Friday Update From Teas

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Temporary resident, Junior, is making progress, and is now eating for himself. He is still needing topping up with syringe food. Angel, who had an operation to lance and drain a huge jaw abscess is also making progress and eating more and more. The abscess is still producing a little pus and is needing regular flushing. She too is needing a little syringe feed top up. Babble is continuing to gain a little weight since having her teeth burred under GA but still requires a lot of syringe feeding. Percy's abscess is starting to heal and hopefully it will be resolved fairly quickly.

However it has not all been good news here at TEAS. Lethal boy, Ted, has been quite poorly. There is nothing obviously wrong, but he has lost a lot of weight and become very weak. Last night I had to rush him in to see Simon and I really thought we were nearing the end. However, after some sub cut fluids and some intense syringe feeding he is now looking much perkier this morning He is seeing Simon again later for more sub cut fluid.

Ted's illness highlights the importance of not over-stretching myself as I was already working at full capacity, and then needed to jump in with intense nursing of a resident who normally manages well on his own.

This is one of the reasons I am closing my doors to any more temporary residents at present. I will still do my best to help rescues but I can't take on any others. I am doing all of this alone, and as any of you who have dealt with a poorly piggy know, it is both time consuming and emotionally draining, and I am doing this with a large number of piggies. This is in addition to my full time pet care business.

I seem to have offended a few people lately by not being willing to jump in to help and I am very upset by this. A good rescue or sanctuary knows their limitations and I am not willing to compromise the care I offer.

 

[DM030819]

I can't imagine how hard it is to run a sanctuary, you are an absolute star!

It's unbelievably stressful when you have an ill pig, when I had to syringe feed one of my boys I had to ask for help from a friend. It was so exhausting!

Even those piggies that try to eat, like little Junior, still need help and care. It was lovely to help out with Junior, and I'd happily do it again, but it is stressful.

People who judge you don't understand the situation you're in.

I know I'm a little way away, but if you ever need any help please don't hesitate to ask. I'm sure either myself, or many members on here will definitely help where we can.

 

[Wiebke]

I am so sorry that Ted is poorly! But great that the other ones are pulling through.

You are doing a great job in trying to save so many poorly dental piggies' lives and giving so many piggies a chance of a longer and good quality life than they would otherwise not have in your pioneering sanctuary. Sadly for you, you are the only one looking after specifically dental piggies in the whole country - but as demand for your services is growing, you can only do so much!

Hand feeding and cleaning abscesses are very time consuming and draining jobs, especially as they often come with a lot of ups and downs with very frail animals on top of your regular day job. Like all good rescues, you have to know where your limits are so you don't end up overhwelmed by the care you are giving and so ill yourself that you have to close down fully.

It is an ideal world where there is a rescue or hospital/care home space waiting for every piggy in need... And one where every pet can be healed! You have made a big first step into a niche that has not been covered before.

Of course it is totally upsetting for both the desperate piggy's owner, whose last hope your sanctuary usually is, and yourself whenever you have to do it.

HUGS

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

If I could help each and every piggy in need of supportive care and Simon and Kim's skill, then I would. I really wish I could. I am doing my very, very best but suddenly having Ted become ill too, has highlighted the fact that the amount of time needed to run a sanctuary such as TEAS, can suddenly increase overnight, without taking any extra piggies in. This together with the fact that our vet bill, for this month alone, is going to top £1000, means we are now at capacity and we need to look at how we can continue to develop.

 

[PottyForPiggies]

I am so very very appreciative of you taking in my boy Junior. I know he is getting the best care but I know how hard it is taking care of a poorly piggie. I know how busy things can get, which is why I was cautious not to compel you to take him, but rather wait and see if it was possible before arranging anything. It has meant the world to us and given us so much joy seeing him better, but you are only one person. Whilst one person can change the world, as you are, you are still only human.

Hugs to you at this hard time x