Storm1974
Junior Guinea Pig
Sorry I don't have any advice to give you, sadly, but just wanted to say I really hope she improves soon.
It's so horribly worrying when they're ill. 
It's so horribly worrying when they're ill. 
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Please help
- Thread starter Puddles1999
- Start date
Puddles1999
Junior Guinea Pig
Thank you, I really hope so too.Sorry I don't have any advice to give you, sadly, but just wanted to say I really hope she improves soon.
It’s just hard because I have no idea where to go from here or even slightly know what’s wrong even after being to the vets. It really is. I just wish I could take all their problems away
Puddles1999
Junior Guinea Pig
CTWC
Forum Donator 2025/26
It's such a worry isn't it like you say you just want to make it all better for them 
I would call the vet again tomorrow and ask them over the phone what they think and even send them the video they need to help you. Sending hugs and wheeks from us all try to rest tonight even if it's just by her house /cage x
I would call the vet again tomorrow and ask them over the phone what they think and even send them the video they need to help you. Sending hugs and wheeks from us all try to rest tonight even if it's just by her house /cage x
Puddles1999
Junior Guinea Pig
Thank youIt's such a worry isn't it like you say you just want to make it all better for them
I did send a very lengthy email to the vet with all of my questions and concerns. I have not heard anything back yet.Also not sure if this is me just overthinking it but does she looking to be breathing heavier? She was just at the vet and nothing was mentioned about her breathing/fluid in lungs or anything. I haven’t noticed a runny nose or nasty eye crusts. I feel like I’m overanalyzing everything which is a blessing and a curse.
This is the video link- February 27, 2024
Storm1974
Junior Guinea Pig
BIG HUGS. 
I know what you're going through as I've just been through this myself kind of thing myself, because we lost our beautiful young boy Bracken (We only have/had a pair of boys) on Sunday and we didn't know what was wrong with him until afterwards really. So totally understand how hard, stressful and worrying this all is for you.
that the vet gets back to you very soon, and that you find some resolution, so that you and your poor girl don't suffer for too long!
I know what you're going through as I've just been through this myself kind of thing myself, because we lost our beautiful young boy Bracken (We only have/had a pair of boys) on Sunday and we didn't know what was wrong with him until afterwards really. So totally understand how hard, stressful and worrying this all is for you.
that the vet gets back to you very soon, and that you find some resolution, so that you and your poor girl don't suffer for too long! 
Wheekallweek
Adult Guinea Pig
Hope she's OK this afternoon? Poor baby, must be so worrying for you, and so hard not knowing what's going on. It's brilliant she's still eating though
fluffysal
Forum Donator 2025/26
How are you both today?
piggieminder
Forum Buddy
Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility
I am so sorry you are going through this. I have linked one of the guides for you, forgive me if you have already been directed to it. I do hope you can find some tips in the guide that are useful for you and your poor piggy.
I am so sorry you are going through this. I have linked one of the guides for you, forgive me if you have already been directed to it. I do hope you can find some tips in the guide that are useful for you and your poor piggy.
Bill & Ted
Forum Buddy
I am thinking of you both and hope you get some answers from your vet about Penelope. Sending her lots of healing vibes too, she’s gorgeous x
Puddles1999
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi everyone. Things have been crazy and busy here lately so hadn’t had a chance to post an update.
Penelope had a follow up appointment today. The vet did not hear a heart murmur last time but she did say she heard a really small murmur this appointment.
She also mentioned her heart looked slightly bigger than it did in the X-ray from the last appointment last week.
She did not see an obvious mass still since I was originally told she had a mass on her liver. Which was a relief.
She decided to try to put her on Vetmedin & Enalapril. She is still on Meloxicam and Furosemide every 12 hours.
I just gave her the first dose of vetmedin to see how she does. I haven’t started the enalapril yet so I can monitor her to see how she does on the vetmedin.
I did see something about Enalapril interacting with Meloxicam and that spooked me a bit. I need to research a bit more about it.
I see most people get prescribed benazapril for heart medication so I didn’t know if I should ask the vet about that instead.
She still seems to be herself lately. She’s moving around better but does occasionally have issues with her back legs. She’s quite small right now as well so I’m trying to get some weight back on her with critical care as she is still eating and everything.
Thank you to everyone who has been nothing but supportive. This is a lovely forum to be able to come on here and get support and talk about health related issues.
Penelope had a follow up appointment today. The vet did not hear a heart murmur last time but she did say she heard a really small murmur this appointment.
She also mentioned her heart looked slightly bigger than it did in the X-ray from the last appointment last week.
She did not see an obvious mass still since I was originally told she had a mass on her liver. Which was a relief.
She decided to try to put her on Vetmedin & Enalapril. She is still on Meloxicam and Furosemide every 12 hours.
I just gave her the first dose of vetmedin to see how she does. I haven’t started the enalapril yet so I can monitor her to see how she does on the vetmedin.
I did see something about Enalapril interacting with Meloxicam and that spooked me a bit. I need to research a bit more about it.
I see most people get prescribed benazapril for heart medication so I didn’t know if I should ask the vet about that instead.
She still seems to be herself lately. She’s moving around better but does occasionally have issues with her back legs. She’s quite small right now as well so I’m trying to get some weight back on her with critical care as she is still eating and everything.
Thank you to everyone who has been nothing but supportive. This is a lovely forum to be able to come on here and get support and talk about health related issues.
Puddles1999
Junior Guinea Pig
It truly sucks to see them not well. You just want to take all the problems away for them. I am so sorry to hear about your beautiful boy, Bracken.BIG HUGS.
I know what you're going through as I've just been through this myself kind of thing myself, because we lost our beautiful young boy Bracken (We only have/had a pair of boys) on Sunday and we didn't know what was wrong with him until afterwards really. So totally understand how hard, stressful and worrying this all is for you.
Storm1974
Junior Guinea Pig
It truly sucks to see them not well. You just want to take all the problems away for them. I am so sorry to hear about your beautiful boy, Bracken.
Thank you.
Hope your girl continues to improve.
Puddles1999
Junior Guinea Pig
She has started the Vetmedin and had been on it for a few days now. I did not start the Enalapril in case she had a reaction to one of the medications. Figured it was best to make sure she reacted well to the vetmedin first. 
I also mentioned in my update above seeing where Enalapril interacts with Meloxicam? I did not look further into it but have emailed my vet about it.
I also asked if we should start her on Benazepril (Fortekor) along with Vetmedin instead of the Enalapril. I see most people are prescribed Fortekor +/- Vetmedin & Furosemide. It was mentioned a few times that Enalapril is not as effective in Guinea pigs.
She also was hooting this morning and followed up with a cough and then the hooting went away. I did see where that could be a sign of heart issues.
I also feel like her ears have this blue tint to them and the outside of one of her ears feels a bit hard? It’s barely noticeable but I do think her ears have a blue-ish tint to them which also seems to be a symptom of heart issues.
Hopefully we get something that works for her. She is otherwise doing okay. She’s still begging for food and out and about a lot.
I also mentioned in my update above seeing where Enalapril interacts with Meloxicam? I did not look further into it but have emailed my vet about it.
I also asked if we should start her on Benazepril (Fortekor) along with Vetmedin instead of the Enalapril. I see most people are prescribed Fortekor +/- Vetmedin & Furosemide. It was mentioned a few times that Enalapril is not as effective in Guinea pigs.
She also was hooting this morning and followed up with a cough and then the hooting went away. I did see where that could be a sign of heart issues.
I also feel like her ears have this blue tint to them and the outside of one of her ears feels a bit hard? It’s barely noticeable but I do think her ears have a blue-ish tint to them which also seems to be a symptom of heart issues.
Hopefully we get something that works for her. She is otherwise doing okay. She’s still begging for food and out and about a lot.
Puddles1999
Junior Guinea Pig
My vet isn’t in the office until Monday but she did say we can try her on the Benazapril instead of the Enalapril. She is still on the Vetmedin but I’m not sure if I should try her on the Enalapril for a few days? Monday just seems like a good bit away to get her medicine but I’m not sure.
Also the very very very ends of her ears look a little dark. I’ve tried googling and found a few things that could be tied to heart issues but they’re not falling off or anything. It’s just the very very end pieces
Also the very very very ends of her ears look a little dark. I’ve tried googling and found a few things that could be tied to heart issues but they’re not falling off or anything. It’s just the very very end pieces
Puddles1999
Junior Guinea Pig
Here’s a photo of one of her ears. I used the flash to try and show it in the photo better.
I seen where it could be indicative of heart issues and a circulation problem. Would that ever get better if it is that? We are going to get her on Benazapril Monday along with her Vetmedin. She’s in good spirits. Eating so much and begging all the time.
I seen where it could be indicative of heart issues and a circulation problem. Would that ever get better if it is that? We are going to get her on Benazapril Monday along with her Vetmedin. She’s in good spirits. Eating so much and begging all the time.
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Storm1974
Junior Guinea Pig
Just to say, I don't know about this heart issue, sorry.Here’s a photo of one of her ears. I used the flash to try and show it in the photo better.
I seen where it could be indicative of heart issues and a circulation problem. Would that ever get better if it is that? We are going to get her on Benazapril Monday along with her Vetmedin. She’s in good spirits. Eating so much and begging all the time.
But hope you can get some good treatment for her, so she can have a bit more time with you and long may she continue to eat a lot and beg for food! 
Puddles1999
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi, thank youJust to say, I don't know about this heart issue, sorry.
I’m looking into a place to get her benazapril compounded and then I’ll be starting her on that along with the Vetmedin. Hopefully this combo will work good for her.
Storm1974
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi, thank you
I’m looking into a place to get her benazapril compounded and then I’ll be starting her on that along with the Vetmedin. Hopefully this combo will work good for her.