It's the Ironwood Roller Coaster

The ups and downs with the pigs here are more wild than any roller coaster I've been on. Ellie is one of the girls who came to us from the dog/cat rescue. As I mentioned before she was mauled by dogs days before she came to us. She lost one ear and the other was stitched on as best as possible.

The first couple of days she looked like she was healing well. No signs of infections and all sutures were fine. Today she is a mess. All areas that had been sutured are opening, skin is hanging, she is red and puffy and is constantly shaking her head. When she shakes her head you can hear fluid move around, definitely not good.

She is rubbing her head on anything she can. We just noticed that she also has sutures in her back, right leg. We hadn't noticed before as there weren't any signs of problems back there, but today they are red and the skin is opening. I'm thinking that her ear should not have been attached and may need to come off. She will be seen on Monday by Dr. Page. Until then we are giving her antibiotics and some benadryl to calm her down to keep her from rubbing so much.

To top things off, both Ellie and Peaches are in heat as they were never spayed. Aye!

Please keep Ellie in your thoughts. Having this much infection going on in her head is not okay. She is still very sweet and friendly despite all that she has been through and is going through. I will update with the next steps we will take after Dr. Page sees her.

Welcome Home

The reasons pigs come to Ironwood vary. Some were abused, some neglected, some were even strays and other times we take pigs off the hands of breeders. Ellie and Peaches came to us from a dog/cat rescue. Ellie and Peaches had lived at this rescue for a couple of years but have been attacked by the dogs numerous times. Ellie was attacked very badly last week. She lost one ear and the other was still attached enough to remain with some stitches.

Both of these girls are still very happy and friendly. Ellie went straight for the hay on her first night.

The girls seem to be doing well so far and love getting attention. When I was visiting with them yesterday the babies came over to say hello. Peaches was more than happy to say hello back to them.

I think that Ellie and Peaches are going to be very happy here. Ellie seems to be healing well from her recent attack. These two are currently kept together in a large pen next to the babies as they get acclimated to their new home.