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Poppy again

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tattyruncy

tattyruncy

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Poor Poppy is in a right state 8... Not only has she got bumblefoot which we are treaating with happy soles, she has now got a ? urine infection, I noticed her lifting her head and whimpering when weeing - she is on Septrin for this. If it doesn't clear up then I'm going to ask for an x-ray - I dread it being a stone, she's an old girl 8...
My main worry though at the moment is that her hips (back legs) seem to have got so much stiffer and awkward/uncomfortable over the last few weeks :( The rodentologist I see with her was thinking that at some point she will need to be on some pain relief - Rimadyl is what she suggested. Does anyone else have a piggy with degenerative joint disease on long term pain relief? Is there anything else we can do to help her?
 
Sorry, I can't help you with that.

Have you looked up Peter Gurney swimming therapy? Perhaps that might be something to help her movement without putting any strain on her joints?
http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/swimming.htm

I am sorry; poor Poppy must feel really sorry for herself right now!

If I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about bladder stones. With the onset of autumn, we seem to be getting a spate of UTI's right now (my Llewelyn is one of them as well), and Poppy is more likely to come down with something like that, as her immune system must be somewhat weakened. Nevertheless, if the cystitis doesn't clear well, an x-ray without GA is the best way to make sure that there is nothing sinister.

Sending her my best wishes!
 
"With the onset of autumn...."

After all, there is an R in the month.
 
I am so sorry i cant help you with this.
Just wanted to send healing wheeks and vibes to poppy.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
I'm sorry she seems to be coming down with more problems. I remember being faced with such situations only too well; you think you are getting there, and then something else just adds on to it. I sympathise entirely with you!

I have an old, bumbling pig here with a very odd walk. We think Delilah is about 5, she has no classic signs of arthritis but presents a lot of stiffness in her shoulders. Someone recommended trying Potters Tabritis tablets, a herbal remedy for arthritis. I did have Delilah on Metacam prior to the Tabritis, and there has been little improvement on Delilah's walking after periods treating with each medication (not together, mind). However I have noticed that if I don't give Delilah her half-tablet of Tabritis at least 2-3 times a week, she is a little less active than usual.

Is Poppy on any anti-inflammatories for her suspected UTI? Rimadyl would be good to give in conjunction with Septrin, it will ease any pain she's feeling as well.
 
Thanks Wiebke :) Poppy hates being bathed, she gets so scared I don't think she would cope with swimming :)
Thanks CCC4 :) that is excellent information :) just what I was hoping for, me and OH was thinking there might be something herbal she could have - where do we get them from?
Poppy is not on Rimadyl - I have some Metacam - should I be giving her some for the pain? or maybe ask my vet tomorrow for Rimadyl :)
 
I bought mine off eBay, but a few places online and some health shops do sell them. The dose is half a tablet daily. I pop the tablet on Delilah's molars as she's not keen on taking it herself. rolleyes

I have just found that Gorgeous Guineas have just recommended Potters Tabritis too.
http://gorgeousguineas.com/blog/?p=172
 
That is brilliant that GG recommend the herbal tablets too :) I think Poppy is feeling a bit brighter this morning :) I was so worried about her last night I was in tears :( Poppy just seemed to want to sit in the bedroom even when the fresh herbage was added and her supper veg was given. I syringed fed her some fluid last night and she seemed to enjoy it :) This morning she has been an angel and had her medication and foot cream without any fuss. She took about 6ml of fluid from a syringe almost like she was just so thirsty bless her. She passed urine and a poo when I put her back in the run without any lifting her head up or squeaking :) and I am certain her bumblefoot is less swollen this morning :)
I'm definately going to get the herbal tablets for her as I'm sure she is uncomfortable with her hips, it dosen't help that Peggy her daughter climbs all over her back end when on heat rolleyes she's a bit of a pest but they adore each other :) Thankyou from the bottom our my heart for all your wonderful, knowledgable advice, it has made me feel a lot more positive for Poppy to get her feeling a bit brighter xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
Poppy is still squeaking on the odd occasion when weeing and lifting her head up :( I've resided myself to the fact that she may have stones :( I had been syringe feeding her cystitis relief fluid last week for 3 days along with her having her antibiotic and she seemed to be alot better, but now it's like we are back to square one again :(
If she has an x-ray and it turns out that she has bladder stones is the only option surgery or does it depend where they are located. I just dread her needing a GA as I would never forgive myself if anything happened to her. I do know that I need to find out what is causing her squeaking when weeing. We are going to see the rodentologist later on in the week to see if she can feel anything.
Poppy's bumblefoot is showing slow signs of improvement, the sore area is dry and scabbed and a bit smaller in size, however, still not massively reduced on the swelling side of things. :(
Despite all of the above she is a happy little thing and is eating and pottering about and squeaking the loudest at veggie time :)
 
ahhhhh i hope she gets better soon sending love vibes her way lots of guinea hugs from percy and biscuit tooo :)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
If Poppy is squeaking because of a stone it's either because the stone is pushed into the urethra or stuck in the urethra by the pressure of the pee - and it's sheer agony having a scratchy stone pushed into the soft flesh, again and again. The stone is no longer in a place where it is "inactive" and can be neglected. Any wait will make it only worse, until the pain will become so much that Poppy will stop eating.

In this case, you either have the choice of putting her to sleep or risk an op; it's as bad as that. I chose the op twice, and was lucky once. That extra year with Minx was something I treasured every single day while it lasted.

I am very sorry, if it turns out that Poppy has bladder stones, as I know from my own experience what an anxious time it is.

BIG HUG
 
"it's sheer agony having a scratchy stone pushed into the soft flesh, again and again"

Poor you, I never realised you had personal experience of stones.
 
I am sorry things aren't clearing up yet for Poppy. There is a glimmer of hope before you resort to an op...stones can end up at the end of the urethra in sows and in some cases are passed naturally, if the stones are very small. If the stone is at the end of the urethra, it can be removed with a local anesthetic and a small incision to remove the stone. 2 years ago I was quite shocked when Vedra pointed out that my Lottie had a very obvious stone there! It was quite big too; not large, by any means, but it was a good 5mm all around.

It all depends on the size and location of the stone, whether you can attempt to flush the stone down to where it can be removed easily, or whether you will have to resort to surgery. An xray would be the first thing to get done, just take it from there. *Hugs*.
 
Lots of luck for the xray, will keep my fingers crossed that it's not a stone. xx
 
Oh heck sorry to hear about Poppy it does sound like she's got some issues that will need to be monitored i'm sure you will brilliantly love :)
Whee would like to send some healing loves and wheeeeeeeeks for the special little girl xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
 
Have you tried, or rather have you given Poppy, a Buscopan tablet to ease the discomfort?
 
No, I haven't tried Buscopan. Can you get these over the counter? I seem to remember being prescribed these when I was really bad with Colitis :)
The only pain relief I have at home which is from the vets is Metacam. I am however, syringe feeding a cystitis relief mix to Poppy roughly every one to two hours and she is taking around 6ml a time - don't know whether this will help at all?
 
I'll think of you and Poppy tomorrow and hope that it is not bad news. At least, with an x-ray you will hopefully know what you're up against and can act on it.

Like Laura said, a lot depends on where a stone is located.

BIG HUG
 
Buscopan is not a pain-killer, it is an anti-spasmodic. It is an OTC drug. Crush one tablet, mix with water and syringe feed it. Usually, one tablet per day is sufficient.
 
Is it fine to use alongside the Metacam, or is it best to stop the Metacam?
 
I would just use Buscopan because it is stopping the spasms which cause the pain from the constriction of the muscle.
 
I have had to leave Poppy at the vets for her x-ray. I need to ring after 2 o'clock to see if she has had it. I have left Peggy with her :) I'm so worried for her :( When the vet was feeling around her bladder she was whimpering as if in discomfort 8... I drove home feeling like i'd lost something :(
 
Big *hugs* - and fingers tightly crossed for some good news. It seems bladders can be very inflamed and painful without there being a stone, we shall hope that this is all that's up with sweet Poppy. x
 
Big *hugs* - and fingers tightly crossed for some good news. It seems bladders can be very inflamed and painful without there being a stone, we shall hope that this is all that's up with sweet Poppy. x
 
I've just collected Poppy :) I went out with my sister this afternoon for a coffee to kill time.
I was shown Poppy's x-ray which showed a huge stone in her urethra.
The vet gave her a painkilling injection and managed to manipulate it out with some lubrication. I am so relieved and so must be poor Poppy :)

DSC05183.jpg


This is what was in Poppy's urethra - it's about half an inch in length and about three quarters of an inch in width.
The vet had a look at her bumblefoot and has prescribed her some antiinflammatory cream to try. I'm willing to give it a go :)
Just so so over the moon my little Poppy is not in pain with that horrible stone anymore :)
 
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