Jan's Toothy Smile medical thread

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daisymay
Supporter 2016-2021

Post   » Fri Feb 03, 2017 5:29 am


Thanks for the replies bpatters, Lynx and Talishan. Jan went to the vet today just to be weighed. She has lost 15grams in a month even though she eats most of her food and she gets syringe fed every 4 hours. She is a tiny pig in size. Will keep you posted.

bpatters
And got the T-shirt

Post   » Fri Feb 03, 2017 9:31 am


15 grams is nothing -- one good pee, or a few bites of food. It could totally be due to what she had eatent/not eaten at the time she was weighed.

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daisymay
Supporter 2016-2021

Post   » Thu May 25, 2017 11:45 am


Thanks for the reply bpatters. At the start of the year Jan was 820grams and was hovering around 820-780grams. Now she is she is behaving like Jemma and Jasmine where in the cooler months they would lose weight for no apparent reason.

Jan is eating, pooping, peeing and is bright and alert and doesn't look like she is in pain. She will be 5 in December of this year. Is this just due to aging or something else? Her sister Joy isn't doing it and our late Jessie never did it nor past piggies that reached 5.

Not going to waste money taking her to the vet as they had NO idea with Jemma and Jasmine and I doubt they would have any idea now. Any advice much appreciated. Thanks in advance. Teeth have been looked at and were normal.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Thu May 25, 2017 8:31 pm


I know you will keep a close eye on her. I kind of think that is the best you can do right now. You are a good guinea pig caretaker.

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daisymay
Supporter 2016-2021

Post   » Sat May 27, 2017 5:36 am


Jan has started to drink water. Something she never did. She gets hand fed 6 times a day and will drink 4 by 1ml syringes of water at each feed. I thought maybe the kidneys but on looking in GL's index I could find nothing on kidneys. Does someone know where I can find any info so I can look for symptoms and pass info onto my clueless vet? Thanks for the reply Lynx. Can always count on you!

bpatters
And got the T-shirt

Post   » Sat May 27, 2017 10:45 am


Is there some reason you think this is a problem? Mine go for days without drinking much water, and then will sit and slurp seemingly forever. I just put it down to being a guinea pig.

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daisymay
Supporter 2016-2021

Post   » Sat May 27, 2017 1:06 pm


Is there some reason you think this is a problem? Mine go for days without drinking much water, and then will sit and slurp seemingly forever. I just put it down to being a guinea pig.

Jan is nearly four and a half and she and her sister Joy have never drank water and now all of a sudden Jan is drinking? I thought to drink more water was a symptom of kidney problems and maybe weight lost too? Thanks for the reply bpatters.

I am clutching at straws trying to find a cause that the late sister's Jemma and Jasmine and now Jan would lose weight in the Warmer months. Jemma and Jasmine started around 8 months of age but Jan started around 3 years old age.

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daisymay
Supporter 2016-2021

Post   » Mon Aug 21, 2017 9:30 am


Okay been several months since my last post. Jan was put under and her teeth looked at and I was told all teeth were find. BUT now Jan is losing weight again, 60grams in 3 weeks. When I spoke to Carol about it she said guinea pig's weight varies from week to week do not be alarmed. From 764grams at vet she is now 702grams at home.

Now Jan is only eating 5% of her food, I am trying to get her booked in for a dental X-ray but Carol seems reluctant. She feels weight lost maybe due to weather(hasn't changed in last 2 months still wet, cold and windy), hormones which Carol could NOT feel any lumps, cysts when she felt Jan.

For last month or more Jan's fur has been coarse, fluffy and curly, which her fur did exactly the same thing January 2016. I tried to stress this meant she is in pain. But Carol didn't believe this as a month ago when we took her to the vet Jan had put on weight. One thing we noticed with Jan which she has NEVER done before was at the vet Jan just shook/trembled. She looked like a battery operated toothbrush she was shaking so much.

We are now scared of taking her to the vet incase it stresses her out again. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions would love to hear it! How do I boot Carol up the butt and get her to listen to me? At least with Kirsten she would listen and act on any of my suggestions but Carol just ignores them. Diet has NOT changed for any of the girls.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Mon Aug 21, 2017 10:18 pm


I am sorry she is not eating as much. I think of hair changes being caused by dietary changes (the weight loss means not as much food, perhaps not the right nutrients).

You are very knowledgeable and determined! I hope you can help her.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Tue Aug 22, 2017 8:42 am


Here is one of the two images you sent me (they are pretty similar).
You might also look into flickr as a photo host.

I am not sure that the coloration you are seeing is significant. What I encourage you to do is primarily test for blood. Put your guinea pig into a plastic bin and try to collect some pee for testing. This is more likely normal urine coloration.



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daisymay
Supporter 2016-2021

Post   » Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:50 am


What I encourage you to do is primarily test for blood.

How does one go about this? Carol said to spin the pee would cost $40.00AUD. She also wants to take a blood test as she is worried about kidneys and liver which I refused as I remember What Jasmine went through 12 months ago when they tried to get blood and I still hear Zoe squeaking when Kirsty got blood from her Throat area. Still haunts me and Zoe was awake through Kirsty's bumbling attempts to get blood.

Jan is eating grass, cucumber and rockmelon but that's about it, wish she'd eat more! Will keep you posted and Thanks Lynx.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:48 pm


You wanted to know what the stains were, no?
I believe there are also urine test strips that will tell you if there is blood in the urine. Perhaps a pharmacist could advise you and you could test at home.

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