My little Tizzle has pneumonia

[mcbrooke1]

My little loved piggy Tizzle has pneumonia, distended stomach, and so very much trapped gas.  They said from the difficulty breathing, air can get trapped.   My heart is broken.  It feels like it came out of no-where and came on hard.  I feel so bad for her.  I'm sure it's from the dramatically & rapidly changing temperatures in Chicago and me trying to stabilize the temp in their room.  I have 5 meds to give her - twice a day each, as well as critical care twice a day.  I hate separating the two piggies, but I know it's absolutely necessary, I just hate it since for the most part, they are really close. The vet said I have to keep a close eye on Zelda too in case the pneumonia is incubating as she and her sister been sharing everything and anything possible.  You know guinea pigs, fighting back and forth - snatching a piece of lettuce out of one another mouths, eating it, and then getting it taken away again, even when there's several other pieces to eat.  The vet said they can't rule out a heart condition yet in Tizzle though. Right now her lungs are so cloudy and there's so much gas, it's blocking a full view of the heart, however they said symptoms overlap with these two illnesses. If it's pneumonia - the meds should clear it up and she can then rule out a heart problem.  Please say a little prayer for her. She is the sweetest and kindest little guinea pig who has come so very far since i first met her.  Thank you for listening and for your prayers. 

[jolovespiggies]

I am so very sorry to hear this hunni, virtual loving vibes are on their way and you are in my prayers.

Hugs
JO xx

[Bean]

Oh I'm so sorry to read this, poor Tizzle. It sounds like you're on the case doing everything you can to help her, and I really hope you see some positive improvement very soon. You must feel like it's one thing after another, I hope you're managing to stay positive and just physically manage to do everything that needs to be done to look after your furry family.

I'll be sending lots of positive, healing vibes your way, and really hope Tizzle is soon recovering and that Zelda remains unaffected by this. I hope she's doing okay with her other issues too.

Take care. x

[3piggles]

I am so sorry to hear this Those girls have been through so much It's probably not about the weather, or anything you did. Our babies come to us with a genetic history we don't know. If we're lucky, we provide the best possible lives for them, and they do well. We can't do anything about the genetic weaknesses. You've done everything you could. Remember that.

I had a boy with pneumonia. We got him through it, but he developed asthma and respiratory issues. It will be an expensive route to clearing the pneumonia, and there are no guarantees that's all she'll get. Just be aware of the possibilities, and don't blame yourself

[jolovespiggies]

How is Tizzle today sweetie, I am so sorry to hear that she is so poorly?

Hugs
Jo xx

[3piggles]

I was wondering, too. I hope she's doing better

[Bean]

Me three. Hope she is okay. x

[mcbrooke1]

This has been a heart breaking week. The very next day I rushed Tizzle to the ER. The entire time I was at work the following day - she did not go the bathroom... there was no urine or droppings anywhere in her cage. Her food hadn't been touched. And she was just laying there. I swept her up, went to the ER, and she hasn't been home since. She spent 18 hours in the emergency room where they were not able to help her. She is in GI stasis and the size she has swelled to has been horrific. The vet said her stomach would likely burst at this point - it has been three days since she's gone to the bathroom at all, eaten, and is so full of gas. They couldn't even feed her critical care because it would just become trapped with everything else. Nothing at the ER or the hospital is working. The next step is a cathetar and 4 days in the emergency room since she needs 24 care with a catheter. Which I can't put her through. Last night me and Zelda went there to say goodbye. It was just so heart breaking and heart warming to be together again. The vet let us spend 3 hours together in a room. And Zelda and Tizzle cuddled like I've never ever seen them cuddle. I wasn't going to separate them. I had made an operation save Tizzle bag - full of her own hay, pellets, favorite veggies, and treats. I put them all around her so at the very least, she could smell all her favorites before passing. Once we left the vet, I couldn't drive off from the parking lot for an hour, I knew once i pulled out, i wasn't going to see her again. I wanted to run back in and say goodbye again, but I knew they already had her back in the oxygen and sterile environment. Spending those 3 hours with her were wonderful. There was just so much love. I cried most of the night and again this morning when I went to say hello to Zelda.

While we were there at the vet saying goodbye to Tizzle, I brought up my concerns about Zelda again. The straining and the loud stomach noises. Additionally, yesterday morning she didn't eat her AM veggies. They ran a bunch of tests and took X-rays... and Zelda has the beginning of pneumonia, as well as a parasite called ... Coccidia something I believe. I can't find the paperwork to see the exact name. They said her stomach issues may get much better once the parasite is killed off. And she's on medication for the pneumonia. Zelda is just not the same at all. There is no spark in her. Being without Pizzle all week, I suspect, is very hard on her, in addition to the pneumonia and parasite infection. This has all been so horrible. I came home at lunch to spend some time with her too, keep her company. But she just kind of did her own thing.

Today Tizzle was being put to sleep.

Except my phone rang at about 7:30am and it was the vet - calling to say Tizzle had passed over 20 poos though the night!!! Even in her voice you could tell she herself was happy about Tizzle. And as the day went on, Tizzle went on to pass over 30 poos. She also ate a piece of lettuce for the first time. Her swelling went down about 30%. They said there was now hope and asked if I would like to give this another day to see if she continues to get better. OMG of course. My heart was broken before that call. As soon as I got out of work tonight, I rushed over to the animal hospital and just broke down crying again when I saw her. This time, tears of joy being able to say hello to her after having said goodbye for good last night. She's by no means out of the woods, but these are positive changes and they hope to call me tomorrow morning with more good news.

I came home to a sad and sick Zelda tonight. I'm giving her extra attention and love and took her out for floor time. She wasn't very interested. So I just sat with her until she drifted off. Her droppings are also covered in a hard white coating. I'm hoping its the meds, I emailed a picture to the vet and should hear in the morning.

I hope so much Tizzle improves and can come home and they can be reunited. And that these meds help Zelda feel better fast.

I am so full of joy that Tizzle is turning around. This is such an extraordinary gift, to have even been able to see her again tonight. I am sending so much gratitude out into the world tonight for helping me and my little guinea pig family.

I will write again tomorrow with another update. Thank you for all the positive thoughts and prayers. Here are a few pictures from last night when we were there saying goodbye.  None of us look too hot, it's been a rough week for all 3 of us,  but you can see the love  

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[jolovespiggies]

Oh sweetie, this seems nothing short of a miracle. Thank you for keeping us posted. The photos are lovely too, such gorgeous piggies.

Hugs
JO xx

[Bean]

Crikey, what a roller coaster. To think you're saying goodbye to Tizzle but then find out she has responded after all, and is now doing well, that must have been amazing. I really hope her recovery continues. Gorgeous pictures, they are certainly stunning and much loved guinea pigs.

So sorry to hear that Zelda's succumbed to pneumonia too though, and is obviously not feeling well.

That's some positive news that they've found something that might explain her digestive problems though. I hope she cops well with treatment and that you're seeing some improvements very soon.

Everything will remain crossed for you here and I hope some calmer and healthier days are ahead.

[3piggles]

Wow! Rollercoaster ride indeed! Excellent news about Tizzle, and I hope she makes a full recovery. Zelda should do better knowing Tizzle is doing better, if there's some way to get them together again. She misses her friend, and with her health not the best, either, being separated just adds stress and sadness to her condition.

Still keeping all digits crossed for them both, and for the three of you to have a wonderfully happy family reunion

[Whimsy]

Tizzle has got to be one of the cutest guinea pigs I've ever seen!! I love them all, but that face!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I hope they both feel better soon 🙂

[mcbrooke1]

Tizzle came home on Sunday! Between the ER and the hospital, my poor little piggy has been gone for over 5 days. But she's home sweet home at last! And she continues to improve. They said it could take up to a month for her to return to normal. Right now she's on 6 meds twice a day and 2 critical care feedings a day. She isn't eating too much on her own yet. She nibbles at the vegetables and has a few pellets, but between the meds and the critical care - her bloat has gone down significantly, she's going to the bathroom regularly, and she's no longer wheezing / grunting when she's breathes. I am still in shock when I hold her, that's she's still here with me. This seriously taught me to have more faith in tough times and never say goodbye until that exact moment comes - because you never know what can happen.

Zelda however is struggling. Between the parasite and the pneumonia, and now her straining is much worse. I don't know that they are related - but it's getting hard to watch. I called the vet and was much more assertive than I have been about the straining. I said I wanted Reglan. When she was recovering from the emergency surgery, I don't remember the straining being an issue, she was on so many GI meds. I know once we took her off the Reglan - they replaced it with Tramodyl - the straining came back. I got the Raglan this morning - she's going regularly and with limited straining. I have to see how the next day goes, but so far, there's improvement. No crazy gurgling / bubbling / scary sounds and less straining. This was brand new - I was giving Tizzle the critical care - and Zelda decided she wanted some. WHAT? When i had to give it to her, she wanted nothing to do with it. Now I don't have to give it to her, and she wants it! Probably because Tizzle was eating it. You know how piggies want whatever the other are having!

So at this given second, things seem ok. I feel like i can breathe again. It's been a tough week to say the least. My cat Miracle must have somehow eaten a dropping because he caught the same parasite. But he's on 2 meds now and on the road to recovery too. I feel very lucky and blessed to have all my pets still in my life. I love all these little buggers!

[3piggles]

Wonderful news, all around! I'm glad changing the meds seems to be helping Zelda, and I really hope it continues to help. It must be great to see Zelda enjoying life without those awful episodes

The fact that Zelda is going after the Critical Care is as much because she's happy to have Tizzle back with her. They bond very strongly, and really miss each other when they're apart. Tizzle was gone for 5 days. It seemed like forever to you, and even longer to Zelda. Life it getting back to normal for them both, and being together will keep their moods up, and help with their healing

So sorry your poor cat got the parasite, too I hope that clears up quickly

[jolovespiggies]

That is great news about Tizzle hunni but I am sorry to hear that Zelda is still struggling. Lots of virtual hugs are on their way.

Hugs
JO xx

[Bean]

Glad that Tizzle is back home and I really hope the meds do the trick.

Sorry that Zelda got worse, but good for you for both knowing which meds would be best for her and insisting she got them. It sounds like you were right with that improvement and fingers crossed that she will carry on improving too.

Glad your cat is on the mend too - crikey, you must spend a lot of time at your vets! Let's hope that changes as the year goes on - we want a full spread of healthy and happy critters!

[jolovespiggies]

How are they all love?

Hugs
Jo xx

[mcbrooke1]

Everyone is on the mend! Both the piggies and my kitty. I am one happy and lucky little pet parent. I have to admit - I am administering A LOT of medicine a day. 22 syringes of meds between Zelda and Tizzle, plus 4 syringes of critical care, and 2 syringes of meds to my cat. But this part is amazing - Zelda these days - just opens her mouth when I go to give her meds and we are done in two minutes. Months ago when I first had to give Zelda meds, some of you may remember, it would take 2 hours and I'd end up in tears. I had a full out breakdown over it. But now what I do - is I introduced her to Cilantro which she is obsessed with - so I hold it near the syringe - she takes the meds and then know she's immediately getting cilantro. Works amazing. Me and Tizzle are still working out a routine. I feel like I'm constantly jabbing a syringe in her face, I feel bad. Like she's going to need some chap stick or something. Tizzle is still not eating on her own. Thankfully we have a follow up appt tomorrow so I can touch base with them. She had a little interest in romaine lettuce for a few days, but now she just walks right by that too. I haven't seen her eating pellets. Although she does graze on hay. I've been giving her a little extra critical care - I'm looking forward to finding out if I need to officially up it since she's not eating anything other than hay on her own. Unfortunately I have nothing to tempt Tizzle with to take the meds or eat the critical care since she wants nothing to eat at all. So like I said, we are still working out our groove. But it's nothing like it was with Zelda back in the day. Takes us maybe 40 minutes twice a day right now between all the meds and the syringes of critical care. But I thank my lucky stars these little piggies are still here with me. Here's a few new pics...

Tonight I am working on some thank you gifts for our vet and the other techs.  I'll have to post some pictures once I'm done.  I bought these big heart lollipops and I'm putting a picture of the two them on the outside with a little note printed under the pic  that says "Thank you for saving us."  And I make handmade cards that I sell and give away, so I'm putting together little tins of cards to give them each as a thank you from me as well.  And a tray of assorted mini cupcakes, you can't go wrong with cupcakes!  I am absolutely a helicopter parent to these guinea pigs, so a thank you to them for all of their help is long overdue!!! 

[Bean]

Awww that's a lovely gesture - I'm sure they will be delighted that their help means so much to you. I always think it's nice when people take the time to say an extra thank you.

I'm glad everyone seems to be on the mend. Good work with all your nursing and I'm glad things are a lot easier with Zelda. I hope Tizzle's appetite perks back up soon. They're really beautiful girls and look so healthy - you'd never guess how much they've had to cope with in the last few months.

[jolovespiggies]

I am glad they are on the mend and your kind gesture will be much appreciated. I always do something like that if someone has really helped me and yes, I agree about the cupcakes, I love them lol!

Hugs
JO xx