Fuzzbutt's Medical

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GrannyJu1
Supporter in '21

Post   » Thu Oct 08, 2015 6:05 pm


Ok, a fairly comprehensive exam by Dr. Kuehlwein, especially after teeth appeared to be at normal levels of wear. I watched her closely and while she certainly seemed gentle and to know how to handle Fuzz, said guinea pig did squeak a couple of times during exam on g.p.'s right side of mouth. No sounds when on the left, but that right... Doc is right handed and otoscope (? dinky thing with light on the end) was crossing Fuzz's mouth during those squeaks... I know any exam can be uncomfortable. Fuzz is STILL packing food in back. Is that normal?

Ears: wax building up again; Shed hairs: fairly normal but found another dead bug. (When she showed me the estimate for all the x-rays/radiographs I forgot to ask about Revolution.); Tummy: feels and sounds a little gassy - "try using probiotic" (I have some Bene Bac). Puzzled about Fuzz's new eating habits: dropping bits of food, and refusal/inability to eat hard or crunchy foods (i.e. leaf centers and carrots)

Back tomorrow for full body x-rays (bloat/gas issue) and radiographs of her head (teeth issue). (BTW, whats the difference between x-rays and radiographs?) Doc will call me after Fuzz wakes up from sedation and she has had a chance to look at pics. Wants to keep Fuzz long enough after to make sure she doesn't have a reaction to sedation: Drop off by 9am (ugh, she's an hour away) and pick-up by 5:30. Send or bring food and comfy cage. Tomorrow is Friday, my ugly meds day and MY doc has upped the dosage of the major ugly, so Mike will probably have to make the trip alone.

I'll make sure they know to send me copies of pics and will get them posted ASAP for your opinions.

Upside: upon further investigation, I think I've found a true exotics vet up in Lacey. I may take Fuzz to him for second opinion. He's a little closer and this guy has been all over the world learning about exotics' medical issues and care. At least according to his website. http://www.farmhousevet.com/our_doctor.html

bpatters
And got the T-shirt

Post   » Thu Oct 08, 2015 6:26 pm


Technically, a x-ray passes from the machine that generates it through some object with internal structures, and hits a plate that records the picture. That picture is the radiograph. In actual practice, they usually refer to the same thing -- the picture. It takes a real nit-picker to insist on not calling the radiograph an x-ray.

I looked at that vet site, and it doesn't say anything about exotic or pocket pets. I think I'd talk to him before taking a guinea pig in to him.

Talishan
You can quote me

Post   » Thu Oct 08, 2015 10:50 pm


Ditto bpatters.

"New eating habits" => dental IMO.

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GrannyJu1
Supporter in '21

Post   » Fri Oct 09, 2015 2:32 am


Dental was my first suspicion also.

I'm not doubting you, or trying to be argumentative but:

Farmhouse Veterinary Services...Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater

EXOTIC ANIMAL SERVICES

Home | Our Services | Our Doctor | Exotic Animal Services | Contact Us | Directions

Exotic Animals We Treat

In addition to dogs, cats and birds, we treat small mammal pocket pets including ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, mice, gerbils, chinchillas, pot belly pigs and sugar gliders. We are the only local clinic that spays, neuters, and treats Pot Bellied Pigs. Soon we will add reptile, turtle and aquatic animal medicine to our list of services. We also treat a limited number of wild animal species including rabbits, raccoons, and opossums per Washington State law.
I trust you all, but my choices are pretty limited in this area. There is no way my husband will drive us all the way into Seattle or beyond to see a vet; cat, dog or guinea pig. I checked to see if I could do the train back when Flossie needed a spay, and that's a no go with anything but a service animal. Somehow, I can't quite see myself saying "Fuzz is a service animal" convincingly. At the least, this clinic has all of the special equipment - ultrasound, etc., and can either diagnose and treat, or they consult with the super-specialized who can. Sorry, memory is really bad, but I'm pretty sure I read that this morning. Believe me, if I'd known just how difficult it is to find qualified medical help for guinea pigs, I wouldn't have adopted the first one. I love them dearly, but I just don't have the independence or freedom to care for them without his assistance, even if it is only driving us to and from. I feel guilty as hell having to ask him to spend so much money on them or drive us so far to see a vet. It's not like I supply any money to this household, and as for physical assistance around the house... I'm a joke.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Fri Oct 09, 2015 7:55 am


Most importantly, I would just make sure they are experienced with any procedure you need performed - they should have performed it several times successfully on a guinea pig (they are different than rabbits).

Best wishes here!

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GrannyJu1
Supporter in '21

Post   » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:30 am


Thanks, Lynx. I'm trying. I have to go by their actions, speech, mannerisms, appearance of clinic and personnel, etc. I do look at online references, but most of the ones posted I suspect were emotional outbursts after losing a pet, and in some cases I'd probably react the same way. I've seen the same for other clinics. I believe the bad is talked about way more than the good, unfortunately, when it comes to references for anything. The ones we get from the vets themselves are always going to be good ones, right? :o|

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GrannyJu1
Supporter in '21

Post   » Fri Oct 09, 2015 3:15 pm


Just talked with Dr. Kuhlwein. Fuzz is just now beginning to hold her head up after sedation. They want to keep an eye on her for at least another 3 hours, preferably 4.

Teeth, roots, jaws = all appear normal. The shocks came with the full body x-rays.

First thing she saw was the "secum was full". That's what was causing her to "feel" gassy/bloaty. Doc doesn't know why. Wants me start Fuzz on Pre- and Pro-biotics. I have the Bene-bac, but I think I need more than that? Bene-bac is a probiotic, correct? What's a Pre-? (Crap, gotta get the busted glasses patched up enough to be able to read even if I can't wear 'em in public! Duct tape! Doesn't that fix everything?)

Next - Fuzz is developing arthritis in different joints throughout her body. This little girl is not even 2 years old yet!!!

Sorry, can't see through tears. Posting more later.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Fri Oct 09, 2015 3:43 pm


I think of prebiotics being pretty much the same as probiotics. Maybe someone else knows more.

The arthritis is surprising. We have an arthritis sticky that might help. Full secum, I would think, more motility drugs?

I am sorry she is having such a tough time.

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GrannyJu1
Supporter in '21

Post   » Fri Oct 09, 2015 7:41 pm


Poor Fuzz is miserable. She's in a carry sack grunting/teeth clicking/breathing noisily. I assume that's from the sedative. ?? She's between me and the keyboard but not happy about it. She can barely walk (3 steps then falls to the side); is it safe to put her back in with Peek and VeBee?

I have a little bit of Reglan left from Flossie's July spay. 1m(15ml)
Should I use that on her as I did Flossie? I know the dosage will be different because Fuzz outweighs Floss by about 200 grams.

I also have BENE-BAC PLUS and Pedia Care gas relief drops.

Which is better for a "full secum" and how much should I use?

As of the 3rd, she weighed 1325 grams (1.325k)

P.S. X-rays should be here soon and she wasn't sure if radiograph machine was set up to send pictures... I'll post whatever she sends.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:52 pm


There was no blockage at all diagnosed? I think the dosages are in the guide. www.guinealynx.info/.html

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GrannyJu1
Supporter in '21

Post   » Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:46 pm


Not that she mentioned, just that "the secum is full" and she didn't know why. Guess we'll be heading up to Lacey in a couple of weeks; sooner if I can't get Fuzz to respond to the Reglan.

I saw the guide in that "chapter". It says 1ml/k I forgot my math/algebra and can't think beyond "she weighs 1325gms = 1.325k so... Closest I can figure with fuzzy brain is 1.25ml of Reglan. (Flossie avg 1050 for the period she was on it, received .56 mls of it; same bottle).

Walking a little better, but still sitting hunched for the most part. She only ate her cilantro tonight; some hay since she got home; maybe a piece of lettuce when I wasn't looking. Guess I'll try to give her some CC when I give her the meds. Yes, I'm going to weigh her! ;

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LS in AK
Upside-down & Backwards

Post   » Sat Oct 10, 2015 4:58 am


What is the concentration of the Reglan? Is it a 1 mg/ml suspension? If so, then your dosing would be close to the maximum of 1 mg (not necessarily 1 ml!) per kg of pig.

For a 1.325 kg pig, you wouldn't want to give more than 1.325 mg of Reglan every 12 hours, max. To be safe, I would just give 1 mg every 12 hours. You could also dose her 0.5 mg every 6 hours, max. More frequent dosing can help if a pig is really backed up and stalled out in the GI department.

This is the pig that is sensitive to veggies, right? If so, I would discontinue all veggies for awhile, at least until she seems back to normal digestive-wise.

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