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Senior piggy going bald!

So she's home.....she's had 3x punch biopsies and what looks like a couple of skin scrapes too bless her, she must be so sore! I wasn't sure about pain relief, she wasn't discharged with anything so I've called and asked for metacam which I'm going to collect now but she's had an injection of metacam already today so they've said not to give her any more until tomorrow.

She's quieter than usual but to be expected I think after anaesthetic and what she's been through today! I've managed to tempt her to eat with some dill and some of her fave dried forage. She's also starting another course of baytril tonight but for 3 weeks this time. The biopsies can take time to get results for so I will update as soon as I know what's what.
 
Another update! So bramble is still quieter than usual this morning, the water bottles are untouched overnight and she's not really eating her pellets or much hay which has me worried- I've just hand fed her dill and blueberries though and they've gone down very well. I've just ordered emeraid and critical care to start syringe feed if necessary, will arrive tomorrow. I'll have to mush her pellets up and syringe her those until then if necessary but relieved she's taking fresh food.

She's been prescribed metacam cat 0.6mls once a day, and baytril 0.1mls twice daily, does anyone know if I can safely up the metacam dose so I can give her it twice daily too? I don't want her in pain overnight when it wears off if possible, her back really is very sore looking with the biopsies bless her.
 
Lazw said:
Another update! So bramble is still quieter than usual this morning, the water bottles are untouched overnight and she's not really eating her pellets or much hay which has me worried- I've just hand fed her dill and blueberries though and they've gone down very well. I've just ordered emeraid and critical care to start syringe feed if necessary, will arrive tomorrow. I'll have to mush her pellets up and syringe her those until then if necessary but relieved she's taking fresh food.

She's been prescribed metacam cat 0.6mls once a day, and baytril 0.1mls twice daily, does anyone know if I can safely up the metacam dose so I can give her it twice daily too? I don't want her in pain overnight when it wears off if possible, her back really is very sore looking with the biopsies bless her.
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Just for ref she weighs 970g
 
Another Bramble update...... Her biopsy results have come back showing elevated lymphocytes in the skin which the vet says indicates inflammation, but it's not clear what is causing this. Unfortunately t cell lymphoma is now a possibility as she has been treated for fungal and bacterial causes for a number of weeks at this stage. She has also developed a lump in her dewlap over the last few days which the vet thinks is an enlarged lymph node. The vet is going to call pathology to discuss the results and also speak to a couple of exotic specialists about the case too. If it is t cell lymphoma, obviously the long term prognosis isn't good but the vet has said she would treat with steroids as long as brambles quality of life remains good. I'm not sure what to do at this point. I'll update again when I hear back from the vet.
 
Thank you for the update I'm sorry it wasn't a better one for you both. So has Bramble started on the steroids? 💐
 
((HUGS)), I'm pulling for you and Bramble! You've truly done everything possible and quality of life is the most important thing, the steroids may make her feel much perkier for at least awhile.

Thinking of you!
 
CTWC said:
Thank you for the update I'm sorry it wasn't a better one for you both. So has Bramble started on the steroids? 💐
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Hi, so she hasn't started them just yet. The vets are going to call pathology at the lab they use to discuss the results further and they also have an exotics referrals service they use that they were going to discuss the case with too, then get back to me with an action plan which is likely to be topical steroids.

The fungal cultures aren't ready yet but the bacterial cultures are back and are negative, I think it's unlikely the fungal cultures will come back with anything either given she's been treated with topical creams, then itrafungol, then imaverol and there's been no improvement in this time. She has a new scaly bald patch now too despite all the treatment she's had so it's pointing towards t cell lymphoma. They said they're more used to seeing it in dogs and cats at the practice which I think is why they want to have all these discussions first to be absolutely sure. They really have been absolutely amazing, they spent 45 minutes with Bramble and me this morning discussing results and what to do next- another vet came in too to discuss the results and bramble got lots of cuddles from everyone which she loved ❤️
 
Freela said:
((HUGS)), I'm pulling for you and Bramble! You've truly done everything possible and quality of life is the most important thing, the steroids may make her feel much perkier for at least awhile.

Thinking of you!
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Thanks, I really hope so. She's doing really well at the moment so if the steroids help her feel more comfortable then we will go down that route. I just want her to be happy with whatever time she has left. She's such a lovely gentle piggy.
 
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