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Off to see a specialist

AbiS

AbiS

Adult Guinea Pig
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Barney hasn’t been right since his UTI, it’s likely to be arthritis but I don’t think all of his symptoms fit. His behaviour was a bit odd this morning, all very non-specific, so I’m going with my gut feeling and taking him to one of the listed cavy savvy vets later this morning. I almost hope they find something wrong so I know what’s going on with him if that makes sense. I’m worried that they will want to do bloods because it does not sound like a nice procedure.
 
AbiS said:
Barney hasn’t been right since his UTI, it’s likely to be arthritis but I don’t think all of his symptoms fit. His behaviour was a bit odd this morning, all very non-specific, so I’m going with my gut feeling and taking him to one of the listed cavy savvy vets later this morning. I almost hope they find something wrong so I know what’s going on with him if that makes sense. I’m worried that they will want to do bloods because it does not sound like a nice procedure.
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All the best!

Taking bloods from guinea pigs is pretty difficult. You want a specialist for that. I hope that it is not necessary!
 
I think most vets try other tests before bloods because it can be difficult to do. When bumble was found to have arthritis the vet was able to diagnose from x-ray
 
Sending Barney lots of love. Please let us know how you get on Abi. Hugs
 
Lady Kelly said:
I think most vets try other tests before bloods because it can be difficult to do. When bumble was found to have arthritis the vet was able to diagnose from x-ray
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They have seen arthritis on an X-ray but I just feel there is something more going on. It didn’t seem to be bothering him up until a few weeks ago when he had his UTI, might just be coincidence so better that I get him checked again for my own peace of mind really x
 
The vet had Barney's history from the first vet which was great. She said it wasn't possible to rule out a bone tumour rather than arthritis from the xrays but really having that knowledge wouldn't change anything. She said first thing we had to sort was his pain so I now know what I'm doing with the metacam, going for a low dose and adding in tramadol. I have to phone her with a progress report next week so we can increase doses of necessary. I also got her to check a cyst that the previous vets knew about but we all sort of forgot about it with everything else that was going on. In the basis of could be an abscess or infection that's making him feel grotty he is now on antibiotics.

Interesting bit of info though, Gilmore Vets in durham (the one I just went to) is already listed on TGPF vet list as fact savvy but they are actually working towards becoming an exotics centre of excellence.
 
That's excellent to know.

I think my brain was working faster than my fingers this morning. I was meaning that Bumble was only diagnosed with arthritis following a lot of tests due to constantly being wet. Thus happened following a UTI but the specialist felt that she had gradually slowed down and from staying in the same place had contracted the UTI and after recovering she was knocked for six and couldn't get back going so she went on to daily metacam which perked her up and kept her going. She was also diagnosed with early stages of renal failure too.

Is it a case of trying to manage the quality of life for him or did they want to do further tests?
 
Lady Kelly said:
That's excellent to know.

I think my brain was working faster than my fingers this morning. I was meaning that Bumble was only diagnosed with arthritis following a lot of tests due to constantly being wet. Thus happened following a UTI but the specialist felt that she had gradually slowed down and from staying in the same place had contracted the UTI and after recovering she was knocked for six and couldn't get back going so she went on to daily metacam which perked her up and kept her going. She was also diagnosed with early stages of renal failure too.

Is it a case of trying to manage the quality of life for him or did they want to do further tests?
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I thought it was far too coincidental that his arthritis came so soon after the UTI so I didn't feel i trusted what I had been told however the vet today explained it will actually have been the other way round and it's likely his pain had stopped him being in the right position to pee and then move away or pee regularly enough and that's what caused the uti.

we won't be doing biopsies for bone tumour as is isn't a nice procedure to go through and it can be difficult. Also it wouldn't change management, would still just be pain management x
 
Simon Maddock of Cat & Rabbit Carr Clinic takes blood sample by cutting short one of the nails. I think that's the easiest and painless way. You can probably suggest that to the vet if they need a blood sample.
 
AbiS said:
I thought it was far too coincidental that his arthritis came so soon after the UTI so I didn't feel i trusted what I had been told however the vet today explained it will actually have been the other way round and it's likely his pain had stopped him being in the right position to pee and then move away or pee regularly enough and that's what caused the uti.

we won't be doing biopsies for bone tumour as is isn't a nice procedure to go through and it can be difficult. Also it wouldn't change management, would still just be pain management x
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Sounds like a sensible decision. I can't even begin to comprehend a bone tumor biopsy, sounds like a huge deal especially for a creature so small. Fingers crossed the pain relief kicks in and gives him a new lease of life. Bumble used to wait for medication times and try to run off with the syringe
 
anyar.dris said:
Simon Maddock of Cat & Rabbit Carr Clinic takes blood sample by cutting short one of the nails. I think that's the easiest and painless way. You can probably suggest that to the vet if they need a blood sample.
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Wow, that’s interesting to know. The thought made me curl my toes though!
 
AbiS said:
Wow, that’s interesting to know. The thought made me curl my toes though!
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I also cringe whenever we accidentally cut one of the nails of my piggies (due to them moving their toes the moment hubby cuts the nails!) too short. But it never bothered them. I was the only one worried when the blood drips to my hand while holding them! :blink:
 
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I have just topped his metacam up to 1ml and he has started eating again. Not sure how much more of this my nerves can take. He is in a state every morning.
 
So sorry to read about Barney's health problem. Sending Barney the biggest healing vibes. It really hits you when a guinea pig is ill you can feel so helpless in that situation.
 
Just spoken to a different vet at Gilmore as the one from yesterday is a day off today. He has told me not to give anymore metacam tonight as 1ml is an overdose. This confused me as a previous vet had him on 1ml twice a day. I need to double his tramadol from 0.03ml to 0.06ml twice a day. Even though the vet told me yesterday the maximum was 0.05. I am so confused and not feeling like I have masses of faith in what I have just been told
 
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AbiS said:
Barney has deteriorated today. Waiting for a call back from vet to either increase his meds or call it a day and help him on his way. He is just sitting/lying and not eating. I'm not sure what to do for the best.

@Abi_nurse
@Wiebke
@furryfriends (TEAS)
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I hope that you can have him seen as an emergency. Please syringe feed and water as much as he will take, little but often.
All the best with higher pain relief.

If you wish, please have an honest talk with your vet about the situation and Barney's prospects. It is never any easier or any less heart-breaking but it can help you enormously with your feelings of failure and guilt if you can make as informed a decision as possible in either direction (worth keeping fighting or not) when you come into the zone where you have to start weighing up things.

HUGS
 
Such an awful time for you and Barney, fingers crossed he picks up soon x
 
Update: I waited until 10pm to give barney his maximum dose of tramadol, a small dose of metacam and put a heatpad in his bedroom. This morning I lay in bed for 30mins psyching myself up to come downstairs and see what state he was in. I decided to not even look, put their nuggets in the hutch then go and chop their veg and see if he would come out before I checked to make sure he was alive. Toby came out as soon as I turned the lights on. I went to open the hutch door and this little black rocket shot out of the bedroom like his backside was on fire, barged his brother out of the way and stuck his head in his nugget bowl before I even managed to fill it! I have to say I shed a little tear. I just hope this continues and it really is just about getting a robust pain management plan in place. I will still hold my breath tomorrow morning but really hope we are turning a corner.

Thank you for all your support x

PS I hope I haven’t just jinxed it :eek:
 
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I know what you mean about steeling yourself to take a look. But it sounds like the new meds regime is keeping him comfy if he is active and raring for his breakfast.
 
That’s suchgood news that his appetite has returned! Well done Barney x
 
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