[Gpdd] RESCUE: new pigs

[angie]

Hello all,
 
I just re-subscribed to the digest a few months ago but haven't posted yet.  A few years ago I received some advice about piggie vets in Oregon.. and whoever recommended Dr. Ron Titterington, THANK YOU!  A few weeks ago we made the dreadfully hard decision to help our dear piggelet Alf (aka Alfie, Alfer, the Naughtiest Pig) cross the Bridge.  We had been treating him for almost a year for various problems and it seemed to have worked until about four weeks ago, when Alf started getting worse.  He was very lethargic and made constant little squeaks that sounded as though he were in pain.  He was also breathing differently.  Dr. Titterington said that Alf had a tumor which was compressing his lungs and making it difficult to breathe, and that Alf was far too weak to survive surgery.  Dr. T. said that all we could do for Alf was to spare him the last few days of pain and although it was very hard for us, we knew it was the better thing to do for him.  We find some small comfort in the
 fact that he passed very peacefully while both of us were there with him, and we buried him under the oak tree in the yard where he liked to popcorn around in good weather.  
 
We did not plan on getting any more pigs for awhile.  Alf was very special to us and we felt it would be disrespectful to his memory to get another pair right away.  However, yesterday the humane society called me to ask if I would foster an abused pit bull (pits are my special babies) and I agreed.  When I got there to pick up the dog, she wasn't ready yet so I walked around visiting the other animals.  And.. (I'm sure you all have heard this part a zillion times before) I was shown two piggies in the back who had just come in and were desperately in need of a foster home.... so..... (say it with me now) I agreed to take them, too.  They are a pair of sisters, approximately 8 months old. They seem to be Abby crosses, one is brown and white and the other mostly black.  They are HORRIBLY skinny.  I suspect it was one of those situations where a kid got animals for a gift (grrr) and got tired of them.  I was told they had been living in one of those tiny tanks that are about 12" by 8"
 and designed for gerbils.  Their fur is dirty and tangled and their toenails overgrown.  And of course, they are terrified of people.  They don't seem to be bothered by the other animals, which is good because we now have 3 dogs, 2 cats, and a neurotic African Grey, all of whom are used to piggies :).  
 
I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice.  They have a checkup at the vet Monday, but I'd like to know sooner... I cannot seem to keep them full.  They eat constantly- pellets, hay, carrots, peppers, parsley, apples, celery, ANYTHING.  I am not keeping food constantly available in their cages, even though they need to gain weight, because I am worried that they are like humans, and if you feed them too much after they have been starving, it will only make them sicker.  Also, does anyone have any advice on how to trim their toenails and bathe them without undoing all the good bonding work I've done so far?  I'd appreciate any advice.
 
thanks
Angela
 
PS- Ann, our prayers and thoughts are with Pig-Pig and with any other piggelets who are sick.

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