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Specialist Heart pigs

Tbag

Tbag

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hello,

Wondering if anyone would be willing to share stories of any heart pigs/diagnosis/treatment etc?

Butch (1.5yrs old) diagnosed via ultrasound last Friday with 4x normal fluid in pericardium and also excess fluid build up in abdomen. Given .25ml Frusol daily until review tomorrow. His weight is now down 80g from its norm but stable since yesterday. He’s tucking into CC, veggies and starting to eat hay again today. Generally looking brighter, even popcorned a bit this eve, but not out of the woods yet.

Just wondering what other people have had success using/what recovery has looked like for other pigs?

TIA x
 
Frusol is an efficient diuretic (drainer of fluids).

Fortekor and vetmedin are also prescribed for heart piggies.
If heart drugs are working, then there is usually a fairly quick noticeable improvement.

All the best!

@Abi_nurse
 
Heart piggie prognosis can really vary. Many of mine have not lasted very long until I have had to make a tough decision. However I have seen piggies stable on medications for several years so it really very many varies I’m afraid. The ultrasound should help guide your vet as to what medications to use as they are all for different things.

Frusol is a good starter. There is a newer drug now which does the same thing called torosemide and lasts longer so longer term my be of use. Happy to answer any questions. Seen a few heart disease piggies, some my own, some patients I have nursed and seen.

x
 
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Thank you @Abi_nurse

Review postponed until next week as since he’s been brighter the vet wanted to give more of a chance before going in for another ultrasound. Steadily putting weight back on so I’m cautiously optimistic, but still haven’t seen him eating nuggets yet!
 
Despite looking amazing on Saturday and enjoying adventuring around at floor time, and even eating nuggets again, Butchy has taken a turn for the worse and could barely manage his syringe feed this AM. Off to vets.....


Horribly though his cage mate Luke was really bullying him this morning, excessive mounting and chasing :(:(
In all my experience cage mates have always taken care of sick buddies, not made it worse!
Have had to separate them! Anyone experienced this before?!
 
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