Supporting A Piggy With Kidney Problems?

[ghostbusterbunny]

After a couple of visits to the vets with Sherbet with weight loss, oedema in her tummy/neck and excessive drinking, she's been diagnosed as almost certainly having problems with her kidneys - they are also very difficult to feel, which considering how thin Sherbet is right now definitely indicates some sort of problem!

She's currently on a small dose of furosemide/frusol to try and help shift some of the fluid and she's having critical care top ups if she feels like it. She is still eating for herself, just not as much and the output is pathetic - but she's trying her best and still enjoying all her normal food - pellets, hay, veggies etc. She's still very bright and my happy little pig, wanting to know what you've got for her and having a good chat with me when I sit with her so I know she's not close to giving up just yet - so neither am I!

I know her outlook isn't great (weeks rather than months is the picture I'm getting from my research into it), but I was just wondering if there's a diet I can have her on, a supplement or type of food, or just generally anything I can be doing to support her to stay as bright and comfortable for as long as possible.

Thanks!

 

[Wiebke]

After a couple of visits to the vets with Sherbet with weight loss, oedema in her tummy/neck and excessive drinking, she's been diagnosed as almost certainly having problems with her kidneys - they are also very difficult to feel, which considering how thin Sherbet is right now definitely indicates some sort of problem!

She's currently on a small dose of furosemide/frusol to try and help shift some of the fluid and she's having critical care top ups if she feels like it. She is still eating for herself, just not as much and the output is pathetic - but she's trying her best and still enjoying all her normal food - pellets, hay, veggies etc. She's still very bright and my happy little pig, wanting to know what you've got for her and having a good chat with me when I sit with her so I know she's not close to giving up just yet - so neither am I!

I know her outlook isn't great (weeks rather than months is the picture I'm getting from my research into it), but I was just wondering if there's a diet I can have her on, a supplement or type of food, or just generally anything I can be doing to support her to stay as bright and comfortable for as long as possible.

Thanks!

There is unfortunately not a lot you can do. I would recommend to keep to a reasonably low calcium, low grain and no root veg diet, but to put comfort and quality of life before any major changes.
(See remarks to the sample diet): Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet

Be prepared to step in with pain medication if you notice signs of pain (hunching up, fur on end, decrease of appetite etc.) and be prepared to let your piggy go when the time has come.

Until then, make the best of the time you have left with Sherbet. It is a bitter-sweet time as the grieving process has already started the moment you have got the bad news, but it is also a gift that you can pack a lot of love, fun and enrichment into a comparatively short space of time, so you are left with only the pain of the loss, but no feelings of guilt and regret. You are a very caring owner; Sherbet would like not have lived as long without you! See every remaining day as a special gift, and not as another one down on the ticker.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

I don'y know if this is of help but my cat has been diagnosed with early stage kidney failure and been put on fortekor to help blood supply to the kidneys. Maybe its worth asking your vet about it.

Also I once read somewhere that pears are good for kidneys and some years ago when I had a piggy in kidney failiure they became his favorite.