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Post by Janet on Jun 22, 2005 2:32:42 GMT
How is Koko doing? I hope she's doing well with her new medicine. I'm also sending up a piggy prayer that the other lump can be easily drained. How does she feel about the piglets?
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on Jun 22, 2005 2:40:55 GMT
Golly, I'm more nervous than ever 'bout this chloramphenicol stuff. When they mean ingest, I gather by mouth? My vet said the powder is very dangerous to humans; we're giving the liquid--hope it's safer. Wish I weren't so nervous.
I don't know how Koko's doing. Her behavior has been strange since starting the chlor. She doesn't like it, that's for sure (even though it's apple flavored), and now isn't interested in anything by syringe. Her appetite seems down, and so does her urine/fecal output. Very little pus in her neck, though, but the other abscess seems the same size. I so hope this stuff works, and I so hope it takes care of the abscess.
Which site did you find that recommended the 3 times a day? I haven't found that. And aplastic anemia is ALWAYS fatal? Golly. I know there are only 1,000 cases in the US annually, and even gasoline can cause it, but it is scary.
Oh, and about Koko and the babies. I don't think she has really seen them. She has been sort of quarantined since her surgery, poor thing. Occassionally she's been held while the others might have play time in the pool, but I don't think she's really seen them. I am so hoping that she'll be healed and we'll feel safe putting her in with Saige. Since the babies need to be separated in a week and a half, it would be great if in a few weeks after that Koko could go back. But Saige did see her recently, and Koko made the warning sound. Who knows, after this long, they may not even get along anymore.
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Post by kitty on Jun 22, 2005 4:23:08 GMT
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Post by Clover on Jun 22, 2005 10:42:35 GMT
Jemima, did you managed to email Gina a rodentologist in England?. I'm sure she would be able to advise you about any worries that you have about the new medicine.
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on Jun 22, 2005 14:33:49 GMT
No, I haven't--but doing some research online one day, I found her!! WOW--she must be pretty good! Maybe I will do that. I just don't want to bother busy people.
Kitty--funny, I've been to that website, I better go back and take a look.
Still seeing little poo today. Her behavior is still off, also. I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the piggies on it, so I don't know what to think, or what to do.
Thank you guys for helping!
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Post by Clover on Jun 24, 2005 10:25:59 GMT
I'm sure Gina wouldn't mind Jemima. She gave me some excellent advice for our bunny Fiver, she really does know her stuff.
How are her poops now?
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on Jun 24, 2005 14:15:15 GMT
We've got more poop yesterday and today. Not tons, but more, and a little smaller than usual. It seems that as long as I rotate what she's eating, she'll eat, but I can't give her too much of any one food or she'll ignore it. At least she's eating.
My newest concern is this: I have been flushing her neck for a month. Last night when I went to clean and flush, her fur had somehow quickly overgrown the area, and only 2-3 holes are still somewhat open. Also, I actually saw NO pus last night! But to continue will be very hard, as I can't really see the holes anymore. Do you think I can take the chance and stop?
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Post by Janet on Jun 25, 2005 3:22:23 GMT
Horray for the poop! I think Skipperdoo is the go to person for your question. Maybe she'll be on later this evening.
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Post by Clover on Jun 25, 2005 7:26:16 GMT
I would ask your vet Jemima. But I do know kathy and Treen have had experienced with flushing. I'm so pleased she's pooping !
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on Jun 25, 2005 14:56:04 GMT
I spoke with the chlor prescribing vet yesterday and we discussed all of what's going on.
I told her about stopping the Baytril since Koko was being uppity about eating and pooping, and I didn't want her system too overwhelmed if unnecessary. She thought that was fine. I told her that Koko's eating was a bit better as long as I kept on giving her something new, and her poops were much more back to normal in size and shape.
We discussed that Koko's neck is closing up, and she said to keep a careful eye on it.
The big discussion is on the remaining lump around her shoulder/neck area:
The thing is we are not sure if it is an actual abscess or perhaps a cyst or fatty lump.
It is highly moveable, so once I locate it, and that's not too easy, I can move it around under her skin. That made the vet think it may not be an abscess.
I have had fatty lumps in my arms that have felt similar--you can move them around.
It's size doesn't seem to have changed, so if it is an abscess, the chlor may not be effective, or at least not yet.
There is the possibility of continuing the Chlor another 2 weeks and taking a wait and see approach with the lump, or doing a needle aspirate to at least determine it's contents before deciding on what to do.
I would hate to have come this far to stop short and then have failed.
My big question is: if the lump is freely moveable under the skin, do you think it could be an abscess still?
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Post by skipperdoo on Jun 25, 2005 18:15:26 GMT
I responded earlier to your thread on Pigloo (forum with some current and prior memebers of GL). How are things going today?
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on Jun 25, 2005 20:48:00 GMT
Thank you for asking, and for your help, Skipperdoo--
Well, today:
Now Koko's poops are loosening up--yikes. One battle after another. I get her eating, and then this!
And to top it off, I give her some poop soup and notice another internal suture sticking out of a hole, and under what now looks like a 'skin tag.' I get that out from under the skin tag, and cut it down near the base. And then I spot another suture starting to come out yet another hole!!
It's like a never ending nightmare.
Well, before her next dose of chlor I guess I'll break out the good 'ole curved tip syringe that was temporarily in retirement and go back to seeing if there's any more pus hiding in any of these holes. I did try to wet the area and gently press, but nothing so far.
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Post by skipperdoo on Jun 26, 2005 3:37:13 GMT
I won't say too loudly that I'm glad I'm not having to do Tyler any more since his abscess might suddenly reoccur. Hang in there.
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Post by Clover on Jun 27, 2005 7:28:53 GMT
Her remaining lump does sound like a fatty lump dosn't it.
Sorry to see your having to go back to flushing. Keeping fingers crossed for her.
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on Jun 28, 2005 14:18:12 GMT
This morning:::
Kokonut was leaking pus from a hole I don't remember seeing! She's been on chloramphenicol 8 days, Baytril 4 weeks and Bactrim a week. I didn't check the lump on the side of her neck, since I'm so upset and completely forgot til now (although this was only 20 minutes ago) about it. Perhaps it burst?? Although it really isn't big.
I can't believe it. I just can't believe we could come this far and I'd still see more pus. Maybe it's the darned internal sutures that came out again a few days ago. Maybe they were harboring the darn pus, although I didn't see any til now.
When is it time to give up?
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Post by Janet on Jun 28, 2005 21:23:56 GMT
This thread is on page 8 and poor little Koko is still battling, not to mention you being drained emotionally and physically. I'm wondering if there is something you can do nutritionally for her. Maybe the experts can suggest something that will get her immune system stronger. She seems to be a fighter to continue to hang on.
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Post by Merry on Jun 28, 2005 22:54:53 GMT
Jemima I've just read this thread, I had no idea that you and Kokonut were going through all this! But I have to say you're one of the most devoted owners I know, and she couldn't have a better chance of pulling through with a mom like you looking after her. I'm afraid I can't give any advice but she'll definitely be in my thoughts and prayers!
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Post by Janet on Jun 29, 2005 1:06:35 GMT
I was thinking and thinking about Koko on the drive home from work today. I know this is on her neck and you wouldn't want to drown her, but is there any way to soak the area in warm water? We had a dog that we had to soak her foot in warm salt water. Maybe this is in an impossible area and maybe this is the wrong suggstion.
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Post by Merry on Jun 29, 2005 1:07:44 GMT
I know that salt water helps to heal... I wonder if it would help?
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on Jun 29, 2005 1:53:43 GMT
We've done different things with her neck: betadine, chlorhexadene (sp?), and peroxide when getting frustrated, and even tea tree oil. I think I've done salt water, too.
A friend of mine had an abscess that burst on a cat and she used collodial silver topically. It healed right up. I had planned on trying that a while back, but kept forgetting. I don't know that it would help, but at this point it's probably unlikely to hurt.
She gets vitamin c mixed in with her poop soup, and a few times I gave her an echinicea leaf, but just in case it's not good or safe, I didn't want to give them frequently.
Thanks guys for your encouragment; it means so much!!
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