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Desperate For Advice

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Midge&Panda

Midge&Panda

Adult Guinea Pig
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Finny is a 4yr neutered male. Diabetic but controlled with tablets. He
currently weighs 2300g( not a misprint). He is also swollen with gas ( confirmed by x-ray). He poops for England so no blockage. He is on ranatadine, cisapride and emepride twice a day. To add to the problem he is also carrying a lot of excess fat. This was caused by the diabetes taking a long time to control. We need any advice going to try and alleviate his problems. He is currently on about a 95% hay diet. Meadow, Timothy plus forage no grass though. A small amount of lettuce twice a day and a pice of carrot or pepper once a week.. The situation has become so desperate euthanasia may be the only option. Thanks in advance x
 
I've not had a lot of experience with diabetes, as it is rare in guinea pigs, so I haven't got any useful advice really. His diet seems to be really good and certainly not likely to be causing a lot of gas, and I'm not sure what you could do to reduce his weight, other than excercise? What is his quality of life like?
 
Good at the moment. He has 3 doting wives kept indoors and will potter around the room. He looks heavily pregnant so moving can be a little awkward but it doesn't stop him when it's supper time. The vet is concerned about the strain on his heart though.
 
Would your vet consider also trying to give gripe water (need to run it past him re. diabetes), it is also gas breaking and has worked with some of my rather habitually gassy elderlies. You may also consider vibrating him to help shift the gas.

The carrot can be fattening.

Fingers very firmly crossed!
 
Just had a PM from Helen so I'm speaking to the vet tonight or tomorrow so I will mention the gripe water. Ive spoken to a different vet about it before but he seemed quite dismissive of it. He has about an inch of carrot once a week to give him a little bit of sugar for his tablets to work on(glibenclamide). It's trying to find the right balance. X
 
Midge&Panda said:
Just had a PM from Helen so I'm speaking to the vet tonight or tomorrow so I will mention the gripe water. Ive spoken to a different vet about it before but he seemed quite dismissive of it. He has about an inch of carrot once a week to give him a little bit of sugar for his tablets to work on(glibenclamide). It's trying to find the right balance. X
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Gripe water doesn't always work, but with some piggies it can be quite effective; especially with those that have ongoing milder rather than serious acute bloating issues. it is a matter of trying to see whether it makes a difference or not.
 
Gripe water does help my Millie and so does the massage pad. Like Wiebke has said though not sure where you stand with gripe water and diabetes.
 
That's great. Gripe water is very sweet though so wouldn't want it to cause a flare up.
 
Why is he on medication for diabetes, rather than it just be controlled by diet? I just googled the medication and it says that gut issues are a side effect.

To get the weight down I would completely withdraw nuggets and just feed a hay, grass and small amount of veg diet. xx
 
We initially tried to control it through diet but that didn't work so tablets became the next option. He has glibenclamide 5mg. 1/8 daily. This has controlled the glucose levels . I will discuss the tablets with the vet tomorrow when I speak to her. He used to be on Gertie but that stopped when they changed the formula he then went on to wagg but that has now stopped. He doesn't have grass , it's not too good in the garden at the moment. Veg/ salad is minimal. X
 
Gripe water is not something every vet is familiar with either, mine didn't know it would help, and I found out about it through a guinea pig rescue site, it came under the first aid kit for a cavy.
 
Midge&Panda said:
We initially tried to control it through diet but that didn't work so tablets became the next option. He has glibenclamide 5mg. 1/8 daily. This has controlled the glucose levels . I will discuss the tablets with the vet tomorrow when I speak to her. He used to be on Gertie but that stopped when they changed the formula he then went on to wagg but that has now stopped. He doesn't have grass , it's not too good in the garden at the moment. Veg/ salad is minimal. X
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In the winter months I grow grass in seed trays. I put the trays on window sills and it grows well xx
 
Sorry to but in but do you still go to Woodlands vets in Plymouth? I know you mentioned you did before!
 
We used to see a lovely vet called Jo at Woodlands, she left to have a baby but she has now taken over 'vets for pets' at Woolwell. So Finny went there for a second opinion and she's been treating him for the last month. While Jo was on maternity leave we saw Nick and Kerry. Unfortunately Nick has left and Kerry is part time. He has seen about 4 other vets at Woodlands but it just seemed to be 'keep taking the meds and get the weight off'. Not so easy at the moment. There are 2 vets at Woodlands that I refuse to take my pets to though.
 
This is an update I didn't want to post. Sadly due to complications and further weight gain and bloating Finny was helped across the bridge today. When I feel more composed I will post a proper tribute. Thank you all for your advice and support xx
 
Oh no, I am so sorry. Huge hugs x

Sleep well little one x
 
Oh no, that's really sad. I had followed the thread but could offer nothing useful at all, but I had my fingers firmly crossed for Finny. Huge hugs x
 
Oh no, I'm so sorry. Popcorn free little one. Hugs to you - you did all you could xx
 
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