Just so you know, it was a regular toenail clip - I just knew that because her nails were pretty long that it was unlikely she'd had regular nail clippings. They always seem to bleed a little then!
The meter I got needs a very tiny sample - and it has the capillary action, so it's very easy to do.
Candy - weightloss
-
Mum
- I GAVE, dammit!
I took Candy in for a checkup today.
In the initial checkup:
heart sounded even but very fast
obviously out of condition
slightly runny eyes attributed to general poor condition
urine sample showed no protein in the urine
I asked for an xray (I just couldn't help myself!):
heart ok
lungs - doughnut shape and some small whisps
clump of small stones, probably in the bladder.
There was some slight confusion about these stones: my vet said they are probably in the bladder, however if this is the case then the bladder has been pushed off to one side, since this isn't the bladder's expected location.
She's going to start bactrim for any lung infection and any possible bacteria from the stones. Surgery isn't an option for this fragile girl. The vet also wants her on lasix to help clear the fluid from the lungs. It's good that she drinks a ton of water - this will help flush any bladder stones out.
With any luck she'll pass this clump of stones and a properly balanced diet will minimize any chances of them reforming (keep your fingers crossed).
Interestingly enough, from the xray the vet doesn't think she's a really old pig - maybe 4 years old.
In the initial checkup:
heart sounded even but very fast
obviously out of condition
slightly runny eyes attributed to general poor condition
urine sample showed no protein in the urine
I asked for an xray (I just couldn't help myself!):
heart ok
lungs - doughnut shape and some small whisps
clump of small stones, probably in the bladder.
There was some slight confusion about these stones: my vet said they are probably in the bladder, however if this is the case then the bladder has been pushed off to one side, since this isn't the bladder's expected location.
She's going to start bactrim for any lung infection and any possible bacteria from the stones. Surgery isn't an option for this fragile girl. The vet also wants her on lasix to help clear the fluid from the lungs. It's good that she drinks a ton of water - this will help flush any bladder stones out.
With any luck she'll pass this clump of stones and a properly balanced diet will minimize any chances of them reforming (keep your fingers crossed).
Interestingly enough, from the xray the vet doesn't think she's a really old pig - maybe 4 years old.
-
Talishan
- You can quote me
Well, you should get an x-ray since you own the machine. ;-)
Hopefully she will pass the stones and as you mention, not reform them on a good diet and with good care. IMO 4 years of poor care = maybe 6 1/2 or 7 years 'effective' age, and the reverse as well. A well-cared-for 6 year old can be in 4 years' shape.
What does the doughnut shape and wisps in the lungs indicate?
Hopefully she will pass the stones and as you mention, not reform them on a good diet and with good care. IMO 4 years of poor care = maybe 6 1/2 or 7 years 'effective' age, and the reverse as well. A well-cared-for 6 year old can be in 4 years' shape.
What does the doughnut shape and wisps in the lungs indicate?
-
Mum
- I GAVE, dammit!
The vet was a little vague on the lung findings but initially suggested just lasix to clear them out. I thought an a/b might be useful, and then we decided to definitely add bactrim because of the stones also.
With any luck the lung issues will go away. Of course you know what I'm thinking there :-p
I forgot to add that the Ph of her urine was 8. I'm not finding the norms for this but will keep looking.
My 5+ year old Goldie looks in much better shape than Candy - in fact you'd never know Goldie is that old!
With any luck the lung issues will go away. Of course you know what I'm thinking there :-p
I forgot to add that the Ph of her urine was 8. I'm not finding the norms for this but will keep looking.
My 5+ year old Goldie looks in much better shape than Candy - in fact you'd never know Goldie is that old!
-
Mum
- I GAVE, dammit!
Yes, the whisps were little streaks. I've seen them before too on other pig xrays.
And one doughnut!
It's not pneumonia, we know that.
I've ordered some shilintong also, just because it's something I've never had in my medicine cabinet. I'm assuming she might benefit from metacam too - this must be uncomfortable.
And one doughnut!
It's not pneumonia, we know that.
I've ordered some shilintong also, just because it's something I've never had in my medicine cabinet. I'm assuming she might benefit from metacam too - this must be uncomfortable.
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