? OD in a satin

[Vic]

Hi all

Molly my satin I "rehomed" from a pet shop 2 years ago after I saw her and her friend (possible mum) squashed in a cage no more than 12" x 12" and both fully grown! has developed only what I can tell is symptoms of Fibrous Osteodystrophy. She has had periods of weight loss which in the past she has recovered from, but this time it appears to be sustained. Looking at her teeth the top front appear to be miss-worn she has not been in any situations which would cause them to be knoced out. Her appetite is as good as ever, and I am cutting her food up into mouth sized pieces to ensure she is getting some. She sometimes appears to go like a puff ball when sleeping, although the temp in the room is kept constent. With the fact that I know nothing about her history, age, and genetic line and also the fact she has had ongoing eye problems from day 1 (the vet has tried everything, even sought second opinions from a vet in Reading) I am loathed to put her through a barrarge of unecessary tests that will just cause her stress if the result is going to be of no direct benefit to her. Having had no experience of this until I saw a post on this site I wanted to ask you all for your advice. The other sow appears to be related as both have "fatty eye" syndrom, she is my lady will a dust allergy (all pigs now on vet bed), recurrent URTI, has had a hysterctomy due to a mummified foetus (over a year after I had her - no contact with a capable boy whilst with me), only just added this bit as it appears that both pigs were not well treated in their past lives, and do not appear to be of a gentically strong stock! Sorry for going on a bit, so really:

1) Does this sound like OD?

2) Would putting her through an anthesetic to perform xrays considering her current and past health status be benificial to her?

3) How can I ensure if it is OD that I support her correctly for the rest of her days to ensure her happiness?

One very worried "Mum"

Vicky

 

[stargrrlclaire]

Vicky,I'm not sure,but I'm sending you positive vibes and wishing you all all the best xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Toffee4ever]

There is some useful information on the Reading Guinea Pig Rescue website

 

[Vic]

Thanks Toffe4ever, I'll go there now.

 

[Laura-CCC4]

It may be worth giving Vedra at the Cambridge Cavy Trust a call and ask if there are any competent vets or rodentologists in your area. Anesthetics are not necessary to perform xrays, so it is a shame most vets still insist on it.

It may be worth having the other sow checked for heart issues. Recurrant respiratory infections and apparently fatty eye can be symptoms of heart problems.

 

[MemberY]

Karen at Reading Guinea pig rescue has a keen interest in OD in satins and does have some good articles. She would advise you if you email her I am sure.
Is it not possible for your vet to xray without anaesthetic? this is the only way really for a positive diagnosis.

 

[Juniper]

symptoms of Fibrous Osteodystrophy.

Weight loss and tooth problems are not on their own signs of OD.

How does she move? Bunny-hopping/hobbling?
(That is another sign but this can also be scurvy, lack of vit c ...which is linked to not eating properly).

'Treatment' for OD is only the same as in any other elderly pig; ensuring that she is able (tooth trimming if necessary) to eat a balanced diet with plenty of vit c. Pain meds if and when required etc.
Because there is no specific drug treatment for OD (and because she is not being bred from) there isn't actually much information to gain from an x-ray, especially if your vet insists on anaesthesia to do it.
The 'treatment' won't do her any harm.

My own thoughts are that, despite you thinking that she is not from strong stock, I think the problems would have set in soon after she had her hysterectomy etc. if she was going to get OD. Evidence suggests that OD is ‘triggered’ in susceptible animals by lack of care, littering, other illness etc.
I suspect she is just an elderly piggie with tooth problems.

 

[rw3399]

The symptoms that you mention could be related to the fact that her teeth need a trim. Unfortunately some piggies do need their teeth trimming regularly but this is not as a result of OD. Anesthetic is not needed for teeth trimming, filing, etc so it might be worth you finding a vet who is willing to do this without anesthetic

 

[Vic]

Thank you all for your kind words and helpful suggestion.

Does anyone have contact details for Vedra at the cambridge cavie's. I'll email Karen at Reading Guinea pigs - its not too far from me. It might well be me putting 2 + 2 together and getting 12. It has always been ALice (the one who had a hystorectomy, fatty eye syndrom and recurrent URTI) that has been a poorly girl - nearly lost her several times, so for old Mol to be looking a bit worse for wares is just not right. My poor little herd seems to be lurching from one crisis to another. Roll on the summer when we can get them out on the grass in the sunshine (including me!)

I'll keep you posted.

Vicky

 

[summerleaze]

Karen at Reading is the person you need to talk to.

Hope things turn out well for you.

 

[MemberY]

Karens vet is Jenny Towers at Tilehurst vet surgery in Reading. She sees all Karens guineas and has experience of OD. If you are nearish to Reading, it could well be worth the trip. She does dentals/xrays etc without anaesthetic too.

 

[Juniper]

It has always been ALice ...... that has been a poorly girl - nearly lost her several times, so for old Mol to be looking a bit worse for wares is just not right.

Ah...sorry Vic, I misunderstood I though that Mol had the surgery etc

Hopefully there will be more light shed on the OD problem soon. Mette Ruelokke (co-author of GuineaPiglopaedia) is a vet professor at the University of Copenhagen and she has been doing some research into satins and OD.