Millie’s Medical

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2024

Post   » Mon Jan 20, 2025 12:00 am


This vet has a preference for Albon whenever there are digestive issues. It’s a sulfa drug and I think it’s supposed to be easier on the stomach and doesn’t cause bacterial resistance.

I agree that Millie’s chewing indicates she’s uncomfortable. She’s really fussy and doesn’t want to be handled. Even on a good day she doesn’t like to be handled.

The Oasis spray looks like it would be easier to use than the drops. I have the Oasis drops and they’re bitter tasting so none of my guinea pigs have ever liked them. (I tasted it - concentrated orange with no sweetener.) I did look up vitamin c and chlorine in the water and the vet is right. Some places even use vitamin c to eliminate chlorine in city water. Our city switched to chloramine a few years ago.

GI problems are the pits. I just got all the syringes loaded with CC and now I see she’s eating the timothy mat. So maybe we’ll have some floor time first and see if she decides to poop.

How’s Albert doing?

User avatar
Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Mon Jan 20, 2025 8:14 am


I don't know if this would work for you, but something I used to do with Harold when he would have stomach flare-ups (Albert is my second, chronic GI-pig), is put him in his carrier and put the carrier on top of the clothes dryer and run that for a few minutes. Something about the warmth and vibration would sometimes (but not always) help jar things loose. Maybe akin to driving around the neighborhood with the colic-y baby.

Albert is not great but still eating and active. He is noticeably bloated on the one side despite massage, cutting back on veggies, handfeeding CC and adding a probiotic to the veggies that he does get. He's making poops, thankfully, but they are still on the mushy side. I'm half-inclined to try some Biosponge with him today to see if it makes any difference.

How's Millie this morning?

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Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Mon Jan 20, 2025 8:36 am


As a PS to the above, I wanted to add one other thing that I have found helpful for Albert. When he has really bad episodes, he seems to lose body temperature and a Snuggle Safe just doesn't cut it. I invested in a couple of these for my guys, and it has been well worth the cost:
Cozy Pet Warmer
It can sit flush against the cage bars and Albert loves to snuggle up beside it. I keep the other one on 24/7 for little old Hal, as I suspect this cold weather is hard on his joints. There are 2 settings (high and low), and even the low setting puts off decent warmth albeit in a limited area.

Lynx: Please feel free to add GL Associate link to the above. Thanks!

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2024

Post   » Mon Jan 20, 2025 3:43 pm


That pet warmer looks like a good idea. My two are in a sunroom on the northwest side of the house. It’s 68 degrees in here but there’s a draft around the wall air conditioner, and we’re in and out of the back door a dozen times a day with the dog. I have fabric backed with flannel on the side of the cage to prevent drafts, and blankets bunched up in the corners.

Millie is just sitting around today. I gave her lots of CC yesterday, and with floor time and a warm massage she had some decent poops last night. But she’s puffy and not eating hay so more CC, massage, and floor time.

I actually feed the CC on the washer, which is warm since I always seem to be doing laundry. The dryer idea might be worth a try.

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Lynx
Resist!!!

Post   » Mon Jan 20, 2025 9:02 pm


The cold can affect us all. I find I am keeping my house warmer this winter. It may be in the single digits this am. We are in for some cold weather here in Virginia.

I hope your solutions continue to work!

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2024

Post   » Tue Jan 21, 2025 10:36 pm


Not much change with Millie. She ate a little more hay today but still not enough. We had two generous feedings the CC and a warm tummy massage. She had some decent output after that though a little soft. Probably because she’s eating mush, carrots and corn husks.

Tonight she’s on the floor and I chased her around to get things moving. She’s nibbling on hay but she might be faking it to avoid more CC. She’s like those kids who move veggies around on their plates so parents think they’re eating.

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Lynx
Resist!!!

Post   » Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:37 am


That is an adorable description ("She’s like those kids who move veggies around on their plates so parents think they’re eating.")

I hope things improve for her!

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2024

Post   » Thu Jan 23, 2025 5:31 pm


She seems to be doing better and eating more on her own. But she’s still feeling kind of full and fussy. I took Sef’s advice and bought a small bag of alfalfa to temp her to eat. I also bought some different timothy which is really nice (PetSmart Full Cheeks). She seems to like both but is most interested in corn husks and carrots.

So I’m continuing floor time, massages, and a little watery CC since she’s not really drinking much water.

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Lynx
Resist!!!

Post   » Thu Jan 23, 2025 7:50 pm


You all are so good to your pets!
A friend would read to her chicken in the winter (it was the only one left) so it wouldn't feel so alone.

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2024

Post   » Thu Jan 23, 2025 11:16 pm


We have a program at our library where children sign up to read to dogs at the humane society. It calms the dogs and helps the children improve their reading skills.

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2024

Post   » Sat Jan 25, 2025 1:01 pm


Millie is doing better and her puffy belly is softer and smaller. Yesterday and today I saw her eating hay, drinking water, and thank goodness for poops!

She’s been getting Metoclopramide and Metacam for a week, so I’m going to try and skip both today. She gets Albon through Monday.

Veggie wise I’m only giving her baby carrot strips and corn husks. I’m still suspicious of the lettuce with all the recalls, but I’ve been eating it with no ill effects. I don’t think she’ll be getting cukes anymore, and very limited bell peppers.

Now I’ve got back pain and muscle cramps from leaning over the counter 4 times a day with meds and CC.

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Lynx
Resist!!!

Post   » Sat Jan 25, 2025 3:08 pm


Sorry about you pain and cramps! I hate those! Good to hear she's doing better.

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