Hunger strike - please help

Zoe on December 19th 2011, 1:08 pm

I am having problems with my boy, he isnt eating and hasnt noticeably eaten much for about two weeks now. There was no faeces which initially alerted me to a problem, he then tried a hibernation attempt. He is now in a warm room, he is warmish to the touch but is acting strangely sleeping halfway out from under his blankets, he is refusing to go near the heatpad (although he never has liked heatpads) and he is refusing food.

I saw him have a little go at some wet cat food a few days ago when out running around but he hasnt touched it since. I cant tell if he has picked at his biscuits but he usually makes a mess with crunching them everywhere and there is no evidence he has been near them, I have tried wet cat food, normal dry cat biscuits, veg, the chicken soup recipe, his favourite of dried mealworms (he wont touch live) and everything has been refused. I did see him have a very small munch of scrambled egg last night. I am at a loss as to what to do with him.

When picked up, he seems quite bright and there is nothing visibly wrong with him, He doesnt seem to be grumpy or in pain and is staying unballed (although he isnt a balling hog anyway) he does wander around his viv now and again during the day which is again odd, but he seems to just come out, have a look around and go back to bed. He doesnt seem interested in much.

I am really struggling to figure out what to do with him now to make him better from whatever is wrong. Will I need to start syringe feeding? If so, what can I give him?

Thank you

**dink** on December 19th 2011, 5:45 pm

Bless him, its a worry when they don't eat sad

First off, have you checked his mouth? he may be having teeth problems which could explain why he doesn't want to eat.
I would either suggest the chicken soup recipe (serve warm though, you can also add soaked cat biscuits to this) or try soaking cat biscuits in boiling water for approx 20 mins so they go really soft, also serve those warm but check for hot spots. I use the purina one biscuits as these seem to be the ones to kickstart hogs eating again.

If he does need syringe feeding, give me a shout and i'll guide you through. I hope hes okay soon x

Zoe on December 20th 2011, 1:50 pm

Thank you Dink, I have bought Purina One today, I do have what may be a stupid question.... how do you get them to eat it whilst its still warm? If I wake him to offer him food he isnt interested and it will go cold. And he doesnt stay out very long so if I started boiling the kettle and soaking it when he comes out at night, he will be back in bed before its ready to give to him! This is the problem I had with the chicken soup too, he wouldnt eat it warm or cold.

Zoe on December 20th 2011, 7:37 pm

He wont eat the soaked biscuits, so I have cooked and chopped up chicken breast, that got sniffed and he made licking noises but wont eat it.

At least he is still drinking water well.

I am starting to wonder if he does have a teeth problem. I have tried the exotic vets tonight but it is engaged, will try to get him in over the next couple of days.

Zoe on December 20th 2011, 7:48 pm

Just tried the vet again, the next appt they had is 5pm thurs so will take him in then.

Zoe on December 22nd 2011, 7:21 pm

The exotic vet gave him a thorough check over, teeth and faecal swabs came back fine, he thinks that there is a blockage but is unsure what it is - constipation or 'something sinister'. Poor Trio had an enema, injection of fluids, has been given metacam painkiller and baytril anti biotics for the next 5 days. Also a glucose type powder to mix into his water (although I have given him a bowl of plain water too as the last thing I want is him refusing water now aswell).

Vet said that if after 3-4 days he is no better then it may be a tumour or kidney failure with the need to think about letting him be put to sleep. There is no way I would even think about putting him through any further tests, he is not strong enough and I will not cause him any more stress or pain.

Trio is collapsed on his side in the viv. I actually thought he was dead a few minutes ago - on his front with all legs splayed out to the sides. I put him back in bed but he keeps getting out and flopping down on the fleece liner. He looks terrible but there is nothing more I can do except keep him comfortable and hope that he picks up later after getting over his traumatic vet visit. I am not holding out much hope, if he doesnt show any improvement tomorrow I will take him to put him to rest, I will not allow him to suffer sad

HoggyMama on December 23rd 2011, 6:43 am

How is he this morning hun? My love to you both xx

Zoe on December 23rd 2011, 8:25 am

Well I left the heating on for him all night as he wouldnt sleep under his blankets. I got up this morning to find him curled up, face down in the sand at the bottom of his wheel tray. He was still with us though, but now had sand crusted up each nostril (he was blowing snot bubbles when breathing last night). So I picked him up and used warm water and cotton wool to decrust his nose which seemed to wake him up somewhat. I popped him back in his viv and he even went for a tiny walk on his wheel. Then I noticed some little tiny bits of poo on his fleece. Have never been so happy to see it in my life! He is still extremely poorly and lethargic but at least he isnt completely bunged up any more - if it is constipation which has caused it, the enema and fluids must have softened it enough for some to be released. It is the black stuff rather than the green. He is a bit less wobbly than last night (although last night I have never seen a creature look so close to death and make it through the night, I was 100% convinced I was going to lose him overnight).

He is still very very poorly but is wandering up and down the 5' length of his viv at the moment. Hopefully the painkillers and antibiotics syringe fed this morning have kicked in and he is more comfortable. I will just do my best with the meds for the next few days if he keeps fighting and keep some wet food in there in case he chooses to eat in the hope that it will go through him easier.

moopy83 on December 23rd 2011, 6:17 pm

Glad to hear he's a bit better, lets just hope that it carries on getting better I love you

Fingers crossed! crossfingers

I'll pray for him tonight I love you

Best wishes xxx

miffy on December 24th 2011, 1:40 pm

how is he doing now? Must be so hard to see him going through all of this and it make you feel so helpless. I keep my fingers crossed for you both.

joloveshedgies on December 24th 2011, 2:36 pm

I hope he is allright love, lots of healing and comforting vibes are on their way.

Hugs

JO xx

Zoe on December 25th 2011, 10:51 am

Unfortunately he isn't picking up much yet, still won't eat. He is being syringe fed meds twice a day and hates it which makes me feel really guilty. He certainly has enough energy to squirm like mad thru that! He seems to just sleep all the time at the moment, have brought him away with me as staying with family at Xmas.

Zoe on December 25th 2011, 7:24 pm

I am v confused now, have syringe fed his meds this evening and he has vomited them back up, wretching until he foamed at the mouth several times. Then he went for quite a long walk on his wheel. The wheel bit was good, but I dont want to be force feeding meds that are making him vomit? Should I continue? He has another 2 days worth to go. He is on baytril and metacam.

**dink** on December 25th 2011, 11:39 pm

Aww poor babe sad

The meds could be having an effect on his stomach, they are both quite bitter tasting too. If you are giving the both meds together at the same time then this is prob whats made him sick...if hes taking any food via syringe i would give it in with that and try to keep/give the meds at seperate times (if that makes sense?).
I would really recommend getting some pro-c powder from pets at home as it helps settle the stomach when animals are ill etc.
Can i ask what doses hes on?
Keeping everything crossed for you guys x

joloveshedgies on December 26th 2011, 1:19 pm

How is he today love? More top up vibes and lots of love on its way.

Hugs

JO xx

Hunger strike - please help

Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help

Re: Hunger strike - please help