Zoe's Medical Thread

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bpatters
And got the T-shirt

Post   » Mon Aug 08, 2016 9:16 pm


I quit using fleece because no matter what I washed it in, the cage started to smell really quickly. Maybe it's just the fleece?

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Delaine
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Post   » Mon Aug 08, 2016 9:33 pm


I have been using fleece for years and washing it with the same detergent in the same manner and this chemical urine smell is new and only from Zoe. I can pick up fleece Abbey has peed on and there is no odor. I remember smelling a slight urine smell last summer when the girls were in the TV room downstairs. Although the basement kept a lovely 20 - 22 degrees, I though it was due to poor air flow.

This year we just sucked up the cost and keep the air conditioner set at 23.5 deg. so the girls are able to stay up in the kitchen.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Mon Aug 08, 2016 9:54 pm


I rather agree with bpatters that the bedding could be to blame - some interaction with it. I forget, are you testing for sugar in the urine also? (possible diabetes). Depending on what is in the urine, it can promote various bacteria to grow on bedding.

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Delaine
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Post   » Mon Aug 08, 2016 10:12 pm


It could be a change in Zoe's urine reacting with the bedding. I am not sure what else they tested her urine for besides bacteria. My chemstrip 5 tests for glucose. I have never noticed anything abnormal in the glucose square but I am usually focused on blood in her urine. I don't really trust the strips for much else than blood. Next time I test her urine I will see what the glucose reading says.

Zoe has lost a little weight since May (2 ounces) so I am monitoring her for that. Weight loss is one sign of diabetes. She doesn't consume massive amounts of water. Pretty normal drinker considering it is a little warmer upstairs than their usual basement lodgings in summer.

Talishan
You can quote me

Post   » Thu Aug 11, 2016 3:27 pm


I think (I do not know, just think it logical) that inflamed bladder tissue from crystals, and blood in the urine, can cause a funky smell even without infection present. It won't be the same smell as infection, but I could imagine bloody urine on fleece funkifying.

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Delaine
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Post   » Thu Aug 11, 2016 7:55 pm


Love the word "funkifying". I do find if I can keep Zoe well hydrated and dilute her urine the smell is better.

I am trying to find new ways and products to wash the fleece to try and eliminate any residual odor without irritating their feet. bpatters starting me thinking maybe the fleece has something to do with the smell.

I change out the pads in their houses and cuddle cups two to three times a day depending on how much time they spend in them and the main fleece every day so it doesn't hang around very long in their cage. I use incontinent pads under the main fleece which gets throw out daily.

I use a natural unscented laundry soap so it might not be the best for the smell. I washed the last load with some vinegar and was wondering if oxi clean or borax in the wash would help. Any suggestions?

bpatters
And got the T-shirt

Post   » Fri Aug 12, 2016 12:39 am


OxiClean, or something like it will help.

I think natural soaps are just not strong enough to get the job done. I wash with strong detergent, hot water, and plenty of bleach. I use only fleece (no padding, as I use pellets underneath), and have no trouble with the fleece smelling at all.

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Delaine
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Post   » Fri Aug 12, 2016 4:22 pm


Thanks bpatter. I have Oxi Clean and will try it on my next piggy wash. The odor is better since adding vinegar to the wash cycle.

The other thing that crossed my mind is bladder tumor. There was a faint something in Zoe's bladder on her X-ray when her vet magnified it. I asked if it could be a tumor and she didn't think so. It was nothing obvious but it left me wondering.

I think there was a thread lately on a pig that had a bladder tumor but I can't seem to find it. Anyone recall this and know where to locate it? I have hunted a couple of times.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Fri Aug 12, 2016 8:37 pm


You have a better memory than I do! I wish I could find it for you.

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Delaine
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Post   » Fri Aug 12, 2016 10:37 pm


The key word Lynx is "think". I am getting old and my memory isn't what it used to be so I could be wrong. If I remember correctly it was a thread on blood in urine, urinary tract infections that ended up being some kind of growth or tumor in the bladder.

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Delaine
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Post   » Fri Aug 12, 2016 11:36 pm


I found it Lynx. It is an old thread and I forgot I found it through google. So I guess my old mind got it half right. It was on Guinea Lynx at least.

https://www.guinealynx.info/records/viewtopic.php?t=209

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Sat Aug 13, 2016 6:51 am


No wonder you couldn't find it in this forum! (it's in the Records forum). Google does good things :-)

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