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Post by 3piggles on Jan 15, 2008 18:36:34 GMT
Does anyone have experience with cavy blood glucose? The vet called to say Momma's blood glucose was high, at 156, with the upper acceptable level being 125. I read my cavy medical book, and it puts blood glucose levels between 60-180 mg, to be acceptable. My book was published in 1996, and the vet goes to cavy school for a week every year, so maybe his information is more up to date than that in the book. Any information would be appreciated. Fudgy is going to be separated from the other two, so I can messure the amount she drinks for three days. Then she'll go in for another blood test and a urine test. I can get her to pee on me with no trouble, but getting her to pee on a sponge or in a cup probably isn't going to happen. I'm waiting to hear back from the vet on who's going to collect the urine and how, lol. Thanks in advance. Momma is acting as if she feels fine, so I'm just waiting to see what the new tests show. She may not be drinking enough, and I may have to syringe feed her a certain amount of water every day to keep the blood glucose in the acceptable range. Hopefully she won't need any meds.
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Post by isis on Jan 15, 2008 20:39:33 GMT
Sorry I have no experience, but I'm sure guinealynx will have someone who knows all about it.
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 16, 2008 16:59:13 GMT
I checked Guinealynx, and read their whole Diabetes section, but there were no listings of correct or acceptable blood glucose levels. I did learn a lot about what I may have to do if Momma's blood glucose level tests high again, and stays high.
After floor time and cage cleaning, I put the kids back in the cage where I have sipper water bottles. On the floor, I have a water bowl. Bowls are quiet. Sipper bottles make noise as the piggy uses its tongue to get the little metal ball moving. Every time Momma started to drink from the sipper bottle, Little Girl ran over to see what she was doing, and pushed Momma away from the bottle so she (LG) could drink. I hadn't noticed this, but also wasn't paying a lot of attention to who was drinking after someone made drinking noises. I have Momma separated from the others, and am monitoring the amount she drinks in 24 hours, for three days. The vet is sending a sponge kit to collect urine for a urine test. Momma gets another blood test on Feb. 4, when the other two piggies are scheduled for regular blood tests. She almost got out of having to get another test, poor Momma.
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Post by Clover on Jan 16, 2008 18:25:38 GMT
Hi 3 piggles, I'm afraid I don't have any experience of blood glucose. You could try sending a lady called Patricia an email to see if she can help. I know she has experience of diabetes, so may have more information for you. This is her page about her girls, plus there is an email address at the bottom. members.shaw.ca/patriciasimon/diabetes.htmGood luck with Momma, please let us know how she gets along.
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Post by Melza on Jan 16, 2008 22:48:59 GMT
I am not so sure about treating diabetes in guineas, i did have a diabetic mouse once, i was told to alter her diet, to a specially controlled diet. All teh best to you and Momma!
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 17, 2008 1:54:36 GMT
Thank you Clover and Melza. I think I worry more about my piggy's health than about me own, lol. I went to Guinealynx, and read Patricia's story. That was in 2000, and I worry that she may have lost her piggies since then, to old age. I thought about e-mailing her, and I still may. She had a lot of good information about diabetes, and it helped me not get really upset about the chances Momma might have it. Diabetes in cavies probably isn't that different from diabetes in mice. According to my medical book, cavy diabetes often corrects itself, and isn't fatal if it doesn't correct itself. Patricia mentioned a med that often kickstarts insulin production. Momma hasn't been diagnosed with diabetes. So far, the vet just feels her blood sugar is high. Feb. 4 she's getting retested, so I'll know more after that.
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Post by Melza on Jan 17, 2008 3:35:58 GMT
yea, diabetes isnt fatal, it CAN shorten the lifespan, i know with my mouse it, did shorten her life, but due to me changing her diet *hers was not going to correct iteslf* she was able to live a lot longer that she would have.
lets hope the vet comes back with a different reasoning for Mommna's high blood sugar level, and that it can be solved easily
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Post by Pigjes on Jan 18, 2008 7:41:52 GMT
Blood glucose levels in piggies should match human ones, as we have similar metabolisms.
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