[Gpdd] MISC Condolences for Robin

Penny Charlesworth piggyfriends at tesco.net
Wed Aug 3 05:11:26 EDT 2011


Janna,

I was so sad to read of the loss of dear little Robin, so soon after he had found his forever home. The video of him is so sweet and you have a joyous lasting memory there of his short time with you.

Having an piggy emergency first aid kit is a must and I do hope that the exotics vets that you have found will be able to give you all that you need. I have a vast supply of virtually everything a piggy could want but, sadly, even that is not always enough. Piggies can succumb to an illness in the blink of an eye and if Robin was incubating a URI whilst he was at the SPCA, you would have needed meds right on hand to have any chance. So many human meds are suitable for piggies and you might be able to buy these over the counter but if your vet can supply you with antibiotics, it will give you peace of mind. I always keep a bottle of children's Septrin in my kit. I never know when I might need it, especially if a piggy brought to me is already ill.

A fluid build up often occurs with a URI and your vet should give a Lasix injection to counteract this but in an emergency, if you have some human diuretic tablets to hand, you might save a little life. I keep a few Furosemide tablets in my box, half a tablet of which can start the process whilst I am on the way to my Rodentologists for the injectable med.

In the midst of all this sadness, I also want to welcome Batman to his new home. I do hope that he will get on with Guido and this will help him to get over the sudden loss of Robin.

Hopefully, the piggies still at the SPCA will have been checked out and medicated if necessary. At my local shelter ( an large independent one not part of the RSPCA network ) anyone adopting a pet, from a mouse to a dog, is entitled to three weeks free medical care with their in house vet. A good policy for any shelter. They only adopt out pets to people living in the vicinity so anyone could get back to them without a long and possibly stressful journey.

My condolences on the loss of dear little Robin and lots of hugs for Batman ( and Guido too ).

Penny and the Piggyfriends.

Disclaimer. I have no veterinary training but have run Piggyfriends sanctuary for decades and it is amazing how much can be learnt in that time.







More information about the Gpdd mailing list