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just don't know what to do for the best

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tattyruncy

tattyruncy

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I live in Scampton village, famous for the Dambust
I really need some opinions on this from experienced piggy owners. Laura and AP please help. This is a bit of a long rant concerning my Poppy who I really thought was better this time last week.
I went to see my rodentologist last night - whom I have every faith in and trust her knowledge and experience.
We were looking at Poppy's foot where the Bumblefoot was and it is very slightly sore on a tiny part of her paw. She looked all through her hair and at her front leg incidently the same leg as the Bumblefoot problem when she parted/pushed her hair back she said that Poppy has a fungal infection - a systemic fungal infection.
She gave me a list of meds to get from my vets -
Nystan 0.1ml twice a day for 1 week to start.
Imaverol dip twice weekly for both Poppy and Peggy (who she lives with)
Rimadyl for pain/inflammation in the Bumblefoot a quarter of a tablet morning and night - max 10mg.
Alphosyl shampoo for both Poppy and Peggy.
I have just taken Poppy to my vets and said that I had some concerns with Poppy as we had seen the rodentologist last night and gave her the diagnosis and list of medications required.
This is the problem pow-pow
My vet was not willing to accept the diagnosis or prescribe the list of medications. pow-pow
My vet thinks it is Ringworm? When I said it was a fungal infection, she said that's what Ringworm is.
She definately does not prescribe Nystan, has never done so, infact she said it was toxic for guinea pigs :o
She basically said all she would usually prescribe would be topical Daktarin cream.
I have asked my vet to phone my rodentologist to discuss their findings between them, however, I know the vet does not approve of rodentologists making diagnosis pow-pow
I am absolutely beside myself with worry for Poppy :(
Why oh why is it so :x hard work trying to get the appropriate treatment for guinea pigs :(
If when I have heard back from my vet I am not happy I am going to arrange to take Poppy to the CCT.
I absolutely trust my rodentologist and have no doubt that what she has told me is right.
I would just like to say also that I am a responsible pet owner and I always go to my vet when my animals are unwell, but sometimes they are not always right and that is the most difficult thing and trying to get the most effective medicines for my piggies is almost impossible :(
 
I know this is not much help on the piggy front but if the vet is not willing to discuss you concerns and opinions on treatment and diagnosis then i would be considering changing to a vet that will!
 
I have just looked Nystan up on the medications list on guinea lynx and it says that as it is not absorbed systemically it is not toxic.
It is on the safe list of medications :) However, I may not get any yet rolleyes
I am presuming if I took Poppy to the CCT that they are able to prescribe any medications/treatments themselves?
 
I have just been looking at my recent records of Poppy's weight:
23.8.09 1147g
4.10.09 1102g
26.10.09 1068g
1.11.09 1043g
9.11.09 1005g
She has been poorly with a bladder stone which was removed from her urethra about 4 weeks ago now, but I am concerned with her weight loos - surely that could indicate systemic fungal infection? and the problems with the Bumblefoot, could be because of the fungal infection? :(
 
I'm sorry I can't offer any advice, I just wanted to say I hope she gets better soon and you get to the bottom of the problem quickly!
 
I have just spoken to my rodentologist who has told me she spoke to Vedra last night and she agrees with her diagnosis :)
I have managed to get my self so bloomin wound up and cross about this pow-pow I've rang my vets to speak to the partner of the practice about this current situation. Apparently he will call me back.
In the meantime I am going to speak to my rodentologists vet who is about an hours drive from me. Failing that I'm going to Cambridge to see Vedra.
I am now going to calm down and eat some chocolate, I feel like having a glass or two of wine, i guess that ought to wait until this evening :)
 
Can't offer help sorry, but a question. Can a rodentologist not prescribe?
Hope all works out for you. xx
 
nutmeg said:
Can't offer help sorry, but a question. Can a rodentologist not prescribe?
Hope all works out for you. xx
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Unfortunately not :( Obviously I can get any recommended over the counter drugs, but unfortunatley a vet would need to prescribe the others which is the hard bit, especially if the vet is not familiar with them or won't use them :(
 
"nope only a vet is allowed to prescribe medications for animals "

Incorrect. Read section 19 of the vet surgeons act of 1966
Other specific groups can treat animals under some circumstances, albeit under the direction of a vet. Anyone can treat an animal in an emergency.
 
alcesterpigs said:
"nope only a vet is allowed to prescribe medications for animals "

Incorrect. Read section 19 of the vet surgeons act of 1966
Other specific groups can treat animals under some circumstances, albeit under the direction of a vet. Anyone can treat an animal in an emergency.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that very interesting quote :)
 
I'm sorry things are so confusing right now Mandy! It is hard when you have conflicting advice from the people you should trust (but much of the time, don't!) and the people you choose to trust. Do you still have my number if you wanted to talk when I'm not about?

This is the hard thing with vets vs. rodentologists. You get some vets who do know about rodentologists and who are interested and have even trained as rodentologists themselves. They are willing to learn and listen, and appreciate that the owner has ideas and opinions too.
Then you get the majority of vets who can't see past the letters after their own name and are unwilling to consider that someone other than themselves might know something more. It's almost like the power goes to their heads - as I said, they consider the fact that they are RCVS trained to be above and beyond whatever an owner or someone highly experienced in piggies thinks.

Nystan (nystatin) does seem to be a Prescription-Only Medicine (POM). I remember the twins were given this when they had oral thrush as tiny babies! While a POM treatment like nystatin or Itrafungol would probably be most effective, you can try some herbal alternatives.
Dida tablets can be given to treat systemic fungal, I'll have to find a link for you and confirm the dose if you are interested. You can also try Daktarin Oral Gel (it goes through the whole system, so although not a complete treatment it can help very mild cases) and, if all else fails, Panacur can be given in a short course.

In terms of the other things suggested by the rodentologist (and declined by the vet):

Imaverol - not necessary as Poppy hasn't got a severe fungal infection; a few good shampoos should be enough. Don't worry yourself too much about not being able to get hold of this one.

Rimadyl - there are OTC alternatives, such as the childrens Calpol/Nurofen, but the Rimadyl is probably the best.

Alphosyl - either this or Nizoral is bought from a chemist, so you'll have no problems getting hold of them.
 
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P.S. If you do head over here to see Vedra, you're more than welcome to pop in and meet me and the gang, we're only a mile from Vedra! :))
 
Thanks for that Laura :) I have your number :) I did think about ringing you but I have been so upset, I gave my vets receptionists a right ear blasting for about ten minutes poor woman - it wasn't her fault. I have texted Vedra to see if she will see Poppy. I think I was reading about Dida tablets when I did a search earlier.
I just want the right medication whatever that may be to get Poppy better :)
 
Laura-CCC4 said:
P.S. If you do head over here to see Vedra, you're more than welcome to pop in and meet me and the gang, we're only a mile from Vedra! :))
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Thank you :) You might have to count the piggies when I leave :)
I think I have just got myself overly upset - after reading what you put about the medications it is just the oral nystan that I would have to look at finding an alternative too :)
I have the shampoo and childrens neurofen :)
 
You know, I don't think you got overly upset, you have a right to feel such emotions as you have Poppy's best interestes at heart, and she means a lot to you. When the one profession who should be able to put your mind at rest actually ends up making you feel wrong-footed and confused, you do have to question things and talk things through (whether with others or just with yourself). It's not an overreaction, it's the desire to do the right thing by your piggie.

If you do come over this way, there is one pig you won't be escaping with - Frankie would give you away, he's too talkative and finds everything a huge adventure. I must get that audio of him uploaded, I'm sure that would cheer you up. :)
 
Dida tablets; half a tablet morning, half a tablet evening, for 3-4 weeks.
Available from Holland and Barrett shops.
 
The problem, for want of a better word, with rodentologists is that they have no recognised, independently regulated qualification.
You can, to a greater or lesser extent, understand the response of a vet when confronted by a rodentologist, even more so these days with the internet helping to make anyone an instant expert on any subject!

There is a saying that "The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open"
 
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Gosh. That's so frustrating!

I've never treated a fungal infection, but Peter Gurney gives advice on non-POM's in this link:

http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/skinp.htm

I guess I was thinking that if your vet flatly refuses to prescribe the medications your guinea-pig needs, then at least you'll have an alternative.

Edit: Oops. Just read that you've got Vedra to see your piggy. I do hope everything goes well for you now.
 
I hope you got home safely! It was lovely meeting you and your two girls, looking forward to meeting the others as well. :))

Did you manage to get the arthritis meds Vedra recommended for Poppy? You'll have to remind me of the name of it and the dose when you have a spare minute. :)
 
Hi Laura :) I got home about 4.15 :) I got the joint formula from P at H.
It is made by vitapet and it is called R~A Joint Formula Normal Strength.
Helps maintain pain-free supple and mobile joints. It is a light blue box with a Labrador dog on the front and it is 450ml.
It contains omega-3. Poppy is starting on 0.2ml daily for 10 days, then 0.1ml daily for 6 weeks, then 0.1ml twice a week for the rest of her life.
She has had her other meds and was such a good girl.
I have rang the oxbow company and there is a stockist 5 miles away from me who stocks the western timothy hay which I will get enough of tomorrow to last until we order a big box of all the different types of hays and grasses. My OH was looking at the Hay Experts website for ages and has a rather large shopping list in his head for Teddy Bunny, there is loads of fab stuff.
I rang my rodentologist who is pleased Poppy has got the medication she needs. She told me she is going to see little Fairy tomorrow x)
When I come over again I would like another of your mums lovely poetry book to give to my rodentologist and also some more of your leaflets to give to her so she can give them to anybody who is interested :)
I have just sat and properly looked through the record books and leaflets and read some of the beautiful poems. Both you and your mum are truly talented and clever people, my OH is amazed at the artistry :) I am going to not let Bethany see it and give it to her as a gift.
I was just so smitten with your beautiful piggies and the little twins are just adorable, they are an absolute credit to you, Poppy and Peggy have told the other girls that they want teddy bears too and pretty fleece blankets :) Mildred and Holly and Bright Eyes are excited to come and see you, I will probably bring them all just so Vedra can check Poppy over to review her progress when Peggy has her hormone injection :)
Thank you for making a stressfull time a really lovely day out and thank you to your mum for making me so welcome, and Vedra is wonderful, I can't thank her enough :)
 
For anyone who was following this thread Poppy has a infestation of parasites which was absolutely awful to see under a microscope :( She has itrafungal oral medication and is to be shampooed with flea or die, as have all the other girls and has been recommended a joint formula for her arthiritis, which I mentioned to Laura in the previous post.
If one thing I have learnt from this that I can pass on to others is that I stupidly thought Herbage hay was ok to give my piggies as it was quality looking hay and they loved it, I kept wondering why despite bathing the girls with lice and easy that poor Poppy seemed to not be able to shift her parasites. Vedra explained to me about oxbow hay being ok and the process it goes through, hence I will never buy any other hay again after what I saw under the microscope it really hit home to me :( The girls do have readigrass which some of them like more than others so I'm glad I can still give them a hay which I won't have to worry about causing parasite problems. I know I never want to see poor Poppy have to be poorly like this again :(
 
Fingers crossed that she makes a complete recovery!

Just for your info, you can buy imaverol online, it doesn't need a prescription.

Ali
 
I am glad you got home safely, and in fairly good time too! Your post means a lot to me and my mum, and we are so pleased you and your OH like the folders and poetry book. Olivia is definitely your new friend, she keeps asking when you're coming back and which piggies you'll bring next time. She said last night, "I like Mandy, she is my special friend". No-one has got such a reaction from Olivia before. :)

Thanks for the info on the joint formula. I'll get some for Delilah and we'll be able to compare notes in a few weeks. :))

Good luck with the meds for Poppy, and fingers crossed Peggy too!
 
Awwwwww Olivia is alot like my friends girl Lily :) She is very sweet :) I bet Holly Dolly pig would like to sit on her knee for a cuddle when she comes to see you :) I really hope all your hard work with your record books and leaflets take off - I would certainly recommend that all rodentologists bought a load of them to sell on to people who come to them so it helps make their job easier. I'm starting to fill mine in as of today and I will bring them to show you when I come to see you again :)
 
I've only just caught up with this thread, and am glad at the end of it the news is good. I felt so sorry for all you were going through, but will look forward now to hearing of her progress. Will you be telling your vet, or will you never go there again?
Anyway, kisses to little Poppy - and hugs to you, as it's been a horrid time for you but with a satisfactory conclusion.
 
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