Vet Visit

[Ketus15]

We went to the vet today. Deuce started getting a crusty nose last night around 9pm. We got an emergency visit at 1045 this morning. He picked up a bacterial infection, but it hasn't moved into his chest yet. He's still eating, drinking, and pooping. No weight loss. He gets cherry flavored antibiotics twice a day for ten days. The vet says that it was caught very early and he looks in great shape.

I just want everyone on this thread to know, its ok to take your pet to the vet if you have a question or are worried. If nothing is wrong, Great! You've just made sure that your pet has had an annual exam. If something is wrong, don't worry. You've caught it early and treatment can be very effective. Prevention is always less expensive and less stressful than full-out aggressive treatment.

Good luck, friends.

[suzy_99]

Great advice Ketus. I call my vet regularly with random questions and I give my animals checkups twice a year whether they need it or not. It is much cheaper to prevent sometime then it is to treat it.

I glad that Deuce is going to be alright, thankfully you caught it early enough. Good luck!

[Ketus15]

Thanks very much.

Unfortunately, I think its my fault he caught an illness. That makes this a bad owner/good owner story!! I was petting the dog across the way, and while I always wash my hands, I forgot to change my clothes (the dog jumped on my lap). Apparently guinea pigs are very susceptable to a bacteria that dogs carry. I was crushed in the vets office when she was suggesting ways Deuce could have gotten sick.

The vet was sympathetic that guinea pigs easily pick up infections, but I will be sure to avoid ANY contact with my pigs and other animals!

[suzy_99]

If that's the case, I must be a very bad owner. I have 3 cats, 3 dogs and 4 guinea pigs and they all interact with each other with the exception of 2 of our dogs who see them as food and I never wash my hands between playing with them. We cannot control all of the bacteria in the world and occasionally some is bound to get transmitted. This is not your fault. You did the right thing by bringing her to the vet.

Here is another bad owner story. When I got my first piggy, I decided she needed a friend and when I got them I shoved them in the same box to transport them on the very same day that I got them. Well four months and 2 babies later (not from breeding, they are both female) they all have mites and If I would have quarantined them I would have noticed them sooner and the one piggy that had them would have gotten all better, now they are all suffering.
We are all bound to make mistakes, but we just must make sure that we learn from them and become even better slaves to our piggies

[Ketus15]

Geez. What am I going to do when we have "People Kids"? Can I buy a giant, air filtered bubble?

Also, a question I now remember: The vet suggested a complete blood panel for each pig since they are getting older. (3 years) It is to cost about $90 each. This has never been suggested before, and I was wondering if anyone else has this done on an annual basis?

Thanks!

[Ly&Pigs]

Apparently guinea pigs are very susceptable to a bacteria that dogs carry

That's news to me. I know they are susceptable to bacteria that rabbits carry but not dogs. Hadn't heard that before. I will have to research on that.

[Ketus15]

Deuce died today. It was an ongoing battle for a month. We saw two vets. He finally gave up to renal failure.

In Loving Tribute
Www.froghyde.com

[Marlania]

I'm so sorry to hear about Deuce. I'm sure you did everything you possibly could to help him.

[Slap Maxwell]

I am so sorry. Best wishes.

[AmiableAnimals]

I'm so very sorry for your loss!

[dagwellismypigy]

He looks like he was a such a sweetie, Im so sorry for your loss. You did the best you could and he had a great life, I'm sure.

[Sara'spets]

Originally Posted by Ketus15

Deuce died today. It was an ongoing battle for a month. We saw two vets. He finally gave up to renal failure.

In Loving Tribute
Www.froghyde.com

Hi:

I just read your thread and wanted to say how very sorry I am about Deuce. You did all you could do to help him get better, but sometimes things are out of our control. I definitely know how you feel since I lost a GP last year totally unexpectally.

I also have never heard about GP's being [font=Times New Roman][size=3]susceptible[/size][/font] to anything dogs carry.

Again, I am truly sorry.

[Christys GPS]

I am very sorry to hear about your loss, take care,

[Ketus15]

Apparently the bacteria is the same as causes Kennel Cough and can cause respiratory problems in piggies. After a week we switched to a much more experienced Avian and Exotics vet. He also suggested that Kennel Cough can be transmitted, but didn't feel that was the case with Deuce.

Deuce's entire battle, including false leads, good days, and the ultimate outcome is here:
http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20543

Thank you all for you sympathy. It truely is soothing.

[stipma]

oh Ketus, I am so sorry for your loss.

[mom to cujo]

All I can say is you are amazing. I am sitting here crying after reading of your ordeal on GL and my heart just breaks for you. I had to put my first Guinea pig, Puzzle to sleep 2 years ago and it still breaks my heart. I, too, held him till he was gone and I had him cremated and have the ashes in my living room with his picture and photo album. Unless you are a piggie lover you can never understand what this feels like. You took such good care of Duece and did all you could do, even at the end.

You are in my thoughts. I hope you are okay. Know that you did your best for Duece.

[Ketus15]

Aw. Bless you for reading all of that. Thank you for your kind wishes.

Deuce was a very special pig and I'm amazed at how many people he's touched. We love him very much.

Thanks to each of you for kind words. They are much appreciated.