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Fluid Sac Advice, thoughts and opinions please

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skinnys&co

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello everyone. I have a 2 year old skinny pig, Betty. On Friday we noticed what I would describe as her chest filled with a sac of fluid. It’s soft and moves about.
The vet wasn’t sure what it is but has put Betty on a course of antibiotics, along with frusol for fluid retention and pain relief hoping it will help.
Has anyone seen anything similar or any ideas what it could be? Thank you.
 

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Glad you’ve seen a vet and I hope the meds work.
I have no experience to share but I do assure you of my support
 
Hi

I hope that the frusol will help to drain the sac.

Can you please specify whether the sac is under the skin and not inside her chest?
 
It depends on if this sac is under her skin or if the fluid is in her chest. If the fluid is in her chest, then it could possibly be heart failure. I know of a number of skinny pigs that have suffered heart failure at a young age (including one of my own). I hope that this isn't the case for your piggy but it is worth discussing with your vet as heart failure can be helped with the right medication.
 
Sorry for the delayed reply. The fluid seems to be under her skin and seems to have gotten worse as it's harder than it was before. The vet has increased her frusol to 0.3ml 3 times a day now but it doesn't seem to be helping. Her sister has been in heart failure for 18 months and is still plodding on with medication, this seems so much more severe. Does anyone know where the fluid could be coming from to be under the skin?
 
skinnys&co said:
Sorry for the delayed reply. The fluid seems to be under her skin and seems to have gotten worse as it's harder than it was before. The vet has increased her frusol to 0.3ml 3 times a day now but it doesn't seem to be helping. Her sister has been in heart failure for 18 months and is still plodding on with medication, this seems so much more severe. Does anyone know where the fluid could be coming from to be under the skin?
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Hi

I am very sorry that the frusol is not working. Normally, fluid can build up around an operation scar in the days after but very often it disperses on its own or can be drained off.
A fluid build up inside the chest cavity, the lungs or the body cavity is not uncommon and usually caused by a failing heart.

Not having access to your piggy I cannot tell you what is going on as it is outside my own owner experience. I can also not tell you what could be causing it.
 
Thank you. I'm just waiting for the vets to open and will get her in today. The specialist vet will hopefully be around this time. My thoughts are heart failure too.
 
skinnys&co said:
Thank you. I'm just waiting for the vets to open and will get her in today. The specialist vet will hopefully be around this time. My thoughts are heart failure too.
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My thoughts are with you and my fingers are firmly crossed.
 
Got a call from the vets at 7.00. A senior vet had taken a look at Betty and said that it is most likely to be her heart or it could be a couple of other things. They said any of the those things would not be treatable. They could do the tests but it would just be to know what the problem is and wouldn't help her or give her more time. We decided to bring her home as I don't want her last day to be spent at the vets. The other piggies are so happy to see her.
We're going to keep a close eye on her and spoil her as long as we can. Thank you for all of your kind words and support xx
 
skinnys&co said:
Thank you ❤️ Took her in at 9.45 this morning and still waiting, here've apparently had a lot of emergencies. They're scanning and x-raying her, just hoping they'll be able to treat what they find.
The waiting is awful.
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BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry for the bad news.

You may find this guide here helpful: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

And you are always welcome to post in our End of Life/Bereavement Section if you wish for moral support for yourself, have questions or would like to talk about your feelings at any point. We are looking after both owners and piggies on this forum.
 
Thank you, I'll take a look now. We've said goodbye to enough guinea pigs but it never gets easier! ❤️
 
skinnys&co said:
Thank you, I'll take a look now. We've said goodbye to enough guinea pigs but it never gets easier! ❤️
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No, it sadly doesn't. Every bond is unique and precious.

The mechanics of the grieving process can become a bit easier once you learn to recognise them for what they are but the pain of the letting go and the loss never does. :(

My thoughts are with you.
 
skinnys&co said:
Got a call from the vets at 7.00. A senior vet had taken a look at Betty and said that it is most likely to be her heart or it could be a couple of other things. They said any of the those things would not be treatable. They could do the tests but it would just be to know what the problem is and wouldn't help her or give her more time. We decided to bring her home as I don't want her last day to be spent at the vets. The other piggies are so happy to see her.
We're going to keep a close eye on her and spoil her as long as we can. Thank you for all of your kind words and support xx
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I’m so sorry it wasn’t better news. Sending hugs. ❤️
 
I am so sorry you have had such bad news. You are right it never gets easier however many times it happens. I hope you get some time to make lots of happy memories and spoil Betty with all her favourite foods.
 
Sorry that you have bad news and are dealing with terminal care.
It’s never easy.
It’s a chance to make memories and give her happy todays, as many as she has left.
Holding you in my heart ♥️
 
Poor Betty lost her fight and we had her put to sleep on Friday. We took her to our local vet rather than the exotic specialist, they confirmed that once fluid builds up like that there is nothing that can be done. We're devastated. RIP little girl ❤️
 
So sorry for your loss.
Betty was a lovely and well loved piggy.
Holding you in my heart ♥️

Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. Betty was clearly a well-loved pig and you gave her a wonderful life. It's never hard to have to say goodbye. ((HUGS)) to you all.
 
I am so sorry for the loss of your Betty be kind to yourself it must be devastating 😥
 
So very sorry for your loss. Sleep tight little one. 🌈 💕
 
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