Sal was rescued, along with several other pigs, last Spring from a really bad situation by some amazing rescue folks. He was very thin and sickly, so he headed right to Cornell. He had severe gastritis, swine lice, and a urinary blockage so he had to stay at Cornell for over a month. During that time, they neutered him but only found one descended testicle. His vitals crashed while sedated, so the vets did not want to sedate him deeply again for a CT scan or abdominal surgery. Using ultrasound, Cornell saw a weird mass near his bladder and some shadows in his lungs. But, despite near dying several times soon after being rescued, Sal's illnesses cleared up so he was sent off to his foster home, The Bitch Barn.

Sal thrived at The Bitch Barn! He gained weight, made friends with his neighboring pigs, and started warming up to his mom Michaella. He did still show some boar-ish behaviors so reached out to Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue for advice. PSR reviewed his vet records and discovered the note from Cornell about the solo testicle. Sal went to PSR's vet for exploratory surgery last month, but he began to crash at the start of the surgery. The vet saw a concernging mass near his bladder, so stopped the operation and recommended getting a CT scan before proceeding with another surgery.

Sal went to Ohio State this past Monday for a CT Scan and possible surgery. Unfortunately, we received some pretty sad news that same day: Sal's scan showed clots throughout his lungs and a partially obstructed kidney ureter. The vets had no idea what caused these issues, but it was likely related to his earlier illnesses. The unknown mass seen by the previous vets was likely an abscess on his prostate, made worse by his remaining abdominal testicle. Sal's prognosis is poor: his sick lungs and bad history with anesthesia means he is not fit for surgery to assess his kidney issue and abscess or to remove the remaining testicle. 

Ohio State sent him home with some antibiotics and anti-testosterone meds. Sal will get a follow-up CT scan in a month to see if he improves any. In the meantime, he will be staying at Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue's finished barn for the winter to make sure his lungs are protected. His momma Michaella (of course she foster failed!) will be visiting him and Face-timing him often.