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Just Wanted To Check I'm Doing The Right Thing!?

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The Furry Godmother

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This is a bit long, sorry! :'///

On the GPC forum this morning I asked for advice about Frank and how he is atm.
Bit of back story as I mentioned in the newbie post had a rough few months, I go to University in Swansea, my home however is in Kent. Frank was 'adopted' (more like rescued from a bird cage) from my OH's mother's place of work. From the moment we got him I started research, he soon had fleece bedding, pellet food, vegetables and a new cage.
Anyway, I went back home on 04/06/14 and Frank was left with my OH and his mother (likes smoking in the house... -.-)... My OH came to mine for three weeks and we went back on the 22/07/14... Frank was lethargic, he was fluffed up, he was hardly eating, he only hopped and couldn't walk + he was coughing and had crusty eyes.
By the end of that week with no improvement we took him to the Pets at Home vets in Swansea as it was the cheapest at the time and they rushed us in when we explained Frank seems to have a URI. The vet was more concerned about his back and said Frank had a slight URI. He was treated with Baytril and Metacam and has recovered from all of that I believe!
On the 05/08/14 we went back to Kent for a month and Frank was left in the care of someone else. I came back on the 05/09/14 and noticed he had loads of 'dandruff'. Sent my OH down PAH to get the Beaphar anti-parasite spot on, put that on Monday and there's no dandruff and he's still a bit itchy - hoping his fur grows back soon. From what I've read on here I need to give him another dose of the spot on, on monday to boost it.
He was 600g when he went to the vets on 25/07/14, on 09/09/11 he was 731g! :D

So, to the point of this post....

Frank had a bit of a dive and tumble yesterday :( so I've been watching him all night and day... checked him over and he doesn't freak at me when I touch something that hurts like he did before... in all honesty he seems his usual self tbh, sleeping, eating, chopsin haha, however for a few days he's bunny-hopping again, like when he's trying to get somewhere quick && he can and does still walk... but because he fell I think I'm really worried about it :/

So I've ordered Vitamin C drops in case of scurvy (advice from other forum), I also ordered oto-something ear drops because his head keeps shaking and that could be due to the mites (I looked on this forum :))?

So I figured I'd try with the vitamin C, spot on and ear drops... and give him say 3 days after I start administering them to see if they work?

Does this seem about right?

If not someone said he might have arthritis, even though he's probably 1-2 because he's already had a back injury and that could have triggered it, so I'd need an X-Ray done, roll on student finance if that's the case :(
 
Oh poor Frank - and he's such a lovely guinea pig.

I hope one of our forum guru's answers your post soon.

Although I am not a fan of Pets at Home, of lot of people have spoken highly of the vet's based there.
 
Thank you, the vet did seem to know what she was doing so that was a plus!

Side note: he is only hopping when he's trying to get somewhere quick (like his veg) then he just walks normally, so it should be okay?
 
Hi!

I am sorry for poor Frank. Please have him checked out properly by a piggy savvy vet, even though that won't be cheap.

I also suspect that he is likely to suffer from scurvy, which may need further treatment than just vitamin C. You also need to be able to exclude an injury to the spine.

Please be aware that Beaphar is not strong enough to treat mange mites, it is only dose high enough for the prevention of them, like pretty much all of the cheap shop treatments. Unfortunately, they tend to make the problem worse than better.
A vet needs also to check for ear mites (not the same as mange mites!), wax or an ear infection, all of which will need different medication. It is very likely that he has several issues going on and he needs a thorough investigation.
Here is our piggy savvy vet locator: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-vet-locator/

Mites tend to hit typically when the immune system is lowered. It looks very much like Frank has not been looked after at all well while you were away and it may take some time, and cost you some money to address all issues properly. There comes a stage when cheap solutions simply do not work anymore.

You will also have to wait until he has been declared free of mange mites and other parasites before you should take him to a rescue, as that would counter the mandatory quarantine that any incoming rescue piggies undergo.

Please continue to weigh him weekly and make sure that he is on a good diet and good quality pellets to help boost immune system.
You may find these two threads here helpful for that. The second contains a list of veg with vitamin C grading, but please be aware that just feeding high vitamin C veg are not enough. A vet should also check for scurvy and adjust the treatment accordingly to how much damage it done to his body.
http://www.theAguineapigforum.co.uk...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...veg-and-fruit-list-with-vitamin-c-grading.42/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...vitamin-c-overview-with-product-links.115404/
 
H&&Frank said:
Thank you, the vet did seem to know what she was doing so that was a plus!

Side note: he is only hopping when he's trying to get somewhere quick (like his veg) then he just walks normally, so it should be okay?
Click to expand...

Guinea pigs use their back legs for hopping when they run at the highest speed.
 
Okay I'll see what I can do, he's only registered at PAH vets and everywhere else is shut weekends. So I'll take him there?
 
They won't put him to sleep will they? I didn't go to the vets last time because I was scared they would and if they did I'd literally just die inside :(

And also, I knew about the quarantine thing that's why I haven't taken him anywhere near the rescue or asked anyone to take me yet.
 
When I say I didn't go, I meant my partner took him, not that I refused him a vet ha :/
 
H&&Frank said:
They won't put him to sleep will they? I didn't go to the vets last time because I was scared they would and if they did I'd literally just die inside :(

And also, I knew about the quarantine thing that's why I haven't taken him anywhere near the rescue or asked anyone to take me yet.
Click to expand...

No vet worth his salt will recommend you to put a piggy to sleep without mentioning other options and leaving the ultimate decision to you; he will also only mention pts (putting to sleep) if a piggy is in serious pain and discomfort and there is no chance of healing or of giving it quality of life for a little while longer.

There is however no reason whatsoever why Frank is in any danger of his life. All his issues are comparatively minor ones that can be easily put to right with the correct treatment and there is no reason why he shouldn't enjoy a happy and long life. ;)
 
Frank is gorgeous!! And a bit of a computer geek from the look of it :))

What a shame, I would hate anyone else looking after my animals it must be so hard for you, only person I trust is my mum.

My little guy recently got mites as a result of being run down & poorly, you can buy excellent mite stuff from the vet called Xeno450 - it isn't cheap but it does the job well.

Sounds like he has only minor issues tho that will be easily fixed xx
 
Okay, that's good then, wouldn't want to lose him! if I can't get one tomorrow I'm asking to see the exotic vet person on Monday at St James', I want the best care for him, I may not eat for a few weeks, but that's no skin off my nose, at the end of the day Frank comes first.
 
I'm sure you will take great care of Frank. His issues shouldn't be too expensive to treat.

I have insurance for my boys with exotic direct, it is SO worth it xx
 
@PAMELAKT Haha, well I thought earlier I'd let him see some other guinea pigs on videos, he watched for a bit and then turned round and curled up in front of me and went to sleep, thought.. 'ok then, guess you don't like other pigs anymore' was more interested when I was typing on here, was trying to get my fingers haha!
Decided now I just won't go home, unless I can really get someone to CARE for him, I can't afford the vets bills and I can't keep being stressed out over it because if I get ill, Frank could catch it (like a cold)! && I'd trust my mum but she's allergic like I am haha! Trust only myself now and I question that sometimes ha :/! :)
As you said, hopefully it's an easy fix! xx
 
It does yes as long as it is over the excess. So the most you should ever really pay out is £50.

A consult will only be £25 ish say, so your total bill would have to be higher than £50 to be able to claim. It's amazing how fast it mounts up tho. I just had to have my boy xray'd, blood tests followed by an operation and without insurance I would be crying.
 
Blimey, only thing is it says they can't have anything wrong within 14 days of the policy starting and they won't pay out for recurring conditions, so does that mean if he ever got mites again they wouldn't pay? so what should I do?
 
https://www.exoticdirect.co.uk/whit...ic%20Direct%20Current%20Policy%20Document.pdf

Think this should take you to the policy document. Only things I think they don't like paying out for, is dental work and I don't think you can claim for say mites. Any illness/surgery is covered tho and they pay for tests, consults etc long as it is more than the excess.

Some ppl just like to put money away each month, but I wouldn't hve out away enough to cover this little lot!
 
I don't think you can claim for mites, just like with dog insurance you can't claim for fleas. It's not an illness per say...
 
Ah right, I have to put about his URI and back injury... would they not pay for that if it happens again or? It just seems like they may call it a pre-existing condition or is that something like arthritus?
 
H&&Frank said:
@PAMELAKT Haha, well I thought earlier I'd let him see some other guinea pigs on videos, he watched for a bit and then turned round and curled up in front of me and went to sleep, thought.. 'ok then, guess you don't like other pigs anymore' was more interested when I was typing on here, was trying to get my fingers haha!
Decided now I just won't go home, unless I can really get someone to CARE for him, I can't afford the vets bills and I can't keep being stressed out over it because if I get ill, Frank could catch it (like a cold)! && I'd trust my mum but she's allergic like I am haha! Trust only myself now and I question that sometimes ha :/! :)
As you said, hopefully it's an easy fix! xx
Click to expand...

You are a good mummy! it would be good if you got insurance or built up a vet fund, so you can afford medical care at all times.

Generally, the only thing that really transmits between species is ringworm (fungal). Otherwise, good hygiene (i.e. hand washing and no cuddling) will do the trick. There is very little that crosses between humans and piggies, thankfully. ;)
 
Maybe if I can register him at St James' I should get the insurance then after I have him treated, otherwise I'll have to try and change the vet practice on the insurance won't I?

I feel like a right pain in the ass !
Thank you all ever so much for your help and advice it is truly appreciated :D

I'm always washing my hands and Franks not into cuddles, he likes to lay on my bed by himself and then puts up with my stroking him haha!
I do have money, savings I've kept so I can dip into what is left of that for now! :)
 
Mmmm no it's fine, I registered my local vet and have used 2 other vets and claimed. My current claim is across 2 vets, I started at one and went to another as didn't like their opinion!

The URI I think because he has a history of it at the vets would then not be covered next time as it would be reoccurring. But anti biotics aren't expensive anyway. Insurance would cover ou for any big events that may happen such as proper testing and surgery etc which hopefully you would never need but trust me, wonderful if you do!
Whatever you have a history of at the vet wouldn't be paid for again. So you would want to register him before anything new x
 
It's worth looking into, I'm a big believer in insurance. To give you an idea, Rodney's xrays, blood tests and then bladder stone removal op & after care just set me back £900+.

I should get all of this back, minus my £50 excess. Well worth it in my opinion! But, all up to you some ppl like to put money away instead. Xx
 
You're joking and wait you have to pay it out first then get it back??
I'd rather have the insurance, If I had a job maybe it would be different but I don't so, Insurance! xx
 
I have a job & still would advise insurance! Most ppl can't afford that unexpectedly.

You do have to pay it first to the vet yes, then claim it back but you do get it back fairly fast. I am currently moving & had money put by for my new flat which I have tucked into - otherwise it mostly would have been a credit card job!

I don't care. Cos he's worth it. But knowing I will get it back makes it far less painful.

I have a dog also and would never own a dog without insurance, so I treat all my animals the same. You just never kno what might pop up! X
 
That's true, touch wood nothing every goes really wrong with Frank, I'm sorting the insurance now, have to put it in my other halfs name cos Franks registered under him haha xx
 
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