Emma's Trip to the Vet

Miss Emma had all of her annual tune up stuff done today at the vet.  I am thrilled to report that she is a super healthy old girl.  Her blood panel looked very good - that same liver number that has been inflated over the last few years was a bit inflated again - but lower than last time so not an area of concern.  Her fecal was negative for any creepy crawlies, her physical went well - all in all she is in fantastic shape for a dog who is almost fourteen years old.  She does have icky teeth - why do all my guys have icky teeth?  We scheduled a cleaning for her on Jan 27th - Oliver and Phoebe will go in for their cleanings as well - it will be a giant dental party at my place!  :)

So happy that Emma is doing so well.  She is current on all her vaccinations and should be all set for the foreseeable future....love that crazy mutt!

Pig Supplements

I have been doing some research and have concluded that trying out some supplements to Winston's diet might be a good thing.  He is an incredibly healthy pig but I want to keep it that way and I have found some fascinating research....

The first thing I have found is that some aggression could be related to a B-1 deficiency.  Winston is hardly what I would call an aggressive pig but he most definitely has his moments.  He exhibits naughty pig behaviors like swiping and snapping.  He can be a turd just as much as he can be a sweet pig.  Thankfully the sweet pig is present most often than not.  I ordered my stuff from 
Healthy Pigs4Ever.com

Here's what we are trying:

Pig B Calm

All Natural, specially formulated vitamin B. Aids in reduction of aggressiveness. Has a special calming affect on Pot-Bellied Pigs. No Preservatives, Artificial Coloring, or Flavoring. These all natural ingredients help to neutralize stomach acids that have a tendency to cause stress or nervousness in the pet pig. We also ordered Bulky Lax Plus: An extremely high source of fiber. A high quality source of necessary vitamins. Keeps stool in good condition. To be fed as a supplement on all feeds. Reduces likelihood of aggressive potbellied pigs. (Those that want to nip and snip.) Pigs4Ever has used this particular product in the past, particularly in the winter when our pigs do not get much exercise. It helps in keeping them regular. Bulky Lax Plus provides high quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It also contains the fiber and bulk that is in brewer's grain and the B-Vitamin complex nutrition of brewers yeast which is also a mineral laxative formulation know to relieve constipation of the pet pig. Last we ordered something for his skin: Hair and Skin Conditioner Pot-Bellied Pig Hair and Skin Conditioner to be used as a top dressing on food. It contains the 4 long-chain fatty acids that are essential to the development and maintenance of the membranes in the pot belly pig's body. Hair and Skin Conditioner cures dry skin from the inside out, and controls dandruff-like dermatitis. Add this to your pigs diet for glossy, supple hair and soft, smooth skin! It is an oil-based product containing Liposol, an emulsifier that breaks down the fat globule into a fit micelle, which the animal can assimilate rapidly throughout its body. We are staring slowly - not doing full doses so we can make sure he doesn't have any issues with anything we are putting on his food.  He has had this stuff twice so far.  I wasn't sure he would like - oh my goodness - he loves it - he is far more passionate about eating his pellets than normal.  As I type this - he is outside in the yard - running around bucking like a bronco playing with a clod of dirt....um - maybe its the nippy weather?  He sure seems happy today though.  Not saying its related - might just be coincidental - we shall see....

Peony's 2nd Annual Pig Gift Exchange

This year Winston signed up to take part in a piggy gift exchange (okay it was me but play along). He drew a lovely piggy named Daisy who lives in Colorado and he got her a cute stuffed piggy, a toy like one that he has and loves and some cookies to put in said toy....

Last night we had a holiday party to attend and when we got home Winston's package had arrived. He was firmly in his bed by that time so we waited til this morning to open his gifts...he was quite spoiled!  

Look at that pile of loot and the super cute piggy wrapping paper!  He received lots of lovely gifts:

He got a puzzle feeder, a Kong toy you can stuff full of cookies, a super soft and cuddly blanket, some fruit and nut mix, Peppa Pig cookies and a lovely card!  Winston is a happy piggy:

Enjoying his blanket

Playing with his new Kong toy

Thank you to Popis the pig for the wonderful gifts!!

December - Holy Heck - and Week in Review

This week wasn't kind to this poor old zookeeper.  Work was messy, life was busy - it was not a soft and easy transition back from the holiday.

From a critter perspective - this was a great week.  Everyone is doing great - happy, healthy and crazy active.  And of course we got the all clear for Aggie and confirmation that she does not have kidney disease and confirmation that Oliver is back on track with his thyroid condition.  Woot!  Phoebe is doing great as well - she didn't love being left behind while the other two went to the vet - she was very happy to see them when we got home.

Emma is good - back to our regular routine now that my mom's dog is back home with her.  I think she liked having another pup around.  Winston is doing just great - happy to have his routine back to normal as well - he and my mom's pup can't interact so there has to be coordination in letting them outside.

Violet has had a great week - no ill effects from the pred and we have a great routine for he taking her meds.  What a sweet girl!

All the ferrets have had a visit down to our room this week to play.  First Madison and Violet, then Fiona and Tabby and then the little boys.  I got some pics of those crazy boys.... enjoy...

Bash - dang he is CUTE - and yes I am biased

Bash

Kai

A wet and excited Theo

Kai in his 'play with me' stance

Bash

Theo playing in the laundry

Kai says 'quit taking pictures and pick me up!'

Two Kitty Vet Visit

Yesterday morning Oliver and Aggie went back to the vet for their blood work rechecks.  Aggie had some elevated numbers related to her kidneys and Oliver's thyroid numbers were whacky.  I don't have any pictures of my two cutie cats because I did the handy drop off appointment where I take them in and then I go and do 14 other things while they work them into the schedule and then I swoop back in and pick them up.  Works great - yesterday I went to the eye dr to get my glasses fixed, went to the bank, hit Starbucks and then a quick run to Costo - then home before my first conference call started - woot!

They sent the blood work out to the lab so I had to wait for the results - I just got an email from the vet and the news is all good.  Aggie's numbers were better. Her BUN number was still a bit higher than it should be but the classic markers that indicate kidney disease were within normal range. Thank goodness!  Aggie is 18 years old so I was concerned - I am quite relieved!  She is, however, on the high side of normal so we will put her on the same 6 month schedule that Oliver and Phoebe are on and we will keep a close eye on this so we can quickly intervene with treatment should something develop.  The other good news - my little pudge lost 3/4 of a pound since last weigh in.  She is still a bit heavier than she should be but now in a range that is not risky to her health.

Oliver's results were good as well - his thyroid levels were back to normal so we have the disease back under control.  Additionally - my skinny mini gained almost a pound since his last weigh in which is great - he was very, very skinny!!  So - there is still one area of concern which is his teeth - they are a mess.  The good news is that the gum inflammation seems to be gone from the round of antibiotics he took.  He desperately needs a deep cleaning and potentially other dental work but I think he is still on the thin side and I don't want to put him under anesthesia.  So - I think the plan is to continue to try to pack on the pounds for him over the holidays and after the first of the year if his weight makes it safe we can take him in for dental work.  Phoebe also needs her teeth cleaned so we will take her in as well.

All in all I am quite pleased - we are good to go on kitty health for the time being.   Next week - Violet (ferret) goes in for a glucose test to make sure she is on the right dose of pred - fingers crossed her results are as good!!!

Hanging Out

We gobbled til we wobbled on Thursday - hosting at our place.  Such fun!  The critters were all well behaved and everyone got special Thanksgiving treats throughout the day.

On Friday we had a very down day - relaxation, laziness, nap time and binge watching Netflix.  It was a much needed day of rest.  Critters hung out - the dogs were inside and out - the weather was beautiful.  Same for the pig - he stayed outside right up until it was time for dinner.

Today has been busy - trying to put up Christmas.  Nothing goes in critter land - ferrets and Christmas decorations are just trouble waiting to happen.  In the living room we have the tree - thankfully Winston and Emma have absolutely no interest.  Critter stockings are hung - human stocking still need to be put up.  Christmas decorating will go into tomorrow.  Thankfully shopping and wrapping are done!

Tomorrow will be filled with chores as I try to get the house back in order, tidy up critter land and get ready for what is looking like an incredibly crazy work week.

Monday both Oliver and Agatha get dropped at the vet in the morning for their rechecks - for Aggie they will retest her kidney numbers.  Fingers crossed everything there is good.  For Oliver they will be testing his thyroid levels to make sure that the increase in his meds has his levels where they should be.  Since he is putting on weight and feeling good I am pretty sure he is good to go.

It's been a great holiday weekend.  I can't believe this year is almost over.....

General Updates

In general things are good around here:

Quincy and Emma are enjoying their time together and both of them are being exceptionally well behaved.  They have played inside and out and spent the day being lazy pups.

Winston - well - he had his moment of pink turdiness early and got in large amounts of trouble for it. Every so often the little twerp decides that today is the day he is going to challenge for dominance. He thinks he is going to be head of the herd.  Um - not happening my friend.  We did a good bit of MTP (move the pig) which is a technique of controlling the pig's feet.  If you can get them to go where you want - you win basically.  He knew he pushed too far when he got moved out of the laundry room, down his hallway and put in his bed.  When he was brave enough to come back to the laundry room his demeanor was quite different.  I sat down on the floor and he came over and flopped down for some cuddles.  Then he sat patiently for his dinner.  I guess he got the memo that mom is in charge.  Sheesh!

Kitties are all three doing well.  They have had some loves and all of them have been brushed.  I fed them and gave Ollie and Phoebe their meds.

The ferrets are all doing great.  They all seem just fine after receiving their implants yesterday.  Violet did great tonight taking her meds.  She seems to be just fine - no ill effects so far - thank goodness!

All in all things here are great - I am off to feed the pups and take them and the pig outside for their final potty break - but first - I am going to enjoy some pizza.... YUM!