Blood spots on Lacey’s bedding
- ItsaZoo
- Supporter in 2023
Sorry I didn't get back sooner - hectic day!
I picked Lacey up this afternoon, but didn't really get any answers. The vet didn't charge me for the ultrasound because it was inconclusive. She didn't see a definite mass, but mentioned concern about the way the kidneys looked. She thought the weight loss might be related to kidney issues.
She said she didn't find any painful areas when she palpated her abdomen and ovaries. So she gave me Albon antibiotic and I have CC and syringes. She said to look for improvement during the week and follow up with them. Surgery is not an option due to her age (she's 5 this month) and not knowing exactly what's going on.
Lacey had a good number of poops during the day, but tonight almost nothing. She picked at the hay, and ate some pellets. She had some fresh grass and corn husk and CC, but mostly she just sits in one place. I put her in her playpen on the floor to get her moving around more. And she got a tummy massage.
husband has been giving her peppers every time she wheeks, so I was hoping we just gave her too much of a good thing. But it looks to be more serious than that.
I picked Lacey up this afternoon, but didn't really get any answers. The vet didn't charge me for the ultrasound because it was inconclusive. She didn't see a definite mass, but mentioned concern about the way the kidneys looked. She thought the weight loss might be related to kidney issues.
She said she didn't find any painful areas when she palpated her abdomen and ovaries. So she gave me Albon antibiotic and I have CC and syringes. She said to look for improvement during the week and follow up with them. Surgery is not an option due to her age (she's 5 this month) and not knowing exactly what's going on.
Lacey had a good number of poops during the day, but tonight almost nothing. She picked at the hay, and ate some pellets. She had some fresh grass and corn husk and CC, but mostly she just sits in one place. I put her in her playpen on the floor to get her moving around more. And she got a tummy massage.
husband has been giving her peppers every time she wheeks, so I was hoping we just gave her too much of a good thing. But it looks to be more serious than that.
- ItsaZoo
- Supporter in 2023
We cut out the veggies the last 2 days. I wondered about the Albon as well. She had that before and she loves the butterscotch flavor, but I don't see much about it on line.
The clinic phoned and I told the tech she's not eating hay or pellets, only grass and corn husks. I'm doing what I can with CC, and she did drink water last night. The tech consulted with the vet and called back to tell me not to feed grass or husks. I'm just to feed 1 tablespoon of CC throughout the day. I asked about meds for motility or appetite, she checked with the vet and said the ones they have for dogs and cats don't work with guinea pigs.
I know this is a tough situation, but according to my notes from 2019 they gave her a motility injection when she wasn't eating and pooping after she got sick from Bayril. So I'm not sure what's going on with the clinic - it's the same vet but I'm a little disappointed with the lack of meds and the inconclusive ultrasound.
So I'm doing what I can with CC and I also syringed unflavored Pedialyte between CC bites. Then she got a tummy massage which she complained about, and when she got back in her cage she pooped. Small and sticky, but food is moving through her system.
The clinic phoned and I told the tech she's not eating hay or pellets, only grass and corn husks. I'm doing what I can with CC, and she did drink water last night. The tech consulted with the vet and called back to tell me not to feed grass or husks. I'm just to feed 1 tablespoon of CC throughout the day. I asked about meds for motility or appetite, she checked with the vet and said the ones they have for dogs and cats don't work with guinea pigs.
I know this is a tough situation, but according to my notes from 2019 they gave her a motility injection when she wasn't eating and pooping after she got sick from Bayril. So I'm not sure what's going on with the clinic - it's the same vet but I'm a little disappointed with the lack of meds and the inconclusive ultrasound.
So I'm doing what I can with CC and I also syringed unflavored Pedialyte between CC bites. Then she got a tummy massage which she complained about, and when she got back in her cage she pooped. Small and sticky, but food is moving through her system.
- Lynx
- Celebrate!!!
With the grass, I think the main concern is that she chew it thoroughly so it doesn't mass in her stomach. I think of corn husks as being a wonderful, delicate, fibrous thing. Not sure I would stop offering them (I used to give the tender inner husks). She does need her system to be processing food. One tablespoon of CC is pretty pathetic. I would absolutely give more!
You know all this. I understand why you are disappointed. You can remind her of the motility injection if it seems needed.
Most of all, I just hope she gets better.
You know all this. I understand why you are disappointed. You can remind her of the motility injection if it seems needed.
Most of all, I just hope she gets better.
- ItsaZoo
- Supporter in 2023
Thanks for the feedback. I agree, I think the corn husks are a good idea. That’s what kept her eating the last time she was ill. I still have some frozen and there is fresh corn in the store now. I only feed the inner husks torn into strips of about 1/2 inch.
The CC is slow going. She tolerates it for a short time, then she just stops chewing. So she’s not getting enough CC unless she also eats some real food.
I’m doing what I can and I’m hoping she’ll get her appetite back.
The CC is slow going. She tolerates it for a short time, then she just stops chewing. So she’s not getting enough CC unless she also eats some real food.
I’m doing what I can and I’m hoping she’ll get her appetite back.
- ItsaZoo
- Supporter in 2023
I called the clinic today and I’m waiting for a vet tech to call me back. Their exotic vet is only in Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
I spent most of yesterday feeding CC mixed with Benebac and Pedialyte. She even started taking it from the syringe. Between mouthfuls of CC I syringed Pedialyte mixed with a little watermelon water, and she drinks that easily. I cheated and gave her a few strips of fresh corn husk and some soft grass.
Then we had a few sessions of tummy massages on a warm pad and I could feel rumbling so there’s movement. But this morning there were only a few very small stringy poops.
So I repeated it all again this morning and will keep trying until I can get in touch with the clinic. It’s just not looking good.
I spent most of yesterday feeding CC mixed with Benebac and Pedialyte. She even started taking it from the syringe. Between mouthfuls of CC I syringed Pedialyte mixed with a little watermelon water, and she drinks that easily. I cheated and gave her a few strips of fresh corn husk and some soft grass.
Then we had a few sessions of tummy massages on a warm pad and I could feel rumbling so there’s movement. But this morning there were only a few very small stringy poops.
So I repeated it all again this morning and will keep trying until I can get in touch with the clinic. It’s just not looking good.
- ItsaZoo
- Supporter in 2023
Good news - Lacey is feeling better! She’s eating and wheeking again and output is good.
I really thought I was going to lose her. I was struggling to get 30 cc of Critical Care into her, plus Pedialyte. She looked dehydrated, eyes small and mattered, and she wasn’t grooming. I called the clinic and the vet, who is usually there only on weekends, was unofficially coming in on Wednesday so I could drop her off. Then I noticed blood spots on the bedding. So Wednesday morning I fed her one last time and basically said goodbye.
They called in the afternoon and said I should continue the Albon and CC, be careful with fresh grass and corn husks. She had a mass on her right side, could be impaction, ovary, or something else. Doesn’t matter since surgery is out of the question. She was ready to be picked up.
I was exhausted and felt terrible for her. Another day of syringing with no improvement. Then Thursday night while I was feeding her she pushed my hand away, gave me the stink eye, and pulled at my shirt. Later she ate a few pellets and a little hay. By Friday output was improving. Saturday she was wheeking for food and she got some floor time. Today she’s hungry and demanding. She lost about 9% of her body weight in one week, but she’s gained almost all of it back.
If it weren’t for all the information sharing and the medical database on this site I would never have known what to do. So thank you to everyone here.
I really thought I was going to lose her. I was struggling to get 30 cc of Critical Care into her, plus Pedialyte. She looked dehydrated, eyes small and mattered, and she wasn’t grooming. I called the clinic and the vet, who is usually there only on weekends, was unofficially coming in on Wednesday so I could drop her off. Then I noticed blood spots on the bedding. So Wednesday morning I fed her one last time and basically said goodbye.
They called in the afternoon and said I should continue the Albon and CC, be careful with fresh grass and corn husks. She had a mass on her right side, could be impaction, ovary, or something else. Doesn’t matter since surgery is out of the question. She was ready to be picked up.
I was exhausted and felt terrible for her. Another day of syringing with no improvement. Then Thursday night while I was feeding her she pushed my hand away, gave me the stink eye, and pulled at my shirt. Later she ate a few pellets and a little hay. By Friday output was improving. Saturday she was wheeking for food and she got some floor time. Today she’s hungry and demanding. She lost about 9% of her body weight in one week, but she’s gained almost all of it back.
If it weren’t for all the information sharing and the medical database on this site I would never have known what to do. So thank you to everyone here.