Teddy Bear
Texel -- DOB 1/4/25 approx -- Boar -- Long hair
Teddy Bear is a sweet lad who was surrendered to us via my workplace. His owner absolutely adored him but was worried that they would struggle to provide the intensive nursing he would require.
Teddy Bear was suffering with potential pneumonia, and was immediately given pain relief, antibiotics and nebulisation.
He has very much improved but on finishing his antibiotics had begun to go down hill again. We also noticed that he has a strange gait, waddling about like a penguin, and rests with his legs in strange positions. Concerned about his lungs and the potential for 'satin syndrome' (his coat has an unusual sheen to it), we performed some xrays. Unfortunately these confirm possible pneumonia in his left lung, so he is on a different antibiotic, pain relief and his nebulisation sessions again. Radiographs showed that his last lumbar vertebrae is also compressed, causing an increase in the size of the intervertebral space which may be causing nerve impingement, a possible cause for his unusual gait. He also has a head tilt, possibly due to the URTI reaching the inner ear, although the cause is as of yet unidentified.
Despite all his health problems, Teddy Bear (affectionately known as TB) is the sweetest, most curious little lad who always approaches you to say hello. He doesn't like being picked up (possibly related to his spinal issue), but loves a cuddle and to have his hair brushed! He takes his meds like a champ and is the second loudest wheeker at veg time. He loves naps out in the open (he isn't shy) and there is no food he will not eat! TB will not be available for rehoming until he is fully well, and will only be rehomed to experience owners willing to take on his extra managemt.
Nomad
Teddy -- DOB 1/6/20 -- Sow -- Short hair
Nomad's friend sadly passed away and, not wanting her to be lonely, they asked if we could take her in. She has been absolutely spoiled by her owners and they have done everything to make her life a happy and comfortable one - she was very much loved by them!
Nomad has non hormonal ovarian cysts, which aren't currently causing any problems. Her owners opted to have her spayed to remove the risk of complications from the cyst, however she experienced an adverse event under anaesthetic and went into cardiac arrest. Resuscitated with adrenaline, she has since recovered well, cysts and all!
After this, she became unwell with a urinary tract infection which was treated with antibiotics. Shortly after she was surrendered to us the symptoms came back. They were particularly severe and, after lots of testing, scans and samples we learned she was suffering from a particularly nasty bacteria. She has been on specific antibiotics and some strong pain relief, and with lots of nursing and TLC she is doing a lot better!
She is a lovely girl who very much enjoys eating dried carrot and apple chips, she makes a very good hay nest and loves to have a cuddle! Exploring at floor time is by far her favourite pastime - for an older lady she is fast! As her infection is contagious she is currently unable to have any direct friends but enjoys piggy company from her neighbours!
Rusty and Rugrat
Mixed -- DOB 8/5/18 approx -- Boar -- Short hair
Alpaca -- DOB 29/7/23 approx -- Boar -- Long hair
Rusty and Rugrat are a delightful pair of boars. Rusty first arrived here in May 2020 and has been with his original adopter for the last 5 years! His companion passed away and his adopter also took in Rugrat and his brother Edgar Allen Pig from us. When Edgar passed away, Rusty and Rugrat became very good friends.
Sadly their adopter has, due to no fault of their own, had to return the boys to us after years of love and care and will very much miss them!
Because of Rusty's advanced age and some health issues he currently has, him and Rugrat will be staying here permanently.
When Rusty gains his wings, we will be looking to adopt out Rugrat to a new, forever home with a friend!
Broccoli and Sprite
Unknown -- DOB 20/2/24 approx -- Boar -- Short hair
Sheltie -- DOB 26/9/23 -- Boar -- Medium hair
Broccoli was surrendered to my workplace from a local nursery. They absolutely adored him, but he suffered an eye injury. He received care from another practice but sadly the eye was no longer salvageable, and the nursery were unable to afford enucleation surgery. So we took him in and he had the surgery on 25/2/26. He is recovering well and is gaining confidence! He is very fussy with veg but loves his pellets and hay. He is very anxious to be caught but does like to be cuddled once you have him in your arms.
Broccoli is adapting well to his lack of eyesight on one side.
Sprite was born here to a piggy we rescued. We adopted
him out with his brother Minky at 12 weeks old, but they
were sadly returned (albeit in good health and well cared
for) in July 25. He went on to develop bladder stones, so he
and Minky stayed for a while until he was better. The boys
were then adopted out to a new home with strict diet/meds
etc. Sadly Minky passed away in an accident. By coincidence, Sprite's adopter brought him for a health check
and he was underweight with missing upper incisors. We believe he may have been pining for Minky or possibly had an accident to damage his teeth. So, he came back to us and bonded almost instantly with Broccoli!
Fuzzy and Coco
Rex (lethal) -- DOB 4/10/25 -- Sow -- Short hair
Sheltie mix -- DOB 4/10/25 -- Sow -- Semi-long hair
Fuzzy and Coco were surrendered to us when they were approximately 5 weeks old. Their owners had brought a trio of piggies and were surprised to find that one of the sows was actually a boar! Unfortunately it was too late, and both sows were pregnant.
The babies' mum was a roan, as well as their dad. This lead to 3 of the litter being lethal whites - a genetic deformity affecting nerves and other cells.
Sadly, 2 of the 3 lethal whites passed away before surrender despite their owners advocating for them really well and doing everything they could. So, the last lethal white baby (Fuzzy) and her unaffected sister Coco came to us together! Fuzzy (nicknamed 'Funzy') is blind, deaf, has a head tilt, is missing some teeth (her veg has to be chopped up into tiny pieces), is very small and has an impaired immune system. Her other senses are incredible! She takes the lead from Coco but is also completely independent - watching her enjoy finding her way around at floor time is very sweet.
The girls are by far the loudest piggies we have ever had at the sanctuary! They are very smart and know when it is veggie time. Coco is a star and looks after her sister very well.
Abyssinian guinea pig png from PNGEgg: https://www.pngegg.com/en/png-pixrk