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Can Anyone Suggest Anything Please?

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I have just spent a very long time giving her another thorough cleanse and removed a lot of debris from her mouth again which I'm sure is fungal. Her bottom lip is just like swollen rubber, and you can pull at it like elastic when it is wet. It just seems grey and dead. But she is still managing to pick up and eat grass, dandelions etc well.
I've managed to get the scab from beneath her eye away and beneath it was like a thick elastic mozzarella cheese substance. And removed that and I can tell she was very gratefull.
That was the kind of substance that was behind the initial necrotic scab that she started out with on her cheek before it spread over her face. Could it be Candida ? And is itrafungol the best treatment?
Her skin where I have got the necrotic away is quite swollen and puffy, I would say fluid underneath. I have put cream on her skin to soothe and try and hydrate the skin as it soon dries up to a scab again and goes hard. I wondered if to try bio oil to hydrate?
And eye drops in her eyes.
I've been using the itrafungol, daktarin, and nystan, and a antifungal mouthwash around her mouth. Or can I over do things?
Should I put her back on baytril despite what the vet said? Or I have Septrin here aswell or leave alone. And I've upped the itrafungol to the 0.3ml Vedra suggested already from 0.1ml the vet stated.

Thank you ever so much.
 
I do understand where you are coming from Jessie. And very sorry I missed out on your kind offer of the trip to the CCT. I had even got in touch with my brother at Morecambe to see if he could get in touch with any of you on the forumn when my internet was down, but he was at work.
And I too used to travel every week between night shifts to a rodentologist for dentals 150 miles for my guinea's. And then the other direction to Harrogate between nights to France Harcourt Brown on another day each week. That is probably why I had a heart attack at 41! lol.
 
trudy2995 said:
I've been using the itrafungol, daktarin, and nystan, and a antifungal mouthwash around her mouth. Or can I over do things?
Should I put her back on baytril despite what the vet said? Or I have Septrin here aswell or leave alone. And I've upped the itrafungol to the 0.3ml Vedra suggested already from 0.1ml the vet stated.
Thank you ever so much.
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My vet does NOT prescribe any oral antifungal medication at all unless a fungus has been properly diagnosed/cultured.....the reason being because many antifungals are metabolised by the liver and can cause liver damage so "speculative" administration carries far more risk than say antibiotics such as baytril or septrin.
You are choosing to give four different types of (oral) anti-fungal treatment - has your vet agreed to all these? If you are concerned I suggest you talk to them.

My vet is also very wary about prescribing baytril or septrin as first line antibiotics for bacterial infections without doing swabs/cultures first....this is because the many cultures we have done on my own pigs show they carry antibiotic resistant streptococcus and staphyloccocus and therefore other antibiotics are often called for,

It is unlikely that the primary cause of this extensive necrotisation is a fungal infection (unless Fudge has an underlying immunosuppressive condition which in itself would need further investigation) and it is more likely you are dealing with a polymicrobial infection and depending upon results you may require a cocktail of antibiotics.

I will re-iterate my advice that you should seek a biopsy/culture by an experienced vet to identify what you are dealing with. Without these results, no-one, be they vet, Vedra or otherwise, can advise the right medications/treatments to use. I should also like to point out that ANY medications should ONLY be given following consultation/agreement with your vet.
 
@trudy2995 - There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you are a caring, loving, and responsible guinea pig keeper!

I would imagine that, at this moment in time, you are feeling as though you are being tested!

However, there is absolutely no need - I believe that Fudgey's condition would be a challenge for the most experienced cavy-savvy veterinarian!

However, I do believe that Fudgey's treatment will be long-term, intensive, and costly - And not without risk!

Of course, it is possible with the correct diagnosis/treatment that Fudgey could make a full recovery! However, at this moment in time, without a diagnosis/correct treatment, it is quite possible that Fudgey will develop complications, and/or suffer unnecessarily!

As Piggyfan has said, I do not believe that anyone is offended by the pictures of Fudgey - One simply feels helpless!

I'm pleased to hear that Fudgey has been receiving pain relief/anti-inflammatory medication!

I will continue to follow your thread, but will refrain from posting, as I am finding it quite difficult to keep a civil tongue, after finding an individual's posts quite insolent, and do not wish to detract from Fudgey!

However, whatever course of action you decide upon, you have my full support!

Best, and warmest wishes!
 
@Guinea-pigGaga I do hope you're not referring to a member of my staff as insolent! They have many years of piggy illness knowledge between them, they give many hours of their time freely to this forum, to help piggies who are unwell. If you cant say anything civil to the staff who are trying to help, I suggest you go to a forum where the staff aren't as knowledgeable as mine. Thank you.
 
@trudy2995 @Guinea-pigGaga
Please be aware that we give out advice according to our guidelines, which are stated on the top of this section.
Vet care is central to what we do, and we are trying our very best to get any piggy in urgent need of specialist care to see one; if necessary even to help with transport.
We do not advocate home treating on spec without knowing what you are exactly up against, as we regularly see the often sorry results as emergencies on here.It can do more harm than good.

Lab tests can be expensive; do you have the wherewithal to pay for them? Many UK vet clinics will allow a payment plan if you speak to them; they can also give you an estimate about the expected cost before they undertake any treatment.

I understand that you are under a lot of pressure, but we are also passionate about making sure that as many piggies as possible get the level of vet care they need to give them a chance of a full recovery. ;)
 
@trudy2995, I'm a rodentologist, who trained at the CCT. I can completely understand your wish to do the best for your piggie, but the difficulty with vet fees. No one has bottomless pockets. You know Fudge best, so you are the best person to decide when she has had enough or if she is still fighting. It sounds like the latter, as she is eating and running around. How long has she been on the antifungals? Do you think there has been any improvement? Nystatin is a more powerful antifungal than itrafungol, with more side effects and I would be reluctant to try both at the same time, especially if you don't know for sure that it is fungal. Earlier you were asking if you could overdo things, and I think this may be the case here. It sounds like you are reluctant to see a vet, but I have to say that before you go back to antibiotics, you really need to get some lab tests done. Giving antibiotics when there is not bacterial infection is not good for your pig, affecting her digestive tract as well as contributing to AB resistance, which will make future infection harder and harder to treat. Is there a cavy-savvy vet that you trust, that you could go to? There are piggy illnesses that can be managed with non-prescription meds, but the trick is being able to identify them and it doesn't sound like you have a definitive diagnosis. Feel free to pm me if you would like. Everybody on the forum just wants the best for Fudge, as you do. Please let us know how she's doing.

P.S. Vedra told me that she classifies vets as "carnivore vets" and "herbivore vets". Most of the small animal vets deal with cats and dogs, not herbivores, so you may well get a better answer from a farm vet, who deals with herbivores all the time. May be something to think about.
 
I haven't seen the photos but just wanted to send trudy big hugs and fudgey healing vibes. I really hope you find some answers x

PS @Pebble - was great to read your background - I always wondered what it was having read lots of your other posts. Would have loved to have picked your brain when my sister-in-law was in ITU earlier this year ?necrotising fasciitis. Eventually they decided it was cellulitis but she nearly lost her leg!
 
She is a lot better thank you. Still some swelling under her chin. But back to pink healthy skin. xxDid send pics to the other group through the moderator, but not worked out how to do it for myself.

Been busy too with another poorly guinea pig, and not eating.
 
I'm so pleased she is getting better. You must be so relieved. I am very sorry your other pig is poorly. You are welcome to open a thread for her.
 
I am so pleased Fudgey's condition has improved. I think I need some tips from you on nursing sick guinea pigs. I hope things continue to improve. Please keep us updated.
 
Thanks Val.
Perseverance and don't always take what the vet says as gospel.
She wanted her put to sleep!
She told me another needed her back teeth trimming. Has she was eating ok I thought to leave her well alone. Now she is off her food so I travelled to a cavy vet recommended to me. And that vet said her teeth was ok!
 
I took my 5yr old guinea pig to the guinea pig savvy vet on Tuesday as he was making a rattling sound when he breathed. He had a swab test done after which his nose bled. The vet also squeezed a sebeacious cyst. I now have to give Rupert metacam and septrin followed by Pro C. And I am finding that stressful enough. I admire your strength in treating Fudgey it takes a strong constitution and tenaciity to do what you are doing. I agree about the vet.I am concerned about Rupert who doesn't seem to be pooing.
 
Is Rupert eating ok?



worried val of york said:
I took my 5yr old guinea pig to the guinea pig savvy vet on Tuesday as he was making a rattling sound when he breathed. He had a swab test done after which his nose bled. The vet also squeezed a sebeacious cyst. I now have to give Rupert metacam and septrin followed by Pro C. And I am finding that stressful enough. I admire your strength in treating Fudgey it takes a strong constitution and tenaciity to do what you are doing. I agree about the vet.I am concerned about Rupert who doesn't seem to be pooing.
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He is eating veg and I have seen him eating hay. But the guinea pig nuggets aren't going down that much. He has a cage mate who is eating normally. I work long hours each Thursday and Friday so I cannot keep an eye on him much. But I have had him on my knee feeding him veg before giving him metacam. For the whole time he was on my lap there were no poos in that half an hour. This is unusual. I am thinking of taking him to vets tomorrow. But I have to pick up my dog from her hyrdrotherapy/kennels tomorrow night so it will be Saturday before I can get to vet. Rupert is still strong and chases his cagemate round. So I am hoping he is eating enough hay.
 
Brilliantly! Thank you.
The swelling as gone down too now and with that it doesn't look as big of a area.. She is itching like mad though with it getting better. Just need the fur to grow back now.
Will try and get some pictures, you will be surprised at the difference in her.
Had more bad news though. Trina my blind piggy wasn't eating or pooping much, so been busy syringe feeding her. As well as being poorly myself. She had recently suffered abcess's under her chin that had to be lanced twice. I suspected her teeth was the trouble has she had gone off her food when ill with the abcess.
I took her to the vet but they thought her teeth were ok. Anyway after over a week I took her back. The vet put her under anaethetic to investigate her mouth. And I got the dreaded call to say that she had what looked like a tumour eating away at the inside of her mouth and causing a hole the size of a fingernail . The vet said she needed to be put to sleep as there was nothing that could be done for her. I was just so shocked as I definately thought I would be bringing her back home that night.
 
trudy2995 said:
Brilliantly! Thank you.
The swelling as gone down too now and with that it doesn't look as big of a area.. She is itching like mad though with it getting better. Just need the fur to grow back now.
Will try and get some pictures, you will be surprised at the difference in her.
Had more bad news though. Trina my blind piggy wasn't eating or pooping much, so been busy syringe feeding her. As well as being poorly myself. She had recently suffered abcess's under her chin that had to be lanced twice. I suspected her teeth was the trouble has she had gone off her food when ill with the abcess.
I took her to the vet but they thought her teeth were ok. Anyway after over a week I took her back. The vet put her under anaethetic to investigate her mouth. And I got the dreaded call to say that she had what looked like a tumour eating away at the inside of her mouth and causing a hole the size of a fingernail . The vet said she needed to be put to sleep as there was nothing that could be done for her. I was just so shocked as I definately thought I would be bringing her back home that night.
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Hi Trudy. Rupert is back to his old self thanks for asking.
It is great news about Fudgey. She is a credit to your care and perseverance.
I am sorry to hear about Trina. You'll be devasted by what happened as you are obviously someone who will go above and beyond with the care you are prepared to offer.
I hope you are feeling better in yourself. Caring for sick guinea pigs can really take it out of you and if you have health issues that makes things worse.
Have you got anywhere with the vanishing builder problem?
 
I am so sorry you lost Trina. How heartbreaking for you.

It is so good Fudge is improving.
 
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