crystals in guinea pig

Re: crystals in guinea pig

Mark Hedberg — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:57:38 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]

These are frustrating cases and the answer I give to my clients is relatively simple:

Fluids, fluids, fluids.

Yes, Vit C and weight loss/diet correction to less calcium rich kibble etc but the botom line is that some of these guys just need a high fluid throughput which for whatever reason they are not getting, be it GP choice or bullying or lack of access.

So encourgaing fluid intake is optimal in these cases.

I know the old addage "you can lead a horse to water etc." but you can make a piggie drink. If the client is dedicated enough, get them to syringe that water in if necessary. try to make the drinking water more palatable, that also may help.

Hope this helps

[/quote]

I know this really keen exotic vet who mentioned diluting a small amount of orange juice in the water to make it more tasty...(ok, no more coyness, it was Mark Rowland) :)

Re: crystals in guinea pig

Alet Engelbrecht — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:04:30 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]So encourgaing fluid intake is optimal in these cases.[/quote]

Thanks a lot - bullying may well have been an issue - he had several that he kept together. I appreciate the feedback so quickly!

Re: crystals in guinea pig

Mark Rowland — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:58:41 GMT

These are frustrating cases and the answer I give to my clients is relatively simple:

Fluids, fluids, fluids.

So encourgaing fluid intake is optimal in these cases.

Hope this helps

Re: crystals in guinea pig

Alet Engelbrecht — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:16:54 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]Is this piggie overweight, some weight reduction might be indicated as well as diet modification (plenty of hay less concentrate... you know the deal)[/quote]

Mark - a question for you: I remember a client (very weird man, but experienced gp owner) whose piggies kept getting cystitis and some bladder stones (I remember about 3 surgical cases in 2 years). We encouraged a hay based diet, Vit C etc, but kept feeling we were missing something. As I said, the client was very weird, these piggies were his babies, but any other predisposing factors that I should check for?

Re: crystals in guinea pig

Mark Rowland — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:54:46 GMT

Hi Violaine,

Most are calcium based. I would be doing rads to check for stones/sludge, get plenty of fluids on board and onto some meloxicam (abs too if you wish).

Is this piggie overweight, some weight reduction might be indicated as well as diet modification (plenty of hay less concentrate... you know the deal)

Goodluck