Peekaboo's Medical

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bpatters
And got the T-shirt

Post   » Mon Sep 28, 2015 10:22 pm


As Talishan often says, mumble, mumble.

I don't know that I'd add broccoli to his diet. If (IF) he has bloat, I wouldn't want to add broccoli to his mix of vegetables. And you're right about the calcium in spinach. I don't feed it at all. And incidentally, celery is pretty high in calcium.

My own view is that I'd continue to feed the "wet" veggies, particularly if he's had dry poop. I'd maybe cut back on them a little bit, but I wouldn't cut them out.

I also don't think much of the recommendation for acupuncture for bloat. In fact, it's fairly common for vets who aren't guinea pig savvy to diagnose the normal stomach/intestinal contents as bloat. (You do realize Kuehlwein isn't a certified exotic vet?) I think you're on the right track with the massage, but there are other things that will help. Talishan is the expert here, and I'll let her weigh in on the drugs that may help.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Mon Sep 28, 2015 11:12 pm


I think of what you are describing as mild gas vs. bloat. I think of bloat as excessive, serious gas. I would swap out the raisin for blueberries. Just a couple here and there. They are not excessively sugary.

Perhaps someone else can comment on the metacam. It is sometimes possible to get a prescription you fill online or elsewhere. Looking around, it seems one can get it less expensively but sometimes you need a drug "now".

I wouldn't go for acupuncture either.

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GrannyJu1
Supporter in '21

Post   » Tue Sep 29, 2015 1:20 pm


First, I think you're right. She might have said "gas" and I heard "bloat". I do remember her mentioning "several small pockets", which is why I now think she might have said gas. I should have the x-rays in the next day or two, and you can see them for yourselves.

bpatters: She might not be a certified exotics vet, but she is familiar with heart disease in pigs. After some of what's been discussed here on GL, I think *that* impressed me. If she's NOT very experienced with guinea pigs, she has a monstrously big ego and the most confidence possible for a fake. I'll know more when we actually have time to really talk in depth (her manner and way of talking does make me feel easy about taking my pigs to her, at least for a while). Yesterday was apparently a "Free Dental Exam" day or week or something, and just as we arrived at mid-afternoon, the waiting room exploded and left behind masses of dental exam clients.

As for the acupuncture, I've seen several members post about it, and some have said it worked for them. *shrug* Whatever, I'm only going down that particular road if everything else fails - the specialist is in Portland and we'll not be driving down there again soon unless dragged kicking and screaming all the way. I can do the massage, I have the heating pad and a vibrating pillow, simethicone (sp?), etc.

Diet: Glad to know I don't have to eat broccoli again. I only like it raw and drowned in Ranch Dressing - kinda defeats the purpose of eating it, right? ;o) Blueberries probably won't happen, Lynx. Since they can only have fruit once or twice a week, that equals 5 - 10 blueberries a week. They haven't eaten them when I've given them before. I do freeze blueberries, but pigs won't eat them that way, either. I'll keep trying, though. I guess they shouldn't have grapes either, then, huh? Raisins = dried grapes. Damn. We just don't eat a lot of fruits and veggies. Comes from growing up in Alaska where it was too expensive to buy many fresh things, and weather too lousy to grow them. I will continue to feed the 3 the "wet" things daily; Peek will get them once or twice a week, like the fruit (and poor Fuzz not at all).

Metacam: The only things I've seen from Peek that are open to interpretation as pain symptoms are an even larger lack of pleasure at being picked up and his lack of much movement. Appetite is normal; poops are as normal as they've ever been; I think he has been drinking more water since VeBee joined the cage in June, but can't swear to that. Should I only give the Metacam if he's limping in some manner? or the above "normal"s change? Vet said to only give him the metacam if he WAS eating and drinking normally, though. ?? And does the Metacam need to be refridgerated? Opened, unopened, or both?

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Wed Sep 30, 2015 1:46 pm


Does the bottle say anything about storage? Maybe call the vet?

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GrannyJu1
Supporter in '21

Post   » Thu Oct 01, 2015 1:08 am


I googled it: doesn't need refrigerated.

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GrannyJu1
Supporter in '21

Post   » Sat Oct 03, 2015 11:38 am


Peek's x-rays showing heart and lungs normal; gas/bloat & arthritis in hips as present:
Image

Image

Image
Lynx, I'd appreciate it if you'd make these permanent. Thanks.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Sat Oct 03, 2015 2:49 pm


It won't let me download them without a yahoo account! Has something changed? Would you like to send them by email as an attachment? (send largest size/original)

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GrannyJu1
Supporter in '21

Post   » Sat Oct 03, 2015 4:25 pm


I emailed all 3 to you. They are all in original format (vet's original), I've not made any changes except for the name.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Sat Oct 03, 2015 4:27 pm


Eeeps. I did not resize them. Hope people can see them okay!

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GrannyJu1
Supporter in '21

Post   » Sun Oct 04, 2015 8:33 pm


Heeheehhee! I didn't realize it either. Oh well, anyone who wants a real look will appreciate the detail.

Just wanted to post here that I gave Peek .07 dose of Metacam (leftover from Flossie's spay - 1.5 mg/ml ) for his arthritis yesterday afternoon. When I was petting him, every time I got near his hips, he'd do the "brrrr" thing. Since it was ONLY when I was near or on his hips, I think they might be painful right now. It did seem to perk him up a little yesterday. About to give him another dose now. How many days should I continue the Metacam? (Hmm, just checked - her's is 1.5mg/ml and his is 0.5/ml. Doesn't that make her's a stronger mix?)

Talishan
You can quote me

Post   » Mon Oct 05, 2015 8:27 pm


Yes. Hers is three times as strong as his.

Keep the Metacam up for at least a few days.

I need to look at the x-rays on a full computer. Hopefully can do that tomorrow.

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GrannyJu1
Supporter in '21

Post   » Mon Oct 05, 2015 10:00 pm


Thanks, Talishan. No wonder he was peppy. I'll reduce the dose if I use her's again.

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