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Pumpkin

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Phoebe-PP

Phoebe-PP

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Recently, Pumpkin's breathing has been awful, she's very snorty and is constantly panting/puffing. She's also very pear shaped, and quite bulgy at her flanks. We took her to the vets straight away (Jenny at Tilehurst) and she had the corulon which apparenly has vastly improved the cysts. Jenny mentioned she seemed quite puffy but didn't seem too concerned about, but over the past day or two it's got much worse with the snorting etc.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience about the breathing, I know I read about someone's pig whose ovarian masses and breathing was related (sorry can't remember who!) if any one had any advice that would be great. I'm really considering a spay, but Pumpkin's 5 now so the risks of anaesthetic are really scaring me!

Any help/advice would be massively appreciated! (I've got another appointment booked for a few days time)
 
Have a look at Maggie's thread, her internal masses affected her breathing. Is the vet sure there's no respiratory infection?
 
Thank you, that's the name of the pig! I've been trying to remember it for ages. It's definitely not respiratory, the lungs themselves sound fine and it hasn't responded to multiple courses of antibiotics, so we're pretty sure that's not the problem.
 
If your vet has one, I would suggest an ultrasound because she wouldn't need a GA for one of those it can be done whilst she's awake. Also the puffiness could be due to fluid, a course of a diuretic such as Furosemide from the vets may help clear fluids surrounding or in her lungs. Has she had her heart checked? I had a heart pig & she suddenly started getting "Puffy" like you describe. Hope you find the cause soon :)
 
I was going to suggest heart too, heart pigs can get ascites where their sides seem baggy. We had a pig at clinic who was spayed due to a mass in her uterus and she also had a snuffly nose which could have been caused by the mass pressing on her other organs.
 
Poor Pumpkin. I hope you can find out the problem and get her breathing sorted out. :)
 
Thanks everyone! She's still eating and seems fairly well in her self but I'm topping her up with pellet mash as her poos have been looking a bit small.

She's had her heart listened to with a stethoscope, but that's as far as the investigation has gone in terms of that, I think it would be worth asking for a more thorough examination next time.
Also, what's the difference between a CT scan and an ultrasound? The more I read Maggie's thread, the more convinced I am it's to do with her ovarian cysts. Apparently before she had her last round of chorulon they had grown from grape to ping pong ball (then back down to practically nothing after the chorulon) size in a matter of days, so it could be that they've gotten even bigger.

helen105281- sorry if this is a silly question, but what are ascites?
 
Phoebe-PP said:
Thanks everyone! She's still eating and seems fairly well in her self but I'm topping her up with pellet mash as her poos have been looking a bit small.

She's had her heart listened to with a stethoscope, but that's as far as the investigation has gone in terms of that, I think it would be worth asking for a more thorough examination next time.
Also, what's the difference between a CT scan and an ultrasound? The more I read Maggie's thread, the more convinced I am it's to do with her ovarian cysts. Apparently before she had her last round of chorulon they had grown from grape to ping pong ball (then back down to practically nothing after the chorulon) size in a matter of days, so it could be that they've gotten even bigger.

helen105281- sorry if this is a silly question, but what are ascites?
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ascites is fluid in the abdomen, not in the gut but free in the abdomen. One of my pigs had breathing problems with her cysts, I think they just restrict the space for the lungs to inflate, piggies lungs are very small anyway. Two of my girls had a oopherectomy rather than a spay, it was two small incisions on the flanks and they were up and around and eating straight away after the op. Molly Varga did them and showed my vet how to do the op (Ellie at Alfreton park veterinary hospital). Thoroughly recommended this op and this vet!
 
I did ask about the flank incision type operation but my vet (who is really great and very highly recommended) actually said that the cysts would be far too large to fit through, so it would be much easier and would heal better if they did an abdominal incision. I'm still undecided whether or not to go for a spay or not.
It seems as though Pumpkin has 'seasonal' ovarian cysts, in that they'll be fine all year until April-May and they'll flare up awfully. This has been happening for the past three years so I don't know whether it'll be better in the long run to just take everything out. My vet would be happy to do so but it would be heart-breaking to lose her under the anesthetic when she is responding to the chorulon to a certain degree.

Ahh I just don't know! It's such a hard decision to make, especially with her age not exactly being on our side :(
 
I really am sorry you have too make this difficult decision. It really is so difficult to know what to do. I hope somebody has more advice for you.
 
Phoebe-PP said:
I did ask about the flank incision type operation but my vet (who is really great and very highly recommended) actually said that the cysts would be far too large to fit through, so it would be much easier and would heal better if they did an abdominal incision. I'm still undecided whether or not to go for a spay or not.
It seems as though Pumpkin has 'seasonal' ovarian cysts, in that they'll be fine all year until April-May and they'll flare up awfully. This has been happening for the past three years so I don't know whether it'll be better in the long run to just take everything out. My vet would be happy to do so but it would be heart-breaking to lose her under the anesthetic when she is responding to the chorulon to a certain degree.

Ahh I just don't know! It's such a hard decision to make, especially with her age not exactly being on our side :(
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My pig, Clover, is 5 years old, she was quite thin and poorly when she had the op so I knew that she would die if we didnt treat the cysts. She sailed through and is now back up to a normal weight and all her coat is thick and glossy, she had the op 3 months ago. My friend had her pig treated at the same time, she had a massive cyst. The vet aspirated it first (100mls of fluid!) and then did the keyhole surgery. I think it is so much better than a full spay ( I lost a pig after a spay so this is a big factor for me). Best wishes for Pumpkin xx
 
pig in the city said:
My pig, Clover, is 5 years old, she was quite thin and poorly when she had the op so I knew that she would die if we didnt treat the cysts. She sailed through and is now back up to a normal weight and all her coat is thick and glossy, she had the op 3 months ago. My friend had her pig treated at the same time, she had a massive cyst. The vet aspirated it first (100mls of fluid!) and then did the keyhole surgery. I think it is so much better than a full spay ( I lost a pig after a spay so this is a big factor for me). Best wishes for Pumpkin xx
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That's really comforting to hear! In all other respects, Pumpkin is very healthy, she's a good weight etc but you do never know how they're going to respond to the anesthetic. I am erring on the side of just getting it over and done with as opposed to waiting until next spring when we have the same dilemma all over again, and who knows how healthy she'll be then? But then again, if we did lose her I'd feel 100% to blame as it would have been me to put her through that. If anyone had any experience with older piggies being spayed I'd be very grateful to hear it. I just want to make the best decision by her.
 
Just to update on Pumpkin: we took her to see Jenny yesterday morning and she confirmed it was most likely her cysts causing all these issues, which in a way is good to hear as we know what we're dealing with. I told Jenny I was thinking of spaying and she agreed it would be best to bite the bullet and put a stop to all the issues before she gets even older, and potentially iller. So the plan of action is to spay her in two weeks time, in the mean time she's had a shot of chorulon and is on baytril. The idea being to get the cysts as small as possible, as well as getting rid of the slight wheeziness she's been having. I trust Jenny 100% with Pumpkin, and I agree that while she's still relatively young and healthy it's best to get it over now so she has the best possible chances.
 
Also, I forgot to mention I forgot to ask for more probiotics when I was at the vet and I figured it's no good ordering some online and having to wait until next week, so I popped into Pets at Home and picked some up. It's by VetArk, and is described as a probiotic and prebiotic supplement with added vit c. It's a powder one that you're supposed to add to water (5ml of powder to 200ml of water) but I'd rather give it directly syringed for obvious reasons. Does anyone know how much I should use if I'm only giving it concentrated? I know it's not ideal, but it'll do until I can get hold of some Bio-Lapis. Thanks.
 
Don't know the dosage-sorry. But wanted to wish your girl all the best, will keep her in my thoughts... X
 
Phoebe-PP said:
Also, I forgot to mention I forgot to ask for more probiotics when I was at the vet and I figured it's no good ordering some online and having to wait until next week, so I popped into Pets at Home and picked some up. It's by VetArk, and is described as a probiotic and prebiotic supplement with added vit c. It's a powder one that you're supposed to add to water (5ml of powder to 200ml of water) but I'd rather give it directly syringed for obvious reasons. Does anyone know how much I should use if I'm only giving it concentrated? I know it's not ideal, but it'll do until I can get hold of some Bio-Lapis. Thanks.
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It hard to get an accurate measurement of powder to water. I normally fill a small bowl with water and add a small (less than half) scoop to it.
Another option if you want to be more precise (and whether your scales are this accurate) would be to measire out the amount of water she will take say 10mls (200/20) and divide your weight of one scoop by 20 it is likely to be a very small amount but it may give you an idea of the amount to give.
 
klee said:
It hard to get an accurate measurement of powder to water. I normally fill a small bowl with water and add a small (less than half) scoop to it.
Another option if you want to be more precise (and whether your scales are this accurate) would be to measire out the amount of water she will take say 10mls (200/20) and divide your weight of one scoop by 20 it is likely to be a very small amount but it may give you an idea of the amount to give.
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I did consider that, but that idea was quickly forgotten when I realised that would mean weighing out 0.0125 grams :)) I've sort of gone with the idea that I'll give her as much as she'll tolerate, and adjust it depending on how she's doing.

Probiotics/antibiotics seem to be doing their job as she seems a lot more comfortable and less lethargic which is a step in the right direction!
 
Phoebe-PP said:
I did consider that, but that idea was quickly forgotten when I realised that would mean weighing out 0.0125 grams :)) I've sort of gone with the idea that I'll give her as much as she'll tolerate, and adjust it depending on how she's doing.

Probiotics/antibiotics seem to be doing their job as she seems a lot more comfortable and less lethargic which is a step in the right direction!
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Thought that would be the case. Like i said, I just make up a small bowl with water and half a scoop and if any
Left over it can just be poured away.
I hope everything goes well for her, my Rosie has just started chorulon injections to see if her hair comes back on her tummy- she is almost bald, so I'm hoping they work for her.
 
klee said:
Thought that would be the case. Like i said, I just make up a small bowl with water and half a scoop and if any
Left over it can just be poured away.
I hope everything goes well for her, my Rosie has just started chorulon injections to see if her hair comes back on her tummy- she is almost bald, so I'm hoping they work for her.
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Poor Rosie, hope she feels better soon! Pumpkin's had several rounds of chorulon, and it's always been fairly effective for her, so I hope it's the same for Rosie :) Luckily this time Pumpkin didn't lose too much hair, but last spring she lost a huge amount on her flanks/belly, and she still has a small bald patch now which apparently can be normal after losing a lot of hair. Luckily with longer haired piggies, you can't really tell.
 
I've noticed over the past few days Pumpkin's hair has been thinning a fair bit, I've also found a little bald patch by her armpit (about the size of a penny coin) I thought I'd post in the same thread because I don't know if the hair loss could be linked the problems she's been having recently. I know that hair thinning is linked to ovarian cysts, but it's pretty much all over her back, belly and shoulders as opposed to just flanks.

This is the shoulder patch (sorry for bad quality, it's not easy one handed with a wriggly pig!)



A bum shot, again not very clear but you can tell the hair is much thinner than normal.


One to show how pear-y she is, it's hard to tell because of the explosion of hair, but her shoulders are quite bony and she's fairly plump around her middle. She weighs in at around 1250g so not a bad weight.


Sorry for the overload, but if anyone had any suggestions as to what could be causing the hair loss, it would be much appreciated. We're going to the vets on Thursday so hopefully get her booked in for the op so I'll ask then as well. x
 
Sorry for the lack of updates, in the end we decided to spay Pumpkin. She went in yesterday and all went well; she came home very listless, not eating or moving etc.. She's been syringe fed every three hours (including over night) and her appetite has slightly picked up, eating a tiny tiny amount of hay but nothing else. She's taking 15-20 mls per feed, and the same amount of water/probiotics but she needs to start eating by herself!

Anyone have any tips on how to get her eating more independently? I thought of leaving her for a longer period of time without syringing, but I don't want to risk bloat..
 
Oh I had no idea she was being spayed. Thank goodness she is doing well after such a huge ordeal. I really hope she can eat herself soon.
 
piggyfan said:
Oh I had no idea she was being spayed. Thank goodness she is doing well after such a huge ordeal. I really hope she can eat herself soon.
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She had been on baytril/metacam for two weeks to see if that would help with the grunting and discomfort but she was just getting worse so spaying was the only option left. She's fine in herself and is getting back to her usual cheeky self, but she just needs to find her appetite!
 
Poor girl, hope she'll feel better soon. I always try reluctant eaters on a handful of fresh grass out of the back garden - it seems hard to resist for piggies. Do you have good pain relief for her post-op?
 
Bless her, hope she recovers soon. Will she eat any critical care out of a bowl if you make it a bit thicker? I grated some carrot in and mixed it in for Gerry and he used to love that.
 
Bless Pumpkin, lots of recovery vibes to her. Does she have any metacam or pain killers for at home? X
 
Poor Pumkin, were the cysts pressing on her other organs which made breathing difficult? I echo what the others have said, what pain relief has she been sent home with?
 
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