Guinea pig swelling

RE: Guinea pig swelling

Nicola Cole — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 21:29:54 GMT

Thank you very much for all the info!

RE: Guinea pig swelling

Marie Kubiak — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:08:28 GMT

We tend to get a few months out of most on medication but some (around 30% I would guess) show no improvement. I always tell owners at the start that we may not get anywhere and some choose euthanasia at that point. Those that don't respond to medication are euthanased at a follow up appointment 1-2 weeks later in most cases as deterioration is noted but some owners will continue with benign neglect for as long as clinical signs are mild.

Marie

RE: Guinea pig swelling

Nicola Cole — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 21:21:38 GMT

Brilliant thank you.

Would you expect much of an increase in life expectancy if echo and medicate if presenting with severe ventral oedema? (Answer obviously would depend on echo as well-but if already presenting with those signs are we likely to beable to extend things or are they already 'too far gone' to make much of a difference?)

RE: Guinea pig swelling

Marie Kubiak — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 20:18:14 GMT

Most common cause in my experience is congestive heart failure. Hypoproteinaemic causes seem pretty rare.

I tend to do a conscious heart scan to get an idea of severity of changes and whether it is DCM or HCM to guide medication choices. I use same meds used in domestic species but compound tablets, starting at feline doses and tapering up as needed.

Marie