Big Day Tomorrow

[Adelle]

Tomorrow i take my two girls, Crunchie and Fudge, to a specialist exotics vet for further investigations. My vet has been great but we've kinda hit a wall!

Crunchies had her run of problems lately with her ovarian cysts, haematuria and teardropped poops/slow gut/bloat. Antibiotics and a shift in diet sorts her UTI and she had 2 hormone injections which stopped all side effects of her cysts. The slow gut/teardropped poos have been going on for 7 weeks now and bloat for the past week. Have tried probiotics, oxbow digestive tablets, extra vit c, no veg for a few days.. Tried all these seperately with no change. Shes currently on Metacloprimide which has stopped all gas build up but no change in gut speed/poos. She is currently struggling to use her bridge so is on metacalm for assumed pain.

Fudge is eating ALOT, more than other 2 sows together (weighed before an after veg) yet is boney around her back end and has a total weight loss of 120g over 2 months (very gradual). She has episodes of fluffing up and breathing hard, and was treated for chest crackles with antibs recently. She has been drinking excessively for several weeks but otherwise bright and active.

Preparing for a 2 hour round trip, hopefully its not to warm tomorrow. Heres hoping we get answers! Wish us luck x

 

[smokeysmummy]

Good luck hunni....hope the vet can come up with some answers and a way forward for them both xx

 

[helen105281]

Good luck, I hope you get some answers.

 

[jenniferanneharris]

good luck x

 

[GPTV]

Good luck with your big journey.

Wow sounds like you have all had a rough time of it

I'm sure your specialist vet will consider it, but maybe discuss the possibility of heart/circulation issues if there is a crackley chest involved.
(its not the only possibility could be -infections in the chest/fluid retention etc... only a suggestion)

My 8yr+ old girl Ellie was losing weight gradually, eating like no tomorrow, drinking more, puffing up more over time for longer periods, sleeping very heavily, had a slight nod &became very wheeze'y/hooting on a couple of occasions &her ears/feet always seemed cold with a mild signs of bumblefoot developing.


After a by chance appointment with a different vet at my surgery, he could hear she had a heart murmur/faulty valve. We started on a heart meds trial &diuretics if needed.
Unfortunately for Ellie her meds trial started in my opinion a few months too late & my general vet although good didnt pick up on the murmur or my suggestions of it.
I lost her a week or so afterwards-but she was old &had multiple health problems inc ovarian cysts &a lump that had developed.

Let us know how u get on & if it is anything to do with her heart there are a few members who have masses of experience of heart piggies who are happy & thriving with the correct meds.

Hopefully it will be an easily treatable, short term problem& you can sort your piggy pals Quickly

wishing them a speedy &full recovery

Luv the girls &I xx

 

[Adelle]

Good luck with your big journey.

Wow sounds like you have all had a rough time of it

I'm sure your specialist vet will consider it, but maybe discuss the possibility of heart/circulation issues if there is a crackley chest involved.
(its not the only possibility could be -infections in the chest/fluid retention etc... only a suggestion)

My 8yr+ old girl Ellie was losing weight gradually, eating like no tomorrow, drinking more, puffing up more over time for longer periods, sleeping very heavily, had a slight nod &became very wheeze'y/hooting on a couple of occasions &her ears/feet always seemed cold with a mild signs of bumblefoot developing.


After a by chance appointment with a different vet at my surgery, he could hear she had a heart murmur/faulty valve. We started on a heart meds trial &diuretics if needed.
Unfortunately for Ellie her meds trial started in my opinion a few months too late & my general vet although good didnt pick up on the murmur or my suggestions of it.
I lost her a week or so afterwards-but she was old &had multiple health problems inc ovarian cysts &a lump that had developed.

Let us know how you get on & if it is anything to do with her heart there are a few members who have masses of experience of heart piggies who are happy & thriving with the correct meds.

Hopefully it will be an easily treatable, short term problem& you can sort your piggy pals Quickly

wishing them a speedy &full recovery

Luv the girls &I xx

See i have been saying heart for while.. She gets cold when the others dont, constant cold ears and feet. Breathings worse when has veg so i queried dental- but then i realised shes running around the room when having said veg so put me back to heart! Vet cant hear a murmur, no "wooshing" sounds at all. She suggested nebulising with antibs but i didnt see the point without a diagnosis? I adopted fudge off a friend i met through rescue dog fostering.. Got chatting the other day and she told me fudge was born in april 2009- so shes nearing on 6.5 years old. Not a young girl anymore. My vet queried kidney disease but i wasnt convinced, and she couldnt get bloods as she got stressed. I'm hoping i get some answers as they both have been ill for too long. Crunchies worrying me most, she picks at veg at takes around ten mins of sniffing around before she actually eats any- and doesnt get through a quarter as much as she used to. She has started rumbling again and being hormonal since last nyt, which she hasnt done even once since 48hrs after her first hormone injection 4 weeks ago. I'm hoping its just a normal season but knowing my luck the cyst problem has resurfaced already!

 

[GPTV]

i suggested Heart issues to my vet months beforehand, but they wanted to rule out other options first (not sure what)

i gave Ellie half a diuretic (frusimide Sp?) tablet when needed to to get rid of the fluid on her chest (worse with humid weather) it it was suggested to give dioralyte (original ok) to top up with potassium/mineral/salt levels.
Nelio was the heart drug we were trialling, i will look up the dose tomorrow if you would like. we were going to try for a month & review after that.

Fortekor is another drug name also benzapril or something like that i'll check the spelling also if any use to you. Basically its an ACE inhibitor.

i get the impression heart problems are very difficult to diagnose easily & can be mistaken for many other ailments to all but the most piggy savvy vets. if i remember rightly there is a member who uses a piggy clinic, who is very successful at diagnosing heart issues. PM me if you need any more info regarding that.

--
i won some Verm-x for rabbits in a competition & have been giving as a treat to two of my girls- the other one doesnt like them, its supposed to boost up there systems in challenging periods.
its a herbal pre/probiotic, i wonder if this could improve cruchies digestive system?
I cant remember but have you gone down the faecal float testing route testing for harmful bacteria etc? might be worth a go & see what the vet thinks.
is crunchy still on metacam, if she's a bit stroppy it may be because she's a bit uncomfortable?

let us know how you get on, all fingers & paws crossed.

xx

 

[Adelle]

i suggested Heart issues to my vet months beforehand, but they wanted to rule out other options first (not sure what)

i gave Ellie half a diuretic (frusimide Sp?) tablet when needed to to get rid of the fluid on her chest (worse with humid weather) it it was suggested to give dioralyte (original ok) to top up with potassium/mineral/salt levels.
Nelio was the heart drug we were trialling, i will look up the dose tomorrow if you would like. we were going to try for a month & review after that.

Fortekor is another drug name also benzapril or something like that i'll check the spelling also if any use to you. Basically its an ACE inhibitor.

i get the impression heart problems are very difficult to diagnose easily & can be mistaken for many other ailments to all but the most piggy savvy vets. if i remember rightly there is a member who uses a piggy clinic, who is very successful at diagnosing heart issues. PM me if you need any more info regarding that.

--
i won some Verm-x for rabbits in a competition & have been giving as a treat to two of my girls- the other one doesnt like them, its supposed to boost up there systems in challenging periods.
its a herbal pre/probiotic, i wonder if this could improve cruchies digestive system?
I cant remember but have you gone down the faecal float testing route testing for harmful bacteria etc? might be worth a go & see what the vet thinks.
is crunchy still on metacam, if she's a bit stroppy it may be because she's a bit uncomfortable?

let us know how you get on, all fingers & paws crossed.

xx

Thank you for all that info! Havent tried the faecal float test, might be worth a shot. Also havent heard of that pre/probiotic. Her food is prebiotic but obviously hasnt stopped this progressing. Shes still on metacalm, i give her a half dose (mark 3) as was advised 6 but I'm a bit of a wimp.. Plus the 3 has always been enough whenever i've had to use it. Her weights dropped a little today, hopefully it doesnt carry on downwards.

I'm guessing heart issues would be difficult to diagnose if theres no murmur or enlarged heart- its not as simple as doing a cardiac scan/ecg like you would in dogs!

Heres hoping i get some answers. Thank you again xx

 

[biscandmatt]

best of luck. hope you get some answers

 

[GPTV]

Oh & just a thought, when she's not on metacam do her poops firm up a bit? I think some piggies it can soften them, although I can't say I've really ever noticed with any of mine particularly.

Anyway safe journey &good luck in finding the answers today. Xx.x

 

[Deleted member 114675]

Good luck and safe journey.

 

[Galaxy&nibbles]

I hope today goes well

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

Best of luck x

 

[Adelle]

Not long home, went well and then hit a problem!

The vet was very good, very thorough although a little rough! He is thinkin it could be kidney disease for fudge but says there could be several other reasons so tried to take bloods- says she got too stressed so stopped. Her urine was very dilute with trace of protein which he says could be explaining why she looks skinny. Her heart was beating fast but no abnormalities and chest was fine. Teeth arent the best but he doesnt think its the issue- he will look into this if bloods are fine. We where 5 minites from home when she started making very raspy breath sounds, almost like a grunt that sounded more nose/throat than chest. After 5 minutes she sort of coughed/spluttered and it is now very faint an intermittent. She had a drink and ate some hay then went to sleep. Does anyone know if this is just stress? There was no sound of fluid or crackles in the chest?

Crunchie had a full exam, bit of a mystery. He suggested trying "poop soup" and booked her in next wednesday for sedation, teeth check and xray aswell as abdomen xray. He will give fudge a wiff of gas to get bloods from her, but i will be telling him of her respiratory issue on the way home as i dont want to put her at risk. She done this before just over 2 week ago and was given septrin for chest crackles. I have given her a dose just to be safe and will see how she goes.

Still a waiting game from here, i felt relieved that he was taking action but i now feel sick after hearing fudges "attack".

 

[Adelle]

@GPTV @Wiebke

 

[GPTV]

at least your vets have made a start , don't suppose she got too hot in the car & she got a dry throat, or a little dehydrated which may have started her little episode?
maybe had a sip from her water & it went down the wrong way?
if it was more chesty then i would ask him about diuretics, but because he said not maybe she just got a frog in her throat or a bit of hay went down the wrong way (sometimes they store a little food in there mouths) & it may have been that if it is a one off. keep an eye out & definitely mention to the vet, would mention it before you set off or even phone tomorrow to mention it.
its good that she's happy to eat & drink & if she's sleeping she must be relaxed enough now. although she probably was very stressed to start off with.

the poop soup is worth a try, it won't do any harm even if it doesn't do any good.

good luck for next week & lets hope any bloods can give an idea of whats going on. hopefully one of the "health guru's" will be on soon & give you some more suggestions to discuss with the vet for your next trip.

keep us updated & healing vibes for your little Fudge & Crunchie furballs.
luv the girls & I.xx

 

[Adelle]

at least your vets have made a start , don't suppose she got too hot in the car & she got a dry throat, or a little dehydrated which may have started her little episode?
maybe had a sip from her water & it went down the wrong way?
if it was more chesty then i would ask him about diuretics, but because he said not maybe she just got a frog in her throat or a bit of hay went down the wrong way (sometimes they store a little food in there mouths) & it may have been that if it is a one off. keep an eye out & definitely mention to the vet, would mention it before you set off or even phone tomorrow to mention it.
its good that she's happy to eat & drink & if she's sleeping she must be relaxed enough now. although she probably was very stressed to start off with.

the poop soup is worth a try, it won't do any harm even if it doesn't do any good.

good luck for next week & lets hope any bloods can give an idea of whats going on. hopefully one of the "health guru's" will be on soon & give you some more suggestions to discuss with the vet for your next trip.

keep us updated & healing vibes for your little Fudge & Crunchie furballs.
luv the girls & I.xx

Shes still eating but shes still making the noise although alot quieter. It sounds nasal/throat and when i stand her upright it stops? Its worse when shes sniffing but nose is clear. Its calmed down alot since she coughed/spluttered. I phoned the vets back but mr lawrie is in consult. The receptionist i suggested taking her to her usual vets but its now closed and if her chest sounded clear i dont know what theyd even do?

 

[Wiebke]

It is likley that she has got a slight obstruction in the airways, which should settle again. Something has obviously ended up where it shouldn't but it doesn't sound like the beginning of a respiratory infection. It can be just from stress if she has got slightly narrowed airways.

Fingers very firmly crossed. Very dilute urine can indicate kidney problems (it is connected to heavy drinking.

 

[Adelle]

It is likley that she has got a slight obstruction in the airways, which should settle again. Something has obviously ended up where it shouldn't but it doesn't sound like the beginning of a respiratory infection. It can be just from stress if she has got slightly narrowed airways.

Fingers very firmly crossed. Very dilute urine can indicate kidney problems (it is connected to heavy drinking.

Vet just called back and said its starting to sound like a circularatory problem (heart) as she had a high heart rate and cold extremeties and now this- he says it sounds like congestion brought on by stress of trying to get bloods as her chest was clear when he listened. He says if it persists i can get some diuretics from my usual vet but woul be better if we manage without them as shes already guzzling water. I dont know what to do- surely sedating her for bloods next week will be too dangerous now? Should i go for diuretics in tje morning or not? The rasps have reduced significantly after the cough and its now only faint rasps. Gums are nice and pink and shes still eating hay. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Wiebke]

Vet just called back and said its starting to sound like a circularatory problem (heart) as she had a high heart rate and cold extremeties and now this- he says it sounds like congestion brought on by stress of trying to get bloods as her chest was clear when he listened. He says if it persists i can get some diuretics from my usual vet but woul be better if we manage without them as shes already guzzling water. I dont know what to do- surely sedating her for bloods next week will be too dangerous now? Should i go for diuretics in tje morning or not? The rasps have reduced significantly after the cough and its now only faint rasps. Gums are nice and pink and shes still eating hay. Any advice would be appreciated.

I would strongly recommend to go for diuretics. @helen105281

 

[Adelle]

I would strongly recommend to go for diuretics. @helen105281

Just back from out of hours vet, fudge was given subcutaneous frusemide. She isnt due her investigations until next wednesday with the specialist, he is basically retired and only works those days. The vet i saw tnyt basically said he is better to investigate this than my usual vets. Will this injection last her until then? Or will she need another? The problem is shes queried kidney disease- the sooner shes on heart meds and doesnt need diuretics the better.

 

[Wiebke]

Just back from out of hours vet, fudge was given subcutaneous frusemide. She isnt due her investigations until next wednesday with the specialist, he is basically retired and only works those days. The vet i saw tnyt basically said he is better to investigate this than my usual vets. Will this injection last her until then? Or will she need another? The problem is shes queried kidney disease- the sooner shes on heart meds and doesnt need diuretics the better.

she would need frusemide daily if it is the heart, but it can be taken orally.

 

[Adelle]

she would need frusemide daily if it is the heart, but it can be taken orally.

Her breathings calmed down abit more already. Do you think I'm safer to try and get her a quicker appointment to get a diagnosis and start on heart meds sooner to reduce the need for diuretics? I'm worried about her kidneys although that hasnt been diagnosed yet and needs bloods.. Which stressed her and caused this in the first place! Its a catch 22 situation! Whichever one i pursue, I'm potentially worsening the other!

 

[Wiebke]

Her breathings calmed down abit more already. Do you think I'm safer to try and get her a quicker appointment to get a diagnosis and start on heart meds sooner to reduce the need for diuretics? I'm worried about her kidneys although that hasnt been diagnosed yet and needs bloods.. Which stressed her and caused this in the first place! Its a catch 22 situation! Whichever one i pursue, I'm potentially worsening the other!

Diuretics are an integral part of heart treatment; in humans as well as in guinea pigs.
A weakened heart can't pump the blood efficiently around the body, and that leads to a build up of fluids around the body, but also in the chest cavity. That is why people with heart problems are so short of breath at the least exertion - and in guinea pigs, this can manifest as breathing problems, worsened as soon as the heart is stressed.

 

[Adelle]

Diuretics are an integral part of heart treatment; in humans as well as in guinea pigs.
A weakened heart can't pump the blood efficiently around the body, and that leads to a build up of fluids around the body, but also in the chest cavity. That is why people with heart problems are so short of breath at the least exertion - and in guinea pigs, this can manifest as breathing problems, worsened as soon as the heart is stressed.

Fudge done well overnight and was in usual vets for a recheck, lungs sounded clear (which doesnt say much as they did last night when she was rasping/gurgly breathing). She was no longer making those horrid sounds and didnt seem distressed which was promising. I was given oral frusemide to use when needed, but i was to be cautious as fudge is still a queried kidney disease (too stressed to get bloods to confirm) so these diuretics could relieve one problem and worsen the other. She done well most of today, until around an hour ago when she started wheezing. Iv done nothing but listen out for her breathing all night and day. I cuddled her and had a little cry and toyed wether to give the frusemide or not. She then gurgled a couple times so i made my mind up and gave her 2mg orally. No change so far but still a bit early, certainly no worse. She is currently tanning a bowl of veg.

I thought id pulled myself together but ive crumbled tonight. This specialist is pretty much off the map other than wednesday- i dont think she (or me) can wait that long. I'm now set on taking her to usual practice in the morning, getting her xrayed and started on suitable medication (probably alongside frusemide for a while) but surely the sooner the better. I'm just worried as this is going to be a bit of a collaberation with me and my ususal vet as i dont think shes done much on this area. I'm at the stage i just want someone to take her off me, do all the necessarry investigations thoroughly and hand her back with a plan! shes great but i just need something done with this

 

[Wiebke]

Best of luck! Kidney and heart disease are often linked. Please ask your vet to confirm that it is safe to use the diuretic regularly for your own peace of mind. It will give her relief.

 

[Adelle]

Best of luck! Kidney and heart disease are often linked. Please ask your vet to confirm that it is safe to use the diuretic regularly for your own peace of mind. It will give her relief.

The vet advised to use them if she needs them, but not to overuse them. 2 hours or so after her dose last night, she popcorned and started eating some pellets. She looked good. But was weezing slightly an hour or so later. Doesnt sound any worse this morning. Still eating although a lottle quiet in herself.

 

[helen105281]

Is the specialist considering ACE Inhibitors such as Benazepril at all? maybe they will discuss that with you tomorrow.

 

[gizzy]

I had a pig with frount leg ademas , his name was teddy teeff, Oral Frusamid worked wonders for well over a year! If l remember corectly he was 5 when he passed

 

[Adelle]

Just leaving to go and collect my girls. Fudge (suspected renal and heart disease) has been started on benazapril and to continue with frusemide for 2 weeks. He didnt do bloods to check her kidneys as he said stress is too much of a risk at the moment, also the only thing that they could treat would be the heart anyway. No xrays for the same reason, as they would only show enlargement of any but not actual cause of heart problem, and heart scan would cause yet more stress. but he said the fact frusemide is helping her, we already have our answer and we can do those tests once she is stable- which i agree with.

Theres good news and bad news for Crunchie- her cysts have pretty much disappeared after her hormone injections but her uterus is looking rather thickened. Her bowel is also thickened but he said this isnt accurate entirely with the ultrasoud. The plan is to continue with septrin for her discharge from her womb, loxicom for pain, and metacloprimide for the guts. She was sedated so i've asked for critical care just as a back up. Its looking like crunchie will be needing spayed as he thinks this os the root of all her symptoms. I'm gutted as her injections worked for her cysts so i thought we'd be good on that front- but her uterus is causing the problems now. He says if were going to do it, it will be next week as shes not in any immediate danger. Mixed emotions at the moment.