Guinea very poorly

Re: Guinea very poorly

dinkyd — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 10:53:56 GMT

Aw good luck - as long as she has quality of life and im sure you know that.My boy has his check up at vet school on wed so fingers crossed.xx

Re: Guinea very poorly

ginny — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:29:55 GMT

Thank you. Hope your dog continues to do well

We aren't sure how she will do but she is bright , eating and happy at present and has recovered well from the op to remove the lump. We have to wait and see.

Re: Guinea very poorly

dinkyd — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:05:08 GMT

Aw ginny sorry to hear about your pig - nasty disease - my spaniel dude was diagnosed with lymphoma xmas 2007 and hes still in remission after treatment - i know uv got a pig but just wanted to lend my support xx

Re: Guinea very poorly

ginny — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:00:49 GMT

I hope your pig is doing ok.

One of mine has just been diagnosed with lymphoma She's having a check up tomorrow and probably going onto steroids.

Re: Guinea very poorly

Nicola Smith — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:43:24 GMT

Yes. he wasn't impressed at all but the rabbit has happily polished it off for me!!

Re: Guinea very poorly

Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 12:48:11 GMT

Glad to hear he's a bit better. Have you tried him with parsley? Very high in Vit C, mine go mad for it (even more so than kale!)

Re: Guinea very poorly

Charlotte says smile — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:19:45 GMT

Bless him i bet he does love it! its good that he is doing so well!

Re: Guinea very poorly

Vicky RVN — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:06:02 GMT

Aww that's good, glad he's eating on his own now.

Re: Guinea very poorly

Nicola Smith — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 09:29:48 GMT

Hi, fingers crossed so far. He is still thin and drinking a lot but he is eating on his own, spoiling him rotten and getting him al sorts of green goodies from tescos to keep him going, and lots of herbs too. He seems really bright now and very active so even though he is thin hopeful I may have him for a bit longer.

I have moved him into the spare rom upstairs which he thinks is fab but does keep me awake, though I don't mind. The laurabloin really helped him turn the corner so am waiting to see if it wears off ater a while or whether it was enough to just boost him up. Will keep you posted. Thanks everyone

Re: Guinea very poorly

Christine Chapman — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:26:32 GMT

Nicky - how is your wee piggie now?

Re: Guinea very poorly

Helen Heggie — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:27:47 GMT

Research at Edinburgh University has shown that NSAIDs slow down gut transit time in rabbits, but there has been no proven cases of this happening with the use of opioids, which is why opioids are recommended over NSAIDs in rabbits/rodents with gut issues.

Re: Guinea very poorly

Muddypaws — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:55:39 GMT

I'm glad he is feeling a bit better. Sounds like you are looking after him really well.

Someone put NSAID slow down the guts. I thought this was true of opioids but not NSAID. NSAID inhibit prostaglandins and hence the GI signs that are sometimes reported??

Re: Guinea very poorly

Vicky RVN — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:30:53 GMT

Glad he's brighter, my fingers are crossed for him. Ive discovered my little Daisy pig, who had major op last year and got quite ill, some of you may remember it being on the old vetnurse site, has a lump on her back just to the side of her spine She's coming to work with me on fri for the vet to have a look. If it's not one thing it's another!

Re: Guinea very poorly

bongo — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:47:22 GMT

Glad to hear he is doing well! it's such a worry with guineas cos they go downhill so quickly. Keep us posted.

ps I must take a pic of my two piggies and put them on here, they are called Betty and Lola. both one year old and a bit. soooo much character!!

Re: Guinea very poorly

Nicola Smith — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:21:41 GMT

Hi, the laurabolin has worked for now and he is eating greens and grass well, and looks brighter in himself. Vet wants to blood sample him but don't want to as was worried checking teeth would kill him let alone bloods as he is so small and fragile. Am just making the mot of the time I have wth him, at least he is lively again for now. I don't feed alfalfa hay, oxbow orchard grass, and readigrass. Vet is certain no urolith as he is so small and thin can feel fairly well. Will keep you posted how long thr laurabolin lasts

Re: Guinea very poorly

Helen Heggie — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 19:49:54 GMT

Hi Nicky,

A few things to check (quite quickly) if you haven't already. I would be taking lateral and DV X-ray's to check for a urolith, Blood sample (Jugular): Urea, Crea, Ca, Phos - check the kidney function and as previously mention - a thorough dental check.

Supportive care: Oxbow fine grind critical care (46ml/Kg divided to several feeds throughout the day), metoclopramide, fluid therapy (oral or IP) and analgesia (remember that NSAIDs slow down gut transit, so if faecal production is reduced I would stay away from metacam/rimadyl)

I wouldn't give anabolic steroids if kidney impairment is suspected. If it has been given try and monitor fluid input/urine output as best as you can.

Can I just check if you are using alfalfa hay? (Alfalfa is high in protein and calcium and shouldn't be fed regularly to cavies as it may contribute to urolith formation)

Hope the information I have given is of some use.

Good luck.

Re: Guinea very poorly

Nicola Smith — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:07:45 GMT

Hi, yes his teeth have been checked twice and our vet was trained by cavy trust for this, he has gags in so they have been checkd really thoroughly right to the back. He says his teeth are absolutey 100%. He won't eat kale at all, only things he will eat is cucumber, small amount of carrot and and picked grass, so am just giving him as much grass as I can. He gets very distessed at syringe feeding Thanks for your help everyone. Just breaks your heart when they re so young. I expected to have him for many more years yet and worried how his brother will cope without him as he was always the bold one of the two.

Re: Guinea very poorly

Saskia Quinn — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:32:55 GMT

From the old forum, if I remember correctly, his teeth were checked. Poor wee mite, its so baffling though don't give up Nicky, anything is worth a try. I am sorry to say, but I have absolutely no idea what the problem could be. He is so young also.

Re: Guinea very poorly

Jo Hinde — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:09:15 GMT

Sorry to hear your piggie is still poorly.

I use science recovery mixed with some lectade and some Hipp apple and banana fruit puree baby food (and a little warm water). Goes down a treat for g.pigs and rabbits. You can also blend / puree up some veggies and see if he wants to have a lick at that too.

I would also get his back teeth checked out too.

Re: Guinea very poorly

Saskia Quinn — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:16:32 GMT

Definitely in rabbits, havent heard same about guinea pigs though. Would be worth finding out about though

Re: Guinea very poorly

dinkyd — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:14:43 GMT

Hmmm have def heard of this with ill bunnies and caecotrophs - not sure bout g piggies tho...

Re: Guinea very poorly

Vicky RVN — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:07:11 GMT

Hmm i've not heard of that before but would be interesting to know!

Re: Guinea very poorly

Muddypaws — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:05:44 GMT

This may sound a bit weird, but I would like to others thought on it - hey who else can I ask but a VN!!

I heard if you have an ill piggy you should get some poops of a well pig and syringe them to the poorly one. Helps with natural gut flora especially if on antib's.

Anyone?

Re: Guinea very poorly

Saskia Quinn — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:54:03 GMT

Nicky, I did follow your thread on the old site and I am sorry to hear he is still not well. I would definitely go with the Oxbow critical care formula, I'm a great believer in it and have used it very successful many times.

As for when the time comes........ you will know in your own heart when he is ready

Thinking of you and please keep us posted.

Re: Guinea very poorly

Vicky RVN — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:28:50 GMT

It took a few attempts to get this pic, they kept turning around the little monsters!