Poppy the Piggy- Heart Condition, Benazepril Dosage, Critical Care Supplement
A Poppy update. Since last night she is moving less, seems to be less steady on her feet, and is starting to refuse her feedings and fresh veggies. She's been more reluctant to eat the past few days but this morning she just doesn't want anything to do with any of it. She is nibbling loose hay strands, but it doesn't seem to be eating as much as aggravated chewing, and she only does it when we disturb her. Otherwise, she just wants to lay under the water bottle and sleep. She bit me when I pet her with my finger this morning, I think I startled her.
Is there anything we can do to make her more comfortable?
Is there anything we can do to make her more comfortable?
- Sef
- I dissent.
I'm so sorry. Is she getting any fluids? Does she look dehydrated? I'd call the vet and describe what's going on and see what they suggest at this point. If this is an end-of-life situation, obvious the focus will shift to just keeping her comfortable (possibly by bumping up the Tramadol) rather than avoiding lethargy.
- Sef
- I dissent.
Very good. Carpenter's Formulary does caution to avoid over-use of Loperamide to avoid stasis, so I would just be a little careful with it. That dose looks correct, based on the recommended dose of 0.1mg/kg with her weight at .5kg and a concentration of 0.13mg/ml (I come up with .38ml, but close enough at .35ml). I hope it helps.
Hydration with electrolytes may help her feel better, too.
Keeping fingers crossed for her.
ETA: Had you already discontinued the Tramadol, or was she still on a low daily dose?
Hydration with electrolytes may help her feel better, too.
Keeping fingers crossed for her.
ETA: Had you already discontinued the Tramadol, or was she still on a low daily dose?
She was still on a daily dose of Tramadol at the time. She did not get one today.
I'm not incredibly familiar with guinea pigs but I've been around a plethora of other animals my whole life. She looks tired and weak, I can tell she's struggling. I hope whatever the outcome she is just as comfortable as possible through it.
She's not willingly eating her CC anymore, we are having to force feed her everything. Even stuff she loves she's just half-heartedly nibbling a little or not at all. It always breaks my heart to see them so worn down.
Should we be feeding her through the night? We're having a hard time getting 2-3ml of cc mixed with applesauce or pumpkin down her at a time, let alone 6grams/100 a day. The water is more like 1-2ml at a time too, if we are lucky, forceful and patient. She's not even fighting back anymore. :(
I'm not incredibly familiar with guinea pigs but I've been around a plethora of other animals my whole life. She looks tired and weak, I can tell she's struggling. I hope whatever the outcome she is just as comfortable as possible through it.
She's not willingly eating her CC anymore, we are having to force feed her everything. Even stuff she loves she's just half-heartedly nibbling a little or not at all. It always breaks my heart to see them so worn down.
Should we be feeding her through the night? We're having a hard time getting 2-3ml of cc mixed with applesauce or pumpkin down her at a time, let alone 6grams/100 a day. The water is more like 1-2ml at a time too, if we are lucky, forceful and patient. She's not even fighting back anymore. :(