Elsie's ugly teeth

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cutemomomi
Obey My Authority

Post   » Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:45 am


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

GP Lover
My home, ruled by pigs!

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
Obey My Authority

Post   » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:48 pm


A big hooray for Elsie. : )

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Mum
I GAVE, dammit!

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.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

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
My home, ruled by pigs!

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.

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momof911kids
I GAVE, dammit!

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!

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Mum
I GAVE, dammit!

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.

GP Lover
My home, ruled by pigs!

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
My home, ruled by pigs!

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.

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Mum
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:27 am


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

GP Lover
My home, ruled by pigs!

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.

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