HarrietJoleneRuth
New Born Pup
Hi all,
This is my first posting on here! On Sunday, January 14th my sweet skinny pig, Harriet, was experiencing labored breathing. Since she decided to get sick the one day our usual vet is closed, we took her to the emergency where they diagnosed her with pneumonia. We followed up with her regular exotic vet on 1/15 who wasn't buying this diagnosis considering there were no other symptoms. We did an x-ray and our little girl has an enlarged heart and fluid in her lungs. We were offered an echocardiogram for $1,000, but we declined because we know she has heart disease and $1,000 feels outside of our budget.
Our vet prescribed generic Lasix (Furosemide - a diuretic) for the rest of Harriet's life. We have a great vet that specializes in exotics. However, based on my research, most pigs with heart disease get both a diuretic AND a heart med (ace inhibitor). When I asked my vet about heart meds she seemed very insistent that Furosemide is the best drug for Harriet. I called another vet in the area that let me know they would have to review the x-rays but that they typically prescribe a heart med and diuretic for an enlarged heart. I feel very torn with what to do. Harriet is truly my soul-pig and I want to give her the best quality of life as possible, and I also really do trust my vet.
My question is - will furosemide alone be enough? She seems to have greatly improved since introducing it (better breathing and more energy). And we have a follow up with her vet on February 10th (~one month after his diagnosis).
Thanks in advance!
This is my first posting on here! On Sunday, January 14th my sweet skinny pig, Harriet, was experiencing labored breathing. Since she decided to get sick the one day our usual vet is closed, we took her to the emergency where they diagnosed her with pneumonia. We followed up with her regular exotic vet on 1/15 who wasn't buying this diagnosis considering there were no other symptoms. We did an x-ray and our little girl has an enlarged heart and fluid in her lungs. We were offered an echocardiogram for $1,000, but we declined because we know she has heart disease and $1,000 feels outside of our budget.
Our vet prescribed generic Lasix (Furosemide - a diuretic) for the rest of Harriet's life. We have a great vet that specializes in exotics. However, based on my research, most pigs with heart disease get both a diuretic AND a heart med (ace inhibitor). When I asked my vet about heart meds she seemed very insistent that Furosemide is the best drug for Harriet. I called another vet in the area that let me know they would have to review the x-rays but that they typically prescribe a heart med and diuretic for an enlarged heart. I feel very torn with what to do. Harriet is truly my soul-pig and I want to give her the best quality of life as possible, and I also really do trust my vet.
My question is - will furosemide alone be enough? She seems to have greatly improved since introducing it (better breathing and more energy). And we have a follow up with her vet on February 10th (~one month after his diagnosis).
Thanks in advance!
