4071. Reyna. A vet can mis-diagnose mite infestation when skin scrapings are negative

http://guinealynx.info/mites.html

Signs

These species specific microscopic mites cause unbearable itchiness for the animal and can result in thinning and/or patchy loss of hair, scurfing of the skin (may resemble dandruff) and eventually, open sores as a result of extreme scratching and biting which aggravates the hair loss. Scratching an area of skin infested by mites by hand may produce such pain and irritation in your guinea pigs that it looks like it's having a fit. A guinea pig suffering from mites may become less friendly and be reluctant to interact with its owner.

While skin scrapings may confirm mites, scrapings are frequently omitted because they are so unreliable (see MISDIAGNOSIS below). Often a vet will administer ivermectin in the presence only of itching and hair loss, treating for other conditions such as fungal infections in the absence of improvement. It is important to note that your guinea pig may be suffering from more than one condition.

MISDIAGNOSIS

Occasionally a vet will completely misdiagnose a mite infestation.

Ciaytee's vet ruled out mites when they could not be found in a scraping. He treated for fungus and yeast infections, sent off cultures, did a skin biopsy, and felt he was exploring every possibility. Her pet had to go under anesthesia twice -- once for a chem panel and once for the biopsy. All this time her guinea pig (who had lost 1/3 to 1/2 of his hair) was in great pain, with sores, and rather than improve, continued to get worse over several weeks. She finally suggested treating with ivermectin in case it was mites. The turn around was almost immediate. Check Guinea Lynx forums for a detailed account of her experiences.

Do everything you can to get proper treatment if mites are suspected. Mange mites can kill.

Treatment

Mite infestations are generally treated with ivermectin by injection, orally, or topically (usually placed on the skin behind the ears because the fur is so thick). Two or more doses spaced 7 to 10 days apart are required. Ivermectin appears to be safe used on pregnant guinea pigs but is best not used on guinea pigs under 12 ounces (approx. 340 grams). This drug must be administered in the correct dose to avoid serious adverse reactions and possible death. A good exotics veterinarian should be familiar with the drug and know what doses are considered safe for guinea pigs. Seeing a competent vet will assure that this medication's use is indicated and that it is appropriately administered. A vet may also provide topical treatment for open sores and infection caused by scratching and for crusty skin and other complications related to the infestation. Diazepam can help control itching. Steroids may also bring relief to a guinea pig in such pain it is seizuring but must be used with caution. Cut the nails back to minimize further damage from scratching.

Ivermectin is administered by a formula specifying the dosage in milligrams per kilo of weight for the individual species. Therefore it is essential to know the weight of the animal to be treated, and the dosage in mg /kilo for that animal. Your vet should be able to find medical references to determine the correct dosage.

When mites are properly diagnosed, all your guinea pigs will need treatment and their living quarters must be thoroughly cleaned. Avoid future infestations by quarantining and treating new animals if suspected of being carriers and practicing good husbandry. Some breeders will routinely treat new guinea pigs in quarantine (since they can carry mites while showing no signs) rather than risk reintroducing mange mites to a whole herd of guinea pigs.

Alternate treatment: Some pet owners have had good luck with Revolution (Selamectin). A single dose applied topically kills both mange mites and lice. Read more about Revolution in the section on Antiparasitics.

Avoid flea and tick powders, sprays, shampoos, foams, gels and wipes -- many contain pesticides that are dangerous for guinea pigs. Read the ingredients. Some of these products have caused death. If your pet has mites, USE IVERMECTIN. When used according to directions and dosed carefully, it is a much more effective and safe product. 

4070. A guinea pig or a rabbit as pet?

Good guide to guinea pig care

http://guinealynx.info/

Which makes a better pet, a guinea pig or a rabbit and why?

Kay Dudman, Caring for guinea pigs for over twenty years

Answered Jul 19, 2018

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, so much depends on the home environment, space available, local exotic vet etc.

The question has been merged; any pet is the responsibility of an adult, it is not appropriate for a child to be the main carer, and certainly younger children do not have the dexterity to handle small animals safely (accidental dropping, unintentional squeezing, pulling hair/ears etc) and can be traumatised by a bite which is administered by the pet in self defence. Naturally, it is important that any pet receives veterinary care as and when required, and this will be outside the scope of pocket money in most cases.

Between guinea pigs and rabbits, it is difficult to generalise as much depends on the personality of the individual, however most guinea pigs will appreciate sitting quietly on someone’s lap more than most rabbits. Guinea pigs are vocal, calling for their food or greeting a familiar person - I love this, but it might not suit everyone. Rabbits are silent apart from thumping with their hind feet. Guinea pigs (like humans) require a daily intake of vitamin C, whereas rabbits can synthesise their own; this has implications for feeding as guinea pigs should have fresh salad veggies and hay together with pelleted food with added vitamin C, whereas rabbits need less salad-type foods as too much can upset their digestive system.

Which are more affectionate: guinea pigs, hamsters, or rabbits?

Kay Dudman, Caring for guinea pigs for over twenty years

Answered May 8, 2018

Obviously, individual animals have there own personalities just like people do, but in general I would say guinea pigs are more affectionate: coming when they are called, usually liking a cuddle, diurnal, and a wide range of vocal sounds including calling for food! Hamsters are by nature more solitary and crepuscular (more active at dawn and dusk), and don't make vocal sounds; they can be fascinating to watch, though. Rabbits are not vocal, and can kick hard if they don't want to be picked up or cuddled (one reason why guinea pigs and rabbits should not be kept together). Rabbits enjoy loping around, and need more space (taking care that you don't have an escape tunnel built, as it is natural for them to burrow).

Will my 2 young guinea pigs be OK if I leave them because we are going to a 2 day holiday?

Kay Dudman, Caring for guinea pigs for over twenty years

Answered Jul 13, 2018

No. You need to make sure someone goes in to check on them. If you leave them a big bowl of food they will just pig in and eat it, they will not save anything for the next day. Some guinea pigs foul the water in their bottles (from particles of food in their mouths), you need to make sure that they have fresh water and they do not run out of water. You also need to make sure they have fresh dry food - sometimes they will urinate and/or defaecate in their bowls, so they need to have fresh food available. They also need to have hay available. If you would not leave a child unattended, then the same applies to your pet. You should make arrangements with someone you trust to check on them and ensure they have fresh food and water, and veterinary care should that be necessary (in which case, brief the carer what to look for if they are not familiar with guinea pigs).

What does it mean when your guinea pig bleeds from his butt?

Kay Dudman, Caring for guinea pigs for over twenty years

Answered Jul 11, 2018

It means he needs to be seen by a qualified veterinary surgeon urgently. It could be blood in urine, indicating an infection or a bladder stone, it could be an injury from over-grooming or a bite from another guinea pig (or other animal) or it could indicate an internal problem. For a female, it could be a problem with the uterus or even indicating imminent birth. Bleeding in a guinea pig is not normal and requires veterinary attention.

When your pet needed major surgery, what did you do?

Kay Dudman, Craft Tutor and Designer

Answered Jul 2, 2018

My guinea pigs sometimes have needed surgery, in which case they have the procedure. Important factors to consider are the risks of the surgery compared to not having it done, with the overriding aspect being quality of life. It is vitally important that you have a veterinary surgeon with relevant experience, and that you trust them in doing the procedure.

How long can hamsters survive if they’ve gone missing?

Kay Dudman, Craft Tutor and Designer

Answered Jun 17, 2018

It would depend whether they had access to food and water, and the temperature in which they find themselves. The could die from hypothermia in extreme cold, or perish in extreme heat. Another threat to their wellbeing would be predators; a domestic cat would make short work of a hamster. A further risk is any trap put down, such as a mousetrap. If the hamster is in a safe environment with a moderate temperature, and ease of access to food and water they could survive for weeks or months; they could be hiding, only coming out to feed and drink (they are crepuscular, only active at dawn and dusk).

My dad won’t take my sick guinea pig to the vet, and I can’t do it by myself since I’m 14 and have no money. My guinea pig has lost a lot of weight. What should I do?

Kay Dudman, Caring for guinea pigs for over twenty years

Answered Jun 15, 2018

A guinea pig losing weight is a guinea pig in trouble. In some countries, not getting proper treatment for a pet is against the law. If you cannot find a vet, or animal rescue/shelter with veterinary staff to treat your guinea pig, you may have to surrender your guinea pig so that he/she can receive appropriate treatment and be rehomed.

You might ask your dad what he thinks will happen to him when he is old and vulnerable, and what sort of example he is setting you by refusing to get appropriate treatment for your guinea pig. If he genuinely cannot afford the vet bills, the guinea pig needs a new home where treatment can be provided. I am sorry you find yourself in this situation.

How can I treat my guinea pig's watery eyes?

Kay Dudman, Caring for guinea pigs for over twenty years

Answered Jun 13, 2018

Take your guinea pig to the vet if the watery eye means that clear fluid is spilling out into the area around the eye; if could be an infection, an allergy, a blocked tear duct or something irritating the eye. The cause will determine the appropriate treatment (e.g. antibiotic eye drops, steroid eye drops, etc). A foreign body in the eye will often result in a guinea pig closing or half-closing the affected eye, and a foreign body must be removed. Potentially eye drops will also be needed to soothe the eye.

If you notice a milky white fluid in the eye when the guinea pig is grooming, this is perfectly normal, and does not need further attention.

Can I give my guinea pig yogurt drops that are sold to be rabbit treats?

Kay Dudman, Caring for guinea pigs for over twenty years

Answered Jun 8, 2018

No. Yogurt drops are sold as treats for pet owners rather than pets. In general, foods sold for rabbits are not good for guinea pigs as rabbits can synthesise their own vitamin C, whereas guinea pigs - like humans - cannot. Guinea pig food has vitamin C added to it for this reason. Yogurt is made from milk; adult animals do not need products made from milk, particularly the milk of another species. Don’t waste your money on yogurt drops (or any highly-coloured synthetic “treats”) when you can buy salad items that will be much better for your guinea pig, and enjoyed more

4069. REYNA. A 9-month-old guinea pig stops eating and whines in pain - gastric distension - X rays

A 9-month-old g p has swollen abdomen. Gastric distension. 

https://youtu.be/MM_zt7MzBjw
The guinea pig passed away the next day owing to
chronic infections and ileus (gas in the intestines). 

---------------------------------------------------------------

COMPARISON TO THE OUTCOME IN THE FOLLOWING CASE
4-year-old g p with severe gastric distension

bloody urine initially - the vet gave baytril and pain killers for the past 10 days. Urine

changed to brownish colour. The g p stops eating. Why?

4068. A good dental care enables the dog to live a healthy life.

"Remember, You neutered my dog when he was very young," the man with his head shaved bad said. "Now, I have come for his annual vaccination".

"Has your dog any dental scaling?" I asked.
"No", the clean-shaven happy bald gentleman said.
My assistant tried to open the mouth for me to examine. The dog shook his head and clamp his jaws. "Your dog does not want his mouth opened," I tried to open his mouth, but without success. "There are hard brown tartar on the back teeth. He has some oral pain due to decaying teeth.

"We will do a blood test first," I told the owner who agreed to dental work.


The dog's front teeth looked much cleaner. Most likely, the groomer had provided dental scaling.

"Normally, old dogs can take isoflurane gas anaesthesia safely," I had done many cases. "Provided the heart, liver and lungs are normal."

-----------------

VIDEO

Old dog with premolar 4 tartars (show some images of cases)
and carnassial tooth abscesses

blood test showed bacterial infections

gum tumours

4067. Reyna: A rabbit grinds her teeth and has body odour. - likely pyometra. Pt 1/2. .

Jan 30, 2020

The 82-year-old grandpa brought this rabbit for consultation. "The rabbit has lost appetite and grinds her teeth," the teenaged grand-daughter said. "She has a strong body odour."

"I hope the fees will not be a few hundreds," the grandpa told me. His generation has lived through the horrors and deprivations of World War 2 and he wanted the least cost to get his rabbit diagnosed and treated. I noted sticky yellow-white pus on the inflamed private parts. "The rabbit could be suffering from a urinary tract infection or pyometra which is an infection of the womb,"

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:
1. Dental malocclusion. Molar spurs. X-rays of molars.  Drooling - body odour. salvia stains.  No X-ray consent given.
2. Female - pyometra - yellowish-white vaginal discharge seen
3. Female - uterine tumours.
4. Urinary tract infection or urolithiasis. No x-ray consent given. Uine test.
5. Gastrointestinal stasis (Ileus). Rabbit is eating. No X-ray consent given

A urine test was need. 

Older rabbits do develop uterine tumours. This could result in pus leaking out from the uterus to the outside. The rabbit groomed herself and the smell of pus and blood soiled her coat. Hence, the bad body odour.

As the owner wanted the least cost treatment, no ultrasound or X-ray was done to confirm the uterine tumour or bladder and kidney stones.


UPDATE:

How do you help a sick guinea pig stay hydrated?

Kay Dudman, Caring for guinea pigs for over twenty years

Answered May 5, 2018

A sick guinea pig needs to be seen by a veterinary surgeon with knowledge and experience of treating guinea pigs; it is important that a sick guinea pig receives veterinary attention urgently as they tend to hide illness (a defence as they are prey animals).

A veterinary surgeon can administer subcutaneous fluids, which will certainly help maintain hydration. You can syringe-feed your guinea pig with a mash made from oxbow critical care and warm water, so that will provide nourishment and fluid. If your guinea pig will eat their usual food, cucumber will aid hydration as it has a high water content, but do not feed too much as it can trigger diarrhoea. Fresh grass (picked away from traffic fumes and fouling by other animals) rinsed in clean water can also help. If your guinea pig is unable to feed independently it is very important to maintain syringe-feeding every few hours. Alternatively, your veterinary surgeon may admit your guinea pig as an in-patient so that round the clock care and support can be provided.

4066. Reyna. A Silkie Terrier has a hard firm backside lump - left anal sac abscess. Pt 1/2

Abscess "ripened" after prednisolone injection. Ruptured overnight inside kennel.