tamzsturg
Member
Wow wow thank you so so much thats incredibly helpful. Its shocking how different everyone’s advice is here in comparison to the vet. And no hard feelings towards the vet he’s a lovely guy seems like he knows what he’s doing but at the same time, he just doesn’t seem to have as much experience as he needs to have before rushing into feeding tubes and what not. That makes so much sense about the antibiotic potentially kick starting this illness. After he was administered the antibiotics for potential infections and a swelling in his leg, his appetite decreased. Since then the decrease in apetite just got worse and it was obvious he wasn’t well and going to perk up on his own. I’m going to the shop tomorrow to get better heat for him and will pick up a better thermostat while I’m at it, a digital one seems to be best. I’ve soaked him 3 times today already but can continue to do as you instructed this evening. Thank you so much again for your helpTom is 100% correct.
He has to have the proper temperatures to run his immune, digestive, cardiovascular, renal, and other systems. There is no point to give him food (or force it into him) without the proper temperatures to digest, metabolize, absorb, and utilize the nutrients.
In fact, putting food into a long-term sub-optimal stomach in most cases results in quick death. The body is overloaded with stuff it cannot process. It is possible that the antibiotic treatment given, combined with poor hydration and incorrect temperatures is what has damaged his internal organs to their current degree.
Very quickly tonight: get a large plastic storage container and a reliable thermometer.
Place him in the container on a thick layer of newspaper and hang a heat lamp over him so that the temperature is correct. He must not be too hot or too cold - it can take some time to get things set well. A very large container will let you create a bit of a temperature gradient. Don't worry if he tries to get out...he's just trying to get to where he was used to being.
Soak him in warm water for 20 minutes every three hours. After 24 hours of hydration therapy under correct temperatures, take dandelion greens, puree them in a blender, and add some to the soak water so that some electrolytes and nutrition can be absorbed through the vent. Continue to offer foods and water, but continue the soak therapy every 4 hours.
In the meantime, begin to gather supplies to create a proper habitat.