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Post by anaira on Nov 30, 2012 6:59:47 GMT
So Arthur's sick today. He isn't eating, or very little anyway, isn't pooping, and has a tender tummy. I took him to the vet(mum wasn't well enough to take him), and it was the first time I've seen this vet; I don't know how much experience she has but I'm not overly happy she gave him a baytril injection. He's on baytril for six days, but she doesn't really know what's up. His tummy seems to be a bit tender, and she says something is very swollen, she thinks it's his right kidney. We're to just push the food, keep an eye on him, and if he doesn't go downhill over the weekend, we'll just take it from there.
So has anyone dealt with kidney problems in guinea pigs? Would an x-ray or ultrasound be any good? He's an abnormal drinker(drinks heaps) and has been losing weight slowly.
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Post by 3piggles on Nov 30, 2012 16:26:50 GMT
I don't want to minimize what might be wrong, but did you try gently stroking his sides? Zippy used to get badly bloated, very similar symptoms except he didn't drink, ether. I gently stroked his sides, sometimes for close to two hours, until he exploded. Couldn't even breathe, the smell was so bad, but he was fine after than. Just have to get yourself in a comfy position to stroke both sides endlessly until they relax enough to pop. A former member taught me that. Said that's how mother pigs get their babies to pop when they're bloated.
Baytril seems to be the cure-all AB, so when the problem isn't known, that's the treatment. Teebers would have to say for sure, but I don't see why Baytril would help a kidney problem. You can definitely do the ultrasound, I would just try the stroking first, try feeding some fennel to help with the digestion, and see what happens. You can puree the fennel and add it to a pellet mash. I would also get him on a probiotic, as Baytril is a very power, wide-spectrum AB, and will kill all the good digestive bacteria along with any bad bacteria. All digits crossed for him to get better!
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Post by jolovespiggies on Nov 30, 2012 16:51:24 GMT
I hope he gets better soon love, I am so sorry. Please keep us updated.
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by anaira on Nov 30, 2012 22:11:18 GMT
Yeah, we've tried massaging his sides. I was hoping it was just bloat. Could try stroking him for longer periods though, hasn't been anywhere up to two hours lol.
We'll try hunt down some fennel, and give him that.
So you reckon an ultrasound would be better than an x-ray?
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 1, 2012 0:45:24 GMT
Hub just reminded me it was 2 hours and 45 minutes last time Zippy had bloat. He felt so miserable, I think he loved the stroking and attention, the physical closeness. I really hope it works!
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Post by anaira on Dec 1, 2012 3:31:10 GMT
I don't think it is bloat. He's done some little poops, which is always good, and he's eating a little on his own. We'll see how the weekend turns out.
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 1, 2012 15:25:42 GMT
I'm pulling for him  |
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Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 1, 2012 16:00:22 GMT
I hope tha tboth you and he are all right love. Sending lots of cuddles.
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by anaira on Dec 1, 2012 23:06:44 GMT
Thanks guys. No change so far. I did catch him trying to eat my tissue but that's about it. Haha. Not.
He tries to eat things, but just spits them out. Is it possible it's teeth problem? His incisors look ok, and the vet did check them out, but still...
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 2, 2012 1:02:28 GMT
It could be. Teeth problems seem to have a lot of seemingly unrelated symptoms. Only a vet would really know. Maybe Teebers will stop by and see this thread. Hope so!!
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Post by anaira on Dec 5, 2012 7:21:51 GMT
He died Monday afternoon. Thanks Laurie and Jo.
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Post by Teebers on Dec 5, 2012 11:16:20 GMT
Oh man no! Sorry to hear that ariana!!
I guess it's kinda academic now but... a lot of vets will throw baytril at exotics in cases where they can't really isolate a cause and it's a species they're not used to dealing with. With really ill GPs like him you're usually better off seeking out a vet or clinic that sees exotics on a regular basis.
Bloods would probably have been my next step in a case like this.
Also, it's v difficult to make an accurate assessment about molar malocclusion in a conscious pig.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 5, 2012 16:30:58 GMT
I am so sorry my darling, I hope you are OK.
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 5, 2012 18:03:17 GMT
I'm so sorry  I hope you have a lot of photos to go with all the memories. He'll never really be gone, that way |
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Post by anaira on Dec 9, 2012 22:12:51 GMT
Thanks guys. Arthur was my mum's, she's the one really upset. It's pretty hard for her.
This clinic sees exotics fairly often, especially rats, but this vet is new to the clinic; I hadn't seen her before. Not a huge choice in vets, that close to the weekend.
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 9, 2012 23:30:05 GMT
I had a wonderful vet, once, who wasn't cavy savvy, but went online and talked to every cavy savvy vet she could find, until she knew what to do. She loved my guys, and they loved her. Why, oh why, did she have to get married and move out of state? Anyway, as long as they are willing, there is hope. Hugs to your mom. There just isn't any easy way to lose them |
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I hope you have a lot of photos to go with all the memories. He'll never really be gone, that way