January 31, 2009

• Rufus Update

             As you know, Rufus's leg was swollen, but he seemed to be improving on his strawberry flavored antibiotics, sometimes finding  it yummy. But last Saturday afternoon(the 24th), he suddenly began having seizures, at least 3 or 4 over the course of a couple  hours. They were frightening to see & when I picked up his limp body, he was cold & breathing shallowly. By evening, the seizures had stopped, but he was weak & unable to walk much at all. Sunday he slept most of the day.
       I called the vet on Monday morning, as the seizures had started well after vets offices had closed, possibly early, since we had been in the midst of a snowstorm. The vet spent about 45 minutes with Rufus on Monday afternoon checking everything out, especially since she wasn't sure if he had any vision. His blood sugar & body temperature was low, which she said could  have been a cause of the seizures or it may have been a stroke, she wasn't certain. But she gave me some special food in a foil packet, a green powder to mix with water till it has the consistency of Cream of Wheat, to which I add honey or maple syrup.It's full of extra vitamins to boost sick piggies' systems. He also got more strawberry Baytril. Between feeding him the various substances with a syringe & keeping a steady flow of veggies in front of him, I've been spending a lot of time caring for him.
       A week later, it's paying off, as he's more alert, hungrier & his eyes are brighter, whether he can see or not. I think he has some vision, at least, as he is responding to movement. He's still wobbly when he walks around & the meds make him sleepy, but he's improved a lot. He still has a ways to go, but there's been considerable progress, thank heavens.
      This is a pic of him at the vet in the middle of the exam. She wrapped him up in a big towel to keep him warmer. I thought he looked a bit like a baby bat. 
     
      

  • 11:30 pm
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