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Milo - has cushings disease.

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flintstones

flintstones

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I started this as new thread, as Milo has now been diagnosed. This thread will hopefully help other people.

Milo's Symptoms -

Hair loss
Excessive thirst
Excessive Urinating
Weight loss
Lethargy
Elevated Liver Enzymes (Blood work was done)
Specific Gravity - Dilute 0.1

We then proceeded to have his urine analysed to check his Cortisol levels. This was done at home in a stress free environment, in fact he was eating cucumber at the time :)).

Cortisol levels in his urine where off the scale 1380 non/mols per litre.

With the above Symptoms and the lab results we can be 99.5% sure he does have Cushings.

I have requested to confirm the diagnosis further to do an Ultrasound on Tuesday along with a comparison pig to check there adrenal glands, now we are very much on uncharted waters as Cushings disease is very rare in Guinea Pigs or perhaps it's just not diagnosed. Had I not had my vet Milo would most likely not have been diagnosed.

Fortunately for Milo we have caught this very early left untreated it can lead to more serious health issues diabetes, heart attacks etc.

Milo is a very special pig for more than one reason!
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Oh Milo and Joanne I'm sorry that it's Cushings but at least you know now and can start treatment. How is it treated?
Love to you and Milo x
 
I'm sorry to hear about Milo.

What is Cushings didease exactly? How will you manage/treat that?
 
Aww Milo, it is good to finally know what has been going on and now you can learn all there is to know about it and how best to treat. Sounds like you have a brilliant vet Flintstones. My hamster Reginald was suspected to have cushions disease, but I never confirmed it because in order to get blood from a hammy they had to chop the end of his toe off! I just couldn't put him through it! It didn't seem to affect him much apart from bald patches, he lived to a very old age (3 1/2 years) :)

Keep us updated on the progress from here. Milo definitely is a special little piggie x)
 
katiepops said:
Oh Milo and Joanne I'm sorry that it's Cushings but at least you know now and can start treatment. How is it treated?
Love to you and Milo x
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Unfortunately we're very much in uncharted waters, there is treatment but it's not used often. There has only been one diagnosed in uk I think. He will be given a drug which is used on Dogs but has been used on a Guinea Pig in Vienna.

I have struggled with the diagnosis as I know how serious it is, if I don't treat he'll die and if I do he will die one day, after coming this length I owe it to him to try.

MrsM said:
I'm sorry to hear about Milo.

What is Cushings didease exactly? How will you manage/treat that?
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The treatment will need to be managed initially until we find the dose that suits Milo.

I found this link helpful - although Milo is not a dog :)).

http://www.kateconnick.com/library/cushingsdisease.html
 
Oh God, I really never knew piggies could get cushings. My first hamster Poppy had cushings but that's all I know about it. At least like you say you have caught it early.
 
helen105281 said:
Oh God, I really never knew piggies could get cushings. My first hamster Poppy had cushings but that's all I know about it. At least like you say you have caught it early.
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Apparently it's not common - but then again I have spent £200 getting a diagnosis so possible people just don't spend the money. I have had a good sob to myself but really my main focus is Milo he is only a 1 year and 4 months old so deserves the chance and treatment.
 
Poor wee Milo. I have everything crossed that he gets better very soon. You're an amazing person to go to the lengths you have for the wee guy! Big hugs to you both!
 
flintstones said:
Apparently it's not common - but then again I have spent £200 getting a diagnosis so possible people just don't spend the money. I have had a good sob to myself but really my main focus is Milo he is only a 1 year and 4 months old so deserves the chance and treatment.
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Aww Flintstones, bless you. Big hugs. I really didn't realise it was this bad (as explained my hamster lived to a very good age, but he was a hamster and not a piggie!) You have done the absolute best you can so far for little Milo and i'm sure you will continue to make all the right decisions for him. He's lucky to have such a good slave like you looking out for him. :rose x
 
Oh poor Milo! At least you know now and hopefully he will be treated successfully soon. Big hugs for you and lots of snuggles for Milo!
 
Shelley said:
Poor wee Milo. I have everything crossed that he gets better very soon. You're an amazing person to go to the lengths you have for the wee guy! Big hugs to you both!
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You mean Milo's an amazing Guinea Pig - he's fabulous.
 
flintstones said:
Apparently it's not common - but then again I have spent £200 getting a diagnosis so possible people just don't spend the money. I have had a good sob to myself but really my main focus is Milo he is only a 1 year and 4 months old so deserves the chance and treatment.
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Definitely, I would have done exactly the same. You may be right in that people just don't want to go that extra mile to get the diagnosis.
 
helen105281 said:
Definitely, I would have done exactly the same. You may be right in that people just don't want to go that extra mile to get the diagnosis.
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It may not just be people I feel like I'm reliving last years events with Bette the only difference is I have a very good vet now who wants to find the cause which we have done so we're technically one step ahead.

Milo has been checked for Diabetes three times to be sure.

It was the cortisol levels that confirmed it, and although I expected it. Still it knocked me for six.
 
Massive, massive hugs from me and my tribe.

My share horse has Cushings and although she is obviously a lot bigger, the symptoms and 'disease' (though I am never sure why it's called Cushings Disease as you can't catch it/it's not really a disease!) are essentially the same.

If you ever want to talk you can pm/email me (my email address is [email protected]), I know there is several tonnes of difference but I have been through the Cushings battle and we are coming out the other side xxxxx
 
Good luck with it - with a face like that, who couldn't give treatment a go!

I do suspect it's more common than we think however, but people probably go to their vets with a guinea pig thats polydipsic, polyuric, not eating, losing weight, and it ends up euthanased. While in my experience it is changing, theres still the school of thought that "its a rodent, its not worth treating" unfortunately :(

Fingers crossed for both of you that you get an effective treatment plan sorted for the little guy!
 
Oh no, poor Milo. Have been watching his progress on threads and having seen pigtures am smitten. My girlies and I send you snuffles and wheeks and will keep him in our thoughts x
 
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*big hugs to you and Milo* I'm so sorry to hear that he has cushings disease, ive never heard of it before, big hugs to Milo gorgeous boy xxxxxxxxxxxx
 
Really sorry to hear about Milo :( but hope that the treatment is successful and he remains as happy as can be! *hugs*
 
Aww poor wee Milo. So sorry to hear he has cushings. At least now you know what is wrong with me and you have a great vet who I'm sure will do everything possible to help Milo. *Big Hugs for you, Jo and chin tickles for Milo*
 
Hugs to both you and Milo, at least you've found finally out what it is. I really hope the treatment will be successful, you sound as if you have an amazing vet and with you as a mummy, Milo is is the best hands possible. x x
 
You're an amazing piggy-mum, I've always thought so - but it's down to your vigilance (and of course a terrific vet) that you've actually picked up on this. I hope the treatment won't be too difficult, and that dear Milo (who's so adorable) will be able to live a good life for some time to come.

Huge hugs to you, and kisses for Milo.
 
Aw poor Milo :( he's very lucky to have you to get a diagnosis, really hope the treatment works and he lives a long and happy life!
 
I'm so sorry to hear about Milo but aside from that he is the luckiest pig to have you for his mummy who is willing to spend her time and money on getting him the best treatment there is. He is the most adorable piggy x) Thinking of you both xx
 
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