Thinking of Dexter

[NIUHuskieFan1]

Hi all,
I posted a thread yesterday concerning my guinea pig Dexter and wanted to give people an updated. First of all, thank you to those of you who helped me try and solve this current problem. In short, I took Dexter in for a vet visit about a week-and-a-half ago because his normally loud squeaks were quite muffled and I thought he might be sick. At the vet, they took a look down his throat and said it looked very red and perscribed some medication for him to take for a week. Unfortunately that medicine perscribed for him was amoxicillin. I didn't discover that amoxicillin was toxic for a guinea pig until over the weekend. Since late last week he'd lost his appetite and certainly was a lot less active than he usually is.
I took him to an emergency clinic late Sunday night near Chicago and they said because he had been on amoxicillin for so long (a week) that the outlook was very guarded. The doctors were pleased with the condition he was in when he arrived, and he was eating a little, but they said it would likely change. I'm getting regular updates on him and just hope to God he hasn't been poisoned to death.
It's been a very long 24 hours. I keep thinking that maybe I should've known the medicine was toxic. On the other side, I can't even imagine why someone who claims to work with guinea pigs would perscribe something potentially deadly. I have an appointment at that vet's place later today and am hoping they take responsibility for what has happened and agree to help with the costs of his treatment. I already have paid $409, an amount that likely will increase and may even double by Wednesday, depending on how he's doing. He's too young to die though. He's only 2, and he was very happy and playful before this incident.

 

[willowfaery]

Oh I'm so sorry. Just remember that you cannot change the past, so beating yourself up does no good at all. Just focus on what you can do right now. You're taking the right steps to save him. I just cannot believe that a VET gave him that medication! That makes me so mad. But, emotions aside, action is what should be focused on now. Keep us all updated. You and Dexter are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[pig-in-paradise]

That is so sad! You're doing all the right things for him and then the vet messes up so badly, it's not fair.

I sincerely hope your little guy pulls through.

 

[mommyoffive]

That isnegligenceand that vet clinic better pay for the bills, if they dont you have a good case against them. Heck i'm going to school to become an RVT and even I know that amoxicillin is toxic to guinea pigs, I dont know why the DVM wouldnt know that.

Oh and good luck on your little boy. I hope he makes a full recovery.

 

[fourboys4now]

I will be sure to include your piggy in my prayers. I hope he makes a speedy recovery. It sounds like he's fighting to make it thru this. Yes, please let us know when he's better!

 

[NIUHuskieFan1]

Thank you all so much for your warm thoughts and prayers. There's not much to report on his condition. The vet at the emergency hospital said he is nibbling at his greens on occasion and did pass one dropping that had good form, but that was it. We all know how guinea pigs can poop, and they want to see a lot more. On the plus side, they haven't seen any diarrhea as of yet. Despite the heavy cost, I'm leaving him there at least one more night, possibly two to see what happens, but as the vet said in the beginning, the prognosis usually is not good.

As for the vet that prescribed the amoxicillin, I visited the clinic today. The vet that made the prescription was working at another office in the afternoon, so I talked to her partner. He had been explained the situation and had talked with his partner. He was of little help. I left all of my contact information and said it was urgent I speak with her. I even tried to make an appointment at the clinic she was at in the afternoon to no avail. I left my contact information with the secretary at that clinic and said it was very urgent I speak with her. She told her she would pass along the information and have her call me when she gets a few minutes. I never received a call, although when I called up the animal hospital to check on his condition, the vet there had said that the prescribing vet had been in contact with the animal hospital and that the prescribing vet had said she had checked one of her books of some sort concerning a proper dosage for rodents. That's when she went with the 0.3 milligrams to my Dexter. It sounds like she actually thinks what she did is OK. She has not called me and sounds as if she will not take responsibility for what has happened. The vet at the animal hospital assured me that they would never prescribe amoxicillin for a guinea pig under any circumstances, which says a lot to me. Unfortunately, I'm staring at over $1,000 in medical bills for three days of treatment and, worst of all, it's most likely not going to work. I've considered speaking with a lawyer about the situation and see if there's anything that can be done, but at the same time, I don't want to make any rash decisions as of yet. I just want the prescribing vet to speak with me, issue an apology and pay for at least some of the cost of his medical bills. I don't want anything more. I'm sorry I keep babbling on. I just feel heartbroken and need to talk to someone who understands. Thank you all again.

 

[pigsforlife]

If he isnt eating, or is eating minimally he must be handfed. A pellet mash, or CC will do. Have you posted on guinealynx?

 

[NIUHuskieFan1]

He is being handfed currently at the animal hospital. They are giving him some syringe feedings as well as some other supplemental food. I just hope to see an increase in his droppings today.

 

[luvmyboyz]

I sure hope Dexter gets better. I had a run in with a not to swift Vet. also. It was an emergency Vet. just outside of Chgo. that helped my guy too.

 

[fourboys4now]

Is there a general manager or owner of the vet's office you could try to contact about compensation for the wrong rx being given to your piggy? If not, I would definitely keep calling or even show up when bad vets in the office. I would go to the guinealynx.com site and print off the information about what meds cannot be given to piggies to let the vet know you know what you're speaking of.

Also, small claims court could be an option to get your money back. Hope your piggies better soon!

 

[cavyinhawaii]

I had a simular thing happen with a medicine and my dog. The threat of "do you want to take care of this bill or shall I have my lawyer contact you?" I did add in what a shame it would be to have to get my lawyer involved when it could be resovled so easily between us. I got my bill paid but it was only a little over $100. They had no idea that I didn't even have a lawyer.
Good luck and you might have better luck with whom ever owns the clinic. They get really nervous when it comes to loosing licences. It is a business. If nothing comes to it you can also report them to the Veternary association and better business bureau.
American Veterinary Medical Association
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Blessings to your piggie and Good luck with your reimbursement persuit.

 

[NIUHuskieFan1]

Hi guys,
Just posting a very positive update on Dexter. I got a call from the emergency vet this afternoon, and she said he was eating well, he was a bit more active, and he had passed a dozen or so stools since the previous night, all of which were in good form. Also, they said it was safe for him to come home! I picked him up Tuesday night around 10 p.m. and was so excited to get him home. He's not 100 percent yet, but he's on six different medications (none of which are amoxicillin!) in order to relieve his respitory (spelling) problem and to continue to protect against the amoxicillin. It looks as if he's going to be OK!

I most certainly am going to continue to pursue the vet who prescribed the amoxicillin in the first place. My bill wasn't as high as I was expecting (though still over $650), but I guess I mainly just want the vet to fess up to what has been done and apologize. I also want to make sure this vet doesn't work with guinea pigs again, or at least not until she knows them backward and forward. A story with a happy ending so far! Thanks for all those who expressed concern!

 

[pigsforlife]

6 different medications? Woah. What are they? Have you posted about this on GL?

 

[newpiggiemommy]

I am glad that Dexter is doing so much better!

I hope you continue to pursue this matter with the vet!

I would also speak to a lawyer, contact the better business bureau, contact the owner of the clinic, and post the doctors name and general location on here so no one else used that clinic!

 

[Char-x]

My thoughts are with Dexter, I hope he continues to make a good recovery. I understand it must be really heartbreaking, but you can't blame yourself, atleast you discovered about the wrong medication before it was too late to try and do anything about it. The vet should really be the one ashamed of themself afterall it is what they are payed to know, I know if my vet isn't 100% sure on something he will spend his own time doing the research and consulting others, its their responsibility.

I agree with what some other people have said, you need to make sure those high vets bills are atleast partly covered by the vet who was in the wrong. I think it is so wonderful though that you are willing to spend that much on a Guinea Pig, many pig owners would have given up by now but you are being the best possible owned Dexter could have.

 

[luvmyboyz]

Yay, Dexter. Keep getting better.

 

[fourboys4now]

This made my day that Dexter is getting better. I've been keeping my mom updated with his progress and she was very happy he's getting better. Please give him extra kisses and hugs from all of us piggy slaves that were worried about him!

 

[JanJam]

oh my God ... I've just seen this and am shocked by that vet!

I'm very glad though to hear Dexter is getting better ... it's horrible when they have to stay a few nights. I hope he carries on improving, will keep an eye out.

 

[piggly wiggly]

Way to go Dexter, keep it up!

 

[NIUHuskieFan1]

I guess technically it's just five medicines since the sixth is simply vitamin C. His medicines include Metoclopramide (0.5 cc), Cisapride (0.27 cc), Baytril (0.22 cc), Metronidazole (0.43 cc) and Diphenhydramine (0.9 cc). Some of these medications are twice a day, others are just once a day. Keep in mind that these medications are also to eliminate his respiratory problem, which is why he went to the vet in the first place. I get a little scared having to give him such oral medications like these twice a day because I don't want to hurt him. He's quite fidgity. Anybody have any suggestions on how to make it easier?

I certainly will continue to deal with the vet who made the prescription and won't let it slide. I haven't posted on guinealynx yet, but that's what I'll do next. I don't think anyone else lives in the Ottawa (IL) area, but if they do, here's the clinic that made the ammoxicillin prescription: Novak-Brainard Veterinary Clinic, 1100 1st Ave., Ottawa, 61350. Don't take your piggie here!