Alex Lab results - shows the cost involved for information

[worried val of york]

I took Spike to the vets for nail clipping and confirmation he is actually a boy. He is that's good news.

I also got the result of the lab tests on poor Alex who I had to have pts on 15 August. His ex - rays and blood tests taken by the vet did not show anything. So I hoped that the clinic tests would show what the problem had been.

Unfortunately they did not show anything conclusive.

I asked the vet should I have persevered and tried syringe feeding but he said no as Alex was not producing any faeces.

It is so frustrating.

But I thought I would post the costs of the vets and the clinic to make others aware of costs involved should anyone have the same decision to make about a poorly piggy.

The vet cost me £436.18 (that's for two overnight stays syringe feeding medication ex rays blood tests euthanasia and a post operative investigation that showed no obvious problems and also cremation and return of Alex's casket to the vet)

The laboratory cost was £133.55.

I do not regret one penny I spent. I regret not being able to save Alex. I do feel my vet did everything possible.

I am fortunate that at present I can afford to pay this but it is a good warning for anyone about the costs involved. It is well worth considering insurance or opening an account to put money away for future veterinary treatment. (as previous threads have wisely suggested).

Luckily my 2 remaining piggies are happy and healthy.

 

[Wiebke]

I am very sorry that you haven't got the answers you were looking for. Lab tests are never cheap.

 

[Zapbash]

I'm so sorry about your piggy it sounds a little like what happened to my first. He's not in pain anymore though and you should feel at ease knowing that you did all you could.

 

[Rodentopia]

I'm sorry it didn't show anything up but least you know and you did the right thing x

 

[sport_billy]

Sorry the tests did not give you any answers x

 

[MerryPip]

It's hard when there is no apparent reason for something like the loss of a piggy but unfortunately bodies are very complicated things and sometimes it just isn't possible to find the problem (true of people as well unfortunately and there is more research into our medical need than piggies...)

You did the best you could and the vet agrees you did everything right at least Your little one is at peace and not suffering anymore.

Sleep well little Alex. x

 

[Amanda1801]

I have a pig with a £3,500 vets bill upstairs, and still no answers!

 

[worried val of york]

Do you mean that your guinea pig is still having treatment? Are you insured? The costs do mount up so quickly. It is quite frightening. I have learned quite a lot from reading threads on this website. I am glad I found it. I now know if a guinea pig is not eating I must try and syringe feed straight away. I was unaware of gut statis that occurs if no food ingested in the first 24 hours. I have learnt about asking for pain killers as my first vet did not prescribe it and didn't mention the urgency of getting food into him.
I realise that life isn't perfect but it's nice to try an help an animal if possible. Good luck with the bills!

 

[Amanda1801]

Do you mean that your guinea pig is still having treatment? Are you insured? The costs do mount up so quickly. It is quite frightening. I have learned quite a lot from reading threads on this website. I am glad I found it. I now know if a guinea pig is not eating I must try and syringe feed straight away. I was unaware of gut statis that occurs if no food ingested in the first 24 hours. I have learnt about asking for pain killers as my first vet did not prescribe it and didn't mention the urgency of getting food into him.
I realise that life isn't perfect but it's nice to try an help an animal if possible. Good luck with the bills!

Luckily, all my pigs are insured! I've had a hell of a lot of money paid out in the last 12 months! We've given up pursuing Maggie's investigations. You could have CT scanned 1,000 guinea pigs and not found half the things that she has wrong! The investigations into her breathing problems have all drawn a blank, a few potential causes have been found and treated, but each time it comes back again, so frustrating! She's happy and well though

 

[worried val of york]

It's good to read she is well and happy and long may it be so. Take care Val

 

[Amanda1801]

It's good to read she is well and happy and long may it be so. Take care Val

She's well at the moment - hopefully it continues! She's had all sorts done - abscesses removed, tumours removed, lipomas removed - the gall stones can stay there though!