[Gpdd] HEALTH: Guinness and towels

[Lisa Choiniere]

Hi all,
 
I am sure you all remember Guinness, my permanently snuffly foster pig. Well, recently his eyes were running and his little nose was running and it was all clear fluids so the vet confirmed it was not infection but most likely allergies. 
 
So I was thinking, well great, now what do I do for the poor guy? We had tried Carefesh (which I will say is not any less dusty than the pine shavings I normally use!) and he had been of course on pine shavings at some point too. So I thought, alright, we are going for the towel method. I cut up a shoe box, lined it with paper and put his hay in there which is primarily where he pees. I put down a couple layers of towels. It has been two days now and his eyes have stopped running! He is still snuffly, but the vet thinks he has permanent damage to his sinuses but he "seems" better to me. So I am quite happy about this so thanks to all the towel users out there for the idea! 
 
What is also odd about Guinness is the red spots on the newpaper and the towels. When he first pees, it is normal looking but then as it dries it becomes red. I have had three urinalyses done on him and he does not have any blood in his urine at all, no infection, he is perfectly healthy as far as his bladder is concerned. What is really weird is that while it was in the centrifuge tube, you could see it starting to turn reddish-orange at the top. So I am thinking as it oxidizes it changes color since he is healthy. 
 
Never, in my life as a pig slave have I ever seen this (nor my vet) and would like to know if there is anypig out there who has this too. 
 
Guinness was apparently meant to come to me to teach me all these lessons and I am saddened that his previous family did nothing to help him earlier. 
 
You can see pics of all my foster babies and their stories on my petfinder site so you can see who it is I am talking about. Plus all the new babies are on there, both sets under a month old. They are soooo adorable! Well, all pigs are adorable as we all know but you gotta love baby piggy faces!
 
www.wheeksandsqueaks.petfinder.com
 
Thanks,
Lisa and the gang at Wheeks and Squeaks
Zippy and Jack in our hearts
 

		
---------------------------------
 Sell on Yahoo! Auctions  - No fees. Bid on great items.