guinea with weight loss

Re: guinea with weight loss

HMC — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:11:31 GMT

Update:

Gpig has put on a little weight (40g in 3 days [same scales]) now that she is not housed with the 2 others. The owner doesn't think there is bullying but who knows? We have therefore opted to weight again and have put bloods/xrays on hold. She is also no longer pupd according to the owner.

Re: guinea with weight loss

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:57:41 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]Oh and don't do the nail clip. :-)

[/quote]

Please, I second that. (It wasn't a claw clip, it was a scab on a wound that came loose and took a VERY long time to stop bleeding.)

Re: guinea with weight loss

Mark Rowland — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:40:40 GMT

Oh and don't do the nail clip. :-)

Re: guinea with weight loss

Mark Rowland — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:39:52 GMT

The app has cranial vena cava sampling in a g pig. I'm tempted to send a copy of the clip to Arlo so you can get a look at it. It's the only way I get bloods and have 100% success once the technique is mastered. I've commissioned the android version if you can hang on a couple of weeks!

Re: guinea with weight loss

HMC — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:13:30 GMT

I had to fight the nurse not to cut a claw. What are your thoughts on that?

Re: guinea with weight loss

HMC — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:13:00 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]P.s. what route did you try for the bloods?[/quote]

Completely failed to get a jugular (gpig in dorsal recumbency under GA). Managed 1 drop from the cephalic vein using an insulin syringe.

Re: guinea with weight loss

Mark Rowland — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:21:57 GMT

Well I'm afraid that the owner needs to have it explained that head radiography and bloods are required if she wants to work this up. The long and short is that you cannot treat if you don't know what it is you are treating. If they really won't then meloxicam and a prayer are required. If you go for the metacam I would go in at 0.5mg/kg bid along with supportive feeding. Good luck P.s. what route did you try for the bloods?

Re: guinea with weight loss

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:45:59 GMT

Hi Hannah

This was an interesting webinar produced last month on common conditions of Guinea Pigs. It says it's fine to pass on to others and you get an hours CPD, may be a clue in there somewhere

http://thewebinarvet.com/supremepetfoods-webinars/

My computer did warn me on the link when I checked it but it opened OK

Good Luck

Neil

Re: guinea with weight loss

Stephen Courtney — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:08:21 GMT

Check the molars before going any further. Weight loss in guinea pigs is often dental, but other differentials include neoplasia and all the other possible nasties.

Prognosis is guarded. if the client in unable or unwilling to pay for investigations don't beat yourself up. she can get a new piggie for not very much, after all

Re: guinea with weight loss

HMC — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:40:49 GMT

No changes in the hair. The urine was cloudy but no haematuria, either gross or microscopic. Incisors are fine; should have checked the cheek teeth but I didn't. I couldn't feel ovarian cysts.

Re: guinea with weight loss

Alet Engelbrecht — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:36:59 GMT

Any changes in the hair? Is the urine clear (i.e. no blood)? Teeth ok?

I've had several with ovarian cysts with the main sign weight loss - you can often feel it with abdominal palpation.