What to check at the vet
I can't remember what normal globulin is for guinea pigs.
Kurloff bodies......it's been a long time since I've seen that term. I want to say that they are something normally seen on guinea pig blood smears. The clot in the tube means the person took too long drawing the blood, and the blood was clotting by the time it got put in the tube that doesn't allow the blood to clot.
Those numbers don't seem scary to me.
Kurloff bodies......it's been a long time since I've seen that term. I want to say that they are something normally seen on guinea pig blood smears. The clot in the tube means the person took too long drawing the blood, and the blood was clotting by the time it got put in the tube that doesn't allow the blood to clot.
Those numbers don't seem scary to me.
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- Little Jo Wheek
None of that is concerning.
Kurloff Bodies (or Kurloff Cells) are unique I think to cavies. They still don't know exactly what they mean, but they seem to be related to estrogen levels. The problem is, all of the labwork I've done on sows has had no comment on Kurloff Bodies and all the boars are the ones that were commented on. Boars do have estrogen in their bodies, but not like sows! I have never heard of the pregnancy claim.
If you really want to work up her eyes more, you can see a veterinary ophthalmologist. I've been pleased in the past since they know their stuff and can usually properly diagnose an eye problem faster than a general practioner.
Yes, the techs are right about overclips being stressful--especially when they aren't experienced in doing them. So are jug sticks with some pigs and staff. I've seen more damage done with trying to get direct sticks on exotics than doing the toenail thing, which is why I often resort to that. It depends on the situation. If I was in an ideal world with ideal conditions, yes, I'd go for the direct stick every time. Unfortunately (fortunately), we don't work on machines and circumstances differ from patient to patient.
Kurloff Bodies (or Kurloff Cells) are unique I think to cavies. They still don't know exactly what they mean, but they seem to be related to estrogen levels. The problem is, all of the labwork I've done on sows has had no comment on Kurloff Bodies and all the boars are the ones that were commented on. Boars do have estrogen in their bodies, but not like sows! I have never heard of the pregnancy claim.
If you really want to work up her eyes more, you can see a veterinary ophthalmologist. I've been pleased in the past since they know their stuff and can usually properly diagnose an eye problem faster than a general practioner.
Yes, the techs are right about overclips being stressful--especially when they aren't experienced in doing them. So are jug sticks with some pigs and staff. I've seen more damage done with trying to get direct sticks on exotics than doing the toenail thing, which is why I often resort to that. It depends on the situation. If I was in an ideal world with ideal conditions, yes, I'd go for the direct stick every time. Unfortunately (fortunately), we don't work on machines and circumstances differ from patient to patient.
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- Little Jo Wheek
Not in Southern California. I have always found the specialists to SAVE me money on diagnostics. While the initial consultations cost about twice a normal GP visit, they have a wealth of information and save a lot of time mucking about trying to figure out things. That's been my experience. I love my GP, but she's not an ophthalmologist a radiologist, or a specialty surgeon. She refers me out when necessary and together, the GPs and specialists make great teams.
You may never know how old she is for sure. Sometimes the degree of calcification in the bones and lungs on x-rays can help age a cavy.
You may never know how old she is for sure. Sometimes the degree of calcification in the bones and lungs on x-rays can help age a cavy.
I think that ophthalmologists do CERF on dogs. Link for a list of ophthalmologists:
http://www.vmdb.org/clinic.html
If they do dogs can they do GP's?
http://www.vmdb.org/clinic.html
If they do dogs can they do GP's?