[Gpdd] Health: KIMBA

Mon Jun 9 06:31:47 EDT 2014

Hello all,

I thought I wrote to you all last night re Kimba, but my computer had a spack attack and I can't use that email program now.   So, what I was composing has been lost within my computer and can't recall if I managed to send the email before my Outlook program broke down.   So I may be repeating myself with this message, for which I'm sorry if that is the case.

I wanted you all to know Kimba is still with me.   He has seen 4 vets, had 3 procedures under gas done, one xray, and finally I found a guinea pig/exotic animals specialist some 2 hours drive from me.    I took Kimba there on 29th May, where he underwent another gas procedure with correct dental tools and an experienced and knowledgeable vet.   When I collected Kimba later that afternoon (the vet will not let any piggy go until it is eating, drinking and pooping), and was absolutely delighted to find Kimba eating grass I had brought with me to give him after his surgery.   

I took Lo,ba back 7 days later and the vet was happy with his eating and poos, and apart from a small ulcer on the side of his tongue, he said his teeth looked good.    Apparently, from what I could understand cause the vet talked a million miles an hour, Kimba had truble with his teeth on one side in the lower teeth, and the other (right) side it was the upper teeth.

However, the day before I took Kimba back he had developed a terrible wheezing, which had improved by the next day's visit to the vet, but the vet could still hear some sheezing.

So, at the moment Kimba is on 0.ml Metacam twice daily for 10 days, .35 ml Baytril twice daily for 10 days, and 0.3ml Nilstat/Nystatin twice daily for 5 days.

Kimba has been weeing blood, and for an hour I tried to get him to wee on the mat in the vet's room, but he wouldn't, he just kept jumped to my shoulder.    He did not want to be there.          The vet wants me to try and catch some wee if I can.   He doesn't think it is a stone as he could not feel anything hard around his little private parts, and is hoping the Baytril will fix the problem.   However, some of the towels I've been using for Kimba's bedding are so stained with blood and urine, it's not a little worrying.    He also is ravenously hungry, and drinks heaps of water, as we say in Australia, he's "flat out like a lizard drinking".    That brings to mind could he have diabetes. 

He fights so hard I need someone to hold him still so I can give him his meds.   He really has had enough.   I'm inclined to agree with Kimba.    I stopped the metacam knowing it is pretty potent, but still am doing Baytril and Nilstat.

I'm supposed to go back in 14 days (I couldn't go bacxk this week because I personally have two medical specialist appointments I must keep for my own health's sake).   However, the last trip really knocked Kimba, and I'm inclined not to put him through any more traumatic events.   I would not allow any more gas, he's had enough.   Even the specialist vet said eventually he could have had too much gas over time, and one day not wake up from it.        And it takes its toll on me too.

I'm inclined to just give Kimba Vit C, cranberry probiotics, cooch grass is supposed to be good for UTI, and lots of food that he wants.  Unfortunately, being winter here, his favourite grass is not growing so I am scratching t give my boys any grass at all.   Kimba is eating his timothy hay with great abandon.   I've never seen him ravenous like he is.   Every time I go into their room he runs to the side and asks me what have I got for him.  And for all his eating, he hasn't put on much weight at all, which strengthens my suspicion of something more sinister going on.

I am proud and pleased and thankful to God that I have won this battle, he is not critical any more; but I'm afraid I may not win the war.

Thank you all for your lovely messages of support and advice, as always it is greatly appreciated.

Much love to you all - both piggies and slaves
Julie, Kimba, Treacle, Sooty xxxxxxx