Guinea Pig With Fluid Retention. Vet Recommends Put Her To Sleep.

[Brodier54]

Hi there folks.

I had to go to the vets yesterday as I noticed my guinea pig penny was sounding a bit pained.When i lifted her by her tummy she made more pained noises and her stomach seemed swollen.

I made an emergency appointment for the vets and we were there within a couple hours. After having a look and doing an x ray the vet told me she had fluid retention which was causing the swelling but she wasn't too sure why. Her recommendation was to put her on some painkillers for the night and if she doesn't get any better today that we should consider having her put to sleep. It doesn't seem like she has improved and she hasn't eaten or put out any droppings overnight.

So i was hoping for any recommendations on treatments and advice on whether getting her put to sleep would be a good idea. Also any ways i can just make her more comfortable right now. I imagine I would be able to get more help from a more cavy specialist vet but to my knowledge there are none near Dundee where I live.

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[MerryPip]

@lisaali have you got any better vet recommendations for the local (ish) area?

It will depend why she is retaining water, this is sometimes related to heart problems @helen105281 do you have any ideas? Frusomide is sometimes used to help in this situation but I am hoping someone with more experience will be along soon...

Perhaps even if you can't get to a better vet they would be able to take phone advice from a more experienced vet elsewhere? I think that Edinburgh vet school should be able to advise as might others like Simon Maddock at Northampton...

I hope you find enough information to make a decision you are comfortable with...

 

[LisaAli]

Hi,

The nearest Vets that we could recommend would be in Blairgowrie but unfortunately we can't remember their name, Although if you give Joanne at Hutches a Call she could tell you.

Hutches Boarding Rescue - Small Animal Boarding, Pet Holidays,Rabbit, Hamster, Guinea Pig, Gerbil Boarding Alyth, Scotland

Lisa & Ali..

 

[Wiebke]

I am very sorry; a diuretic like frusol or furosemide can bring relief, but ultimately it depends on what is causing the build-up of water and just how bad things are.
The fluid build-up is likely due to a failing heart, but it could also be caused by an internal lump - only it is impossible to scan for the second if it is masked by fluid. The second has happened to my Ffraid; she was on frusol for the last 6 weeks of her life. But the vet could confirm that her heart was OK.

I hope that you can have her seen by a good vet soon and then talk through your options and what would be the best course of treatment. It may be that letting her go is the kindest thing you can do, but you want to make any decisions on as informed a basis as possible.

 

[helen105281]

I agree with all of the above. A diuretic may help if it is fluid on the chest or around the heart and it can also be used for fluid bloat but if it is something else causing the swelling then it won't help. Hopefully your vet will be able to speak to another vet with more experience. Glenn at Apex vets in Denny may be an option?

 

[Brodier54]

Hi again, Thank you very much to everyone who replied I really appreciate the help.

I had wondered about a diuretic after looking into it. We have another appointment later on today so I'll mention it when I'm there. unfortunately I wouldn't be able to travel as far as apex vets as I don't drive but I will definitely see if I can get a hold of the vet in Blairgowrie for a second opinion.

I'll keep this thread updates if anything happens.