Urine Specific Gravity
Specific Gravity (SG) is the term used to describe how concentrated urine is. Normal SG in dogs and cats is a minimum of 1.030. I believe this is the number that is used to determine how low/normal a guinea pig's SQ is.
Considering how much more fluids that a guinea pig needs to take in to maintain hydration compared to a dog or cat, in my mind, their SG should be lower.
So the big question is, what really is normal for a guinea pig?
The big favor I'm asking of everyone that takes their pig to the vet is this: ask your vet if he/she can check urine SG just to aid in the research of what really is normal. They might not charge for it because of that. Even if your pig is not sick, and you don't have a long drive to the vet, maybe even call and find out if you can have your baby's SG checked just for research purposes.
After you find out, please post age and if the pig was sick or not at the time. If the pig is receiving SQ fluids on a routine basis, that is important as well.
I'll start:
CP's SG (when I first checked it) was 1.013. I believe that was low, and that his lymphosarcoma was beginning in his kidneys.
Everyone's help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Considering how much more fluids that a guinea pig needs to take in to maintain hydration compared to a dog or cat, in my mind, their SG should be lower.
So the big question is, what really is normal for a guinea pig?
The big favor I'm asking of everyone that takes their pig to the vet is this: ask your vet if he/she can check urine SG just to aid in the research of what really is normal. They might not charge for it because of that. Even if your pig is not sick, and you don't have a long drive to the vet, maybe even call and find out if you can have your baby's SG checked just for research purposes.
After you find out, please post age and if the pig was sick or not at the time. If the pig is receiving SQ fluids on a routine basis, that is important as well.
I'll start:
CP's SG (when I first checked it) was 1.013. I believe that was low, and that his lymphosarcoma was beginning in his kidneys.
Everyone's help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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- My home, ruled by pigs!
Elsie had two samples tested today.
One was 1.010
One was 1.008
My vet said this is very dilute but normal for a pig that's drinking a lot of water.
She said 1.012 - 1.018 would be more of a range for a pig in kidney failure.
1.020 would an SG for a pig that is actively concentrating urine but does not drink a lot of water.
One was 1.010
One was 1.008
My vet said this is very dilute but normal for a pig that's drinking a lot of water.
She said 1.012 - 1.018 would be more of a range for a pig in kidney failure.
1.020 would an SG for a pig that is actively concentrating urine but does not drink a lot of water.