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Enlarged heart in guinea pigs.

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halfpenny

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One of our guinea pigs developed a 'tick' while breathing, it doesn't sound like the hooting mentioned, but I booked her in for x-rays, even though the vet could hear no problem with her heart beat. It turns out she does have an enlarged heart but there is no fluid on her chest or abdomen, she is a bit stressy but otherwise bright, so the vet wants to hold off treatment until we see any other signs.
I was just wondering if anybody has any advice?
 
Didn't want to read and run, but I'm pretty sure Char-x on RU had a piggy with heart issues, probably worth posting over there if you haven't already halfpenny. Hopefully some GPF members will also post here.
 
Thank you.:)

I did post on RU but I don't think she's seen it, so I've sent a pm.
Still if anybody does have advice or any experience I would love to know, I just want to help little Phoebe.
 
Regardless of weather there is any fluid on the lungs and enlarged heart shows that there is likely to be heart disease in one way or another. I would suggest your vet does a heart scan if they are experienced enough to do so. This will show any problems with the heart chambers and valves. Any heart problems should always be treated especially that your piggie is showing some clicking signs. I understand it is also up to the vet too. but fluid usually only develops on the lungs once the heart is in more end stages of heart disease.

x.
 
Abi_nurse said:
Regardless of weather there is any fluid on the lungs and enlarged heart shows that there is likely to be heart disease in one way or another. I would suggest your vet does a heart scan if they are experienced enough to do so. This will show any problems with the heart chambers and valves. Any heart problems should always be treated especially that your piggie is showing some clicking signs. I understand it is also up to the vet too. but fluid usually only develops on the lungs once the heart is in more end stages of heart disease.

x.
Click to expand...

I don't think they would have the experience to do a scan, but I spoke to another vet today and showed her the guinea lynx page about heart issues and meds used. She'll look into and agrees that if I have noticed a change in her health she should be treated- probably not with frusemide but potentially fortekor.
 
There are many drugs you can use on heart conditions. So make sure you get a diagnoses of exactly what heart condition your piggie has before starting medications.

Hope she continues to do ok.

x.
 
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