[Gpdd] [HEALTH] MACIE

[Ann Evans]

Dear Joanne,

Yes guinea pigs do get cancer but it is rare. I do not know how old 
Macie is or how much she weighs, but I think you wrote that her teeth 
have been checked and they are fine. I would be more inclined to think 
that Macie has internal parasites even though the test was negative. 
Parasites can invade the wall of the gut and invade the liver, pancreas 
and lungs. Therefore, these parasites would not show up in a fecal test. 
Parasites release toxins and carry bacteria that interfere in the guts 
ability to process and absorb nutrients. When was the last time she was 
wormed? I have treated many cavies that were constantly loosing weight 
yet they did not have any teeth problems, infections or signs of 
parasites. I would immediately give Macie orally 0.4 ml 2.5% Panacur = 
fenbendazole or 0.4 ml 2.5% Valbazen = albendazole. The dose is based on 
metabolic rate not on body weight and is 10 mg of either of these drugs 
for 5 days. I would also give her orally 0.1 ml of 1.0% Ivermectin. This 
will cover the internal parasite spectrum.  I believe you live in the UK 
or Europe. Peter Gurney also recommends Metatone tonic, which I always 
have on hand for my cavies. The dose is orally 0.5 ml per day for a week 
and then 0.3 ml per day for another week.

Best of health to Macie.

Ann and the Rescued Piggys of Piggyville Tampa Florida USA