Elsie's ugly teeth

Mum · Post » Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:02 pm

I wouldn't skip the enalapril. But if she's getting lasix and appears dehydrated you have to really push the fluids. Any chance you can give her a subcue?

cutemomomi · Post » Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:09 pm

Mum, sorry to pop in and ask a question here.
How long can frozen pedialyte ice-cubes be kept in the freezer?

GP Lover · Post » Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:33 pm

So, what could be causing her to not eat or drink?

Mum · Post » Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:14 pm

Didn't she have baytril yesterday? It can take 48 hours (in my experience) for any ill effects to wear off.

Handfeed etc. for today.

At least that's what I do. I don't have experience with enalapril I'm afraid.

GP Lover · Post » Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:24 pm

Yes, she supposedly had a baytril shot yesterday morning. Thanks for reminding me Mum. The problem is she did eat at least hay and some pellets when she got home. Now she eats nothing unless forced O:(.

I just spoke to the vet. He feels since her breathing isn't all that bad that she's probably not eating from the condition.

He said to bring her in for a re-check (x-ray) if she's not eating on her own by Monday.

Post » Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:42 pm

Dehydration causes inappetance.

Small hard poops equal dehydration.

I'd still push for lotensin/Fortekor but don't skip the enalapril. Ask for Vetmedin as well.

My heart pigs are on Fortekor and vetmedin and the current batch don't require Lasix.

somechick · Post » Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:48 pm

I never have any good medical advice, but I just wanted you to know that my and Henry's thoughts are with you.

capybara · Post » Sat Jun 16, 2007 1:02 am

I'm so sorry about poor Elsie. I really hope the heart meds make a difference. I sent you an e-mail about the oxygen setup.

GP Lover · Post » Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:40 am

Her breathing seems okay..really not that bad. She still won't take food or water on her own. I spoke to the vet last night and since she's breathing okay we're not concerned about oxygen at this time.

He said she may not be eating because of the condition and if she still won't eat on her own on Monday to bring her back. He would x-ray her to check the fluid around her heart again to see the status. He would then adjust or change her meds.

To me she seems depressed. She will swallow the food and water when I force it on her but very little at a time. She did take two 1cc syringes of pedialyte which I also now use to mix up the CC.

She also seems stronger today and will move when placed on fleece or a towel. In the cage she just sits there and does not move.

Post » Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:00 am

I'm so sorry. I know how dear she is to you and how worried you must be.

GP Lover · Post » Sat Jun 16, 2007 3:21 pm

Well, I came home after being out a few hrs and found Elsie eating lettuce and fruit!! OH HAPPY DAY!

I have a video posted on google video but I don't know how to get a link posted here. O:(

capybara · Post » Sat Jun 16, 2007 3:23 pm

Yay! There is always such a huge feeling of relief when you see a sick pig out and about and eating on their own.

cutemomomi · Post » Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:45 am

This is wonderful news GPLover, I have been thinking about you two ladies. :)

GP Lover · Post » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:38 pm

Elsie continues to improve! Today she is eating like her normal self...pellets, hay, corn silk, corn husks, red pepper and canteloupe. I see no signs of struggling to breathe.

I suppose the vet may want to do another follow-up x-ray to see if we need to keep her on lasix? I'd hate to keep giving it to her if she didn't need it.

I also wonder if the crackly breathing she had when I brought her in was due to a URI.

She does have soft clumps of poo now so I am still cautiously optimistic. I skipped the Bactrim this morning to see if it clears up.

I honestly didn't think she'd make it through the weekend and here she is just about back to normal! O:)

cutemomomi · Post » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:48 pm

A big hooray for Elsie. : )

Mum · Post » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:03 pm

Pigs with heart disease are more prone to URIs.

Pigs on heart meds are better able to fight these URIs.

In any event, keep her on the heart meds and continue to try and get her on lotensin instead of enalapril.

I'm really glad she's doing so well today.

Post » Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:50 pm

I'm so happy to hear she's doing well! I hope she continues to improve.

GP Lover · Post » Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:59 pm

Mum, what can I say to try and convince my vet to switch to Lotensin. He doesn't use it...has no experience with it and his research shows Enalapril as the drug of choice. It's not easy to ask him to switch because he's not comfortable doing that.

momof911kids · Post » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:43 pm

Is your vet willing to consult with another vet who has experience using lotensin in pigs with heart problems? If so then have your vet call Dr.Ridgeway (Mum's vet--contact information is here). My vet was willing to consult another vet that had more experience with lotensin and heart problems in guinea pigs.

I hope Elsie continues to do well. Good luck!

Mum · Post » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:50 pm

GPLover, all I can say is that he can contact both of my vets. Perhaps you could print out the heart information so he can see it?

But enalapril is certainly better than no heart meds at all. It's worked for many pigs, so don't panic if you can't get the lotensin.