Hi folks,
Sorry for keeping you all in suspense over the fate of the baby warthog…! Fortunately, this story is one that has a happy ending, so keep reading.
This is a photo showing ‘Squeaker’ when we first found him… You can see from the first picture how hard he was to spot…
This closer-up photo shows just how stuck and muddy the little fellow was.
I managed to wade into the mud (very nearly getting stuck myself!) and pull him out, and Misheck and I washed the worst of the mud off with some fresh water we had in the car. Unfortunately his back legs didn’t seem to work at all, but otherwise he seemed to have quite a fighting spirit.
Having absolutely no idea how to raise a baby warthog, I took him over to some friends who very kindly helped me get some rehydration fluids down him, and then provided me with some powdered baby milk. I took him home and put him in a dark, cushioned box with a couple of sarongs for him to ’burrow’ into. And then fed him with baby milk by pipette once every few hours….
The next day I took him to another ranch in the conservancy, to a very kind lady who has a great deal of expereince raising orphaned animals of every kind. Despite my best attempts at physio (!) his back legs still were not working and he was really very weak. I have to admit that I didn’t hold out too much hope for him, but if anyone could pull him through it would be Anne. Anne immediately took him under her wing and before I had even finished explaining his presence, she had listened to his chest, daignosed pneumonia and rushed off and fetched antibiotics, aspirin and a proper bottle of milk for him.
He was touch and go for a while, but now seems to be improving steadily and getting around just fine, despite his dis-functional back legs. I’ll give you an update on him from time to time, but I’m sure he will now enjoy a good life in Anne’s tender care (with other baby warthogs and an orphaned bushbuck for company!).
Squeaker dozing in the shade
Back soon,
Rosemary
Donations made here are
Mar 21st Asa N USD 172.00
8 Comments
Goodness, Squeaker was very fortunate that he was discovered in that mud. Talk about blending in. You all are Saints rescuing him and for Anne doing the doctoring. I hope his legs get to working. Wondering if the struggling in the mud has anything to do with them not working. I absolutely love warthogs and the little ones are just too cute for works.
Rosemary — Unbelievable that you seven saw this little guy! He does seem to have a fighting spirit and I do hope he thrives under Anne’s care…please keep us posted!!!
I stared at that photo for nearly a minute before spotting little Squeaker. You’ve got good eyes, Rosemary! He’s adorable and I’m so glad you saved him and that he’s in good hands. I hope he survives and someday finds a nice girl warthog.
s.
Good luck for 2009 to you all in this project. Long life to baby Warthog and also to this unfotunate Wild dog.
Jerome
Hi,
I have 4 baby warthogs that i’m looking after myself. Even though their apperiances can be decieving they are really very lovable animals. good luck with the road that lies ahead.
Just got a baby warthog, he has little teeth what supplement can I feed him ? asap he is hungry
Hi Martie,
We just used baby milk formula to start with, and rehydration salts (diarolite) as he was very dehydrated. But I handed him over pretty quickly to someone else who knows far more about how to raise a warthog than I do, so I’m not sure what the best long-term feeding strategy is. Good luck though – I hope he makes it.
Rosemary
I am an artist, among other things I create needle felted animals. I thought it would be a fun challenge to create something charming in the visage of a warthog.
THen I happened on your blog. There truly is no such thing as an ugly baby. I live in the USA and rescue feral kittens. Tame, yes, but I do know how to to subcutaneous fluid i.v.s etc.
as for feeding, it would be best to find out what kind of formula or animal milk best copies warthog mother’s milk. Different animals need different fat contents etc.
I do not even know if warthogs are carnivores, but if they are and you have a tiny one like this little one, I have had a lot of success with baby food(meat & gravy only for carnivores) I use this if I am completely out of formula and also to help wean them onto solid foods.
If someone reading this wants to know about fluid injections I would recommend asking a vet or someone like Anne to show you.b