Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 20, 2005 21:25:25 GMT
Maybe I'm just not stable ! I have 2 teen sons; that's amusing. We had 2 cats, one was killed the day of Koko's surgery, and we currently have one thingyatiel. We had 2 and a parakeet, but my then 5 year old thought it would be nice to let them out . . . outside! We retrieved the thingyatiel we have now, but the other two? I love the piggies; they're great! Thanks again for your kind words, but I am sure all of you have bigger hearts and are just as special! ;D Thank you for the kindness and encouragement you have shown me. Now we think we're battling mites, too, as they seem to be scratching constantly.
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Post by kitty on May 20, 2005 23:31:52 GMT
I also have two teen sons-whew! Clover's are girls-double whew!! I'm so sorry about the kitty. I love kitties too and would be heartbroken to lose my Lily. And the poor birdies- did you put their cages outside? I did that when my little Beebee parrot got loose and she did fly back into her cage the next day. You DO have your hands full there, girl! It's always something, isn't it?
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 21, 2005 0:22:49 GMT
My first daughter turns 13 soon Can you spell:A-N-T-H-O-N-Y F-E-D-O-R-O-V? For a short while, I'll have 3 teens!! YIKES!! How old are your teens? My boys are 19 & almost 18. I like trying to keep my birds outside during the summer on my porch. Worked well til last summer. Golly, that was dumb. And knowing my son who did it, I should have EXPECTED it. So what are teen girls REALLY like? Yes, it's always something. Just this week my husband had a doctor's appointment: high blood pressure; high cholesterol AND possibly skin cancer. On top of Koko's surgery, Gabe being killed, possible mites, weighing them (Koko is still small), etc. I am sure you all have your own trials
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Post by Clover on May 21, 2005 9:56:07 GMT
I'm so sorry about your cat Jemima and your birds I'm sorry about all the worry you have about your husband, I really hope things go alright for your husband. Has the vet had a peep at your piggies skin and fur to detect if it is mites? Are there any bald patches at all? My daughters are 18 and 15 btw.
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 21, 2005 13:00:22 GMT
Thank you for your concern. I'm kinda used to a lot of stufff going on at once; although of course I don't like it. About the mites, Koko was in the vet last Friday and Monday, but I didn't think mites at the time. All three have been scratching more and more this week, and it was recommended to perhaps treat for them, since it's sometime hard for the vet to confirm. No bald patches, but they are also starting to nip themselves in spots. Koko is still so small, but there was a slight weight gain yesterday. We REALLY felt Sages' babies move yesterday--WOW!! She gained a lot in one day--almost an ounce and a half; must be getting closer?? Maybe within the week? So are teen girls hard ??
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Post by skipperdoo on May 21, 2005 15:38:52 GMT
One classic spot where they try to chew is over the rump area. In fact, if they do it enough, there can be a heart-shaped spot there and also sores from chewing.
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Post by Clover on May 22, 2005 6:23:29 GMT
Thats so true Kathy about the heart shape, I have a pic of Jasmines patch similar to that shape when she had mites. They always seem to be effected in that area and flinch and bite it if you touch the area.
Your vet might give you oral ivomec Jemima. My vet gives me enough to give 0.4ml to each piggy, 3 doses altogether, roughly 8 to 10 days apart. I much prefer giving it to them via a 1cc syringe, rather than painful injections. As long as you carefully measure the exact amount, like all medicines, as you can overdose.
Your last question! can I write a book lol. I don't have a son, so I can't really say if girls are moodier than boys. But pmt plays apart with girls, poor hubby has three of us to cope with lol.
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Post by kitty on May 22, 2005 18:39:19 GMT
Wow Jemima! Your hands are even more full than we thought! I hope all goes well for your husband and I will say a prayer for ALL of you! Somehow my loss seem small by comparison.
My boys are almost 20 and 15. As Clover knows, the older one is a bIG pain ( moodier than ANY girl ) and the younger one is a sweetheart. I grew up with mostly girls (my dad died young) so I KNOW how bad girls can be too , but I'll still take the boys any day!
You can always count on us for a sounding block about ALL your troubles- that's what friend are for! Hang in there! xoxoxo
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 22, 2005 19:29:08 GMT
Bless y'all-- It's been a very rough week, but worse day with Koko. She was walking around funny last night, dragging her rump on the floor a bit. Today, she has started to scratch her stitches, plus there is some kind of sore at the corner of her mouth. It appears there is also pus oozing through the stitches, and perhaps a lump forming where she scratched. Of course, she's not cooperative, so I am having trouble truly investigating. I am trying to clean with betadine, but she's not cooperating, and I am so upset I don't know what to do. I only got a little bit of betadine there, but we did get a sock collar with a dressing inside it on her neck. This is so sad. I am so afraid she'll die. Hey, my mom died when I was 13. It was just me and mom til then, so I have no experience with either apart from myself being a teen girl. I guess I've been surprised how emotional my boys can be. I really do need the encouragement right now; so bless you all very much.
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Post by skipperdoo on May 23, 2005 2:29:13 GMT
If you are giving her apples or oranges, that can cause mouth sores. (If so, you'll need to stop.) Also, why is she dragging her rear end? Is she due to deliver? The vet needs to check her ASAP for an abscess at the surgery site since it sounds like there is one and an infection.
I'm sorry, but I got lost in all of the chatter about kids so I may have missed some important information about Koko or gotten it wrong. Feel free to enlighten me in case there might be something else that I can pass along. Hang in there. They need you even though it may be difficult right now.
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 23, 2005 3:14:58 GMT
Thanks for the info about apples/oranges. She doesn't like oranges, but LOVES apples--are they too acidic?
I am calling the vet as soon as I get up.
She is not close to being ready to deliver. I have no idea what the rump dragging means (in cats isn't it worms??)
I hope the culture results are in--I've been reading that chloramphenical may be more effective. I hope the results point us in the right direction.
I've been so sick to my stomach.
Sorry about digressing from the point of the posts.
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Post by kitty on May 23, 2005 3:50:04 GMT
I know you are just SICK with worry but do hang in there ( can we do anything else?). I am saying piggie-prayers for Koko. PM me if you need to vent.
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Post by skipperdoo on May 23, 2005 6:31:13 GMT
Were you able to check her rear end to see if there was any visual problem? Also, pigs do drag their rear end to mark. Perhaps she was doing that?
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Post by Clover on May 23, 2005 7:31:34 GMT
Normally Jemima, it dosn't really matter if we go off the subject abit, we always tend to go back to the original subject anyway. But I suppose with this particular forum being a medical one, I can see Kathy's point. But like I say normally it dosn't matter. If it helps we can always have a moan about our kids in the chat area As for the apples, I tend to give my piggies a piece as a treat, say just twice a week. They are full of natural sugar so need to be given sparingly. I also cut the pieces up quite small, to avoid mouth sores. I'm sorry you have all this worry Jemima, all the best at the vets for Koko.
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 23, 2005 13:06:32 GMT
Just got off the phone at the vet, and they said she just called in that she won't be in today--yikes. I did leave a voice message, and what I'm hoping is that she'll be able to return her calls even if she couldn't make it to the office.
I checked Koko's rear, and all looks good, so I hope that it is just the marking thing. Thanks for filling me in on that.
Her stitches area doesn't look as bad this morning, maybe some of the betadine helped. There is a stitch or two hanging, so I do think she scratched it. Perhaps that's all the swelling at that area is, but I do think it's another mass.
If it is, I can't imagine putting her through another surgery; maybe since it's recent, the lance and drain may be enough?
Every time I feel like it's hopeless, you guys rally me to keep going. Thanks! Plus I stayed up late last night reading through some of the success stories of these kinds of cases, even if CL.
I hate waiting for results! I really would like to switch her to another antibiotic if the culture results indicate, because I think the Bactrim is too mild. I would hate to think we've lost a week of time where she could have been helped (and perhaps this mass would not have developed--if it is one) if we knew the correct antibiotic.
Someone wrote to me last night about her will to live, and it seems to me she has it. She is eating very well, and is happy if the only reason you're picking her up is to love her. But there is still a look in her eyes that she's just not healthy.
Oh, I hope the vet calls me.
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Post by skipperdoo on May 23, 2005 14:39:35 GMT
Are you diluting the betadine so that it looks like weak tea? Also, are you flushing the area? She may (still?) have an infection/abscess in the area. What dose of antibiotic are you using?
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 23, 2005 18:23:17 GMT
I have diluted the betadine, but I don't believe that much. What happens if it's not diluted enough?
Bactrim 1/2 cc a day (made from a crushed 1/2 of a 480mg tabled mixed in 10cc of water.)
How do I 'flush?' Up until yesterday the stitches looked pretty good, and I had been told to leave it alone.
I only used the betadine yesterday and today where it appeared raw from her scratching, although under that appears to be enlarged--so either a new mass has formed, or she irritated it from scratching. It does not look quite as large as it did yesterday, though.
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Post by Janet on May 23, 2005 22:44:10 GMT
If it's any comfort, you have a lot of people thinking about you today. How many times I have thought, if only my animals could talk. I hope you have a restful night and communication with the doctor comes early.
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Post by skipperdoo on May 23, 2005 22:48:27 GMT
It may be an abscess at the surgery site. What did the vet say after seeing it?
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on May 23, 2005 23:34:30 GMT
When I called the office this morning they said she wouldn't be coming in, so I left a voice mail.
Later on I decided to try and ask the other vet some questions, although he's not a guinea pig vet. Also left a voice mail, but he didn't call back.
SO, now I have to wait til tomorrow. At least it doesn't look as bad as it did yesterday, but I need to get in, not just to check it, but to get the stitches out. And see if they'll give me anything for the suspected mites since the ivermectin I have on order hasn't even been shipped yet and they're scratching like crazy.
The more and more I think about it, I almost think it may be mites that are causing Koko to scratch more than an itchiness due to healing stitches.
Thanks, all--
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