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Post by mcbrooke1 on Mar 9, 2018 6:32:45 GMT
 I have sad news ultimately, Tizzle has a mass at the base of her heart. The MRI showed just what the vet somewhat suspected once her lungs didn't clear up. Right now, she acts like a completely happy little piggie. Running around, wheeking, and driving Zelda bonkers. I don't have a treatment plan together just yet. I'm just loving every second with her while she's doing so well and I bring her back in 2 weeks for another MRI to see if the mass has changed. Little Zelda got the thumbs up on Saturday to not come back for an entire year for her annual physical! I couldn't believe it. I was one happy little mama  And now that she's on the right meds for the arthritis, there has been an improvement in her straining. By no means cured, but an improvement, I'll take it any day! Until today  We were doing floor time and she was being excessively vocal right in front of me while trying to go, and sure enough - when she moved out of the way - there was blood again. And within a few minutes, there were 5 small circles blood spots, those diluted with urine this time, all around the white fleece on the floor. At first I started to panic - and then said to myself that I need to take a deep breath. We've been here before a few times and Zelda always pulls through. Plus she was still running around, eating, drinking, and very alert. I called the vet and she prescribed some medications to start Zelda back up on. Thankfully I didn't have to trek her all the way back back to the vet. Had this been the first or second time this has happened, they would have made me come in. But at this point - I send pictures via email, monitor her eating and energy, and bring her in if there are any signs of decline. It does seem like once she goes off antibiotics, within a week, we are dealing with problems again. They recommend I do a bare minimum of testing on her kidneys, which requires being put under anesthesia. However there's a chance it's not her kidneys and they would prefer to a complete CBC while she is already under. That way if her kidneys are fine, Zelda won't have to go under anesthesia again for further testing. So I have two happy little piggies right now - but Tizzie's heart condition they said will likely first impact her ability or desire to eat based on where the mass is in relation to the trachea and esophagus I believe they said. This also explains the grunting and wheezing I have heard twice now in the past when she's eating or even just sleeping. I know I said I don't have a treatment plan in place just yet. Because the next step will be to take her to a University for a Cat Scan and a biopsy. Or th alternative is palliative care and end of life care when the time comes. Right now they explained the signs I am to look for to know when to bring her in. So tonight, I held my two little munchkins extra close and gave them lots of kisses. I don't know what tomorrow or the next day will bring, but at the moment - despite the signs of blood and the mass, these two love their veggies, play in their hay, and go through the mazes I set up for them on the floor. And I not so secretly gave them an extra baby carrot tonight. Just for being so cute. And I figure - they deserve it. They have certainly been through quite a bit. It makes me sad thinking Zelda's bone issues could be related to being raised in such a tiny cage without much room to move for 2 years - and I have no idea if that could also contribute a heart problem in Tizzle. But I just have to remember where they are now and how loved they are Attachments:
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Post by Bean on Mar 9, 2018 10:18:40 GMT
Gorgeous picture! I'm sorry to hear they are both having serious health problems, I can't imagine the toll is must be taking on you. I'm glad you're still feeling positive and seeing many signs that they're enjoying life. I'll keep everything crossed for you all and hope the vets continue to be as supportive in their care. x
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Post by jolovespiggies on Mar 9, 2018 13:57:14 GMT
Lovely picture hunni and I am so glad to hear about Zelda. Everything crossed for Tizzie and I can well understand how happy you must be feeling. Virtual hugs are on their way.
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Mar 9, 2018 17:06:06 GMT
Aw, they are so gorgeous! Wonderful pictures stay with you, which, unfortunately, our little sweethearts don't. I'm glad both girls are still happy, and Tizzle doesn't know anything is wrong. It's so hard deciding the right route to take with guinea pigs, as the symptoms can represent so many different conditions/illnesses, and it can be really difficult to pinpoint one as the culprit, and treat it. Huge hugs, and I hope something can be done to help Tizzle, and the antibiotics work for Zelda  |
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Post by mcbrooke1 on Apr 23, 2018 5:14:17 GMT
Hi Everyone I hope you're doing well! I wanted to stop in and say hello and share some good news. I still have two happy little piggies!!! Tizzle and Zelda are doing good and have been for some time. That feels so good to say! Just yesterday - after 2 months of medications - I had another Xray done of Tizzle's heart and the mass in Tizzle's heart has shrunk quite a bit and her lungs are clearer. They don't know for sure, but they think maybe it's not lymphoma and instead was swollen lymph node as a result of a strep infection that took 45 days of stronger antibiotics to show improvement. I had a feeling good news was coming our way before the appt, because she's been a happy energetic little piggy. The only meds as of yesterday that she is still taking is 7 more days of Pro-Bi and Baby Gas-X until further notice since still has air trapped from when she was in GI Stasis that we can't get to move. And Zelda doesn't strain nearly much at all anymore, that makes my heart so happy for her!! I give her Meloxicam 3 times day, a drug called Condrosite, and Gas-X two times a day. Adding the 3rd dose of meloxicam made a big difference. And how amazing is this? I don't even have to pick Zelda up anymore for any of her meds! She comes to the end of cage - and everyday I put one syringe after another down by her mouth and she just takes it! It's like a miracle. I still have to pick Tizzle up for her meds, but it's much easier now. I pet her and rub her ears for about a minute and keep the syringe near her mouth while she's being pampered. And then when I go to give her the syringes, she takes them. Considering they have both been on medications for maybe 6 months now, I think they are just so used it, that they want to get it over with and hurry it up to get their carrot reward. All I know, is I am one happy campers compared to those first few weeks. And all those you tube videos I watched on how to give guinea pigs meds who won't take meds and my break downs! I am so glad those days are in the past! The only thing right now is Zelda has become quite a pudgy piggy. I worry about her weight. At the vet this weekend they said she really is right over the high end of what a piggy should weigh. Tizzle needs to continue to put on weight and Zelda needs to lose weight. I am taking them out for floor time as often as I can but I suspect because of the arthritis, Zelda doesn't go bonkers with energy like she used to, but she does get bouts of energy and zooms around every now and then. But all in all, I got such wonderful news from the vet this weekend, and that almost next to never happens, that I just wanted to share with all my wheeker friends! I will snap some new pics of the two cuties and upload them! |
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Post by jolovespiggies on Apr 23, 2018 8:32:58 GMT
That is great hunni, I am so pleased all is well. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by Bean on Apr 24, 2018 14:20:26 GMT
Oh wow, what a lovely positive update. These girls have been so poorly, that it's really great to hear they're happy and getting along well. Superb medicine taking from them too, that must be fantastic for you! Thanks for the update and we'll look forward to those pictures!
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Post by 3piggles on Apr 24, 2018 20:17:27 GMT
That is wonderful news, all of it. Not having to fight to get them take their meds is a huge relief in itself. Too bad Zelda is becoming a bit of a pudge ball, but the meds may contribute to her weight gain. So glad you have been able to enjoy the girls, and not be consumed with worry. That is wonderful. How much Gas-X do you give? I don't have that in my medical book, and would love to add it |
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Post by mcbrooke1 on Sept 18, 2018 4:38:39 GMT
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Post by Bean on Sept 18, 2018 7:02:29 GMT
Hello! I'm so glad to hear the girls are doing well, and that you've had a much calmer time with them health-wise as well as really settling in so nicely together. I love the photos, especially the one with the bum poking out of the doorway - and oh, my lot would love chewing that roof!
Thanks for the update!
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Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 18, 2018 7:53:37 GMT
Those pictures are so cute hunni, thank you for sharing.
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Sept 18, 2018 21:27:37 GMT
That is wonderful news! It takes time for them to come around, to trust us, and to know they're in a good place. Once they do, they be as friendly as their personalities allow It's great about the lessened meds, and about her pain seeming to be under control. You were worried that would never even be close to the case Great pigtures It's always nice to have you stop by with an update |
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I have sad news ultimately, Tizzle has a mass at the base of her heart. The MRI showed just what the vet somewhat suspected once her lungs didn't clear up. Right now, she acts like a completely happy little piggie. Running around, wheeking, and driving Zelda bonkers. I don't have a treatment plan together just yet. I'm just loving every second with her while she's doing so well and I bring her back in 2 weeks for another MRI to see if the mass has changed. 
And now that she's on the right meds for the arthritis, there has been an improvement in her straining. By no means cured, but an improvement, I'll take it any day! 
