More rain. More mud. More scooping of the poop. And sadly our little piglet is not doing so well.
His diarrhea is back and worse and I am force feeding him – all in the matter of twelve hours. He will not drink and though he still plays a little he soon takes himself back to his warm bed.
He is back on his medicine but he never refused his food before.
This was little piglet yesterday evening. Good as gold and showing off.
I will keep feeding him hourly. Just little bits of fluid and some cereal in between but the diarrhea is the worst kind – transparent – so I am preparing myself.
He is very cuddly now. Where he never was before. He is sleeping very peacefully in the crook of my arm as I write.
How I wish I had better news.
I was very careful to wash and wear gloves in between farm work and piglet but maybe I brought something back in. Well, he walks on the same floors as the dogs so he certainly was not in a sanitary environment.
I will keep trucking on but there you are. My blog promise to you has always been truth. Even if the truth stinks.
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
28 responses to “THE MUCK”
Poor little thing! I imagine he was exposed to all sorts of germs in the abattoir – I’m sure it’s far cleaner in your house. Fingers crossed regardless.
Whatever happens, thank you. For giving him good food, warmth, love, companionship and play. You’re right, it doesn’t sound good, but if he can be turned around, you’re the one to do it.
We will all send our good thoughts. Even if he does not triumph over his poor start, he has had warmth, food and lots of love and care. Can’t do better than that.
SO terribly sorry, Celi! It’s certainly not from lack of trying on your part, that’s for sure. Sadly yesterday, right after thinking how cute he is and how bright he seems, I also noticed that his skin doesn’t have that healthy glow like yours always do. The photo today of them all mugging at the fence is a perfect example, hey? You can see it there, even in the muck and pouring rain. You have given him all love and attention to counteract the terrible circumstances of his birth but perhaps there was another reason that nasty fellow was selling his sow to the abbatoir… None of this was your doing and you have, as always, done everything thing you could for the poor little tyke.
I agree with Deb that this is not your doing, you have done & as always, are doing all you can to give this little piglet a chance. He was born into the worst circumstances humans can inflict on animals & you have given the best of human love & care. I send you both my high hopes he will pull through.
I find it hard to believe it’s what you and the dogs tracked in. Piglets in the barn are in far from “sanitary” conditions. Although, of course, he doesn’t have the benefit of whatever his mom’s milk gives in protection from those things. I hope he toughs it out. Poor little one. It’s too bad his arrival didn’t time well with Molly’s crew. Do you think she would have accepted him had he arrived then?
Aw, that sucks. He has know joy and love, so it has been a good little life with you. I hope he improves today, but if not it was a better end than at the feed lot. sigh. huge sign.
Oh, no…
Still hoping for a miracle here. Laura
Awe C.. ditto what everyone has said! Whatever the outcome for this poor wee piglet, at least he has known warmth, a full belly and love in his first few days of life. All thanks to you!
I will keep up hope!
Can you feed pigs colostrum from cow’s milk? What else could be giving the little thing diarrhea, his system has no good bacteria?
cannot utter a word …instead I will pray
Not a good sign……with any seriously sick livestock, I’ve always operated on the premise that doing something is better than doing nothing. His outcome at this point regardless of what caused it, is a forgone conclusion. I would syringe an anti diarrheal into his mouth – it can’t hurt any. Just any over the counter people type stuff – Imodium? Yogurt might help for probiotics….again, syringe it in.
It’s hard, and frustrating- I said to my husband once as I was treating a sick baby goat – that I felt I was simply helping it die. If you win, there is no better feeling. If you don’t – you know you tried everything you possibly could. Wishing you luck.
Oh no poor little thing.
absolutely- Cecilia you have given this little piggy more than warmth and food…you have held him and loved him ….
as we have sent you all our love through the internet. It’s sad, but not as sad if that nice man had not called you.
Poor little piglet.
What a sad turnaround for piglet. Sending good thoughts and a quick prayer that he will bounce back after his miraculous escape from the fate that befell his siblings.