• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Holly - long term mouth issues

Status
Not open for further replies.
I am glad sweet Holly is still going strong, even if she is making it hard work for you!

Ear wax is a good home for mites, so the random head tilt/impaired hearing *might* be down to the wax or mites.

When I clean the ears routinely, I put drops in, clean the ears after 24 hrs, then put drops in again after cleaning, then clean after another 24 hrs. Depending on how dirty the ears were, I sometimes put drops in a third time.

I believe Peter Gurney recommends treating with the Otodex 2x daily for around 3 days:
http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/ears.htm
 
Thanks for that, Laura. So far I've done 2 lots of drops, and when I attempted to clean her ears yesterday, there was nothing, so I guess the wax must be deep down. Am having terrible trouble getting the drops in, as she absolutely hates it! I'll try another clean later and get some more drops in...
 
I've been debating whether to update this... am getting so confused. :(

Ok... Holly has been having an anabolic steroid every 2 weeks, and this week the vet felt she had gone downhill. She had noticeable kidney pain on examination, and easily expressed urine on feeling the bladder (which isn't normal for her). So, she is back on Septrin, in case she has an infection.

But, I also felt sure in the last few days that her mouth was playing up, as I have said all along (given the title of the thread even!) Given that she had got to such a bad stage (I was starting to think PTS), I rushed out and got some Daktarin oral gel. Anyway, her eating has improved quite a bit since I started her back on the Daktarin, and she's put on 20g since yesterday. I worry about having her on so many drugs, and that the vet doesn't know about the Daktarin, but... to be honest, given that it was at the stage where I was considering PTS, I felt it a risk worth taking.

Her back teeth have not been looked at since last year, when I first started suspecting a mouth problem. There are no vets round here that I can find who do any mouth investigations without anaesthetic, and there is no way that Holly is fit for anaesthetic. I so want her teeth looking at. :(

To sum up, she definitely has kidney issues, and almost certainly doesn't have long left for that reason. But I just have a real nagging concern about her mouth. Possibly it is just that she gets fungal issues in her mouth (and, to be honest, her history makes me suspect that), or possibly there is a dental problem that has emerged recently.
 
I'm sorry this is still going on Sarah, how disheartening for you. There is definitely no way you could travel, Sarah?

I'm running low on thoughts now, it seems to be something chronic with poor Holly, I will keep thinking for you and let you know if I come up with anything to help. xx
 
Thanks Laura. I can travel, but only at a weekend (I don't drive, but the OH does).

She's definitely eating much easier and faster today. I have her sitting in a carrier after being Daktarined at the moment - I'm rinsing her mouth out first, giving her the Daktarin, then leaving her in the carrier with no food or water for 10 minutes. I've not been quite so regimental about that in the past, I must confess.
 
Really glad that at least she's eating better - that must really give you some comfort, even when other things aren't right. I hope there's a way of getting her seen by someone, at the weekend. Fingers crossed Laura might perhaps have someone in mind who may be able to help?

All the best for you and little Holly x
 
Thought I'd better update this, although it's probably going to be a depressing read, mainly because I don't feel at all positive.

Basically, Holly ended up spending Wednesday to Friday at Vedra's. She found a really obvious lump in her throat (which the vet has missed on numerous occasions, as well as me not noticing it), which was drained. She also said the teeth were wonky. However, when I went to pick her up, she said she wasn't particularly worried about her. To be honest, I felt she'd changed her mind a lot from what she'd said two days before, where she said she wanted to get to the root of the problem etc, and that she'd probably want to take a swab of the throat etc.

Anyway, when I got her home she was even lighter than before and, although she is eating a bit, she's still not eating much at all. I've managed to get a bit of weight on her, but she's not anything like she was before yet. She also still pulls the same faces when she eats sometimes (as if her mouth is still bothering her a lot etc). I have carried on with the Daktarin oral gel, at least partly because I have no other real options. I could cry, to be honest. :0 I have no idea what is going on with her throat, other than that the big lump has been drained.

Also, her allergies, which I had attributed to hayfever, have been back since yesterday too - these had cleared up about a week ago, and she is once again full of mucus. I have ordered some Bed-o-Linum to try, in case it is Megazorb she is allergic to (with it being a bit dusty), even though that's fairly well buried under a layer of Finacard.
 
I'm sorry to hear that Holly didn't come home with good news. I hope her allergies clear up soon and that her teeth are feeling better

Hugs to you both x
 
Sorry to hear that things still aren't right. I really feel for you both.

From what you said, I take it Vedra didn't say what she thought the lump might be and isn't going to get a sample analysed? Did Holly receive any other treatment while she was there, apart from draining the lump and checking her teeth? Did Vedra actually do any work on Holly's teeth or say that any work was necessary?

Did Vedra advise you to make any changes to Holly's care or ask to see her again?

Do you know what Holly was bedded on whilst at the CCT? I wonder if those changes in environment have triggered her allergy symptoms again.

Sorry for all the questions - just trying to clarify, as it definitely sounds like you've come away needing more information. I can understand if you feel you've been left a bit 'high and dry'. I assume that you can still contact Vedra any time though, and ask for clarification/further help. If you feel you need to then I would keep asking.

I'm sorry this is all so frustrating for you but you really are doing a brilliant job with her and it sounds like you're doing everything you can, based on what you've been able to find out. Fingers crossed you can keep building up her weight and her strength. Hang in there x
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your replies. :)

Allergies-wise, I think it's more likely something here that she's allergic to, and a return to it has triggered it. :{ While I'm waiting for the Bed-o-Linum to turn up I've just got her on newspaper and Finacard. She sounds horrendous today.

Sorry I wasn't clear in the last message (my head is all over the place with it all). On Wednesday I was told that it was a haemotoma in the throat, not an abcess, and it was drained (but she also said there were a few other small lumps in the throat too). Vedra said that she might need to get a swab of it in case an infection was at the root of it. By Friday she said that wasn't necessary as there was no puss.

Dental-wise, I'm sure she said she'd dealt with the teeth. Starting to doubt my sanity now though! Either way, I can't go back there - spent two afternoons on the road going there and back this week, and that was only because my husband was off work.

The only follow up was to get both my piggies on bottled water for their bladder issues, as they both had too much calcium in their urine samples. This I have done, as of Sunday.

Holly is 868 g today, and was 900 g when she went on her trip. :(
 
I'm sorry Holly is still causing you so much worry. Travelling is stressful for piggies, so it might be that the drop in weight is just because of this, and hopefully now she's been treated she might start to pick up?

I really hope so. It's such a worry when they have long term problems, but you're doing more than most people would to get her right, don't be too hard on yourself.

Sending hugs

Sophie
x
 
Thanks for the update. I completely understand how confusing and worrying it all must be, with lots to take in and think about.

Sophie's made a very good point about the travelling - I know, from experience, that it can take several days for piggies to get back to normal after long journeys. Hopefully this is behind Holly's set-back so she'll pick up very soon, now that she's settled at home.

Did Vedra give any indication as to what she thought might have caused the haematoma? And is Holly on any medication at the moment?

I agree that you're doing much more than most would x
 
I've no idea what is behind the haematoma. :{ I have a feeling she's had throat issues for a long time - possibly even last year when she had investigations under anaesthetic to check her teeth. She's had two courses of antibiotics since then. I also wonder if all these mouth/throat issues are behind her breathing troubles. She's on daily Metacam.

Yes, to be honest, the travelling was the reason I didn't really want to take Holly as far as the CCT (let alone leave her), because she has a very rigid routine of feeds here. Desperate times, and all that. :(
 
I am sorry you're even more confused and worried now Sarah, I was so hoping Vedra would give you some answers especially after keeping Holly in. I am disappointed for you and Holly, after all that.

Would you be able to get across to Broxbourne for another opinion? I know it is more travelling but should be quite a bit closer to you than Vedra. There is a guinea pig clinic being held on 25 September, it is a Saturday so might be easier for you?
 
Thanks Laura. Was good to meet you the other day, and thanks for letting me know about Broxbourne - it's good to know there are at least some other options.

Can someone please remind me of the Sudafed used for piggies and the dosage? I last bought some long ago (so it has long since expired and been thrown out). She sounds so terrible today, and the congestion just makes her eating even worse.
 
It was lovely to meet you as well, I think I've known you longer than almost anyone else via the forums!

Sudafed Expectorant dosage, I give 0.2ml 2x daily.
 
That's the right one, yes.

And for hanging around the internet like a bad smell, as if, however if you insist then I'm just as bad, if not worse. I've gotten about quite a bit, only active in two places now though, much easier. :))
 
The more I am reading, the more I am thinking heart. :( I actually worried about her heart as soon as she developed the respiratory symptoms over the summer, and mentioned it to the vet straight away, but she is always listening to her heart and saying it is fine. Obviously this isn't going to pick up everything though.

Oh I don't know what to do. :(
 
Part of me is really starting to think she's had enough - heart, kidneys etc etc. And with her mouth bothering her too, and me syringe feeding her etc, she really doesn't have a great quality of life. :(

In an ideal world, my vet would do an x ray without anaesthetic, diagnose a heart problem and try out some drug treatment on her. In my world it's more like 'we can try to x ray without an anaesthetic, but we might fail', we've never treated a heart problem in a guinea pig etc etc. For the millionth time I want my old vet back, even though he didn't x ray without anaesthetic either, he was an exotics vet and good with the non basics.

Sorry for blathering on on here!
 
pelicano said:
Part of me is really starting to think she's had enough - heart, kidneys etc etc. And with her mouth bothering her too, and me syringe feeding her etc, she really doesn't have a great quality of life. :(

In an ideal world, my vet would do an x ray without anaesthetic, diagnose a heart problem and try out some drug treatment on her. In my world it's more like 'we can try to x ray without an anaesthetic, but we might fail', we've never treated a heart problem in a guinea pig etc etc. For the millionth time I want my old vet back, even though he didn't x ray without anaesthetic either, he was an exotics vet and good with the non basics.

Sorry for blathering on on here!
Click to expand...

I really feel for you - you're obviously in turmoil about her, it's such an awful position to be in when they are reliant on you like that. I think we all hoped Vedra would wave a magic wand for Holly, but sometimes life just isn't fair is it.

I don't know what else to suggest. Only you can judge her quality of life. Thinking of you, I know it must be heartbreaking

Sophie
x
 
Thanks x

It's going to be a very difficult decision, and I'm absolutely nowhere near making it yet. She's had a bad day today, so I'll see how she fares tomorrow. :(
 
Poor little Piggy :(

But a massive well done to you for being so amazing and trying so hard to make her well again, you must be exhausted from it all, my poor piggy has only been unwell for three weeks and I am already finding it extremely stressful.


xx
 
Aww thanks both x

Yes, to be honest, after months and months of constantly syringe feeding, worries about her eating etc, it's starting to take its toll. :( Not that it's going to influence my decision, but I guess it's natural to feel drained.
 
You really have been through so much with Holly, my heart goes out to you. I wish I knew what to say or what to do to help. Sendings hugs to Holly and to you. xx
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top