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Big Dave's Blood Results

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Amanda1801

Amanda1801

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I had Big Dave's blood smears sent off. They couldn't get enough blood to have a full screen done, but they did do two smears and I decided to send them off to see what came back.

The results were back today - all normal and generally inconclusive. There's the normal proportions of all the cells, all the cells are the right shape, there's generally nothing exciting.

So now I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do next. Do I subject him to another anaesthetic and get them to try and take blood again? Or do I just continue to monitor him and investigate further if he goes downhill again? :{
 
Sorry Big Dave is having problems.

I don't really know his history so I can't really offer any advice myself - sorry. Maybe you could post a link to any other relevant threads about him so people can follow the full story? I know some threads get really long but it's usually a good idea to keep everything contained in one thread, so people get the full picture and can follow the progress in the one place.

Don't mean to sound picky....it's just that I'd hate for anyone to give inappropriate advice because they got confused about his history (although there aren't many "Big Daves" around!) or even for you to miss the chance of someone knowledgeable passing on their advice, just because they didn't know his story and didn't realise they had relevant experience.

Anyway, I do hope that you get a breakthrough soon! x :)
 
missy said:
Sorry Big Dave is having problems.

I don't really know his history so I can't really offer any advice myself - sorry. Maybe you could post a link to any other relevant threads about him so people can follow the full story? I know some threads get really long but it's usually a good idea to keep everything contained in one thread, so people get the full picture and can follow the progress in the one place.

Don't mean to sound picky....it's just that I'd hate for anyone to give inappropriate advice because they got confused about his history (although there aren't many "Big Daves" around!) or even for you to miss the chance of someone knowledgeable passing on their advice, just because they didn't know his story and didn't realise they had relevant experience.

Anyway, I do hope that you get a breakthrough soon! x :)
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His story is basically unexciting! But there's a thread here http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=74793

Basically, it's been gradual weight loss (about 500g over 6 months or so - but he's a big pig - he's now around the 1.2kg mark, he's called Big Dave for a reason!), and lack of enthusiasm when it comes to food. Still eating though, behaviour all normal.

Xray showed nothing but a gassy abdomen, although he's still eating and pooing normally so ?/

Dental exam showed nothing - all normal.

He's slowly gaining weight again, but that's because he's having critical care in addition to his normal food...
 
:)

I was just wondering how LONG big dave has been with you? Is it possible he was just big die to exercise and is now getting down to his healther weight?

I expect I'm being silly and youve already discounted that but thought id throw it in there!
 
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Connie said:
I was just wondering how LONG big dave has been with you? Is it possible he was just big die to exercise and is now getting down to his healther weight?

I expect I'm being silly and youve already discounted that but thought id throw it in there!
Click to expand...

I've had him 2 years and he's always had plenty of opportunity for exercise - granted, him and Boxy generally sleep wherever you put them for exercise time, but they do wander about :))
 
:)

Sorry, Was only wondering, because sometimes ive found the answer can be in the most obvious thing! :/ Otherwise, goodluck with finding out whats wrong. :(
 
The only thing which occurred to me is potential heart issues, as someone else also suggested. It might be worth checking the list of usual symptoms and keep it in mind, just in case you find that more things start to fit, in time (although hopefully you'll have found out what's wrong and got him better very soon!)
http://www.guinealynx.info/heart.html

Does he still have the black sticky stuff?
 
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