Casran: Lastest Vet Visit

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TheAurora

TheAurora

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I hope I'm not going to get into trouble for posting a fresh thread ... just didn't want this to get 'lost' in the other one. However, feel free to amalgamate if you think that's best/proper procedure/easier for posters to follow :-)

I was also kinda hoping to get specific responses to some of the things the latest visit to the vet has thrown up, which is another reason why I thought a new thread might be good.

So, once again I travelled to the vet believing Casran wouldn't come home with me, but he's sat next to me right now chomping on a broccoli floret. A few things the vet said:

1. She did take the time to remind me that Casran is never going to get better. That the drugs and care are simply putting off the inevitable. Am I wrong to hope he might make it to his next birthday in August? I'm going to throw him the biggest party ever if he does!

2. However, she doesn't want to see him now for a month so things must be a bit more stable :-) And to think the prognosis was only a few weeks nearly a month ago. My brave lion.

3. His lungs are still raspy but better than two weeks ago ... an improvement, whoop. I'll take any positives.

4. Sadly he's lost a lot of weight again. Her advice was simply to stick with the Critical Care (which I'm feeding in addition to all his normal food) to build him up.

5. He's dehydrated.

Thank you so much to @Poppy'sMum for taking the time to come and see us. And thanks for helping with water syringing. His cough totally vanished after that drink! Need to try and get more fluids into him.

Thanks everyone x
 
You are not going to get in trouble :)

Time spans are difficult, you honestly never know... We lived under them with Treacle and Cookie. Just keep doing what you are doing, Casran is a really tough lad and doing really well, you have played a massive part in this. Don't worry about his weight, just keep topping him up, as long as he is eating it is good.

Great great news on the lungs.

Hugs! And GO TEAM LION X X
 
No issue about this thread @TheAurora
:)
So glad Casran is doing well. It's never easy when you know there is no cure but you are certainly making his time with you very special and he is being treated like a prince. Long may it continue xx
 
sport_billy said:
You are not going to get in trouble :)

Time spans are difficult, you honestly never know... We lived under them with Treacle and Cookie. Just keep doing what you are doing, Casran is a really tough lad and doing really well, you have played a massive part in this. Don't worry about his weight, just keep topping him up, as long as he is eating it is good.

Great great news on the lungs.

Hugs! And GO TEAM LION X X
Click to expand...

It might be too much to wish for that he makes it to his birthday in August, but if he does I think we should throw him a forum party :-)
 
VickiA said:
So glad Casran is doing well. It's never easy when you know there is no cure but you are certainly making his time with you very special and he is being treated like a prince. Long may it continue xx
Click to expand...

A prince indeed, and he knows it. This morning he was making me hold the string beans while he ate them. Didn't want it unless I held it for him. I've just made a new labyrinth of box games for him in his cage too... x
 
Poppy'sMum said:
You are so welcome :hug: I feel so priviledged to have met the little lion & better still had a cuddle (Bet everyone else is jealous lol) :D I almost popped him in my coat hehe :roll: Anything you need help with just give me a shout xx
Click to expand...

It was great how much time Helen spent with us wasn't it! She seems to genuinely just want to help x
 
The vet's seeming certain that he can't be cured, but it sounds like his condition can be managed, and is being managed, though he has good periods where he's his normal happy bouncy destructive self, and periods where he's needing his rest where he struggles..
Seeing him monthly is a good sign as I assume the vet feels that the treatment has been tweaked to the right levels for him, and his condition is likely to remain stable (given his off days and good days) until that point comes when his body decides that enough is enough.
I suggest if he's dehydrated watering his critical care down slightly, but keep offering little and often, and offer more juicy veggies.
I know it's been hard to know whether or not his time has come, what with his bad episodes and then perking right back up again, but all you can do is the best you can to judge it right for him. Personally I feel that when it gets too tough, and for too long and too often for him, and his quality times are fewer and further between, then perhaps he will be ready for that final act of kindness.
Until then you and he are sharing some lovely quality time together, and he is clearly enjoying being mischievous.
As for how long this cycle will continue until he deteriorates to 'that' level, well I don't think anyone in the world can tell you the answer. As horrible as this is to not know how long he has left with you, it will be as it will be. Even with humans when someone is receiving treatment to manage a condition that will, in the end, prove fatal, no-one ever knows how long their lives will continue at a quality level. It's one of the saddest things to deal with, and yet knowing that those you love have happy times during it all is priceless, and something you hold in your heart after it all.
:hug:
 
I have a question of my own if I may, concerning quality time and health.
It's warm, it's sunny, the grass is growing. You know where this is going..... can Casran be allowed out for grass time in his condition? Or would it be safer to keep him in, or just sit out with him on the lap nibbling a few hand-picked blades? Just a thought.... x
@Wiebke @helen @Abi_nurse
 
Critter said:
I have a question of my own if I may, concerning quality time and health.
It's warm, it's sunny, the grass is growing. You know where this is going..... can Casran be allowed out for grass time in his condition? Or would it be safer to keep him in, or just sit out with him on the lap nibbling a few hand-picked blades? Just a thought.... x
@Wiebke @helen @Abi_nurse
Click to expand...

I've been thinking about this... it was glorious this morning. And hot. But with his phenomena I'm really worried. I do pick him a handful of grass every few days. x

But I do also wonder if some fresh air would be beneficial.

Thanks for asking this question @Critter
 
Critter said:
I have a question of my own if I may, concerning quality time and health.
It's warm, it's sunny, the grass is growing. You know where this is going..... can Casran be allowed out for grass time in his condition? Or would it be safer to keep him in, or just sit out with him on the lap nibbling a few hand-picked blades? Just a thought.... x
@Wiebke @helen @Abi_nurse
Click to expand...

He can go out, but as with any indoors piggy, use your bare feet as a judge - only put him on grass if it has been really dry and warm to your bare feet for 5 minutes and bring him in inside as you as you bare feet are getting cold. At the moment with the cold/near freezing nights, the ground here in the UK is still too cold in my own opinion, especially for a guinea pig with a compromised immune system for anything longer than a few minutes on a very sunny, warm afternoon.
Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time
 
Wiebke said:
He can go out, but as with any indoors piggy, use your bare feet as a judge - only put him on grass if it has really dry and warm to your bare feet for 5 minutes and bring him in inside as you as you bare feet are cold. At the moment with the cold nights, the ground here in the UK is still too cold in my own opinion, especially for a guinea pig with a compromised immune system for anything longer than a few minutes on a very sunny, warm afternoon.
Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time
Click to expand...

Thanks @Wiebke I really appreciate your help x
 
When I put mine out I always have a padded fleece lap-pad under a hidey for them, even at the height of Summer when the ground's been baked! :) Just gives them options and doesn't force them to sit on the ground.
It's actually nice and warm and dry on the grass in my garden. I appreciate conditions won't be the same across the UK. I'm literally giving mine no more than five minutes as this is the first time this year! :) (though they've had hand-picked grass prior)
 
Now i'm thinking back to last Summer when BonBon was struggling with her weight. She couldn't cope with anything under 18C for very long whilst outside. I suspect Casran will react the same, so suggest you keep the outside visit fairly short and have a heated pad ready for when you come back in. I do think he'll be happy with a big pile of freshly plucked grass in his pad :)
 
I am pleased you had such a positive vet visit. Casran is doing so well and it's down to you and your dedication as a piggy slave. Try not to worry too much about the future, enjoy every minute you have now. Casran will let you know when he's had enough. Hugs to you both. Yes @Poppy'sMum I'm very jealous you got to have real time hugs with the lion.
 
TheAurora said:
You are all so helpful! Thanks :wub:
Click to expand...
TheAurora said:
I hope I'm not going to get into trouble for posting a fresh thread ... just didn't want this to get 'lost' in the other one. However, feel free to amalgamate if you think that's best/proper procedure/easier for posters to follow :-)

I was also kinda hoping to get specific responses to some of the things the latest visit to the vet has thrown up, which is another reason why I thought a new thread might be good.

So, once again I travelled to the vet believing Casran wouldn't come home with me, but he's sat next to me right now chomping on a broccoli floret. A few things the vet said:

1. She did take the time to remind me that Casran is never going to get better. That the drugs and care are simply putting off the inevitable. Am I wrong to hope he might make it to his next birthday in August? I'm going to throw him the biggest party ever if he does!

2. However, she doesn't want to see him now for a month so things must be a bit more stable :-) And to think the prognosis was only a few weeks nearly a month ago. My brave lion.

3. His lungs are still raspy but better than two weeks ago ... an improvement, whoop. I'll take any positives.

4. Sadly he's lost a lot of weight again. Her advice was simply to stick with the Critical Care (which I'm feeding in addition to all his normal food) to build him up.

5. He's dehydrated.

Thank you so much to @Poppy'sMum for taking the time to come and see us. And thanks for helping with water syringing. His cough totally vanished after that drink! Need to try and get more fluids into him.

Thanks everyone x
Click to expand...

That is great news!

I wouldn't plan as far as August however, but still continue to make as much of your "extra" time with Casran as you can!

Perhaps you can offer Casran top up syringe feed and have regular watering sessions throughout the day when you offer him as much water as he wants to take.
 
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