Am I kidding myself she will recover?

[clair26]

Thank you very much for the replies.

Poppy went back to the vet today, I was full of hope from having read the really helpful advice and well wishes on here. I have to say as much as I focused on the positives (her new interest in food, absence of squeaking while toileting and increased activity), the vet seemed to want to think the worst.

Poppy has gained a little weight since her last vet visit, which again I see as another positive. She even managed a few happy squeaks during a cuddle, meanwhile the vet was predicting her doom. He is convinced she is fading away, he said something about an infection on a tumor, how could he know this without seeing inside her! So now I am on a mission to prove him wrong (I hope I can).

I mentioned the xray/scan thing, he said having lost 10% of her overall bodyweight she would not cope with the trauma of sedation. I must admit I felt in over my head with it all. He had put such a dampener on my hope for her that I felt deflated, and not as on form as usual.

Anyway, she has to go back in a week, so my mission for the next 7 days is to get her fighting fit. She needs her mummy more than ever.

 

[sport_billy]

Hi Clair,

I would really take up the advice given by Pebble and maybe look for a second opinion at a cavy savy vet. It took us quite a while to find a good one local to us. But a supportive vet can make all the difference maybe ring round all the vets in your area?

Guinea Pigs do not need GA to have a xray, some vets do it without while others just give a wiff of gas. I don't understand how he can say its a tumour without an xray/ultrasound. Have you collected a urine sample? what does she weigh at moment?

 

[Hanwombat]

Yes - they don't need to be put under GA to have an x-ray so what he has said he just 'bull'.

 

[CandyFloss]

I've got to agree vet wise - my own vet who is great with my dogs didnt seem that into guinea pigs (I hate when they see an ill pig and say like mine did "in the wild they wouldnt have survived anyway" ....erm... theyre not in the wild?!?) - I changed vets to a cavy savy one and its like night and day .... my piggy has big problems but at least this vet is more than willing to give her a fighting chance....
Keep up the good vibes and stay positive
xx

 

[clair26]

Just thought of something, how does the vet know how much overall weight she has lost when the first he see of her was when she was ill and had already lost most of the weight. Its so easy to be wise after the event; should of said this, should of said that etc.
She has always been small (as mentioned before) At her heaviest Poppy weighed in at 900grams and is now just 650gms, on Monday she was 610gms.


I live in what would be classed as East london/Essex borders, the only other vet in reasonable distance is goddards and I really cannot afford their prices.
I dont have transport, the vet I have been taking Poppy to, I have to get 2 buses each way. Since being made unemployed and with no other adult contributing to the household expenses money is really tight. So unfortunately I have had to visit the only vet I can afford.
I'm sorry if some people on here do not like that information, but I am doing the best that I can possibly do for Poppy.

 

[CandyFloss]

Its so easy to be wise after the event; should of said this, should of said that etc.

Know what you mean - I often think of all the things I shouldve asked on the way home ... duh .... when I'm actually in the vets getting bamboozled with tech talk I forget all the things I wanted to ask / say.

I know you are doing your best for her and I dont think anyone could doubt that

Hope you see an improvement soon,

x

 

[sport_billy]

Clair, we know you are doing all you can for Poppy, she is very lucky to have a mum like you who is fighting all the way for her. Keep fighting her corner with the vet. He can't do anything without your say so. If he is open to information you can print out information off this site and also www.guinealynx.com which has lots of medical info regarding pigs on it.

In the meantime we'll keep our fingers and paws crossed that little Poppy improves somemore, her weight gain is a positive sign. Take care

x x

 

[stripypig]

It's worth mithering to get xray/ultrasound.. I asked 2 different vets at my practice when I was worried about Gizmo, and I only got it in the end from talking to one of the vet nurses, who spoke to the senior vet for me.

They didn't sedate for xray, they just put her in a narrowish plastic box so she couldn't turn around.

 

[RabbitFan]

I totally agree with 'sport billy'. This vet obviously doesn't know a thing about guinea pigs so teach him. Either print off relevent information ( there is some brilliant info in past threads) or if you haven't a printer make loads of notes and show him them. Your little piggie could really do with an x ray and doesn't need a GA for this! Keep the fluids in her to help flush anything out. Best of luck to you both x

 

[clair26]

Right, having read so much info on the net, I am now convinced it is either kidney or bladder stones. I am going to get back in touch with the vet, explain this and demand an x-ray

I just hope it is not too late, and hope that at just 650grams she is strong enough to withstand surgery, personally I don't think she is, but hopefully I am wrong.

 

[CandyFloss]

I just hope it is not too late, and hope that at just 650grams she is strong enough to withstand surgery, personally I don't think she is, but hopefully I am wrong.

Hi Clair26,

Just wanted to let you know one of my piggys, Toffee, underwent a big op on Thursday there - she was under for 40 mins .,... and weighs under 500g so I would keep on hoping if I were you....

Toffee came round and was bright as a button - she had lost about 40g prior to the op and has major teeth issues, ringworm and this op was for a dental abscess so she isnt the healthiest piggy in the world.... her future may not be bright but we are hanging in there, like you, so good luck at the vets and stay positive,

xx