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Casran: The Lion Fights On

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TheAurora

TheAurora

Adult Guinea Pig
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Been to the vets this morning.

For those who don't know, Casran has been ill for several weeks now and has phenomena, fluid in his lungs, an enlarged heart, fluid around his heart, a mass pressing on his chest, and is now grieving for the loss of his beloved mate who passed suddenly this week.

I did believe one hundred per cent that Sarah (the vet) would say he needed to be PTS today (mainly because he's making a horrendous noise when he breaths - apparently it's all the fluid on the move).

However, Casran loves nothing more than proving me wrong and is actually doing quite well. Sarah said that earlier in the week there was so much fluid in his body she could not even hear his heart with a stethoscope, but today she could. He's brighter, breathing better, is ravenously hungry and has put on weight.

He's still a very poorly boy of course, and dealing with the grief could break is will. There is no telling what tomorrow will bring or how much longer he has. But we have today and that's all that matters.

However, even Sarah said: "he's a real fighter isn't he!"

He certainly is. My little lion.

Of course, as ever, Casran had to cause a scene at the vets. When Sarah gave me a prescription bag with some more antibiotics in it, Casran decided to grab it from me and huge tug of war fight started! Embarrassing.

But I'm so proud of you my little man.

EDIT: Sarah said Casran definitely needs some probiotic. I know some forum members suggested a few good ones before. Any chance someone could remind me of the best choices? Thanks x
 
:yahoo: Way to go Casran :yahoo:

I know that P@H do a probiotic if you need one urgently. When I've needed probiotic I've used Vetark Pro C you can get it from Amazon. I'm not sure if it's the best as would defer to those tagged above. But it has worked for mine ok.
 
VickiA said:
:yahoo: Way to go Casran :yahoo:

I know that P@H do a probiotic if you need one urgently. When I've needed probiotic I've used Vetark Pro C you can get it from Amazon. I'm not sure if it's the best as would defer to those tagged above. But it has worked for mine ok.
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Oooh Sarah mentioned this one I think! x
 
And Bio Lapis is good too :) And just like @VickiA I don't know if mine is the best one either.

I would say the important thing right now is just to get one :)

That's great news about Casran, perhaps his meds are now kicking in and reducing the problem. Let's hope that continues - I would love to read that he beats this. Either way, neither of you are ready to give up and while he still has the will, he has you fighting right there with him xx
 
TheAurora said:
Been to the vets this morning.

For those who don't know, Casran has been ill for several weeks now and has phenomena, fluid in his lungs, an enlarged heart, fluid around his heart, a mass pressing on his chest, and is now grieving for the loss of his beloved mate who passed suddenly this week.

I did believe one hundred per cent that Sarah (the vet) would say he needed to be PTS today (mainly because he's making a horrendous noise when he breaths - apparently it's all the fluid on the move).

However, Casran loves nothing more than proving me wrong and is actually doing quite well. Sarah said that earlier in the week there was so much fluid in his body she could not even hear his heart with a stethoscope, but today she could. He's brighter, breathing better, is ravenously hungry and has put on weight.

He's still a very poorly boy of course, and dealing with the grief could break is will. There is no telling what tomorrow will bring or how much longer he has. But we have today and that's all that matters.

However, even Sarah said: "he's a real fighter isn't he!"

He certainly is. My little lion.

Of course, as ever, Casran had to cause a scene at the vets. When Sarah gave me a prescription bag with some more antibiotics in it, Casran decided to grab it from me and huge tug of war fight started! Embarrassing.

But I'm so proud of you my little man.

EDIT: Sarah said Casran definitely needs some probiotic. I know some forum members suggested a few good ones before. Any chance someone could remind me of the best choices? Thanks x
Click to expand...

What great news! I am keeping my fingers crossed for him!

As to probiotics and supportive care, here are all the relevant products we can recommend. I would recommend fibreplex (which contains probiotics), but any of the other brands are fine: Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
 
VickiA said:
:yahoo: Way to go Casran :yahoo:

I know that P@H do a probiotic if you need one urgently. When I've needed probiotic I've used Vetark Pro C you can get it from Amazon. I'm not sure if it's the best as would defer to those tagged above. But it has worked for mine ok.
Click to expand...
That's the one Pets at Home sell too.
 
This is great news, I have been thinking about you all day, willing him on :) When does she want to see him again? Yes the PAH one is fine, they are open today & tomorrow. I just sprinkle a little bit on some cucumber for mine :) x
 
Poppy'sMum said:
This is great news, I have been thinking about you all day, willing him on :) When does she want to see him again? Yes the PAH one is fine, they are open today & tomorrow. I just sprinkle a little bit on some cucumber for mine :) x
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Hey hon, thanks for thinking of us.

He's back two weeks today.

All the meds to continue... but now Metacam only when I judge he needs it and antibiotics for ten more days. Then all the others as is...

His poop is a bit funky which is why he needs the pro biotic.

Casran is made of strong stuff. If only Jemima could have fought the same way :-(
 
Yes such a shame :( It could be she was already very poorly & there wasn't anything you could have done sadly :( Do you know how old they were when you got them? I wondered if they were about 4 & if so that seems to be the age that mine seem to fall ill, you have been terribly unlucky but are doing such a fantastic job keeping your little lion going, well done :) xx
 
Critter said:
And Bio Lapis is good too :) And just like @VickiA I don't know if mine is the best one either.

I would say the important thing right now is just to get one :)

That's great news about Casran, perhaps his meds are now kicking in and reducing the problem. Let's hope that continues - I would love to read that he beats this. Either way, neither of you are ready to give up and while he still has the will, he has you fighting right there with him xx
Click to expand...

I think I've been so caught up in nursing him 24/7 I just haven't noticed any improvements - or dared to hope. But when my friend came around to pick us up for the vets, she said immediately "he looks a lot better!".

I think for me it's just been late nights and early mornings, rounds of med, sitting with him, steam tents, cuddles, kisses... if only Jemima had given me the chance to care for her in the same way! :(

My heart is so broken.
 
There comes a point where you forget what it's like to just get up in the morning and not have to think about getting piggy out of their bed for meds. I had about 8 maybe 9 months of this, twice a day, and it still feels odd after 5 days not doing it.
I'm on night shift tonight, and the first thing I thought of when I got up this afternoon was BonBon and the realization I wouldn't need to worry about giving her meds any more. It's really hard.
I'm glad Casran is fighting to stay with you, perhaps he felt more able to show you how he felt than Jemima? He's probably a lot closer to you than you think, well I think so, if he's prepared to show you his weakness. Every piggy is different, some just don't feel comfortable enough to show you when they feel poorly, and there's absolutely nothing you can do until they do, and quite often it's too late by then sadly.
Make the most of this one to one you have, you may find you have bought him quite a lot more time than you realize. Who knows, he may fully recover, fingers crossed for you both x
 
BonBon2010 said:
There comes a point where you forget what it's like to just get up in the morning and not have to think about getting piggy out of their bed for meds. I had about 8 maybe 9 months of this, twice a day, and it still feels odd after 5 days not doing it.
I'm on night shift tonight, and the first thing I thought of when I got up this afternoon was BonBon and the realization I wouldn't need to worry about giving her meds any more. It's really hard.
I'm glad Casran is fighting to stay with you, perhaps he felt more able to show you how he felt than Jemima? He's probably a lot closer to you than you think, well I think so, if he's prepared to show you his weakness. Every piggy is different, some just don't feel comfortable enough to show you when they feel poorly, and there's absolutely nothing you can do until they do, and quite often it's too late by then sadly.
Make the most of this one to one you have, you may find you have bought him quite a lot more time than you realize. Who knows, he may fully recover, fingers crossed for you both x
Click to expand...

I love what you have written here x
 
Poppy'sMum said:
Yes BonBon I agree, I was giving meds for 3 1/2 years to Petal including 3 months of syringe feeding even through the night. It felt so strange after I lost her, not having to do that anymore :( x
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It's hard but it's strangely intimate too isn't it... Casran is eating fine but I still give him two meals a day by syringe feed. We feel so close during those feeding minutes together x
 
Sending both of you tons of hugs! Really loved reading that he is a bit better today :hug:
 
Hi @TheAurora I'm glad that Casran seems to be a bit better, I'll cross my fingers for him. I'm also glad that you've had the help and support from member of these forums.

Today my son went to the local chippy and there was a man serving, he asked my son how he was so my son told him he was a bit tired due to him getting up every three hours with an animal (Cesaro our guinea pig) he asked what animal and my son told him a guinea pig, the man thought it was funny and tried to make a joke out of it and said you can get one from the local pet shop for £15, my son told him that he's not just going to leave a sick animal and that he was quite sensitive towards animals (he takes after me lol), he said some other rubbish which I think my son chose to ignore, he thought it was ok to do that with a dog, but not a guinea pig... When my son told me about it I said a few swear words and then said... I've told people on the forums about what your doing and they get it, they understand and think you've done well... it's times like that when you realise that forums like this are more help than you think.

Anyway, sorry for going on, I was just so bothered by what he had said then looked through this thread and thought... see, people that understand and are trying to support Dawn.
 
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