[Gpdd] [HEALTH] Update on Claude's weight loss

[DebJonSara at aol.com]

Many thanks to all who have sent me suggestions. I must have been having a  
"senior moment" when I posted before - I have no idea what "Minadex" is, if  
indeed such a product exists, but it is METATONE Tonic I am giving Claude -  
0.5ml per day for a week, as suggested by guru Gurney. I'm having to syringe  
that in, as he hates the taste. I am also making Critical Care "sausages" and  
handfeeding them to him - he absolutely adores these, so I make sure I only give 
 them to him after he has eaten his veggies and dry food, otherwise I fear he 
 might "pig out" on these and not leave room for the more "normal" stuff.
 
He had gained 20g last time I weighed him - not much, but better than a  
loss. He is lively and happy, still chomping hay and his veggies and mix. In  
fact, the only change in him is the weight loss - there is no excessive thirst  or 
lethargy.
 
About the "Critical Care" - it says on the cylinder it should only be given  
under veterinary supervision etc.... Well, my vet's never even heard of the  
stuff, my cylinder came from the CCT when Red Dandy was ill. Does anyone know  
whether long term use could be harmful? I am using it as a supplement, not a  
replacement. I am not syringe feeding it, just making it into soft pellets 
which  he loves. Is there a limit to the length of time during which it can be 
fed? Red  Dandy was on it for over a month, almost exclusively- but then he did 
go to The  Bridge in the end. As I was feeding Claude his "sausages" last 
night, I got to  wondering why Oxbow don't just make "Critical Care" flavoured 
soft pellets? I  know they make Cavy Cuisine - can't get that here, and my friend 
in the UK who  got me some last time she came over can't get it this time 
either. But the Cavy  Cuisine didn't smell like Critical Care.... . So, does 
anyone know, is it safe  to feed "Critical Care" longterm? What's the longest 
anyone has fed it  for?
 
Poor Claude is getting very boney around his haunches. I still don't think  
it's dental - he is eating well. I noticed the weight loss began just after 
he'd  had his latest Ivomectin oral dose - couldn't be some kind of allergic 
reaction,  could it? None of the other Dolly Mixtures showed any ill effects, and 
they were  all dosed the same day. He has been wormed.
 
Thanks again for all your advice already - will keep you posted.
 
Debbie