Primo & Squiddy at WSU
The morning of Tuesday Aug.10th, we rushed Primo to WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. He was having some labored breathing, increased respiratory rate, and was more lethargic than normal.
After x-rays, multiple ultrasounds, bloodwork, a CT scan, and meeting with the Cardiologist team, Primo has been diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, or heart disease. This is known to be a very rare condition in pigs. We wonder if that is because most pigs don't get the opportunity to see a Cardiologist? But, because of this there is not very much information for a treatment plan...which medications? how much of each one? the long term prognosis? etc... So, once again, we are blazing our own trail forward with him and hoping for the very best! Last Thursday he was started on some heart medications twice daily and has been monitored very closely by the amazing WSU staff and students.
Squidward has been with him keeping him company and giving him the moral support he needs to stay strong. As a bonded pair they are always better together and it is most important they get to be together. The first night there, I stayed and Squid stayed with me in the van. Due to Primo being in ICU and the concern for them being tangled in the oxygen hose, they had to spend a couple nights apart. Squiddy was best behaved in the van and the next morning we figured out how to take our first ever "leashed walk". Squiddy had not been potting since pigs prefer to be in a clean space, he was choosing to "hold it." So, I knew we needed to figure something out. We found a quiet spot on campus, got VERY creative with items in the van to build him a ramp in and out and went for a little exploratory jaunt. Squiddy pooped on his walk - such a good boy! It was not a flawless event by any means, but we did it and he took care of business, which was most important! A few hours later we both got to go sit and visit with Primo a while. Squiddy sniffed him all over to check him out and then gently laid down beside Primo, letting him know he was here to stay. It was a magical sight. Unfortunately, we were limited a bit on time as Primo had to get prepped for more procedures. The next two nights they had to stay apart, again due to safety reasons, but were in stalls right next to each other where they could hear and smell one another. Primo was only eating a strawberry or pieces of banana here and there, until Squiddy was able to move back in with him, and ever since he has been back to normal eating ALL of his breakfast and dinner!
Primo is not out of the woods yet, and his long term diagnosis is not great, but we are incredibly grateful for the amazing Veterinary team at WSU. They provide our residents with so much compassion, care, knowledge, expertise and are so wonderful to work with. Our residents being in the hands of the best care is the most we can ask for. Huge thank you to Dr. Sexton & her team.
Please send your best wishes, greatest energy, warmest thoughts and prayers to Primo.
He has been continuing to improve little by little and today I get to go pick them up and bring them home. We couldn't be more excited and imagine that they will be too! If he continues to stay stable, he will have a follow-up in 3 months. We are beyond ecstatic that we get to bring this little guy home and have him with us for as many days longer as he will let us....hoping for months and years.