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zoe saga continues

which would be better for zoe

  • another scan

    Votes: 1 33.3%

  • urine culture

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • more blood test

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • advice from other vets

    Votes: 2 66.7%
  • Total voters
    3
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going to try and take zoe to the vet again tomorrow as by feeling her am sure she has lost weight so just going to have her weighed to play it safe. she is still drinking lots of water and am wondering whether it is due to the oaten (UK call it oat hay) that she eats lots off. will keep you posted on how she is doing. missy is about the same. she goes to vet next week to be weighed. O0
 
Ah, bless her, she's really giving you the run around! The main thing is that she seems to be perfectly happy. It could well be that she's drinking to get the moisture the hay doesn't provide: my Daisy eats more hay than Clover and therefore drinks more too.

Glad to hear that Missy is still the same. Don't these animals of ours keep us on our toes!

Piggy hugs from Dasiy and Clover :smitten: :smitten:
 
well took zoe to vet like i said i would and she has lost 35grams in a week. the vet said she would do some reasearch on diabeties and ask on the forum of the sydney university where she is doing an on line guinea pig and rodent course, she again suggested taken blood from zoe's ear or another scan and another urine sample which will be sent to the lab. i have started up again feeding zoe the mashed up pellets in a bid to build up weight, but with zoe drinking lots of water and losing weight are we destined to lose her? like we did gypsy the cat and will lose missy the cat with cancer. she is now only 900grams and i hate seeing her wasting away, am open to any suggestions as we don't want to lose our baby. we know kirsten is trying but we are just worried time is a wasting for zoe. thanks for your replies and support. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Mary feed her corn, cut off the niblets from the husk and hand feed them too her, they're great for fattening up... it's a small measure but one i use every now and then O0 good for toofies to munch thru the tougher skin too O0

i'm gonna pm you love O0 :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:

Hi Zoe :smitten:
It's your Dukey, now listen girl i want you to eat up big just for me, hey we've been thru this before... no more of this little girl i wanna hear of you munching and crunching and gaining weight again, i wanna cuddle you and not feel bones :o :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Oh boy doesn't sound easy with Zoe. You are trying all you can with her and going to the vet on a regular basis, but if the vet doesn't even know what's wrong with her (if there is?!?) then what chance do we owners have.
 
hello duke
this is zoe, i am eating but i seem to be losing weight, i eat up everything mum gives me like a good girl O0 i was told by a mean nasty man vet that sweetcorn had sugar in it now if i am possibly diabetic wouldn't this be bad for me? mum saids when she picks me up i am now as light as a feather, damn vet still saids i am over weight and she won't listen to mummy when mummy tells her losing weight for a piggy is serious. mummmy is syringe feeding me the pellets slop again and she wanted me to ask if you can freeze the baby food puree as one jar is too big for me and it usually goes off before i even get half way and yes mum keeps it in the fridge. mummy feeds me at the moment half a cucumber slice, a celery leaf, 20 cent size of silverbeet, parsley, oaten hay, and timothy hay and oxbow pellets and i eat all this up except for some of the timothy/oaten hay. i will tell mum to try the corn thanks for the tip O0 hugs :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: and :-* :-* :-* for you duke O0
zoe.
hello MP thats what my mummy thinks too, there has to be a reason why i am eating but losing weight, thanks for the reply :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
okay, have NOT heard from my vet yet, she is trying but she just won't listen to me when i tell her a piggy losing weight is serious and that a piggy can go down hill so fast. anyway, have been syringe feeding zoe every 4 hours on pellet mush, also been feeding her every 4 hours too. today went shopping and got her some bok choy which she had last week, some parsley and sweetcorn. she went bonkers when she smelt the sweetcorn as it has been 8 months since she last had it. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: the funniest thing is the sweetheart tried popcorning she was so happy :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: hoping she will put on weight, from advice from mack, going to look into getting a glucose meter that diabetics use and prick zoe's paw and get her blood sugar levels that way, just have to find the correct levels for a piggy O0 thanks for the replies and hugs and healing vibes, will keep you posted. O0 maybe i should put a bomb under the vet to get her rear end into gear :o :o :o thanks again :smitten:
 
Hi Zoe,
Dukey here, mmmmmmmmmmm sweetcorn i loooove it, make sure you get mummy to hand feed it too you too, it's nice eating one little niblet at a time O0
You're not over weight i'm 1055g and your not as big as that, you're just perfect :smitten:
Sending you heaps of wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeks and piggie kisses to fatten you up and a cuddle too :embarassed: :embarassed: :smitten:
Dukey xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Hi Mary,
Yes you can freeze the pureed baby apples, just pop it into icecube container as soon as it's frozen then put into a tupperware container so the air doesn't get to it O0 I make up a batch of food that lasts about 3 days and use a whole jar at a time, you could try that... :-\
You know how i told you about the bloods Duke had? well i'm going to ask if they've got a copy of them or can tell me what his results were i'm interested to find out if they're similar to Zoe's.... could be interesting O0
You're doing a fab job love keep it up, i know it's frustrating i've been there many many times :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff: all you can do is go with your gut feeling, let's face it mummies know O0
Have you spoken to Lorna or Mary about the diabetes angle and if they recommend the pricking of her tootsie i'm not sure about it all... :-\
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) for you and mega piggie kisses for you all :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Hi Mary,

Sorry to hear Zoe is still losing weight,you deserve better than this with all the work you are putting into getting her well.

The normal blood glucose level for agp is 60-125 g/dl.

I think you said that there are not many vets in your area and that you have tried them all?.Is there a avet a bit further away maybe,as the one you now does not sound very helpful.If Zoe does have diabetis it can be controlled with insulin.Anne would be able to tell your vet how to give this.

Hugs to you both from the Epsom Mob
 
thanks glynis, duke and maryh,
the baby food zoe is on is sweetcorn puree, so can this be freezed? as now that zoe is being fed 6-8 times a day she is eating less of the syringe feeding. thanks for the glucose reading for a piggy maryh, i am going to buy a glucose meter of ebay and test zoe's blood myself. yes i have tried the 3 vets that are here and a few in the city, they all say they don't see many piggies and they go by things compared to dog and cats. if i had a dollar for everytime a vet has asked me whether a piggy has thrown up i'd be rich O0 will let you know how i get on O0 hugs to all :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
have finally heard from vet, her message is all greek to me except for the prices, so hoping she is on the right track, as for more blood being taken we just don't want to put zoe through that stress again. we don't mind a prick for a glucose reading but nothing more than that. here is her message;
Mary Good thinking and yes I think that would be easy to do to rule out diabetes also think that we can then look at whether we can get any blood from the tibial vein awake for biochem even if it is just urea and creatinine. I have sent urine to lab so that we can get an independant result and see if differs at all from ours. Cost so far $89.20 for the cbc and $80.65 for the urine I have not charged for the Ga as felt bad that i could not get a full blood. I am reading as fast as i can manage for rest of this.
Best wishes Kirsty
so hoping in a day or two we might know more. zoe is still eating and seems happy in herself, keeping very close eye on her O0 if anyone could explain these test to me i would really appreciate it. thank you :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
High levels of urea and creatinine would point to a kidney issue.(not diabetus) but could be a result of chronic kidney failure that I have already mentioned to you.
 
Hope you can get some answers Mary, really have no clue and find myself lost with what the vet tells you but Zoe is never far from my thoughts! Sunshine sends love and kisses to her. Good luck! x
 
choloe said:
have finally heard from vet, her message is all greek to me except for the prices, so hoping she is on the right track, as for more blood being taken we just don't want to put zoe through that stress again. we don't mind a prick for a glucose reading but nothing more than that. here is her message;
Mary Good thinking and yes I think that would be easy to do to rule out diabetes also think that we can then look at whether we can get any blood from the tibial vein awake for biochem even if it is just urea and creatinine. I have sent urine to lab so that we can get an independant result and see if differs at all from ours. Cost so far $89.20 for the cbc and $80.65 for the urine I have not charged for the Ga as felt bad that i could not get a full blood. I am reading as fast as i can manage for rest of this.
Best wishes Kirsty
so hoping in a day or two we might know more. zoe is still eating and seems happy in herself, keeping very close eye on her O0 if anyone could explain these test to me i would really appreciate it. thank you :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
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Glad you finally heard from the vet, Mary - I know it's been a very anxious time for you. I'm afraid I don't understand test numbers either, but as you say, hope you learn more very soon. It's good that Zoe seems happy in herself, and that she's eating, so we'll continue to keep all digits crossed for the little sweetiepie ....
Sue
 
the vet has gone for the glucose meter idea but is still wanting to take blood from zoe's ear or from her tibial vein. we feel zoe has been put through enough stress and pain, for now we just want to concentrate on putting some weight on zoe and then think about glucose and kidney tests. urine test has come back normal. she is still eating and being syringe fed, drinking less. she has since syringe fed been drinking 20-50 mls before the syringe feeding she was drinking 80-140 mls. will keep you posted, any ideas would be appreciated. O0 thanks again :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: zoe is still full of beans from the sweetcorn O0
 
Bless her, Zoe seems to be the only "unconcerned" person here, if she's full of beans. You are doing a marvellous job, Mary, in caring for her - sorry I don't have any fresh ideas, just loads of support for you.
 
zoe is booked in for monday at 4.40pm SA time for a blood glucose test from a glucose meter. keeping close eye on kirsten to make sure no other blood is taken O0 also though very dilute urine was normal. will keep you posted :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: though could be wishful thinking but zoe feels a little heavier, last day for syringe feed but she is still getting noirmal feeds every four hours. and she is still drinking less water for some reason. ? ? ?
 
have stopped syringe feeding as zoe just wasn't interested in it anymore, she is still getting feed every 4 hours. have heard from vet and missy is also booked in for monday b8ut at 3.00pm to have second ultrasound to see what the mass is doing. hoping the weight missy has put on is weight and not the mass. half of me wants to know how the mass is doing but the other half is scared silly. both girls are also getting weighed so will keep you posted. O0 have a great weekend :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
I'm going away for a couple of weeks tomorrow so I hope Missy and Zoe continue to do well x
 
Hi Mary...I sent a PM to you. Still thinking of you and little Zoe. Being a diabetic, the first sign is excessive drinking of water. It's a real sign of diabetes. Give Zoe a big hug from Ricky. We are thinking of you, Ian and Zoe (and Missy) and all your babies. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Well at least the vet is starting to think in the right direction. Glucometer is far easier for a piggy to tolerate than the vein pricks and drawing out blood. Hope that will show something for you.

Kidney disease springs into mind as well. My little rescue Rhani had problems in that area and drank huge amounts as well - peed a lot too, but it wasn't diabetes it was kidney disease and the vet couldn't do anything about that at all. At the approximate age of 5 or six years she lastet a while longer.

That Zoe isn't drinking as much has to do with the fluid intake via the syringe feeds - the stuff is mixed with water to be able to squish it into the mouth.

Well, as long as Zoe is eating and popcorning and hopefully putting on some weight she seems to be happy enough. So keep up the good work with her.
 
thank you for your replies, now that the syringe feeding has stopped zoe is drinking lots of water again. as for the vein pricks the vet still wants to do them but we have said no. we feel zoe has been through enough, as for her drinking and peeing, she pees about the same amount as jessie does. will let you know about the scan for missy and zoe's glucose test monday or when we know. both test are scaring the life out of us, wondering whether zoe does have renal failure, or whether missy's weight gain is due to the mass growing or spreading. hoping ricky gets better too anne marie sending hugs your way :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: thanks again O0
 
hello MP,
have just got back from the vets, missy had a second scan and mass has actually shrank 0.4cms but as to unsure whether it is because of the medication or the change of diet. the mass seems to be unattached to anything but vet is sure she has more than one mass. so with missy it is one day at a time again.
with zoe, we went to the vet all positive, but sadly our hopes were dashed, in the last 7 days we have been syringe feeding zoe, and normal feeding her every 4 hours, even giving her corn and oats to put some weight on. she even felt heavier and we were sure she'd put on weight but she was weighed today and she is 865grams down another 35 grams so in 2 weeks zoe has lost 100grams.
kirsten thinks zoe may have liver, or renal or absorbstion(sp) problems of protein. as zoe is eating heaps but losing weight, we are heart broken and shattered as we fear we are going to lose zoe and it is tearing me up inside, we have come so far together. her blood glucose by a glucose meter was 5:3 what ever that means.
i am just gutted, the vet said there were many things that could be done for zoe like medication, change of diet etc. i know so many people lose piggies everyday, but i am scared i'm going to lose zoe and it breaks my heart thinking of it.
kirsten managed to get some blood from zoe's hind leg so she is sending this to lab to get zoe's kidney function tested.
any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as you know vets are clueless about piggies so would be grateful for any help from someone who knows about piggies. will let you know about zoe's blood test results when i get them. kirsten also wants another urine sample as everytime urine sample tested it is more diluted.
i wonder how much weight zoe would have lost if we hadn't been feeding her as much as we have in last week. vet told us sweetcorn is toxic for piggies whether or not it is don't know. because of my panic attacks and fear of people my pets especially the piggies mean so much to me and if i lose zoe i know i will not be able to cope, we have gotten so close over the months of nursing her, i'm sorry but i just can't cope with this, i know i am being slefish and a wimp about this as we have all lost pets but my pets are all i have :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
I have pm`d you Mary.Please stop beating yourself up,you are a wonderful,caring owner.
 
You have done everything a caring owner would and could do for Zoe. Please don't give up and if the worst happens you know you gave her a fighting chance and all the love in the world. x
 
YOU are giving Zoe the best care possible and there is nothing much you can do when mother nature decides it's time!
I know it's hard times, but look at the positive side and enjoy the moments you have with Missy and Zoe - those are the memories we will cherish forever!
 
Oh Mary you're doing a wonderful job with little Zoe if not for you she would not be here :(
Keep on giving her TLC and if you feel she needs a syringe feed do so, other wise see if she'll munch happily herself O0
COME ON ZOE :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: your friend Dukey wants you to munch up big so you can come over and visit him soon ;) :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))) for you love and piggie kisses from Dukey and big tweets from Tommy for you too :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
You have given (and continue to give) Zoe so much care and love - you couldn't possibly be doing any better. I know the thought of possibly losing a loved pet is heartbreaking, but just hold on to the fact that when the time comes (and I hope it won't be soon)you've come through it before and have come out the other side with all the happy memories.

In the meantime...come on Zoe! lots of love and piggy cuddles from Clover and Daisy :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
haven't got the test results back yet but vet has told us that it is NOT renal failure. it may be kidney disease, liver or cancer. vet wants to either do another scan or a urine culture. we will wait and see what happens, my vet said sweetcorn was toxic meaning it had too much protein or carbo's which isn't good for a pggy. the vet is getting some aniseed C&C in for us.
we have also decided if anything happens to zoe, we have arranged for a friend to take zoe and faline, as we have found we are not up to being pet owners as we can't stand having our hearts ripped out everytime we lose a furry baby.
call us what you want, but unless you have suffered like we have and be hurt so many times that one more hurt will put you over the edge you might understand. we are sorry if we have disappointed you all but it is how we feel and what we have decided.
zoe has gotten us through so much pain and depression in our lives and if she is called home to god then our other pets have loving homes waiting for them as we just can't cope with the heart ache. judge us or condemn us but it is what we have decided. thanks for all your support and advice it has meant alot. and zoe thanks you too O0
 
choloe said:
haven't got the test results back yet but vet has told us that it is NOT renal failure. it may be kidney disease, liver or cancer. vet wants to either do another scan or a urine culture. we will wait and see what happens, my vet said sweetcorn was toxic meaning it had too much protein or carbo's which isn't good for a pggy. the vet is getting some aniseed C&C in for us.
we have also decided if anything happens to zoe, we have arranged for a friend to take zoe and faline, as we have found we are not up to being pet owners as we can't stand having our hearts ripped out everytime we lose a furry baby.
call us what you want, but unless you have suffered like we have and be hurt so many times that one more hurt will put you over the edge you might understand. we are sorry if we have disappointed you all but it is how we feel and what we have decided.
zoe has gotten us through so much pain and depression in our lives and if she is called home to god then our other pets have loving homes waiting for them as we just can't cope with the heart ache. judge us or condemn us but it is what we have decided. thanks for all your support and advice it has meant alot. and zoe thanks you too O0
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Mary don't go pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Stay here with us :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
I'll not judge you i understand you're taking this very very hard, be here where we can help you and Ian :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
No matter what happens i want you to keep in touch O0
all our love
Glynis and Dukey xxxxxxxxxxx :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
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