Elsie's ugly teeth

GP Lover · Post » Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:55 am

Well, I can try again and see if he would at least read over what is here. I printed everything out so I'll give it a shot.

GP Lover · Post » Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:51 am

Elsie continues to do well. My vet said to call him Fri and he may adjust her dose down (Fuorsemide). I did ask if he would read over the material I printed out and he agreed. I told him that I will respect his decision either way and if he was inclined to change her med to Lotensin he would call me.

The problem with the information and what I found on the internet is that we cannot find anything to support the claim that Lotensin is any better or different than Enalapril. If anyone has it that would be helpful.

I don't know if he will be calling your vet, Mum, but he does have all the info on the "heart" page of the medical guide here as well as the posts from the heart pigs thread. I'm assuming Dr. Ridgeway is your vet? His quote doesn't include a reason why he uses Lotensin. Apparently what's out on the VIN is all about the use of Enalapril.

Mum · Post » Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:27 am

Yes, both Dr. Beeder and Dr. Ridgeway are my vets.

GP Lover · Post » Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:02 pm

Elsie now has diarrhea O:( and doesn't want to eat again. I left her alone this morning...she would only eat a little CC. I gave her no meds.

My vet did read over the info and felt it was valuable however he consulted with an exotics specialist who recommended continued use of the enalapril.

I am to cut her Lasix dose down by .1cc and see if that helps clear up her diarrhea. She has an appt. for her teeth this Fri. so depending on her condition we may do bloodwork and x-ray.

Mum · Post » Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:21 pm

Oh dear - poor girl!

I wonder if she has an infection? Do you have flagyll?

If it's true diarreah I'd get her a subcue asap - most especially if she's on lasix, which is dehydrating to start with.

I absolutely would give her the enalapril - the last thing you need is for her to go into CHF due to another problem. You'll also have to forcefeed her - at least 50ccs of critical care in a 24-hour period.

GP Lover · Post » Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:41 pm

Well, I am at work now so I hope she's okay when I get home. I will give her the enalapril and do some more forcefeeding.

I have no flagyl to give her and he didn't offer it. We're going to see how she does the rest of today.

Is it okay for her to have floor time? She seems to be okay with that. I put her on the floor outside the cage and she walked back and forth a few times but I'm not sure if it's good or bad to do with an enlarged heart.

Mum · Post » Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:19 pm

In my experience she won't exert herself anymore than she has to - my heart pigs just don't run around!

GP Lover · Post » Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:00 pm

Great..thanks for your answers Mum! My vet is going out of town for the next two weeks..talk about timing!

Post » Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:27 pm

I wish you and Elsie the best, GP Lover.

GP Lover · Post » Wed Jun 20, 2007 7:52 pm

Thanks Lynx. I am home now..she is eating on her own and beginning to form poops instead of mush! She ate strawberry, escarole, green leaf and hay!

She is now enjoying floor time. She did two good laps around the room and is now settled under a piece of furniture.

somechick · Post » Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:16 am

Aww, only more good vibes over here for Elsie. She's a cutie. I hope you can get her over this hump.

GP Lover · Post » Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:22 am

Thanks! Same to you with Henry! Give her a hug and kiss from me.

maremma · Post » Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:08 pm

Oh good! I am so glad to hear Elsie is eating better for you and making better poops. She is so lucky to have a mommy that loves her so much.

GP Lover · Post » Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:27 pm

I came and found explosions of diarrhea all over the fleece. YUK. She had poo stuck in all four paws..covered in it. I am amazed she ate when I got home.

I gave her a butt and foot bath, washed the fleece and pumped her with critical care even though she ate on her own. I gave her some shilintong yesterday and today so I think that had a bad affect on her. Tonight I will leave her alone again..no meds. I think she is having a hard time taking any meds in general. Other than that she seems okay except she is rather thin now.

Post » Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:52 pm

Do you think that BioSponge would help her? Explosive diarrhea is very dehydrating. I know you are doing all you can to pull her through this.

GP Lover · Post » Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:37 pm

Where do I get a BioSponge?

Talishan · Post » Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:40 pm

Bio-Sponge paste

GP Lover · Post » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:54 am

She's okay this morning. She is pooping normal again. I do think it was the Shilintong. I think this piggie does better with no meds! Today she gets her tooth trim. I hope she will eat more on her own afterwards.

Mum · Post » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:55 am

But she's still on the enalapril, right?

GP Lover · Post » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:14 am

Yes, she is still on the enalapril. No more antibiotic or Shilintong. She is also still on Lasix but we cut her down to 2cc twice/day but I did skip last nights dose but gave it to her this morning.

I am concerned that the Lasix may also be contributing to the diarrhea but the vet isn't sure. We decided to see how she is today when I bring her in for the tooth trim. He may do bloodwork which I'm not sure what he would be looking for.