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Post by 3piggles on Dec 31, 2015 20:56:40 GMT
I have enough Metacam to help with any pain he might have. Hubby and I discussed it, and since the vet closed at noon today, and won't open again until Monday morning, we know he's in our hands. He's been eating, drinking and enjoying being petted, but not moving much, and seems to struggle to move at all. I've been turning him around so he can get to the pellets or the water. If I have to leave him for a while, I leave him with access to the water, which will get him through for a while. He's eating his veggies with gusto.
I changed the towel and emptied the poos out of his cuddle cup this morning. He was happy to just lie on the fleece cage pad while I did that, then was just as happy to be back in his cuddle cup chowing down on pellets. He's sleeping a lot, and I know he's running out of time, but he's happy, and he's not in pain.
The vet had said sarcoma usually leads to them dying in their sleep, with no pain. The Metacam is actually for his bumble foot, but it should help with any pain he might have. His poos are good, his attitude is good, and I'm more than willing to wait on him for as long as he's with me. I've been talking to another member who has a paraplegic pig, and she's been very supportive. Her pig has been paraplegic for six months, and he's still going strong. I don't expect Morty to last another six months, but I'm happy for any time I have with him.
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Post by Bean on Jan 1, 2016 10:52:14 GMT
I believe the approach is rather different when a pig's suffering a paralysis as a result of a fixed event such as a stroke or a fall and are otherwise healthy, rather than it being the result of another progressive illness which you know you can't halt the path of. But the issues to look out for in terms of urine scald etc are similar, so I'm really glad Janet's been able to help you keep Morty comfortable and am sure you're doing all you can to avoid any extra related problems popping up.
I'm so glad Morty's stomach is more settled, his breathing is better and you're feeling more positive about his quality of life as it sounded pretty bleak for the little guy a few days ago. I hope that with the pain relief and the company of his girls (who I'm sure have made such a massive difference to his life over the last few months), he is feeling well enough to enjoy life. If he's eating and drinking well, he could certainly have quite a bit of time left with you.
Lots more love coming Morty's way, I'm thinking of you all lots. xx
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Post by bongosfriend on Jan 1, 2016 15:56:37 GMT
Hang in there, Morty!
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 1, 2016 16:12:26 GMT
He is still with me, still eating and drinking, and still chomping the Plexiglass to get treats. He is sleeping an awful lot. I don't think he has much time left, but I'm satisfied that he's happy, that he's getting what he needs, and that he's comfortable. I have him on a folded towel, so six layers of toweling, to give him a soft and absorbent bed. It also gets him high enough to reach the water bottle spout, which he really seems to appreciate. We do have to stay with him when he gets a veggie treat, and make sure the girls don't try to steal it. He fights to keep it, but they tend to walk on him. He's eating hay right now, and we're just enjoying him as much as possible, and giving him as much love as possible. We consider every minute he's still with us to be a gift, and I'm so glad I didn't listen to the vet or hubby, and have him put to sleep. If he's going to fight, I'll fight for him Yes, having a young, otherwise well pig with paralysis is a lot different from having a dying pig with paralysis, but I think the basics are the same. Move him regularly, so he doesn't get urine scald or bed sores. Keep the basics (pellets, water, hay) within easy reach. I believe Janets boy is much more active than Morty, so I'm also keeping Morty warm with a fleece pad over him. I spend a lot of time in the basement family/piggy room, because I know his time is limited. I want to be there for him.
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Post by Bean on Jan 1, 2016 16:55:30 GMT
I'm glad you're able to be there for him as much as you can. Sounds like he's being well pampered.
I think the decision to have any pet put to sleep is a very hard one - balancing what's in your heart and head, and not having a crystal ball to see what's ahead for them makes it hard to be sure. It's especially hard with prey animals as we all know how well they hide illnesses and pain, so knowing them inside out certainly helps make our best guess of how they're feeling. Those who don't know them as well, even if they're close to you or may understand more medically, may see the symptoms that could be causing them pain or discomfort more predominantly that you will - sometimes that perspective can be a wake up call in this sort of difficult situation, but sometimes it just shows that you know your pet best and can understand their quality of life better than anyone. I'm glad you feel so confident in the decisions you have made for him and hope you enjoy your remaining time with Morty, and he with you, however long that may be. I'm sure he appreciates you stopping the girls nicking his veg - pigs have no manners sometimes!
xxx
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 1, 2016 17:25:18 GMT
I think there it's hard for vets, and for people who really don't know the pigs, to base decisions on anything but the obvious issues. I don't believe he has any feeling in his hind end. The girls walk on him sometimes, and he doesn't seem to know it. That's one reason why I created the situation he has, as it's not convenient for the girls to walk on him. Yes, they have no manners sometimes I've always paid a lot of attention to my pigs, gotten to know them, so I usually feel confident with the choices. He did have such a low point earlier in the week, that I was tempted to let him go. I provided pellets, and he didn't eat them, so I gave him veggies instead. His appetite was voracious, but then he got diarrhea from too many veggies. Turned out he was starving from not eating any pellets, so not at all sure why he wouldn't eat them then, but is eating them now. Once he got his bath, he seemed to really perk up. I've watched his amount of awake time decreasing slowly, but when he's awake, he eats the pellets and hay, and drinks from the water bottle. Then he goes back to sleep. He's really enjoying being petted, so I do that a lot. He's an old man. No indication that he's sick (facing the back or puffing up), no indication that he's in pain, and with his current set up, no more indication that he's frustrated for not being able to do what he wants to do. He's going out on his terms, and I respect that. I also have the time to get to know them, which is hard for people with kids, jobs and school. I've worked from home for years, working in the piggy room, so I had a lot of interaction with them. Right now, he's bouncing around the fleece pad I have covering him, just entertaining himself. The girls don't really know what to do with him, but they visit him regularly, and he seems to enjoy the visits and enjoy them leaving again
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 2, 2016 3:12:54 GMT
Morty died at 10:05 p.m., this evening, Jan. 1, 2016. I was with him, and had been all evening. He went slowly, calmly, and knowing he was loved. He lived to ring in the new year with us. Oodles and Noodles are saying their goodbyes. I am very sad, but it's a peaceful sad. He was a wonderful boy, and I will miss him so much
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jan 2, 2016 5:26:52 GMT
My heart breaks for you, but you definitely did everything you could for the little guy. He was lucky to have somebody as caring as you around.
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Post by bazookagoof on Jan 2, 2016 5:35:41 GMT
His pain is all over now, and he was able to pass surrounded by loved ones instead of a vet's office.
Not the greatest way to start the new year- hugs and condolences for your loss.
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Post by Bean on Jan 2, 2016 10:11:51 GMT
Aww sleep tight dear Morty. Glad you were with him and I hope you and the girls are all okay. xxx
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Post by shades on Jan 2, 2016 11:53:40 GMT
So sorry to hear about the passing of your boy, Morty. I'm sure he had a long and happy life under your care.
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Post by bongosfriend on Jan 2, 2016 15:32:40 GMT
Rest in peace, Morty. Popcorn free, little guy.
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 3, 2016 15:43:03 GMT
Thank you for the kind replies. I'm having a bit of trouble dealing with the loss, but I wanted to post some pictures of him. This picture was taking on December 25, just after he had his stroke, and couldn't move his right side. The white bowl held water, but I couldn't tell if he drank any. He wanted a lot of water by syringe, when I saw him the next morning.
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Post by Bean on Jan 3, 2016 21:24:10 GMT
Aww bless him. I'm not surprised you are feeling the loss so heavily now, you've had so many happy years with the lovely chap. I always think it's harder when you've nursed a pet through an illness anyway, but when your days have been filled with tending to them, the sudden hole that opens up when they're gone can be so consuming. Take care and we'll be here to support you and to enjoy your photos and memories of Morty with you. xx
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Post by bazookagoof on Jan 4, 2016 3:39:36 GMT
if it wouldn't trouble you, i would love to see some more pictures of Morty.
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 4, 2016 14:58:34 GMT
Thanks for the kind comments. Here is my sweet boy in the hay. He had had his stroke, but the girls were playing in the hay, and he wanted to play, too: Yes, Bean, I feel as if there's something I should be doing, but I no longer have to clean the cuddle cup every few hours, check for diarrhea and make sure he gets his meds. It's almost like too much free time. The girls have been doing their best to fill in the holes, though. They haven't totally developed their personalities, because Morty had so much personality. Usually only one pig in a herd does that. They are greatly enjoying their hay. Told me they did not like the new arrangement for the cage, so I put it back the way they liked it, etc. They all have so much personality, if they're given a chance to show it
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jan 4, 2016 16:08:51 GMT
Oh my darling, I am so very sorry. I too am pleased that you were with him and now he is off on his journey to wait for you. He was beautiful and I am sending lots of loving vibes. We all understand and feel your pain hunny and I can understand that you are having a rough time dealing with it. You have been the perfect mom and friend to him and try and take some comfort love that he is running free and no longer suffering. It is hard I know, it takes me a while to come to terms. You know where you are if you need us love.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by Bean on Jan 4, 2016 20:46:55 GMT
Oodles and Noodles helped Morty enjoy the last months of his life, and now they'll help you cope with the loss of Morty - their energy will definitely help you remember him fondly. xx
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Post by butterfly88 on Jan 5, 2016 0:16:16 GMT
So sorry for your loss.
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 5, 2016 22:13:41 GMT
Thank you all. We are considering getting more pigs, but we want to have our future living arrangements firmed up a bit before we do. I doubt we'll have room for a 91" cage at the new place, as we are downsizing, so I don't want to have to put pigs in multiple condos if they don't get along. Still, I do think three is the minimum number I want, just in case. I've had two many times before, and when one dies, the one left behind is so miserable, it's heartbreaking. When Mia died, Morty was all alone, and he wasn't a happy piggy. Once the girls joined him, he came back to life
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