soaked pellets the best basic diet at this time?
(c) How to give Baytril – should it be with food or between feeds?
(d) Although not visibly in pain, I wonder whether she is suffering and thus not eating. I have been feeding romaine lettuce because she can chew it herself and because it is a natural anti-inflammatory and painkiller. What more can I do to provide pain relief?
Comments invited:
(d) Has veterinary treatment been appropriate? If not, what should be done to improve care? For example, personally I am concerned that we have not x-rayed the teeth. I would like to identify whether swelling is due to abscess and where the abscess is located i.e. in bone or soft tissues. I would also like to eliminate the possibility that swelling/malocclusion is due to apical eruption through upper or lower jaw bones.
(e) Speculation on possible cause of swelling on upper left jaw? Suggested treatment?
(f) Prognosis?
Your advice / comments will not replace my vet’s advice but they will help me understand what questions I should be asking when I take Bonnie back for check-up later this week.
Many thanks.
On return from vet was lame in left foreleg; had large swelling on left upper jaw under eye; unable to grasp, chew or swallow food although appeared interested in food. Was given water and food (soaked pellets with added vitamin C and probiotic) by syringe approximately every three hours. Given Baytril with food in two 0.25 ml doses twelve hours apart.
Textbook suggests 6 gms food per 100 gms body weight therefore Bonnie should be taking 60 gms per day minimum (more if she is to recover lost weight). She is weighed before and after every feeding. For first week would accept only small feeds (less than 5 gms per session). Total daily intake around 20-25 gms. Second week, accepted 10-14 gms per session but at wider intervals. Total daily intake around 35-45 gms. Her weight varies during average day from 975 gms at 8 am to 1000 gms at midnight. Most of this intake is water; she is receiving very few calories per day.
During second week began feeding herself but with great difficulty as front teeth have become maloccluded (they were not noticably maloccluded prior to this episode). Her incisors are useless and she attempts to grasp and chew food using the right side of her mouth and right cheek teeth. Eats only soft foods (e.g. cucumber; lettuce; cooked broccoli). I will attempt to photograph this and post it in my album.
Cries if placed in the large enclosure with my two other female g. pigs therefore housed alone in small wire-walled enclosure (4’ x 2’) inside main indoor pen. She can hear, smell and see other g. pigs and seems to be stimulated to eat by their eating. Is also encouraged to eat if I make eating noises whilst syringe feeding her.
Is no longer lame in left foreleg. Can move quite freely but spends most of her time in her pen sleeping on hay. If she hears me she sits up and begs to be held. Not restless. Enjoys cuddles of an hour or more (used to get restless after twenty minutes). Coat shiny; eyes bright – appears well except very thin (hollows over hips) and this enormous swelling on left upper jaw. Produces small, dry stools regularly (some of which she is able to eat). Produces urine regularly – urine appears normal but smaller quantity than usual.
Advice requested:
(a) How to stimulate her appetite in order to encourage her to feed herself as much as possible, especially to encourage her to begin eating hay and drinking water?
(b) How to ensure she receives highly nutritious food? Are soaked pellets the best basic diet at this time?
(c) How to give Baytril – should it be with food or between feeds?
(d) Although not visibly in pain, I wonder whether she is suffering and thus not eating. I have been feeding romaine lettuce because she can chew it herself and because it is a natural anti-inflammatory and painkiller. What more can I do to provide pain relief?
Comments invited:
(d) Has veterinary treatment been appropriate? If not, what should be done to improve care? For example, personally I am concerned that we have not x-rayed the teeth. I would like to identify whether swelling is due to abscess and where the abscess is located i.e. in bone or soft tissues. I would also like to eliminate the possibility that swelling/malocclusion is due to apical eruption through upper or lower jaw bones.
(e) Speculation on possible cause of swelling on upper left jaw? Suggested treatment?
(f) Prognosis?
Your advice / comments will not replace my vet’s advice but they will help me understand what questions I should be asking when I take Bonnie back for check-up later this week.
Many thanks.
