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Help Needed - Piggie Dragging Back Feet & Maybe Uti?

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paulalovespiggies

paulalovespiggies

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Ok, so if any of you saw my other thread under Specialist about a suspected Piggie sprain, you'll know my Pig has been poorly since June.

So June was a suspected sprain. He started hobbling around one day and got gradually worse over a few days until he was refusing to walk. X rayed and all fine. Vet gave antibiotics as thought it might be an abscess on his spine. Antibiotics made him lose his appetite and he lost a lot of weight. Separated him from cage mate as he was too excitable and bouncing about. Took him off antibiotics and no difference to his walking.

Around July I started him on Osteocare and then started vit c supplement. Weight was stablising. Back to vet, nothing else he could tell me, said to focus on bringing his weight up as he thought he might not have the energy to focus on walking about. I kept him on very low dosage loxicom as he was sore without it.

August he had a skin infection and baldie patches on his belly either side. Back to vet. Vet gave drops and also treated an ear infection. Back to vet after 10 days for a check up. He said no infection and could just be because he was bored on his own. Around this time Pig randomly started hopping around a bit, so was hoping he was improving - but not sure what was working for him. He was still dragging his back legs.

So start of September I reintroduced my pair. They always got along fine and after some extensive humping they are back to being buddies and in the same cage together. I tried stopping loxicom but sore without it.

Today I was massaging his legs and back and when I pressed his stomach he cried out, so I was thinking...

If he did originally have a sprain or strain and then has now developed a UTI, could this be what is stopping him getting back up on his feet? No other UTI symptoms.

Appetite and thirst has been fine throughout, except temporarily while he was on antibiotics.

Does anyone have any ideas?

At the minute, Pig will move about when prompted or heavily coaxed. He always drags his back legs. He will lie down and try to balance his back legs out so he's not putting pressure on them. He will not willingly move, even if nuggets are in a bowl at the other side of the cage, he will wait until I lift him out and munch away then.

Does anyone have any thoughts as the vet hasn't inspired much confidence and I am starting to think it's crueller to keep him living a life where he is just sat about all day and not his usual popcorning, running about self.
 
Is he able to move the legs at all or are they totally limp? If you touch his feet/apply a little pressure, is he pulling them away from you? If not, it could possibly be a brain or spine problem.
If he reacts and does pull them away, then 2 things spring to mind:
-some form of spine trauma/compression thats limiting nerve signals to the spine. This can also limit nerve signals to the bladder. This can cause his bladder to become full without him being able to empty it properly. This would case abdominal pain. I would sit him on a puppy pad on his own and wait for a pee to ensure he is peeing an with no difficulty.
- other idea is a pelvic injury. This can make the back end very weak/useless and pain in his abdomen.

I would suggest changing vets and getting this investigated further. I would start by asking for more detailed xrays to be performed, to check pelvis and spine fully.

Sending healing vibes x
 
I can't help but hope he gets better soon. I agree with the above maybe a different vet for a second opinion. A piggy savvy vet would be your best bet! There is a vet locator at the top if you fancied a look?
 
Ok so I've just syringe fed him water for ages and sat with him hoping for weewees! Yea. He definitely has a uti anyway, let out a squeal and jumped when he peed. The poor wee thing. I will take him to the vet hopefully tomorrow, I have been recommended another vet so hopefully will get some joy. I really hope he hasn't had it for ages cuz it means he has been suffering a lot. The poor wee guy.

Another point, when I clip his nails on his back feet and accidentally go a bit too short, he lets me know about it so he can definitely feel them.

I will be ecstatic if it is just a UTI as from what I've read they are treatable. If he could move about more I think he would be a happy little pig.

Fingers crossed. I will update asap.
 
Galaxy&nibbles said:
I can't help but hope he gets better soon. I agree with the above maybe a different vet for a second opinion. A piggy savvy vet would be your best bet! There is a vet locator at the top if you fancied a look?
Click to expand...

Thank you, I really hope so too. He is suffering and it's not fair on him.

I live in Northern Ireland, the locater tool only brings up vets across the water in England which isn't practical or affordable, it would mean a flight or ferry and a couple of days travel.

Who would I contact to suggest the tool be updated with vets in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland? I could get to the Republic easier as it's the same country. If not politically at least geographically :)
 
Oh sorry I didn't realise it only did England! I think just message one of the 'bosses' and they could pass it on to the relevant person?
Sorry I can't be of more help
 
I think it's a matter of members having found any vets in Northern Ireland that they would recommend. I am sure we do have some other members from Northern Ireland on there. How long ago was his xray? if it was a few months I would get him xrayed again just to rule out anything like a stone and like Adelle says to check the spine fully. Have you also tried supplementing with extra vitamin C? You could always ask a more piggy savvy vet to look at the xray? Xrays can be emailed. Vegan Glucosamine is also an option if it does turn out to be something with his joints or back.
 
Tha k
Galaxy&nibbles said:
Oh sorry I didn't realise it only did England! I think just message one of the 'bosses' and they could pass it on to the relevant person?
Sorry I can't be of more help
Click to expand...

That's fine, I'll pass it along! I've been to 2 vets, one general one initially who was amazing but not a specialist so they had to refer me on. The second one was rubbish and expensive and an hours travel to boot! After a few visits I called them out of desperation for more painkillers cuz I thought my furbaby was on his way out the door and all they did was give me the painkillers and say good luck! Absolutely shambolic.

I have high hopes for tomorrow though and if any good will let the moderators know so the recommendation can be added on here.

I just want to know what is wrong and I can I fix him or at least make him comfy and decide from there what to do.
 
helen105281 said:
I think it's a matter of members having found any vets in Northern Ireland that they would recommend. I am sure we do have some other members from Northern Ireland on there. How long ago was his xray? if it was a few months I would get him xrayed again just to rule out anything like a stone and like Adelle says to check the spine fully. Have you also tried supplementing with extra vitamin C? You could always ask a more piggy savvy vet to look at the xray? Xrays can be emailed. Vegan Glucosamine is also an option if it does turn out to be something with his joints or back.
Click to expand...

Thanks - yea his xray was back in June so will need a new one I'd say.

He has been getting extra vit c which I'll keep doing but it hasn't had a noticeable effect.

Yep, I'll see how tomorrow goes and if vet is any good I will recommend. Judging by online reviews they seem to be decent so I am hopeful!
 
Thanks for the responses, great to get some ideas and I feel like all is not lost!

In the meantime, any ideas as to how to relieve his pain while waiting on the vet? I have loxicom that I can give him, but anything else?
 
I don't think there is anything else you can give other than the metecam/loxicom. Hope you get to the bottom of this, no good that the vet is not very keen on getting to the bottom of it.

Been 15 years since I lived in N/Ireland so can't recommend any vets unfortunately x
 
rosie and bramble said:
I don't think there is anything else you can give other than the metecam/loxicom. Hope you get to the bottom of this, no good that the vet is not very keen on getting to the bottom of it.

Been 15 years since I lived in N/Ireland so can't recommend any vets unfortunately x
Click to expand...

Ah no problem, I really am hopeful for tomorrow, if I had an answer and a course of action I would much happier. It's an awful feeling thinking he is suffering and there's no end in sight.

Loxicom and cuddles it is!
 
Anything stronger than Loxicom needs to be prescribed by the vet. They can have Tramadol but it should not be a long term medication. It can be used in conjunction with Metacam. Nurofen would be no different to Loxicom.
 
Galaxy&nibbles said:
I'm not by any means saying to do so, but I was told they can have neurofen and tramadol!
Click to expand...

I have read that on other sites but while I have the loxicom there I'm happier to just use it. If I was really stuck without anything though I would try either and happily too! I'll keep it in mind for the future.

Thank you!
 
helen105281 said:
Anything stronger than Loxicom needs to be prescribed by the vet. They can have Tramadol but it should not be a long term medication. It can be used in conjunction with Metacam. Nurofen would be no different to Loxicom.
Click to expand...

This is good to know for emergencies! Thank you!
 
Quick update - vet gave an injection and now baytril in his water for 7 days to clear up urine infection. He says Pig has arthritis and sent me home with a big bottle of loxicom. Poor wee Pig - he has the huff at the minute after getting poked and prodded and a big needle, so am just letting him relax and munch hay and carrots. Will update soon! Have to research arthritis in pigs to see what (if anything) I can do to help him a bit more.

Thanks every one for your help! xx
 
I would not put the Baytril in his water as it is impossible to control the dose he is getting, plus it tastes awful so he won't drink while it is in there. Can the vet give you a dose to give by syringe instead? Also, he needs probiotics at least an hour after the Baytril to counteract any effect on his gut. So if the Baytril is in the water you can't control the timing either. Do you have Pets at Home in Northern Ireland? if so, they sell this:

ProC Probiotic 100gm | Pets At Home

Now he has an arthritis diagnosis you can also consider adding in Vegan Glucosamine at some stage which can help. I can give you the link to the one I use if needed.
 
I have a few piggies with arthritis like problems as they are getting older. It's just a case of taking each day as they come. Often the winter can be worse for joints too so keep an eye as the weather is getting colder and wetter now.

So sorry you've been having such a bad time with your little one. I read the other thread and then this one. It might be best to try and keep everything in one thread so we can keep track.

I agree with the baytril in water being a complete waste of time. You cannot dose correctly like this. Try calling your vet and getting a twice (or once) a day dosage. It's 10mg per kg twice a day (or 20mg/kg once a day if need be).

Hope he starts to feel better soon.

x
 
helen105281 said:
I would not put the Baytril in his water as it is impossible to control the dose he is getting, plus it tastes awful so he won't drink while it is in there. Can the vet give you a dose to give by syringe instead? Also, he needs probiotics at least an hour after the Baytril to counteract any effect on his gut. So if the Baytril is in the water you can't control the timing either. Do you have Pets at Home in Northern Ireland? if so, they sell this:

ProC Probiotic 100gm | Pets At Home

Now he has an arthritis diagnosis you can also consider adding in Vegan Glucosamine at some stage which can help. I can give you the link to the one I use if needed.
Click to expand...

Thanks, the vet never told me about the probiotic, we have p@h here, I will pick some up tomorrow. His poops and appetite are normal though, does that make a difference?

I noticed he wasn't taking as much water as normal since I added the baytril. The vet said it was important to not give him the baytril directly and that it must be diluted down to 0.4 mls per 100 mls water... Can you advise further about how to dose it for feeding directly?

I will get the glucosamine you mentioned, I've just been reading about it and think it could definitely help.

Thanks so much for your help! :)
 
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Abi_nurse said:
I have a few piggies with arthritis like problems as they are getting older. It's just a case of taking each day as they come. Often the winter can be worse for joints too so keep an eye as the weather is getting colder and wetter now.

So sorry you've been having such a bad time with your little one. I read the other thread and then this one. It might be best to try and keep everything in one thread so we can keep track.

I agree with the baytril in water being a complete waste of time. You cannot dose correctly like this. Try calling your vet and getting a twice (or once) a day dosage. It's 10mg per kg twice a day (or 20mg/kg once a day if need be).

Hope he starts to feel better soon.

x
Click to expand...

Thank you, I kinda gave up on the other post as hadn't had any responses to my last 2/3 comments so figured I should try a new one.

He is an indoor pig and our wee house is very cosy so am hoping that he won't feel the effects of the colder weather.

So I just need to ask for something he can take on it's own then?

The vet won't be open again until Monday, thankfully I am off anyway so I can call up to pick up new medicine, can you advise what to do in the meantime? He is still drinking water (with the baytril in it) but I have to coax him more than normal. Sorry if my responses are a bit mixed up, I tend to reply as I read the post so previous post mightn't make sense.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated :)
 
helen105281 said:
I would not put the Baytril in his water as it is impossible to control the dose he is getting, plus it tastes awful so he won't drink while it is in there. Can the vet give you a dose to give by syringe instead? Also, he needs probiotics at least an hour after the Baytril to counteract any effect on his gut. So if the Baytril is in the water you can't control the timing either. Do you have Pets at Home in Northern Ireland? if so, they sell this:

ProC Probiotic 100gm | Pets At Home

Now he has an arthritis diagnosis you can also consider adding in Vegan Glucosamine at some stage which can help. I can give you the link to the one I use if needed.
Click to expand...

Yes, if you could post the link that would be great! Thanks again :)
 
Abi_nurse said:
It may be that just having some metacam on standby for bad days, and he can have a dose then.

How old is he? And does he have any satin breed in him?

x
Click to expand...

Oh sorry I meant for the baytril, as in is there a different one that I can give him without diluting it in his water?

His gotcha day was Nov 2014 and he was pretty tiny so thinking he must be nearly 2 Years old. He is an Abyssinian with hair that grows quite long... Not super long like the ones with hair that sits out like fan.

I don't know anything else about his breeding though... Are satins more prone to arthritis?

:)
 
It will most likely be the same Baytril just at a different dose if not being put in the water. I think the reason Abi nurse was asking if he had any satin in him is because satins can be prone to issues with their joints.
 
@helen105281 would u post the link to vegan glucosamine please? I've been looking online but so many to choose and would rather go with a recommendation!

Update - pig is finishing his baytril today, the vet said was ok to stick to 0.4mls and just feed it directly without dilution. He didn't like it much but always gets a treat right after it. Hasn't effected his appetite or poops thank goodness, he's actually gained a bit of weight. I've been giving his loxicom in 2 doses 12 hours apart as he seemed to be getting sore again at the end of the day when he was on one daily dose.

Will get the glucosamine and hopefully will see more improvements in him.

Still being handfed to ensure he is getting enough as his cagemate is the dominant one and don't want to risk his losing weight.

Ideally if he didn't need handfeeding I feel I can handle everything else, just takes a long time sitting with him so in the morning I have him sitting beside me while I'm getting ready for work, I just keep checking on him and giving him water.

Multi tasking with a syringe in one hand and makeup brush in the other!

He's in good spirits and even took a little wander himself this morning without no prompting or coaxing! He only went about 2ft in one direction and then back over again but it was wonderful!
 
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