Sandy coughed once and breathed weird

[Piggies&buns]

Sandy's weight remains stable so I stopped the syringe feeding around the time of her last dose of antibiotic. She is eating hay, veg, and pellets normally. I continued probiotic, but decreased to twice per instead of 3 times per day with the plan of increasing again if needed. Her poos were normal for several days, but today she has very small poos...normal shape and firmess, just very small. I'm going to call the vet and see if they can give me any advice. Also going to go back to probiotic 3 x's per day to see if that helps.

Did you continue to weigh her daily once you stopped syringe feeding?
Smaller poops can be because of reduced food intake so it may be, if you haven’t weighed her since stopping syringe feeding, that she isn’t eating as much hay as it appears and that she isn’t quite ready for syringing to be stopped.

 

[Hope4gem]

Did you continue to weigh her daily once you stopped syringe feeding?
Smaller poops can be because of reduced food intake so it may be, if you haven’t weighed her since stopping syringe feeding, that she isn’t eating as much hay as it appears and that she isn’t quite ready for syringing to be stopped.

Thanks for the advice. I continued to weigh her and her weight has been stable. I weigh her at least twice, sometimes 3 times per day. Will continue to keep an eye on her weight. I called the vet and they said continue to monitor her. If it looks like she's losing weight I'll step in with syringe feeding again.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thanks for the advice. I continued to weigh her and her weight has been stable. I weigh her at least twice, sometimes 3 times per day. Will continue to keep an eye on her weight. I called the vet and they said continue to monitor her. If it looks like she's losing weight I'll step in with syringe feeding again.

Ok, that’s good, and good she is stable
You do only need to weigh once per day - the more you weigh the more unreliable it becomes, but as long as you only log one weight per day and compare the same one against the previous days weight taken after the exact same time, then it’s fine.
I hope she is ok

 

[Hope4gem]

Ok, that’s good, and good she is stable
You do only need to weigh once per day - the more you weigh the more unreliable it becomes, but as long as you only log one weight per day and compare the same one against the previous days weight taken after the exact same time, then it’s fine.
I hope she is ok

Thanks so much! I hope so too!

 

[Hope4gem]

Sandy's weight dipped to 796 g. I think she might be losing weight, but just gradually. Right after weighing her this morning I started with syringe feeding again. Will top her off a few times a day and adjust as needed based on daily weight. Fingers crossed she's back to her old self soon.

 

[Hope4gem]

Despite syringe feeding 4 times during the day yesterday and once during the night Sandy is down to 786 this morning. Unfortunately, I can't feed every two hours during the day because I work full-time out of the house, but will plan on getting up more frequently during the night tonight in hopes that it will help her stop losing weight. I have off over the weekend and Monday. All of my time will be devoted to her then. In the meantime, will do as many feedings as I can. Will call vet today for further advice.

 

[Hope4gem]

This morning Sandy started breathing weirdly again too. I'm not sure if it's a respiratory infection coming back (just finished antibiotics a week ago), aspirated food/water, or something else, but will mention it to the vet when I call them this morning. My poor Sandy.

 

[Hope4gem]

Sandy is going to the vet hospital today. She has to be admitted for them to do bloodwork and xrays. I'm grateful that she's getting the help that she needs, but I also feel really sad and scared.

 

[stef.trg]

Sandy is going to the vet hospital today. She has to be admitted for them to do bloodwork and xrays. I'm grateful that she's getting the help that she needs, but I also feel really sad and scared.

I am so sorry Sandy is not improving I hope that they will find what is wrong and get her the right treatment now that she‘s going to the vet hospital. I’m thinking of you, hang in there. You‘re doing such an amazing job with her! Big hugs x

 

[Hope4gem]

I am so sorry Sandy is not improving I hope that they will find what is wrong and get her the right treatment now that she‘s going to the vet hospital. I’m thinking of you, hang in there. You‘re doing such an amazing job with her! Big hugs x

Thank you so much for your kind words. You have no idea just how much that means to me. I really needed to hear that I am doing my best. Thank you!

 

[stef.trg]

Thank you so much for your kind words. You have no idea just how much that means to me. I really needed to hear that I am doing my best. Thank you!

You really are! You have been caring for her for so long and with so much love & dedication. Sandy has clearly landed on her paws with you! Keep us posted how she gets on, my fingers are firmly crossed x

 

[Hope4gem]

You really are! You have been caring for her for so long and with so much love & dedication. Sandy has clearly landed on her paws with you! Keep us posted how she gets on, my fingers are firmly crossed x

That is so kind of you! I really do try so hard with my little piggies to take good care of them. Thank you again!

 

[Hope4gem]

When I weighed Sandy this morning, she weighed 25 grams less than the day before. I called the vet and they suggested to bring her in for IV fluids so I did. She has another appointment tomorrow to get fluids again. Sunday and Monday the vet is closed so if she needs anything those days I will have to take her to the emergency vet. Her weight appeared to go back up about 18 grams over the course of the day today. I am off work the next 3 days so will be syringe feeding every two hours throughout the day and at least twice through the night. Continuing with all previously prescribed meds as well as probiotic. Hopefully, all of this helps and she will turn the corner soon.

 

[Hope4gem]

Good news! Sandy has finished all of her medication and is maintaining her weight. I continue to taper syringe feeding. Today was only 3 feedings and tomorrow will be only 2. I want to gradually decrease it and continue to weigh her daily in hopes of catching any issues if they arise. She went for her last fluids treatment today. She won't need anymore of those unless she stops eating on her own again. At this point, I am cautiously optimistic, but it seems like things are on the mend. I keep telling myself to be grateful for every good day that she has and hope that she has many more of them ahead of her!