Conditions Anaemia in old piggy

[Whiplash]

Thanks for the support guys. It's very much appreciated. Fred's had a rough couple of days, but fingers crossed, things are starting to look up!

He was totally miserable yesterday and didn't eat anything. He got his three injections at the vet. The vet had spoken to a colleague who specialises in guineas the night before...even the vet is losing sleep over Fred! His colleague said it was almost certain Fred has stomach cancer. So we were all set for an ultra sound to confirm. The vet examined him first to locate where the tumour was...he couldn't find one! He said the ultra sound was a waste of time because if there is a tumour it's likely in behind the kidney and it won't show up. We'd possibly get it on an X-ray but he'd have to be knocked out and there's a high chance he wouldn't wake up.

This morning I had a totally different guinea pig. He'll only eat lettuce, but he's had about 6 small leaves so far today. I was delighted. Got him to the vet this evening, only to discover my top was covered in diarrhoea. I was convinced Fred wouldn't be coming home. Vet is happy with him though. He only gave him 2 injections, as he said the antibiotic was likely causing the diarrhoea. And Fred has put on a tiny bit of weight!

He said I can start hand feeding, and he's now happy to continue treatment until Friday at least. I live at home with my parents, and my mum had to go away this mornong for a few days to babysit my nephew. She loves Fred, and she was convinced she wouldn't see him again. Looking good that she will though

 

[spy9doc]

We'd possibly get it on an X-ray but he'd have to be knocked out and there's a high chance he wouldn't wake up.

Hmmm.........this is suspicious.....NO Vet that I know would sedate a cavy for an x-ray! Yes, you want to keep it still to obtain a sharp image, but surely he can do it without anesthesia.

Happy that Fred has perked up! Let's hope that he continues to improve. A B-12 injection can sometimes work wonders in both humans and critters.

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

Happy to hear things for Fred are looking up! Really hoping it continues for him, he's such a handsome boy!

 

[Whiplash]

Hmmm.........this is suspicious.....NO Vet that I know would sedate a cavy for an x-ray! Yes, you want to keep it still to obtain a sharp image, but surely he can do it without anesthesia.

Unfortunately I'm in Ireland. We have very few vets that specialise in exotics. The closest one to me is about a 2 hour drive each way, which I couldn't possibly put Fred through. I'm lucky that the vet I use has extensive experience with exotics, but these days he specialises in cattle. He does know what he's doing, but he's a bit out of practice. While searching for a decent vet, you'd be amazed how many practices actually told me guineas weren't worth the expense of treating since they can be replaced so cheaply! I know it mightn't sound like it, but unfortunately for Fred he's in the best possible hands.

 

[bpatters]

My vet will sometimes "whiff" a squirmy pig for an x-ray -- depends on which view they're trying to get. But when he does, he just lets them sniff enough gas to get really sleepy, snaps the x-ray, and then removes the gas. They're not really anesthetized.

 

[spy9doc]

Yes, you're right about that. I have seen one of my Vets "whiff" Chester when she was attempting to draw blood.

 

[Whiplash]

Fred's on the mend Hand fed him this morning, but he's been stuffing his little face all by himself ever since. He's eating hay and veggies and I gave him some muesli as a treat which he's also eating. Diarrhoea is gone which the vet was amazed at. The droppings are still a little soft but they're properly formed. He got two injections again today, and he's going back tomorrow, but after that we'll leave him for a few days and see if he's still progressing.

He threw an almighty strop at the vets after his injections. He's never been a stroppy piggy so it was rather hilarious. Reminded me of his old friend who we lost 2 years ago. He certainly wouldn't have had the strength a couple of days ago to react like that.

I'm trying really hard not to get my hopes up. The underlying issue is still there. But it looks like he might be sticking around for a bit longer.

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

That makes me so happy! I love when piggie stories come out better than expected. At least, so far so good, right?

Keep it up Fred!

 

[Whiplash]

Back from the vet with Fred. Another 2 injections, making a total of 15 since Sunday. The poor little man His poor neck must be really sore by now.

Vet is very happy with him. He said we'll leave him be for a few days and see if he goes alright. Next option will be to give him a tablet morning and night of a heart and lung stimulant. The big change in him seems to have occurred after the heart and lung stimulant injections started.

Settled up my bill for the week and I was amazed at how cheap it was. I thought it was going to cost me a fortune, but the vet Fred's been seeing owns the practice. He only charged for the emergency appointment and the injections throughout the week. He waived the visit fee for mon-fri. I think the poor receptionist was slightly horrified!

 

[bpatters]

Glad to hear he's doing better. And that you've got such a reasonable vet!

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

Good job, Fred! Keep goin buddy!

Sounds like you've got a vet similar to mine. He only charges us $10 for a teeth checkup every 4 weeks (if he charged us at all)

 

[Whiplash]

Just a quick update on Fred. He hasn't had to go back to the vet so far. He's eating but still a little picky about what he'll have. I'm giving him extra veggies, as he loves them, and he still feels a little boney. He was always on the chunky side so it's strange to feel his little bones.

I have a holiday booked in a few weeks. Dreading leaving my little man. Fingers crossed he'll be doing okay. Obviously if he deteriorates before then I won't leave him. My dads due to look after him but he doesn't really know anything about guineas so I'd be afraid he wouldn't notice if Fred needed the vet.

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

I'm so glad to hear Fred is doing well on his own! I have the same problem with Sly, he lost about 8 ounces but has levelled off. He feels so bony too, like a frail little old man.

If I were in your position, I don't think I could leave on a holiday. I'm not condemning you in any way, we ALL need a little R and R in our lives. All I mean is that my nerves wouldn't let me leave.


Have you weighed Fred regularly? If so, how is his weight holding up?

 

[Whiplash]

I used to weigh Fred when he was younger. He didn't like it though, so I stopped. He's an absolute baby. Cries over everything. I really wish I'd kept going now.

The holiday was booked about a year ago. When Fred got sick I said I definitely wasn't going. I'll judge how he is when the time comes. It's a lot of money to lose but Fred's more important than money!

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

I know Fred doesn't like it, but it's essential. It's the absolute best way to know if something is wrong.

I know how you feel about the money, I'm the same way. After all, money can be replaced. Fred can't.

 

[wigglemish]

For weighing, try sitting him in a big bowl or tub. I use a giant tupperware box, so the girls can stand flat in it, then distract them with a bit of parsley or something

 

[Whiplash]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll give weighing him another go. I'll at least be able to see if he is putting up weight again.

 

[Whiplash]

Fred lost his battle yesterday evening He's had a great six months, and I'm so grateful to my vet for the extra time I got with him. Noticed on Sunday that he seemed very bloated and he was off his food. Got him to the vet and he said he had bloat, but he seemed a lot healthier than the last time I'd rushed him in, so he was optimistic. I was pretty sure he wasn't going to come back this time though. He had 3 injections, and he was due to go back for more yesterday. He went steadily downhill though. We knew for certain yesterday that he wasn't going to pull through. Brought him back to the vet anyway to help him on his way. I didn't want the poor little man to linger on. Vet was shocked when he saw how much he had deteriorated and agreed his time was up. He would have been 7 in May. I'm heartbroken, but relieved that he didn't suffer.

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

@Whiplash

I'm so, so sorry you lost Fred. I'm glad he was doing better, and that you both got more out of his improvement. It's just that much more painful to lose them, when you do everything you can to help them.

Please accept my most sincere condolences. Fred is now pain free.

Find your way to the Rainbow Bridge, little man. Go and meet all your new friends, and enjoy all the best greens. You deserve it.

 

[bpatters]

I'm very sorry you lost him.