[Gpdd] Health...need your advice, Please!

[Sandra Oliver-Poore]

Piggies get cysts often but I don't think it should be multiplying. It
almost sound like a lymph node infection. Nevertheless, it should not be
multiplying if it is being treated correctly. Baytril is often used for
gp's. but it should not cause lumps unless given wrong. Maybe it takes a
while, how long has she been on antibiotics? Now as you read this please
know my advice is as a layperson, I am not professional, and you do
absolutely need a good vet, or better, specialist here. Specialists don't
cost more and they are lots cheaper in the long run.

Ask your vet if you don't already know how much of her practice is devoted
to exotics. If she does mostly dogs and cats and a few buns then I would
politely ask if she thinks you should see and exotics vet or a
rodentologist. Maybe she will refer you. You must have the right doc. No
disrespect but dog and cat vets often don't know just how different piggies
are and how to effectively treat them.

You could tell us where you are and let us recommend one if we have someone
in your area. Piggies are very sensitive to pain and will often eat less so
she may need some anti-inflammatory like children's Advil, not the sweet
stuff but I will refer you to Ann Evan's website. You should not get more
lumps if the treatment is going well. Anti-inflammitories help infections
too so they do double duty. Give hemi extra lap time every day with hand
feeding. Buy some critter B Better or Critical care and syringe or spoon-fed
if you must, piggies must eat lots. Make sure he has access to unlimited
timothy or grass hay all day and night, nice green stuff, no sticks. Don't
feed anything sweet. Romaine is good, I use organic.

It seems to me we should know what's wrong since Hemi had the needle biopsy.
It may be that a culture and sensitivity test will have to be done to make
sure the proper treatment plan is drawn up with the right antibiotic. So
make sure he stays clean, weigh him every day to make sure he isn't losing
weight. Get him some Vit C foods like green peppers and some greens or
oranges, tomatoes, strawberries, etc. plus about 50 mg of a Vit C pill,
write if you need help on how to do this. They like the chewable kind better
or drops. But don't wait must have Vit C right way.

Make sure he smells, ok, he is clean, pooping, and peeing and is normally
active. Wash him with Adams in the round blue bottle, not oval. Dry of
course. Piggies that fell good get better faster. And take his temperature
While he is at the doc get his proper shots for parasites as all piggies
have them and they can multiply and overwhelm a piggie who is already sick.
Ask the vet to set you up to do the follow on parasite treatments at home
with meds she sends home with you. You need ivermectin and Panacur more
often to start, Ann tells you how to do the whole thing on her website
although the website isn't finished, and this section is. 

For Advil our Penny from Piggyville in England recommends "You can give Mimi
children's liquid ibuprofen at the rate of 0.4ml twice a day" I copied her
exactly that's why it says Mimi. An is not professional either but has run a
long time successful rescue

I hope that Ann will see your letter tomorrow; she's on the US east coast.
But busy campaigning now. 
Let us know any care questions, forgive me if I got too simplistic, our
common goal is happy healthy piggies. 
Sandy with Shipwreck Sam and AR