[Gpdd] HEALTH Madonna

[Penny Charlesworth]

Dear Kate,

I was so pleased to read the update and discover that Madonna is doing so
much better.

If I have a piggy with a soggy underneath I always give them a piece of Vet
Bed in their hidey or pigloo or under the place in the hay where they
usually sleep.

An elderly pig is likely to stay in one place more than a youngster and
their skin can easily become sore if they are lying in their urine for too
long. Vet Bed is wonderful stuff that wicks away all the wetness to a
newspaper placed underneath thus keeping piggy dry. I have various pieces
cut to the size of the many pigloos and other covers that the Piggyfriends
use as well as a large piece to fit my invalid cage.

It is useful stuff for any piggy carer and can be bought on Ebay. It is not
cheap but lasts forever. It can be machine washed and dries very quickly. I
am still using a piece that belonged to my dog before last and it is more
than 20 years since he passed away. I can buy it off the roll at my pet
shop but I don't know where in the world you are.

After bathing with a gentle shampoo and carefully drying,  I apply a
barrier cream to keep the skin from getting wet again. Vaseline is good. I
use Johnson's small animal shampoo or a baby shampoo would work just as
well. Or you could clean her with Hibiscrub if you can buy that. My vet
uses that to clean wounds and incisions and it is antiseptic but gentle for
little ones.

I am glad that you did not use the permethrin prescribed by the vet as this
is an insecticide, used to treat scabies as well as killing bugs in the
garden. I am sorry that you do not have a good piggy vet.

I once met a lady at my Rodentologists, who had a paralysed piggy and she
kept him on a newborn sized nappy ( diaper ) to keep him dry. It worked
very well and the piggy seemed very happy to sit there nice and dry.

Hopefully the Bactrim will clear up the UTI. I have successfully treated a
UTI with a ladies cystitis remedy, bought over the pharmacy counter. Not
the same dose for piggies though and if anyone is interested I will post
about it.

Hugs for Madonna, who is doing so well at 6 years of age. You are obviously
a very good slave to her.

Penny and the Piggyfriends.