OldManNibbs
New Born Pup
Hi everyone!
My wife and I have an elder 6.5 year old boar named Nibbler who is battling a few illnesses right now that have us really concerned.
We are located in the US and can kindly use some assistance, feedback, and personal experiences.
My apologies in advance for the incredibly long post!
Nibbler’s Medical Background:
Habitat:
On 08/25/22, Nibbler appeared lethargic, disinterested in hay and slightly puffy, weighing in at 956g. He was taken to the vet on 08/26/22 weighing at 920g, eating minimal hay but still mainly disinterested. X-rays were taken, and a general exam was given. He appeared fine during his physical but based on his history (last sick with URI/Pneumonia in January 2022), he was prescribed Sulfatrim (.57ml 2x a day for 7-10 days). We were also given Revolution lice treatment for kittens/puppies to administer topically at home but we haven’t done this as it says not to use on sick/nursing animals.
His x-ray report came back showing the following: 1) mild to moderate bronchointerstitial pulmonary changes in the lungs, 2) stomach moderately gas distended, 3) soft tissue mass forming at left elbow, 4) osteophytes and dystrophy in stifle joints.
After about 6.5 days on Sulfatrim, his weight continued to slip (860g as of 09/01/22), and the lethargy and inappetence was unchanged. His poops were thinner but mainly held the correct shape. The vet was contacted again and Nibbler was prescribed a stronger antibiotic (Baytril at .2ml), and GI Prokinetic (Reglan or Metoclopramide at .55ml) - both of which started on 09/02/22 evening.
On 09/04/22 and 09/05/22, his activity and appetence levels seem to have spiked as we made some changes to his enclosure to make it more fun, things were looking up. We added small portions of oat hay and a botanical hay to the mix to try to get him more interested — and it appeared to work. We caught him eating at the pile for 30mins! At this time, we also experimented with a different flavor of Critical Care — Anise flavor. Now… we’re not sure if this was something that we screwed up on big time, but on 09/06/22 (4 days into his new med cycle), his poops have turned into unformed smelly large unshaped muddy piles, and he appears to be a lot more bloated and harder underneath. There’s also a lot of rumbling and movements underneath as well. He’s been mostly soft underneath and hasn’t had much gas issues since early 2022. As soon as the poop changed, we cut off the different hay and anise immediately and went back to the original feedings. We think it’s the Anise, but can’t be sure…
So now, we’re at the point he’s mostly disinterested in hay again, less active, and batting probably more bloat then before, and terrible poops. He’s lost more weight and is now at 759g. The mushy unformed piles of poop remain the same, with the occasional shapely tiny soft one in between. We’re going to have to up the critical care syringe intake A LOT. I personally am having a hard time getting him to take anything from the syringe expect for his Reglan and Metacam, but my wife is the saving grace when it comes to everything else. It takes me an hour just to get 2ml of critical care in him.
We contacted our vet over the phone, but at this point it was suggested to take him to a board certified exotic vet hospital for further tests and advice.
We are at a loss, and don’t know what to do. He’s always bounced back fast from his previous treatments. I’m refusing to say he’s declining because of old age so quickly.
I want to attach photos of the X-rays, reports, poops, and pictures of Nibbler as well, how can I do that from my iPhone? I always found including these photos might be helpful to others as well.
Thank you for reading!
My wife and I have an elder 6.5 year old boar named Nibbler who is battling a few illnesses right now that have us really concerned.
We are located in the US and can kindly use some assistance, feedback, and personal experiences.
My apologies in advance for the incredibly long post!
Nibbler’s Medical Background:
- Has been treated for forms of URI/Pneumonia 4x (including currently).
- Has been prescribed “lifelong” daily Metacam (.14ml) for pain management/early signs of arthritis.
- Has (apparently) a sensitive stomach and has battled bloat in the past and has it currently. He has been off vegetables entirely for almost a year now.
- Has a form of lice (untreated at the moment)
- Fresh handfuls of timothy hay and orchard grass 4-5x daily.
- We have offered oat hay and Oxbow’s “botanical” hay in the past, but infrequently.
- Oxbow Garden Select Pellets (Adult Guinea Pig) - 2TBSP (1TBSP offered at morning, and 1TBSP at night)
- Oxbow Natural Vitamin C Supplement Tablet - 1 tablet in the morning
- Oxbow Natural Science Digestive Support Tablet - 1/2 tablet in the early afternoon, 1/2 tablet in the early evening.
- BeneBac Plus Gel Probiotic Support - 5ml/.5g weekly when not sick; .5ml/.5g 2x daily after antibiotics are administered.
Habitat:
- 60” x 30” chloroplast cage grid enclosure with fleece bedding/similar flooring; shared with his cagemate (2yr old Boar named Owlie).
On 08/25/22, Nibbler appeared lethargic, disinterested in hay and slightly puffy, weighing in at 956g. He was taken to the vet on 08/26/22 weighing at 920g, eating minimal hay but still mainly disinterested. X-rays were taken, and a general exam was given. He appeared fine during his physical but based on his history (last sick with URI/Pneumonia in January 2022), he was prescribed Sulfatrim (.57ml 2x a day for 7-10 days). We were also given Revolution lice treatment for kittens/puppies to administer topically at home but we haven’t done this as it says not to use on sick/nursing animals.
His x-ray report came back showing the following: 1) mild to moderate bronchointerstitial pulmonary changes in the lungs, 2) stomach moderately gas distended, 3) soft tissue mass forming at left elbow, 4) osteophytes and dystrophy in stifle joints.
After about 6.5 days on Sulfatrim, his weight continued to slip (860g as of 09/01/22), and the lethargy and inappetence was unchanged. His poops were thinner but mainly held the correct shape. The vet was contacted again and Nibbler was prescribed a stronger antibiotic (Baytril at .2ml), and GI Prokinetic (Reglan or Metoclopramide at .55ml) - both of which started on 09/02/22 evening.
On 09/04/22 and 09/05/22, his activity and appetence levels seem to have spiked as we made some changes to his enclosure to make it more fun, things were looking up. We added small portions of oat hay and a botanical hay to the mix to try to get him more interested — and it appeared to work. We caught him eating at the pile for 30mins! At this time, we also experimented with a different flavor of Critical Care — Anise flavor. Now… we’re not sure if this was something that we screwed up on big time, but on 09/06/22 (4 days into his new med cycle), his poops have turned into unformed smelly large unshaped muddy piles, and he appears to be a lot more bloated and harder underneath. There’s also a lot of rumbling and movements underneath as well. He’s been mostly soft underneath and hasn’t had much gas issues since early 2022. As soon as the poop changed, we cut off the different hay and anise immediately and went back to the original feedings. We think it’s the Anise, but can’t be sure…
So now, we’re at the point he’s mostly disinterested in hay again, less active, and batting probably more bloat then before, and terrible poops. He’s lost more weight and is now at 759g. The mushy unformed piles of poop remain the same, with the occasional shapely tiny soft one in between. We’re going to have to up the critical care syringe intake A LOT. I personally am having a hard time getting him to take anything from the syringe expect for his Reglan and Metacam, but my wife is the saving grace when it comes to everything else. It takes me an hour just to get 2ml of critical care in him.
We contacted our vet over the phone, but at this point it was suggested to take him to a board certified exotic vet hospital for further tests and advice.
We are at a loss, and don’t know what to do. He’s always bounced back fast from his previous treatments. I’m refusing to say he’s declining because of old age so quickly.
I want to attach photos of the X-rays, reports, poops, and pictures of Nibbler as well, how can I do that from my iPhone? I always found including these photos might be helpful to others as well.
Thank you for reading!
Give Owlie a big cuddle from me x
sending big hugs 