Correct Lasix dosage

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Cara

Post   » Sun Dec 29, 2002 10:18 am


Thanks for asking, jenny. Zipper is doing well. The vet said I will always see her breathing as more labored than normal. She is set on her medications and is active, eating well, and only gets the simethicone every few days to keep the air from her belly. We won't go to the vet again until it's been 6 months since starting the lasix for a bloodwork panel.

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Cara

Post   » Wed Jan 01, 2003 6:11 pm


Maybe I should never say my pigs are doing well because as soon as I do something happens.

I am taking Zipper into the vet tomorrow. I've noticed today she is less active, hanging out in the same spot all day. Her breathing is much more labored. She's eating well, taking her meds fine, eating hay and drinking normally.

I gave her the regular 0.2 cc's of the enacard this am along with the morning dose of 0.1 of the lasix. I just gave her 0.1 cc's of the enacard to see if it will help. She'll get the evening 0.1 dose of the lasix around 8pm.

She is maintaining her weight at 1.13 lbs.

Any thoughts from those of you with heart pigs?

pinta

Post   » Wed Jan 01, 2003 7:29 pm


When Bloom has a bad day Oxygen helps enormously. Because we have so many senior pigs we invested in a portable oxygen tank with a variable regulator(about $375 Can). The vet loaned us a small snout attachment. We can also put the travel basket in a large clear garbage bag and feed her oxygen that way. I prefer holding the snout attachment over her face while she's on my lap. The last time she needed a session was probably more than a month ago. A couple of days with a couple of 15 minute sessions helped her over the hump. She hasn't needed one since(knock wood).

You can check with your vet to see if you can up the Lasix.

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Cara

Post   » Wed Jan 01, 2003 7:40 pm


Ok, I'll ask the vet about oxygen. Bad days are normal then? She's really puffing hard tonight. I think I'll also ask for another x-ray to make sure nothing about her heart has changed.

I hate it when I get these pit of my stomach feelings. I'll have bad dreams all night about Zipper.

pinta

Post   » Wed Jan 01, 2003 9:10 pm


Can you find out if you can up the Lasix tonight?

Yeah, bad days are normal. Heart pigs are also very susceptible to URIs that may not affect a healthy pig. Bloom had a very touch and go bout with a URI a couple of months ago. Maybe a steam humidifier would help her breathe.

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Cara

Post   » Wed Jan 01, 2003 9:43 pm


I tried calling the vet but it's New Years Day. I could up the lasix, was on 0.2 ccs twice daily before but we cut it back to 0.1 twice daily. How much more do you think I should give her tonight?

I also emailed you just now. I am starting to get concnered about her.
Last edited by Cara on Wed Jan 01, 2003 9:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

pinta

Post   » Wed Jan 01, 2003 9:50 pm


Probably 0.2cc would be okay until you can contact the vet tomorrow.

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Cara

Post   » Wed Jan 01, 2003 9:58 pm


Ok, done deal. Thank you.

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Cara

Post   » Thu Jan 02, 2003 11:09 am


We just got back from the vet. Took 2 x-rays, they showed fluid in her lungs, more so than normal and contentrated in the upper part of the lungs. Her white blood cell count was 15,000, normally 7,000. Vet put her on Septra. Vet thinks an infection is a component of the fluid in her lungs. The heart disease has a part in the fluid too. Vet thought maybe start of pnemonia. We are upping to lasix to 0.2 cc's twice daily too. Rob thinks he can get the Septra into her, she doesn't like it at all! I am leaving for Pa in an hour and I left Rob the board url in case he feels he needs it.

pinta

Post   » Thu Jan 02, 2003 1:20 pm


Yup, that's what I figured. See if your vet has portable oxygen tanks they can rent you. Mt vets have a small black case with 2 tiny tanks in it that are basically paramedic equipment - short duration oxygen administration.

Whenever a heart pig was ill the tanks went home with us. Now we're laughing because at 4 am we have access to our own.

Did she get a hydration subcue too?

Bloom pulled through her URI with daily vet visits for hydration subcues and (I think) antibiotic injections, handfeeding and oxygen.

It's part of the deal with heart pigs - any URI has to be taken as seriously as pneumonia.

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Cara

Post   » Thu Jan 02, 2003 6:45 pm


No, she didn't get a subcue. And she didn't recieve oxygen. I didn't see my regular vet actually. She did consult with Dr. Fisher, he was swamped and they worked me in. I know that if he felt she needed a subcue she'd have had one. I have another app. next Thurs. I'll make sure to ask about the portable tanks. Vet said we caught it early, no nasal discharge only a little eye goop. I wonder if the move to Rob's has adversely affected her? His house is cooler than my apt. About 67-68. Do you think it's too cool?

pinta

Post   » Thu Jan 02, 2003 7:17 pm


More likely the stress of the move. Our house is very cool and they camne from a cool climate.

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