Urgent Annabelle has fluid in her chest

[piggyme234]

Annabelle has been to the vets and had an xray that has found so much fluid in her chest that it obscures the view of the heart. They took a sample of the fluid and said it was blood tinged and that is more likely to be a lung tumour rather than heart trouble. Her ears are blueish, she has a bit of a snotty nose and was hooting yesterday. She is also lethargic. Does anyone have any experience with these symptoms? I am going back to the vet in half an hour.

 

[sport_billy]

Sorry to read this, Didn't want to just read and run. Hope someone with some experience may be on soon. Hope Annabelle will be ok x

 

[piggyme234]

Annabelle is home. She is on diuretics to help reduce the fluid in her chest, painkillers and antibiotics, on the off chance that it is an infection. The vet is almost certain it is cancer but can't be sure without doing invasive tests that neither of us think would be good for her. It is just a waiting game to see if she responds to the meds. She is a bit perkier than she was and was not happy at being given baytril, her poops are more normal again but her ears are still blue.

 

[Pebble]

Sorry to hear Annabelle is so poorly.

The good news is that your vet has prescribed a diuretic to remove the fluid. What dose/drug is she on? Did she just have a single injection?

Given the blue tinge and X ray results. we can assume that her lungs really are very full of fluid and Annabelle will need a strong regimen of diuretic (8-10mg/kg twice daily for a few days - a single injection is not enough) to have any effect. Your vet can prescribe 20mg furosemide tablets and I can PM you how to prepare and dose properly. There is a slight risk of dehydration so keep at least 40ml of fluids (diarolyte works well in sick piggies) syringed very slowly into her daily.

The bloody tinge to the fluid does not automatically mean cancer and could instead be a virulent infection causing penumonia so the antibiotics are also good and should start to reduce any bacterial burden within 24-48 hours. Despite it poor reputation, baytril is still a very effective antibiotic for respiratory infections in piggies, Although all my pigs carry baytril-resistant organisms, it is still my first choice for tackling respiratory infections and has worked wonders in two of my pigs recently.

You will probably also need to syringe feed very slowly as her breathing is compromised so she can;t eat very well. It is important you keep food going into her guts at regular intervals - 5-10ml every 2hours at first but you really need to aim for 20-30ml every 2hours in order to maintain her weight. If her poos stop she will need to go back for a gut stimulant - again try to get both metaclopromide and ranitidine in oral form rather than relying on one-off injections.

Also she might have difficulty controlling her body temperature so a heat pad and being kept indoors is essential.

Once you start to see a slight improvement in the lung volume (ie the bluish tinge starts to recede) then other things you can discuss with the vet are bisolvon powder to open up the airways and get rid of mucus......and also possibly a "steam bath" ( tupperware box with holes in the lid, place olbas oil or vicks on a tissue in the box and pour on hot water. Place steaming box near piggie)


Although your vet's prognosis currently sounds bleak - I personally would be hesitant to accept a diagnosis of lung cancer without proper proof. I can assure you that she really does have a chance of recovery providing that (a) if it's just an infection that has been caught in time and (b) the fluid is removed with a proper dosing regime over the next few days (c) she has a will to live

The critical issue at the moment is to ensure an effective (and strong) diuretic regimen over the next few days to reduce the fluid volume in the lungs...if she has just had a single injection then you need to be back to the vets tomorrow for tablets. Happy to PM you my phone number if you want to chat.

Keeping fingers and paws crossed for you and Annabelle.
x

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

Poor annabelle, hopefully with the wonderful advice above and, good luck your nursing you can get her back in tip top shape x

 

[piggyme234]

I have been out all day today with people from Cavy Corner. My OH has been checking on the girls throughout the day and thought Annabelle had perked up slightly at 4ish. Unfortunately when I just went to give them their tea I found that she had passed away. She looked comfy and was with her friends which is all any of us can hope for.

 

[Mizzpigz]

Oh so sad but yes your right a nice way to go x

 

[Wiggie]

I was reading you thread with hope for you. My beautiful Bo passed away a couple of weeks ago. The vet said her lung fields were very poor and they could not see her heart easily. She died at the vets as they tried to help her. I wish she has been at home with her sisters and me when she passed. I found it hard not saying goodbye as it happened so suddenly. I am please Annabelle had a peaceful end with her friends

I afraid since I have read up on cardiac problems with piggies the prognosis does not sound good when their lungs are filled with oedema, they hide it so well until its too late. I give you all my sympathies. Love Wiggie. xx

 

[Pebble]

I'm so sorry to hear that you have lost Annabelle but glad that her passing was peaceful and with her friends.

Our piggies hide things so well that sometimes no matter what we do (and you did everything!).....a recovery is "not meant to be".

Popcorn free at The Bridge little one.

x

 

[piggyfan]

I am so sorry you lost your little girl.