Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 23, 2014 6:39:00 GMT
Frank had to take our guinea-pig Spotty to the vet yesterday because she was eating very little and losing weight fast. We'd been hoping it was just her teeth, but unfortunately, she has diarrhea. The vet gave her some injections and he gave Frank some powders (high calorie food for guinea-pigs) and some liquids we have to give her with a syringe - basically forcing it down her. Right now, she needs food because she has low temperature and extremely low energy, so we have to get as much down her as possible, hoping that will help her. It's critical, so the next days will decide.
I'm relieved that at least there are no difficult decisions to make like should she have surgery or not the way it was with Basil. Until he died, I kept wondering if we should have agreed to him having surgery and if he would be recovering and only when he died so soon, I realized it had been too late for treatment anyway. With Spotty, it's quite simple: either she manages to recover or she doesn't and if she doesn't, there is nothing else that can be done. We gave her some of the powdered food with water last night which was tough because we had to force it into her mouth and we will need to do that several times today.
The good thing: the vet was very nice, took a lot of time (about 20 minutes) to have a look at Spotty, and shortened her teeth a bit that had grown because she hasn't been eating well and gave us all the stuff we need to feed her and the syringes, plus injections - everything for 45 €. We uesed to go to the pet clinic, but they used to do stuff like ultrasound immediately which was awfully expensive - we'd probably have a 100 € bill now if Frank had taken her there and the vet he took her to yersterday is just around the corner and has guinea-pigs himself.
|
|
|
Post by Kye on May 23, 2014 10:40:56 GMT
Poor little thing... I hope she recovers. But you guys are doing everything you can for her.
|
|
|
Post by tangent on May 23, 2014 10:45:45 GMT
It's so sad when pets are ill because they cannot tell you what is wrong. At least Spotty knows you love her and are taking care of her in the best way you can.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 23, 2014 17:05:16 GMT
I hate having to force the food into her, but we have to. We warmed her for a while yesterday and stroked her.
|
|
|
Post by Moose on May 23, 2014 19:09:55 GMT
Poor thing but she is lucky to be so loved
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 23, 2014 21:17:14 GMT
I was busy for most of the day, but Frank fed her. He said she feels a little warmer today and she was nibbling at hay and vegetables. There seems to be a small improvement, but we still can't be certain. The upcoming days will show. She is certainly loved very much.
|
|
|
Post by tangent on May 23, 2014 21:33:35 GMT
Is the food having an effect? That would be good.
|
|
|
Post by jayme on May 24, 2014 1:11:22 GMT
Poor Spotty! I hope she feels better soon.
|
|
|
Post by Moose on May 24, 2014 4:08:11 GMT
But - they'd have to change her name then! (ouch, is that inappropriate?)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 24, 2014 15:24:41 GMT
Spotty seems a little more alert today. She ate a little more by herself and she has gained some weight. She is 915 g today and she was 911 g on Wednesday. By the time Frank took her to the vet on Thursday, she had probably lost more weight, so she has definitely gained a bit.
|
|
|
Post by JoeP on May 24, 2014 17:30:26 GMT
Just got to this - sorry to hear about the scare, and I hope she recovers quickly
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 25, 2014 8:00:34 GMT
Spotty seemed to have improved quite a bit yesterday. We weighed her and she was 915 g. On Wednesday, she was 911 g, but since we took her to the vet on Thursday, she had probably lost more weight by then which means she has definitely gained a bit. She is still weak, but ate more yesterday (a whole piece of cucumber peeling and more than that) and seems more lively. Frank said he saw two normal pieces of poop in her box yesterday and we're hoping it's really hers because it was liquid during the past days. (sorry, might be a bit disgusting to read that) We really hope that she will continue to get better.
|
|
|
Post by Alvamiga on May 25, 2014 9:16:51 GMT
That's usually a good sign. Often, tiny critters have digestive problems and unless they sort themselves out, there's not much that can be done. I lost a baby bunny a few years back after her digestive system ceased to function and it does make you feel so helpless!
|
|
|
Post by Kye on May 25, 2014 9:56:54 GMT
That sounds encouraging, Claudia!
|
|
|
Post by tangent on May 25, 2014 12:12:43 GMT
It does, yes
|
|
|
Post by Mari on May 26, 2014 19:35:59 GMT
I hope the recovery continues!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 26, 2014 22:43:11 GMT
Spotty still needs her treatment and is still weak, but she is more like her normal self. Frank had to take Mr. You to the vet today. One of his teeth had grown too long. We noticed a bit late because of Spotty. Hope that's it for the next weeks.
|
|
|
Post by tangent on May 26, 2014 23:07:05 GMT
Crumbs, your pets are giving you problems this month.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2014 4:10:37 GMT
Mr. You's teeth had been growing too long before, but last time, he managed to break them before we could take him to the vet. The vet is nice, better than the animal clinic we used to go to - and cheaper.
|
|
|
Post by Kye on May 27, 2014 11:17:43 GMT
You take good care of your animals!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2014 11:31:55 GMT
I still hope that's it for now.
|
|
|
Post by raspberrybullets on May 28, 2014 10:00:14 GMT
I'm a bit late but it seems like things are looking up for Spotty. Hope so!
|
|
DGoeij
Very Regular
Pan Narrans
Poehee
Posts: 601
|
Post by DGoeij on May 28, 2014 10:12:14 GMT
I always feel so sorry for sick animals, the poor buggers can't even tell you what's wrong really.
Glad to hear Spotty is nibbling, I'd take that as a good sign as such.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 31, 2014 21:26:18 GMT
Spotty is generally doing well and has been very lively tonight (she has been bugging Gilbert), but she is still not putting on more weight. She is eating more and Frank has been force-feeding her less, but I'm not sure she will be able to eat enough to gain weight. We need to watch her and her weight and might need to start force-feeding her again. Other than that, she seems to be much better now. Even her poop is almost normal now. I hope she will manage to eat a little more.
|
|
|
Post by JoeP on May 31, 2014 21:53:54 GMT
Spotty seemed to have improved quite a bit yesterday. We weighed her and she was 915 g. On Wednesday, she was 911 g, but since we took her to the vet on Thursday, she had probably lost more weight by then which means she has definitely gained a bit. She is still weak, but ate more yesterday (a whole piece of cucumber peeling and more than that) and seems more lively. Frank said he saw two normal pieces of poop in her box yesterday and we're hoping it's really hers because it was liquid during the past days. (sorry, might be a bit disgusting to read that) We really hope that she will continue to get better. What does she weigh now? Our kitten is less than 900g!
|
|
|
Post by tangent on Jun 1, 2014 21:46:09 GMT
Even her poop is almost normal now. A royal courtier would similarly examine the king's poo in the Regency years to diagnose illness or establish his health. You would make a good royal courtier.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2014 21:09:54 GMT
Just a quick update becsause I'm posting from my phone. Spotty has gained almost 30 g within the past two days which is very good. Am so relieved, I hope she will keep the weight gain up.
|
|
|
Post by tangent on Jun 3, 2014 9:43:49 GMT
That's an appreciable amount for such a small animal, a bit like me putting on half a stone, erm 3kg.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2014 13:26:47 GMT
Guinea-pigs can gain weight quickly, but they can also lose it quickly.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2014 22:44:25 GMT
Frank had to take Mr. You to the vet again yesterday. One of his teeth was too long- again!
|
|