• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Bad News

Janey

Janey

*Photo Competition Winner*
Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
1,399
Reaction score
2,257
Points
925
Location
Derby
So I took Maisie to the vets this morning for another exam. She has several issues that I've been trying to get to the bottom of for months now, but the outcome of today's visit was that she has kidney disease and isn't expected to live for more than a few months. There's nothing that can be done for this - only metacam to keep her comfortable and a reduced dose of the thyronorm that she's been on for a couple of months. The vet thinks she only has approximately 30% of her kidney function left. I'm still in shock as this wasn't what I expected to hear.
 
Thanks Lisa - just totally out of the blue. Took her in because she'd lost her appetite and have been topping her up for a week :(
 
Oh such sad news. At least you can keep her comfortable for the time she has left and know she has had happy life with you. Thinking of you. ❤️
 
I’m so sorry, give her all the cuddles you can for the next few months.
 
Sorry to hear this sad news. I havnt long ago been through this situation with my old boar sky. He had cancer and had about 4 weeks to live. He lasted about 7 weeks though. In the end i gave loads of posh hay and veg he never tried before just to cheer him up. Take care
 
I'm sorry for your difficult news.take each day as if it is the last.you can pack a lot in a short space of time.:hug:
 
Huge hugs. I'm really sorry to hear this Janey. One of my first piggies had kidney failure and she was a fighter, went for 18 months with maintaining around half her peak weight before two weeks of metacam and then passing. Treasure your time with her and we are all here for you
 
I'm so sorry to hear your bad news, hope you are able to keep her comfortable for whatever time she has left
 
So sorry to hear this - what a shock for you.
You have time to build some precious memories now.
Remember, too, that news like this starts the grieving process so be kind to yourself
 
All hugs and well wishes gratefully accepted! I know she's my oldest piggy, but I wasn't ready to hear this news today. I honestly thought she'd be around for quite a bit longer, although as Lady Kelly says, it could be for quite a while yet. Fingers crossed.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Very sad news, but don't look further ahead. Just enjoy every day you have with her! They can really surprise you and potter along nicely for a long time. How was this diagnosed? Was it a protein:Creatinine ratio test? xx
Click to expand...

My vet did a thorough manual exam and said she felt a thickening in Maisie's lower abdominal area. She followed up with a scan which confirmed that both kidneys were enlarged and lumpy. The lumpiness was because of the mishapen medulla and the centre of the kidney was showing up very solid and white on the scan.

She also said that quite often this could happen when hyperthyroidism is present. Sorry I can't quite remember the explanation properly, but I think it was down to hyperthyroidism causing a raised blood pressure, and that affecting the kidneys. If we left off the thyronorm, the end would come more quickly, as Maisie would have a better appetite but not be able to process the nutrients, because of the raised metabolism. I knew I should have written this down earlier when it was fresher in my mind, sorry.
 
Last edited:
Janey said:
My vet did a thorough manual exam and said she felt a thickening in Maisie's lower abdominal area. She followed up with a scan which confirmed that both kidneys were enlarged and lumpy. The lumpiness was because of the mishapen medulla and the centre of the kidney was showing up very solid and white on the scan.
Click to expand...
My bunny had one kidney that was cystic and didn't function at all, yet when blood test was done, she had 100% kidney function, so the one was doing enough work for two. How is she in herself? Is it just the weight loss that you've noticed? Try her with porridge oats, they are great for putting weight on xx
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
My bunny had one kidney that was cystic and didn't function at all, yet when blood test was done, she had 100% kidney function, so the one was doing enough work for two. How is she in herself? Is it just the weight loss that you've noticed? Try her with porridge oats, they are great for putting weight on xx
Click to expand...

She doesn't move around very much, and has struggled to maintain a good weight for months now. Since I rescued her, she's kind of looked in quite poor condition, and I thought I'd be able to fix that, with lots of TLC and good food and care, but it seems not. I've been using mashed up pellets for a day, then CC the next day and have added in half a teaspoon of very finely ground oatmeal as well. She will sometimes nibble at oats if I leave some in the cage, but so will her cagemate, and she really does NOT need to put any weight on xx
 
Janey said:
She doesn't move around very much, and has struggled to maintain a good weight for months now. Since I rescued her, she's kind of looked in quite poor condition, and I thought I'd be able to fix that, with lots of TLC and good food and care, but it seems not. I've been using mashed up pellets for a day, then CC the next day and have added in half a teaspoon of very finely ground oatmeal as well. She will sometimes nibble at oats if I leave some in the cage, but so will her cagemate, and she really does NOT need to put any weight on xx
Click to expand...
I am sure I have heard of people giving milk thistle for kidney and liver problems. I am unsure of dose though.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
I am sure I have heard of people giving milk thistle for kidney and liver problems. I am unsure of dose though.
Click to expand...

I've been looking at different forms of milk thistle and it appears to specifically for the liver. The only reference I found about kidneys is where a person's kidneys have damage caused by diabetes. Do you think it might help though?
 
Janey said:
I've been looking at different forms of milk thistle and it appears to specifically for the liver. The only reference I found about kidneys is where a person's kidneys have damage caused by diabetes. Do you think it might help though?
Click to expand...
It isn't something I have ever used. I have heard of it being used for liver and kidneys, but not sure of what the kidney problem has been. I think feeding her additional foods and trying to get the weight up, might be the way to go. You can always take her out, for short periods, to feed her away from her friend.
 
@Janey
So sorry to hear about Maisie. Its really hard to understand that time is now so important because of the illness.
Be loving and make her comfy. We all here for you . . Also remember she's doesn't know she ill.. Massive Hugs
 
I haven't used an supplements but when Bea was ill she gradually went from my heaviest pig at just over 1200g to just over 600g. She maintained the final weight for about 6 months though. I didn't give her anything different (it was just her kidneys and not thyroid as well though) but I would offer her anything she wanted during cuddle time. I kind of figured there was no harm to be done in her eating half a carrot if she wanted considering she wasn't due to be with us for too long. I hope you can find a weight level with Maisie that she is able to sustain for a while so you can enjoy some more memories together
 
Lady Kelly said:
I haven't used an supplements but when Bea was ill she gradually went from my heaviest pig at just over 1200g to just over 600g. She maintained the final weight for about 6 months though. I didn't give her anything different (it was just her kidneys and not thyroid as well though) but I would offer her anything she wanted during cuddle time. I kind of figured there was no harm to be done in her eating half a carrot if she wanted considering she wasn't due to be with us for too long. I hope you can find a weight level with Maisie that she is able to sustain for a while so you can enjoy some more memories together
Click to expand...

Thanks for that @Lady Kelly - I am totally on board with all of it. She will get plenty of love and treats along the way; she is really loving her CC feeds - can't fill the syringe fast enough, yet she won't take it off the spoon or just eat from the bowl! She knows what she likes. I've never quite had a piggy like her before, who is so laid back about the majority of things and seems to take things in her stride. I feel privileged to have her and will continue to do the best I can for her.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top