Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Porki Pneumonia Problem


Porki has pneumonia. We almost lost her Saturday, but an injection of a powerful antibiotic has started to pay off. Still touch and go, but she's better than she was.
Modern pigs are fairly delicate animals and can die in a minute if under stress. I never knew that until we began raising pigs for the kids fair projects about 6 years ago. They are also susceptible to pneumonia which she appears to have.
The weather today is cold, grey, and wet, plus a freeze is coming. If you had to put in an order for weather conditions guaranteed to stress a sick pig, this is it.
In the photo, I'm administering Pedialyte (we also use Gatorade) to keep her hydrated and keep her electrolyte levels up.
I'll be nursing her tonight instead of going to Jr.'s basketball game ... we can both nurse a pig with gatorade, but only he can do a decent lay-up shot.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've been coming here for a while to get my fix of the natural world of the south.(I live in miles of asphalt and strip malls at the moment. We have to plan and travel a good distance to get out in the open.)I haven't commented before, but one sure way to my heart is through a pig - I look at their faces and melt. Hope she is well soon.

nfmgirl said...

Here's to Porki's renewed health. The way to my heart is with ANY animal!

I've used Pedialyte many times in the path to nurse sick animals. Good stuff.

threecollie said...

Oh, dear, I am so sorry that she is sick and that you have to miss the game. Hope she heals rapidly and without incident!

Florida Beach Basics said...

poor Porki. I had a heated pig mat that my whippet loved to lay on in cold weather, even though both he and the pig mat were in the house. I assume that Porki will sleep in the house until she is better/weather improves. marge

(this is a duplicate of a duplicate - my previous two comments apparently are floating in the etherworld)

Just the Right Size said...

Poor widdle sick piggie! :-(

Anonymous said...

Sorry about your pig, but it's good to know you have your priorities in place.

robin andrea said...

You've had good luck nursing pigs back to health, so I hope that track record continues. Too bad you can't ship her here for a few days. It's like summer, really warm and sunny. She'd love it.

kathy a. said...

poor porki -- she looks under the weather, for sure. is she going to get to come indoors, like the chicks and the dogs?

sweet you are nursing her with the pedialyte and etc. sometimes just a few little things really turn the corner.

kathy a. said...

what robin said, too. it is warm and dry here, breaking heat records. [we could use the cold and rain.]

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear/read about Piggie.Hope she is feeling better real soon.This weather sucks!On the beach at Sanibel yesterday and came home to this!

tsiya said...

I think science has gone too far in selective breeding, too many delicate critters with little natural resistance.

who wouda thunk it?? said...

I have a pig mat, I use it for my African Tortiose. Speedy is sleeping on it right now. They are made by Kane Mfg. and are worth their price. You can also slap the dog bed on top of them when you ain't raisin piggies!

kathy a. said...

oh, i forgot the Go Porki GO part of the program. you need to tell her she is a Fine Pig, a Shining Pig, and a Beloved Pig! that many people love her. and you need to nuzzle her ears and snout, on behalf of her fan club. Please.

ImagineMel said...

poor pig! I hope she gets well soon!

Anonymous said...

Awww :( I hope she'll be ok. Does she have a barn or heating pad or warm place to go into, to get out of the cold?

R.Powers said...

To all Porki fans,
She seemed better, but not cured, tonight and she actually ate pig food for the first time in about 3 days! That's a positive sign.

Also, to keep from repeating this below: She has an A-frame type pig shelter with lots of wood shaving bedding and a heat lamp like you use to brood chicks inside the shelter. Pretty cozy for her after she snuggles down into the bedding.



Shyloh,
Welcome to Pure Florida, so glad you commented! Thanks for caring about Porki.

NFMGirl,
I wonder if the Pedialyte and Gatorade folks know of these other uses for their products?

Thanks 3C! I know you have pig experience.

Marge,
No she's not coming inside, but we will keep her warm!

Just Right,
She appreciates the thought!

Pablo,
Usually they are ... not always, but usually.

Robin,
I so look forward to cold weather here, but the pig always makes me dread it a little.

Kathy A,
Thanks, The photo was Saturday when she was really feeling bad, today she is brighter! I will also administer doses of self esteem with the gatorade.

Chris n Jon,
Well, on the flip side it will be brutally hot and humid before we know it.

Tsiya,
Not like a piney rooter huh?

Thanks Mel, I think she's turned the corner.

Laura,
She's pretty cozy right now. Gotta go check her before I go to bed!

R.Powers said...

Who Woulda,
Thanks for that tip!

Unknown said...

Poor Piggy!! Get well soon piggy. Love ya Papa!!

R.Powers said...

Em,
Love you kiddo. I think she's going recovering.

Florida Beach Basics said...

I assume the "not cured" was an intentional pun! Glad she's doing better.

Anonymous said...

Poor piggie. Hope she is better soon. (While I am sure that the hut in the pig pen is fine, I think a nice warm blanket in front of the new fireplace would be better!)

R.Powers said...

Marge,
LOL! Hadn't caught that.

Cathy S,
That's Bear's spot.

amarkonmywall said...

What the heck! Bring her inside and let her warm her sow's ear by that new fireplace mantle. This pig. And, FC? It's not cold down here, believe me.

R.Powers said...

Vicki,
Perspective is reality.

Anonymous said...

I'm late to the party. Hope Porki continues to do better.

Glad she finally has a name!!!

Stay warm this week......patti

Debbie said...

It has cooled off here in Florida but it sounds like Porki is in good hands!

My husband calls me a "cracker" too!

Anonymous said...

Gives new meaning to "wet nurse."