So Sundae had her annual checkup today (she just turned 6) and it went great! Her heart and lungs sounded very good, no lumps, bumps, or masses, both kidneys felt fine. She has a known bladder stone and bladder inflammation that felt the same as always, no worsening. Teeth were fine, jaws were fine. The vet said that if he didn't know her age he would assume her to be 3 or 4 rather than 6, which is great! We also mutually patted ourselves on the back for her continued success, as Sundae has had tooth abscess and bladder issues since she was about two and it's down to the vet and I working together a lot to help her out and her own natural tenacity that she is still here as an old lady pig!
The only noticeable difference in the last year is that I have been noticing that her vision is declining, and today the vet confirmed that she does have mature cataracts in both eyes. Not a shock because I've been noticing issues with depth perception and obviously not being well-oriented visually for the past several month. Her eyes were okay at her last checkup a year ago. I'm now wondering if I should have asked him to check her for diabetes, as I know it's linked to cataracts, but I've read more about the linkage in younger pigs. The vet seemed to think it was down to age. I've also read that diabetes is often linked to cataracts when the cataracts form quickly, but I'm not sure what 'quickly' means. Is forming over the course of a year quickly?
Just wondering if I ought to get her tested for diabetes due to cataracts in a 6-year-old without any other symptoms. What do you think?
The only noticeable difference in the last year is that I have been noticing that her vision is declining, and today the vet confirmed that she does have mature cataracts in both eyes. Not a shock because I've been noticing issues with depth perception and obviously not being well-oriented visually for the past several month. Her eyes were okay at her last checkup a year ago. I'm now wondering if I should have asked him to check her for diabetes, as I know it's linked to cataracts, but I've read more about the linkage in younger pigs. The vet seemed to think it was down to age. I've also read that diabetes is often linked to cataracts when the cataracts form quickly, but I'm not sure what 'quickly' means. Is forming over the course of a year quickly?
Just wondering if I ought to get her tested for diabetes due to cataracts in a 6-year-old without any other symptoms. What do you think?