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post mortems

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Kira

Kira

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sorry if this is in the wrong section..
I'm going to be getting a PM done to find out what's happened with Cassie and the babies I got quoted 100-250 pounds for them to do a PM on the most recently deceased - cassie...a lot but I NEED to know what happened....I'm scared what they will find :(
 
It is a lot of money but with losing so many lately I do think it's important, even if it only rules some things out. Very sad, I hope Cassie's PM gives some answers. :(
 
I'm sorry to hear what you've been going through Kira, it's heartbreaking losing one but to lose so many in a row must be devastating.

If you feel you need to know the reason they died, you could have a PM done but they can't guarantee it will give you a definite answer - just warning you, in case you're disappointed.

It's personal choice whether you choose to go down that route or not, it depends if the vets think it might be something that could affect your other piggies.

Good luck whatever you decide

Sophie
x
 
Hi Kira

I am very sorry to hear of the loss of Cassie and her babies.

A PM can be of great value, especially if an infection was the cause and you have other piggies that may be at risk. Normally the main focus is on histology of tissues but if early enough it is possible to take microbial cultures. It might be worth checking what level of investigations are included in the price you were quoted.

When my Pebble died suddenly at the end of September I didn;t think about getting a PM done as I thought it was a one-off heart attack. However now all 11 of my other pigs are ill and despite spending hundreds of pounds on cultures, diagnostics etc me and two vets are racking our brains to identify the culprit (which definitely appears to be an antibioitic-resistant infection of some kind). In fact there is not much chance now of finding the culprit unless another piggie dies and I then have a PM done (and that is assuming that the piggie has been off antibiotics for over a week) so I'm now kicking myself I didn;t get a PM done on Pebble.

Having been given very specific instructions by the vet about what to do if one of my piggies does pass away, and without wishing to be morbid, I thought you also need to be aware of the following: The value to be gained from a PM decreases over time elapsed. It is essential that it is done quickly and in the meantime that the body is stored at 4deg C (ie fridge not freezer) to prevent both microbial overgrowth and autolysis of the tissue. You may wish to check that this is the case before you give your consent.

Hugs for you Hun.......I do hope you get some answers....so that you and your lovely piggies can all rest peacefully.

xx
 
Is the amount quoted for a gross pm ie open up and have a look or for one which includes lab tests?
It sounds too cheap for the latter.
I have occasionally carried out post mortems, or more accurately, autopsies, on my own pigs. It is an excellent way of learning anatomy.
It can be invaluable in the case of head/neck infections as the point at which an abscess drains is usually remote from the origin of the cause.
 
I have an appointment in the morning to go and discuss the prices and each one includes but I'm assuming the 100 one will be very very basic...

It sounds a bit silly but I feel like I'm disrespecting Cassie by having this done..but I feel it's something I should do..:(:(:(:(
 
She is no longer using her body, and you can gain more from the post mortem in terms of seeking out a cause of death that you can learn from. When so many pigs die in such a short space of time, I think it's a good idea.

Do keep in mind that many post mortems can sometimes be inconclusive, and try to not be disappointed if this is the result.
 
Kira said:
I have an appointment in the morning to go and discuss the prices and each one includes but I'm assuming the 100 one will be very very basic...

It sounds a bit silly but I feel like I'm disrespecting Cassie by having this done..but I feel it's something I should do..:(:(:(:(
Click to expand...

I am sure that Cassie will give you her blessing. I will be thinking of you today hun xx
 
I'm so sure Cassie would want you to do it, to help her friends. Do what your heart tells you.

Thinking of you Kira xxxxxxxxxxxx
 
It is different if you don't have to pay for the pm you have nothing to lose.
However, you may find out what illness your pig had and that you could have done no more, alternatively, you may discover that the condition was treatable. Yet again the pm may be inconclusive.
You may have an "academic" interest in the outcome, whatever it is.
The relatively few autopsies I have carried out on my own pigs were for interest only,in cases which had a known condition which was untreatable. Would I have paid for someone else to carry out the procedure? No, I would not.
 
I know what you mean about disrespecting her but she wants to know what made her and her siblings ill aswell and once it is done, she can join them over the bridge and tell them. :)
 
Cassie is no longer in her body and by now it won't feel like it anymore.

If a PM is a way for you to come to terms with what has happenend and to find closure, it is worth the money. I hope very much that you can get answers - it's not always possible.
 
Sorry I am new to the forum and just wanted to ask alcesterpig if you are a vet or a very experienced guinea pig owner when you perform PM on your piggies?

I hope I do not cause any offence when asking this
 
Greetings.
Ask whatever you like, I will either refuse to answer your question, or refer you elsewhere or will give you what, I hope, is an honest answer.
I am not a vet.
I have been keeping guinea pigs since 1988, total number over the years is about 300, I would have to check the records to give a more accurate number.
 
Thanks alcesterpig

I am glad I came across this site as its invaluable having everyones knowledge of guinea pig care

Whats the most guinea pigs you have had at any one time and di they all get on together well?
 
The same thing happend to me.

The same thing happend to me. My guinea pig had a litter of 5 but after 2 days one died. I didn't have a PM though... I left her body in one piece and burried her. Her name was Poppy.
I still think today that I would like to have known what happend. But I think I already know. I'm pretty sure she was the runt of the litter. 8...

-Good Luck, Lydia.
 
I think Kira posted in Guinea Pig Chat what the results were.

Cassie and the babies died of genetic heart problems.
 
I think the most pigs I had at one time was 40. They did not live in one big group!
The biggest group I have had living together was 13 sows, there were no problems. They divided themselves into smaller groups.
I have never had boars in groups bigger than 2.
 
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