[Gpdd] [HEALTH] GP's and baby aspirin (Candy G.)

[Rita Hollowell]

Lydia,
 
To answer your question about why aspirin, I have had a problem with my
neck from an accident I was in 20 years ago.  Through my rehab I learned
that aspirin was an anti-inflammatory used to lessen the swelling around
injured areas.  When ever my neck starts getting stiff and swelling
around the problem site I take either asprin or Advil (another
anti-inflammatory).  Swelling around the disk cause the majority of the
problems with paralysis.  I woke up about 5 years ago and could not get
out of bed because of going to an chiropractor that didn't tell me he
was going to "pop" my neck without x-rays to see what was going on
inside my neck.  That made my problems worse because he aggravated the
situation.  Needless to say I had to go through a long period of
physical therapy and drug therapy.  It sounds like that is what has in a
way happened to Mollie due to her moving the wrong way.  I don't know if
this helps or not but figured with what I have been through I hate to
see a little precious piggie suffer the way I did.
 
 
Rita
 
 
 
Just as I sent the first version of this, my system crashed. . . hope I
am 
not jamming the digest with two posts for the same subject.
 
First and foremost, thank all of you who sent me direct emails
concerning my 
question about paralysis in piggie hind legs.  I hope that I wrote a 
personal note to each of you to thank you - that was my intention.  If
you 
did not receive a note from me, please forgive me.  Things continue to
be 
very chaotic here and sometimes I think I did something, but find out
that I 
didn't.  If I missed anyone, thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU.  Digesters

RULE!!!
 
I just wanted to report on what we finally found out.  Mollie recovered
that 
same day, but was still very quiet and staying in her little "fluffed up

meatloaf" position.  I took her to our exotics vet and x-rays were done
to 
rule out cardiac disease and blood clots, and also a possible back
injury.
 
Her heart was absolutely fine (thank goodness), but the x-ray clearly
showed 
a malformed vertebrae in her spinal column right at the end of the area 
where the last rib is attached.  It is quite visible on x-ray.  The vet
says 
that is was almost certainly a birth defect and it is probably just now 
becoming noticeable as a problem because of the aging process.  She
thinks 
that Mollie either twisted or jumped just the wrong way and the
vertebrae 
moved slightly and pinched a nerve, causing the temporary paralysis.
She 
(the vet) says that the problem and the pain will continue to "come and
go". 
  Hopefully the paralysis won't happen again.
 
I had already given Mollie Metacam - it had worked so beautifully with
her 
stone surgery and UTI, and I thought she was just under the weather
still 
with that until the paralysis incident.  It (the Metacam) wasn't
helping, 
though, for some reason - she was still obviously not feeling well.  The
vet 
put her on 1/2 chewable baby aspirin (1/2 of an 81mg tab) twice a day.  
Within a couple of hours of her first dose of aspirin, she was a NEW 
PIGGIE!!!  Animated - scooting around, eating everything in sight and 
wanting more - interested in everything, and PURRING again (haven't
heard 
that from her in a long time).
 
She'll be on the aspirin twice a day for 6 weeks, then it will just be
prn 
after that unless she starts showing chronic discomfort again.  It that 
happens, then she will be on aspirin for the rest of her life.  I guess
the 
up side of that is that it will also help prevent blood clots and
strokes.  
Anyway, the aspirin has worked miracles.
 
Has anyone else used aspirin for your piggies?  If so, why aspirin?;
and, 
had you also used Metacam in the past?  Inquiring minds want to know.
:)
 
Gee. . . there is so much to know about these little guys!
 
Thanks to all of you for your continued concern and good wishes for
little 
Mollie bug.
 
Candy, Relieved Topper and SuperMollie
 
 
 
 
 
------------------------------
 
Message: 18
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 16:56:40 -0700
From: Lydia Boland <owsla at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [Gpdd] Health: Another problem ??
To: Hanson David <dlhanso1 at yahoo.com>
Cc: Gpdd at gpdd.org
Message-ID: <d89965ccd17ba501b1088e57d9e91d08 at sbcglobal.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
 
I understand about the vet bills, completely.  It could be laziness.  
Sometimes our pigs just sit where they peed and there is nothing wrong. 
  Even though the pee is clear it could be gritty.  I know this doesn't 
sound nice but if you find a nice puddle touch it with your fingers.  
Then rub your fingers together and see if it feels gritty.  That could 
indicate a problem and it might be pre-sludge urine.  Sludge in the 
urine, when it is bad, looks white or grey and it feels gritty like 
sand.  If you don't feel any grittiness  and it is clear then I would 
keep track of her weight and look for signs of distress.  It's always 
nice to be on the safe side and go to the vet and get a urinalysis but 
that is expensive.  Can you call your vet to get their opinion?  Also, 
is this something that came on all of a sudden or does it happen off 
and on?  Keep track of it and see if you find her sitting or lying in 
her own urine.  Good luck and let us know what you find out.
 
Lydia