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Off To Vets With Maddie

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Yes I think we may have turned a corner. Doesn't help that the massage pad died this afternoon, think it is a fuse but need the OH to sort it. Bought a spare Homedics one from Argos but not sure it is suitable as doesn't vibrate. Got the xray from the vets now which shows a tummy full of gas bless her and also shows her heart is enlarged on the right side which confirms her heart pig diagnosis. Will be showing that to the vet that told me to take her off heart meds (not a vet I saw recently)!

 
It was my friend who runs the piggy clinics that was able to diagnose her just by looking at the demeanor and her poos in photos, she's brilliant.
 
Happy to report Maddie is even better this morning, was the most excited at veggie time and is moving about much more. the OH gave her her critical care in case but she shoved both the syringe and spoon out of the way and stuck her head in the bowl.
 
Brilliant news! keep it up Maddie, love from us both and healing wheeks from the girls x
 
Maddie has been having some issues again this last week and was showing all the signs of being very gassy again, luckily have had the week off so could jump in as soon as we noticed. She didn't lose her appetite like last time thank goodness so only needed one syringe feed but we have been making sure she has her Dioralyte, Gripe water and time on the massage pad. I also added in one dose of Emeprid which seemed to help too though this was a one off as the problem she has is not one that requires regular gut stimulants. She is on probiotics too.

What she has is most likely Hyperkalaemia which is linked to both her heart condition and possibly renal problems. Here is a link to the human version:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperkalemia

We believe that there is definitely an element of renal problems here as in her urine test her protein readings are high and this is not usually a sign of Interstitial cystitis which she also has.

Basically ongoing treatment for her will include daily Dioralyte and time on the massage pad.
 
Lots of healing vibes to beautiful Maddie, she is in the best of hands with you. Hate bloat :( so horrible to deal with
 
Off to the vets tonight to discuss better pain relief and to ask if she can have her urine analysed just to check that this is not an infection and if it is, then we can determine which antibiotic to use. In my heart I know it is most likely renal failure which can be a side effect of heart meds but we will see what happens. Will most likely ask about Tramadol as need pain releif that is less harsh on the kidneys.

She is ok in herself, her gas has now passed again and her poos are perfect but she is squeaking when peeing and has visible blood in her wee and the test stick shows high protein, Bilrubin and blood which can all be signs of renal failure. This would also tie in with the possible Hyperkalemia.

Xray was clear for stones.
 
How'd she get on?
 
Hi, sorry to hear about Maddie. What a sweetie piggy she is! Didn't realise you had heart piggy issues as well. Only just come across the thread. Sending lot of hugs. Oreo and Twiglet have their paws crossed for her too. x
 
Yep have got 6 heart pigs.

Well she saw Jeremy vet who had a good feel about and she is very sensitive around her bladder but not her kidneys. She then did a lovely red wee on the table and he looked under the microscope and there are no crystals but there are blood clots. He explained the only proper way to get a sample to be sent off to the lab would be to do a cystocentesis which she would need to be put under for and I am not happy for that to happen with her being a heart pig. For now she continues on Septrin and if no improvement we will try Marbocyl. He also agreed to Tramadol which he has not given to a pig before but we worked out the dose with the help of my exotic animal formulary. She had her first dose tonight so will see how she goes.
 
Poor Maddie, Hope the Septrin will help her turn the corner. Keeping her in my thoughts. x
 
Thanks Lee, she is not too bad in herself, is just when she wees she is in pain bless her and obviously the blood is a big worry.
 
My vet and I have found tramadol to be one of the most effective pain reliefs for pigs with kidney or other deep seated pain issues...including ear/eye infections, arthritis, trauma, bladder and stones. My vet will happily prescribe metacam for it's anti-inflammatory properties together with tramadol for that "extra pain-relief hit" . As an opiate tramadol hypothetically can slow down the gut so a course of zantac (minimal dose) will keep the gut ticking over.

To be honest however - I've never had a pig on tramadol develop gut problems from this medication - with or without the zantac

Fingers crossed for Maddie.

x
 
Thank you, she seems bright this morning, still squeaking when peeing but it did not seem as bad, i.e. she didn't stop eating when doing it. Good to know that we can top up with Metacam if needed too. Will keep an eye on poo output and she will have 1 session a day on the massage pad too as we still have her gas issues ticking along in the background.
 
Glad she is a bit improved. Special huga for Maddie. :-)
Can i ask what kind of massage pad you (
use? I want to buy one at some point incase i ever need to use one for my girls.
 
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