Very puzzled

Bugs Mom · Post » Fri Nov 02, 2007 4:52 pm

Sorry, I meant the baby gas stuff has no effect on her.

Interesting about the paper roll. I just gave her one so I'll see what she does with it.

Talishan · Post » Fri Nov 02, 2007 4:53 pm

http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=39445

Long, but similar in many respects. May be helpful.

"She had lots of gas which the doctor was able to expel ... "

How'd s/he do it? Be ready to have it done again if it helped LB and didn't hurt her.

Bugs Mom · Post » Fri Nov 02, 2007 4:58 pm

Just got your em. Thanks. I do watch her and you're right, it's very frustrating when every test we can think of comes out perfect and yet things happen.

The last time two weeks ago I took her in and he just massaged her tummy and that seemed to release the gas. I also made sure she got a sub-q figuring it wouldn't hurt her and just might help replace what she hadn't been getting.

Talishan · Post » Fri Nov 02, 2007 5:04 pm

Very good point; hydration is essential.

If your vet is a good masseuse :-), the drive is not too horrible, she doesn't freak/hate the vet and the waiting room is not always full of barking dogs and yowling cats, take her as often as she needs to go. Your vet may be able to teach you the technique s/he is using.

Bugs Mom · Post » Fri Nov 02, 2007 5:23 pm

That's exactly what I was thinking Talishan. I'd like to learn where he applies pressure without hurting her.

Since I'm a chicken about cutting her nails, her next trip in I'll find out.

Post » Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:26 pm

Talishan, I encourage you to put up a page on "Gas" in the glxfiles. You have some good advice to offer (and I know you will clearly distinguish it from "Bloat" -- another page we need).

Talishan · Post » Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:36 pm

I shall attempt this.

In the meantime: gas, bloat, ileus, stasis are all different conditions, though somewhat related. They have different signs and different treatments, though as I understand it some can lead to others.

Can those who really understand the differences post? Klynne, Josephine, those who have unfortunately had to work with these illnesses in different species. What characterizes each and where does one leave off and the other begin?

Post » Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:48 pm

You're more than welcome to have a discussion thread to collect info and debate merits.

There is no doubt we really need this info available. Sometimes even a start can help (that's why we gave the glxfiles -- which are editable as you wish to add more detail or clarify).

Bugs Mom · Post » Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:51 pm

Ohhh, goody. Thank you for posting the info here as I have no doubt it will help me with the Bug.

Since I usually come to the forum section of GL and don't see a glxfile, where is it or am I just being dense again?

Talishan · Post » Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:54 pm

Look in the upper right corner. Under Guinea Lynx Medical and Care Guide logo, there are four buttons:

Profile FAQ GLX-Files Search

... and under that, log out.

Press "GLX-Files" and it will take you there.

Bugs Mom · Post » Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:56 pm

Thank you! Yep, just being blind and dense-again.

Post » Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:06 pm

It's not yet being pushed heavily because content is slow to come.

I recently transferred all the vet recommendations to the glxfiles though. They are separated by state and should be much easier to find and maintain now.

Post » Mon Nov 05, 2007 5:33 pm

You can't really rely on xrays to diagnose all heart issues. In fact if the xray gives an indication of a heat problem you are lucky. Sometimes you can't diagnose until the necropsy and tissues go out to the lab.

Bugs Mom · Post » Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:32 pm

Ok Pinta, to be sure I understand-Lady Bugs x-rays and ultrasounds look like the x-ray earlier on this thread with no fluid around her heart and her heart taking up a reasonable amount of the cavity. BTW, she is 5 1/2 years old although I gather age has nothing to do with heart issues.

What you're saying is that great amounts of gas can be a symptom of heart issues? If so, I will certainly pursue this with her vet.

Thank you very much.

Mum · Post » Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:36 pm

From my own experience, the majority of older pigs have heart issues.

If there's any doubt, a trial of lotensin is certainly worthwhile.

Many, many vets aren't familiar with a normal sized guinea pig heart.

Bugs Mom · Post » Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:42 pm

Thank you Mum. I'l bet the Bugs doc isn't either. I'll have to go armed with info and put my foot down, remind him she's mine, then he may go with the lotesin.

To help in the arming process, is a lot of gas a common (or even remote) indicator of heart problems?

Mum · Post » Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:15 pm

All my heart pigs have a lot of gas on xray.

You can see pics of their xrays here:

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/a10101/xrays/

And read about other symptoms here:

http://www.guinealynx.info/heart.html

Post » Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:35 pm

Read over the gl heart page closely. It has a lot of info on it.

Bugs Mom · Post » Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:48 pm

Thank you Mum and Lynx. I have read the heart pages but unless Bug is having one of her "episodes" nothing is different with her.

I have wondered in the back of my mind whether she might have heart issues but her looking good x-rays have thrown me off. I think I'll try printing the x-ry pics and see about getting Bug started on a trial of lotesin. I'll print out whatever dosing info there is as well.

Bugs Mom · Post » Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:48 pm

Thank you Mum and Lynx. I have read the heart pages but unless Bug is having one of her "episodes" nothing is different with her.

I have wondered in the back of my mind whether she might have heart issues but her looking good x-rays have thrown me off. I think I'll try printing the x-ray pics and see about getting Bug started on a trial of lotesin. I'll print out whatever dosing info there is as well.