Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 14, 2005 2:01:18 GMT
Hi-I and three of my children are new to guinea pigs. (As far as I know there are no rescues around here, and until recently, had never known about them.) We purchased one for each of them 4 weeks ago. (Of course, the pet store said they were 3 females, but they are 2 females and a male, and at least one of the 2 females is very very pregnant.) Well, this week we found a neck mass under the neck of the possibly pregnant female. The pet store said they'd take her back and we could have another one, but my daughter loves her and I couldn't do that. We really cannot afford to, but we took her to the vet today, and she punctured it to determine what it contained. She said it was bacteria full, but not necessarily cervical lymphadentitis. She could lance it and put her on antiobiotics, but is afraid it would still spread throughout her body. She is scheduled for surgery on Monday morning and for antibiotics after. Does this sound correct? What should I do to help her? Should she be separated from her about to deliver companion? Does this mean my other 2 will come down with it? Also, the vet thinks she's pregnant. She acknowledges that this could kill or misform the babies. Has anyone had a pregnant guinea pig go through surgery and antibiotics?? Do all guinea pigs get so sick, in general? It seems like there are so many problems with them, and it's so sad, because we love them so much. Any advice you can give me is greatly appreciated! Many thanks, Jemima
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Post by kitty on May 14, 2005 2:32:41 GMT
Oh jeez honey, what a sad story. I don't know what to tell you but hang on and everyone else on WHEEKERS WILL have some great advice. I will keep you and your piggies in my piggy-prayers.
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 14, 2005 2:35:13 GMT
Thank you!! ;D We need all the piggy-prayers we can get!
Jemima
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Post by Clover on May 14, 2005 9:39:49 GMT
Hi Jemima, I'm sorry about your piggy. I've just done a search on Guinea Lynx and saw that you've made a thread there, which is great. I was going to suggest you post there as they are a very good emergency medical board. I really hope your sow will be alright and her growing babies. Guinea Lynx also has great information on pregnancy to for both your girls. www.guinealynx.info/breeding.htmlNo, not all guinea pigs have health problems and many can reach 5 to 7 years without having any major problems. Alot can depend on their background, wether there was any in-breeding going on, bad conditions they were kept in before coming to you or just general bad luck. From what you say, the pet shop failed to notice one of your piggies was male and they kept both males and females together while at the store, resulting in pregnancies. I can imagine your daughter falling in love with her piggy, they really are wonderful little animals. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your piggies, please let us know how you get.
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 14, 2005 21:08:32 GMT
Thanks, Clover. I have a lot to learn about piggies, and am grateful for the encouragment here and at GuineaLynx. From much of the info online about gp pregnancies, it sure sounds scary! I have done all I can to give them top notch fresh foods, hay and pellets, but I have no idea how well they were cared for prior to purchase. I sure hope mom and babies do well! Now I need to keep an 'eye' on the male, as there is the slightest bit of wetness to his eyes, and he has sneezed a few times today. I'm going to bring this up at the vet on Monday when Kokonut goes in for her surgery. From what I've read, Bactrim would be the antibiotic of choice for Kokonut that would produce the least side effects with her babies. Thank you GL people for posting! I hope that is what her particular bacteria likes least! Is this a common antibiotic that all vets would have, or just exotics vets? I didn't check which anesthesia she'd be using--she once had a gp for 12 years, and seems up on guineas, so hopefully she'll choose wisely. She seemed quite knowledgeable about them, so I'm hopeful. For the area I live in, if she's as good as I hope, I'm truly blessed. I think my whole family is kinda hooked on the piggies and their antics. The only one who hasn't seen them yet is my college son. My other 6 children seem hooked. Whodda thunked it? Guineas are great! J.
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Post by Susie on May 14, 2005 21:40:31 GMT
Thanks for sticking by her. Hope all goes well for her and the babies.
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Post by skipperdoo on May 15, 2005 2:10:36 GMT
I recently had a pregnant pig on antibiotics and the vet felt that liquid Baytril was the one that would do the least amount of harm to the babies and treat the possible inner-ear infection. I have not had a pig with CL but I did recently treat my rabbit for a throat abscess. As far as I read in a thread on another forum, CL can be a bit tricky to deal with and that it can spread to the other pigs. More info is at this link: www.pigloo.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=269However, I am not a GL person and do not post on GL so I have no clue what is on that forum. If you need info on the pig or the rabbit that I treated, I do have that but I do not have any personal experience with CL. Good luck!
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Post by rap5645 on May 15, 2005 17:27:38 GMT
I'll keep your piggies in my payers as well.
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Post by Clover on May 16, 2005 14:33:57 GMT
I hope everything goes well with Kokonuts operation today Jemima and that your boar is alright to.
Hopefully most vets would have safe antibiotics like Bactrim. Your vets sounds knowledgeable dosn't she. All the very best for your piggies, please let us know how they are.
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Post by skipperdoo on May 16, 2005 14:36:03 GMT
Did you get a chance to read the information at the link above?
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Jilly
Bronze Member
TOADILY INSANE PIGGY SLAVE
Posts: 266
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Post by Jilly on May 16, 2005 16:45:58 GMT
Keeping my fingers crossed for Kokonut Jemima, hope all goes well.
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Post by rap5645 on May 16, 2005 23:00:38 GMT
Yes, I hope your piggy is O.K.
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 18, 2005 13:22:31 GMT
Hi, All!
Thank you for your prayers! I am so sorry that I haven't given an update.
Koko had the surgery Monday, after the vet confirmed by ultrasound she was pregnant with at least 2 pups.
I called an hour and a half later, and she was just waking up from the anesthesia. The vet said it was a far more intricate procedure than she had expected. She thought there was the one mass right under her skin, but after she removed that, she said there were masses all over her neck, under blood vessels, etc. She thought she did a good job removing them, and there was little blood loss. However, she felt that the extent of the infection was such that Koko wouldn't make it through the night and wanted to leave her overnight at the vet. When I realized that meant 15 hours alone, I couldn't do it. Although it would traumatize my daughter, and the rest of my children at home, if she did die, I couldn't just leave her there.
So, we picked her up, and when the brought her out to us, she was eating her pellets!! (3 hours after surgery). But I wonder if that's because the vet did prescribe pain killers, which she said she doesn't normally do. She has been eating well since (it's almost 48 hours post op now!) and plenty of healthy looking poops. She is on Bactrim for the next 10 days. The vet would have preferred Baytril, but is trying to save the pups and minimize deformities, too, and felt Bactrim was safer.
They are also culturing the pus collected, but results won't be available for 7-10 days. She still looks pretty good, and hasn't put up too much of a fight with her meds. However, she is really really tiny, and if the infection doesn't kill her, I suppose the labor & delivery could.
Yes, I am reading the link you gave me; THANKS!! I am glad she mentions her small size--even the nurse who brought her to us said she is extremely small.
In the mean time, the other two seem ok; slightly moist eyes at times, but the vet said not to bring them in yet unless there is also nasal discharge or respiratory problems.
I am still concerned we could also lose Saige during her labor/delivery, as she is also quite small.
We still need your prayers!
Bless you all for your concern and encouragement; it means a great deal to me!
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Post by rap5645 on May 18, 2005 23:34:15 GMT
Oh I hope your piggies are ok. I feel so bad for you.
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Post by skipperdoo on May 19, 2005 6:39:24 GMT
She is on Bactrim for the next 10 days. The vet would have preferred Baytril, but is trying to save the pups and minimize deformities, too, and felt Bactrim was safer. ... However, she is really really tiny, and if the infection doesn't kill her, I suppose the labor & delivery could. ... even the nurse who brought her to us said she is extremely small. ... I am still concerned we could also lose Saige during her labor/delivery, as she is also quite small. You can reference my thread about Jasmine. She also was very small and there was concern about her delivery. She also had to have an antibiotic and the vet looked it up and chose Baytril since she felt it would be better in the long run for the babies. Baytril doesn't cause deformities but at some point it could cause joint issues I believe is what she mentioned. I can check if you wish. Not clear if she had an abscess? If so, it may get walled off but hopefully not. As for the delivery, I called someone who walked me through the delivery at midnight and Jasmine was fine. However, due to her malnutrion, the three babies were basically flatout amd were put down. How old is she and what does she weigh and how far along is she? Glad to hear that the surgery was a success!
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 19, 2005 13:39:25 GMT
Kokonut is about 3-4 months old and last night weighed 530g. We don't know how far along, but I would think 5-6 weeks. We first noticed a widening last week, and it was confirmed by the vet on the ultrasound, but she wasn't sure how far along. Saige, the more apparently pregnant gp should be the same age (we were told they were sisters) and weighs 650g. We think she's about 7-8 weeks pregnant. We first noticed her widening about 2 weeks ago. I think the vet will definitely keep her on Bactrim until the results of the culture are in next week. I am assuming if what the culture determines is more responsive to Baytril she'll switch then, or at least see how she's responded to the Bactrim. So far, so good. But of course I cannot see internally and have no idea if the infection is elsewhere. I will check on your posts on Jasmine, and let me know what you think about Koko's and Saige's weight. By the way, our male who is about 4-5 months old weighed 760g last night which seems good to me. THANKS!!
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Post by kitty on May 19, 2005 18:35:05 GMT
So glad Koko's surgery went well! Milano also came to us pregnant at 3 months old and was tiny too . She more than doubled her weight and was 15" around at dlivery! She did just fine and had two perfect babies and one large one with obvious heart problems that had to be euthanized. I pray your girls will do well also. It is so sweet of you to open your heart to them all -especially since you have SIX children of your own! Hats off to ya! Will keep my fingers crossed for your babies...xoxoxo...Beth
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 19, 2005 22:37:00 GMT
Thank you for the kind words ! We are doing everything we can to try and ensure healthy moms and babies, as well as the poor male lone ranger! Actually, I have 7 children, but my eldest just finished his freshman year of college, so they're are only 6 home. I have had lots of different animals in my life, but these guinea pigs are something special. You guys come up with the sweetest names for your guineas!! Also, Jasmine sure has an amazing story. So sad , but she sure is adorable ! Thank you all also for all you do to save and better the lives of these animals. If it weren't for cyberspace, I wouldn't have *known* virtually anyone who's ever even had a guinea pig! You're all so dedicated. Blessings~~
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Post by Clover on May 20, 2005 6:05:35 GMT
I'm so pleased she came through the operation alright Jemima. I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything goes well for the mums-to-be and their babies.
Wow 7 children, I can only just cope with 2 teenaged daughters lol.
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Post by kitty on May 20, 2005 18:27:47 GMT
Clover and I each have only TWO teens and we're pulling our hair out! Kudos to you for having 7 AND pets! You must be very special and have a HUGE heart!
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