advice wanted

[choloe]

as you know vets in oz aren't good with guinea pigs, well kirsten gave me this test to do with zoe to test her kidneys when she is better but wanted your advice first as i can see holes in the test.
first you weigh her and note weight. then withdraw water for 24 hours, weigh her every 2 hours as she must NOT lose 10% of her body weight in that 24 hour period. if weight alright after 24 hours collect urine sample.
but if she loses 10% of body weight return water and this means kidneys aren't working properly. this is so the vet can get the correct V.S.G (s stands for specific and g stands for gravity but not sure on the v)

the holes i can see in this test is surely piggies get water from their food? and if say zoe did have bad kidneys wouldn't this test put them under more pressure? the vet wants another urine sample as zoe's urine was too diluted that she tested tuesday. so any advice would be appreciated.
hugs and cuddles :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: girls send :-* :-* :-* and should get missy's T4 results in tomorrow.

 

[sarsmccabe]

i honestly cant help you here, but i really hope all goes well for you. However, i would ahve thought they would have got water from the veggies as well. Maybe you could miss the viggies for the 24 hours. No doubt someone wil give you better advice soon. x

 

[Lez]

if it be me id be weary about witholding water. i wouldnt want them to get dehydrated. surely there is another way to test?

 

[choloe]

the only other way my vet knows is taken blood from zoe's jagular vein, which she would like to do without sedation and you can be sure there is no way no how NEVER!
she (vet) only wants to see if zoe's kidneys are working properly, she has no reason to believe they aren't. will wait and see and zoe pulls up after she has her teeth filed on monday, whether she gets sedated or not. and she if she feels better tummy wise and will think about it then. hugs and cuddles :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:

 

[starla]

I'd be scared about her getting dehydrated good luck

 

[rw3399]

Yeah I have to admit I'd be a bit scared too but saying that my guinea has only just started drinking for the first time since Saturday and she seems fine

 

[Glynis]

Mary i'd be worried about her dehydrating as well..... have you emailed Mary's vet and asked her ?
for Zoe :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*

 

[Annie59]

Hi Choloe...just checking in before bed and saw your post. I would be cautious of witholding water. I know that guineas need constant water. But I do remember telling the vet that I was concerned about Ricky not drinking much water and she said not to worry because he get lots of water from his veggies. He is big on green peppers and she said they are a huge source of water. I think it depends on what veggies Zoe eats. Also the critical care food contains water. But I think I would still be leary. Water is extremely important to guineas. Ricky got dehydrated once from not eating his veggies when he was sick. It was sad and required another visit to the vet. I don't know if I would do it. Poor Zoe! I wish she would recover. She has been through enough! Good luck whatever decision you make! Get better Zoe! :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:

 

[choloe]

if i did the test WHEN/IF zoe got better i would weigh her every couple of hours to make sure she didn't lose weight due to the lack of water. also she hardly drinks water anyway and she is only on grass, hay, parsley. if zoe lost 10% of her body weight this means she is dehyrated so i would stop add reintroduce the water. will think about it, the rate zoe and her poops are going i'll have plenty of time to think about it! thanks for your concerns and advice. will now have to get the grey cells working. sending hugs and cuddles :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: girls send :-* :-* :-*