Ginny's Medical Thread

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Sat Feb 03, 2007 3:43 pm


Thanks, tracis.

Talishan
You can quote me

Post   » Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:59 pm


Ditto Maja; it looks like the beginning of pea eye to me, too.

I think there are different types of cataracts; the 'standard' kind evidencing a whitish haze as the pig ages, and a bunch of others, that can manifest differently and are sometimes genetic. If I had to take an uneducated guess, I'd say it's a less common form of cataract with a genetic basis. A better source of information is Josephine's comments on dgarriques' thread Momo linked to.

Please let us know what the vet says.

Tracis
Let Sleeping Pigs Lie

Post   » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:28 pm


I'm worried that something more than the eye issue is going on with Ginny. She lost just over 3 ounces in the past 24 hours.

Yesterday, her appetite disappeared. She refused all her favorites. She rejected the water bottles. I've been syringing plain Pedialyte to her, which she absolutely hates.

I've been cuddling and coaxing her to eat, but am preparing to force feed. Her cagemate is worried, and isn't stealing all the food, like she usually does.

She isn't exhibiting any other symptoms (like sneezing, bloody pee, hooting, dropping food). I wonder if she's in pain from something else, though.

Tuesday cannot come soon enough.

Brandilynn
Who's your Branni?

Post   » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:53 pm


I am sorry for her not eating and the hard wait!!

User avatar
Mum
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:20 pm


Looks to me like a cataract and pea eye.

Pea eye is sometimes associated with heart issues, and cataracts are sometimes related to diabetes. If she's losing weight dramatically I'd get her checked for diabetes and also have an xray of her heart and lungs.

You'll need to aggressively forcefeed her now - don't wait on this.

User avatar
Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:29 pm


I agree with you and can't imagine the eyes being the root cause of the problem. I would call the vet and see if you can get in today. If she has another uri or uti, you want to start treating asap. Pain medication could help too.

Tracis
Let Sleeping Pigs Lie

Post   » Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:34 pm


Ginny (and I) maintained her weight today.

I wish I would have been able to get an appointment for today. The cavy vet doesn't work on Mondays, though.

eta: Thank you for all the helpful thoughts and suggestions, everyone.

Brandilynn
Who's your Branni?

Post   » Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:49 am


Today today! Today is vetday for Ginny!

Tracis
Let Sleeping Pigs Lie

Post   » Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:16 pm


The good news is that Ginny does indeed have cataracts - in both eyes. Dr. Funk did a blood test for diabetes, and her blood sugar was only slightly elevated. He said she still has some vision left, and actually suggested a surgical procedure to remove the cataracts (he gave me a referral to an animal eye care specialist).

I insisted on an x-ray and I'm very glad I did.

Ginny's heart sounded normal, and the radiologist said it looked good. Her lungs have an increased opacity, but overall, look good.

Her liver is "hugely enlarged", however.

Dr. Funk has scheduled Ginny for a needle aspiration this Thursday. He's almost positive that she has Fatty Liver Disease. He also wants to do more bloodwork.

Brandilynn
Who's your Branni?

Post   » Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:28 pm


What would they do for her if she does indeed have fatty liver? (no more fois grais for Ginny!!)

Tracis
Let Sleeping Pigs Lie

Post   » Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:33 pm


I'm not sure. I received this news from the assistant doctor by telephone after we returned home. I was quite shocked to hear this. The probability of cancer was also mentioned, which is why they want to do more tests.

From what I've been reading on GL, the prognosis isn't good. Poor Ginny.

Brandilynn
Who's your Branni?

Post   » Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:34 pm


*sigh*..

I am sorry for the crappy prognosis.

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