Rodney - Page 13

Ria P · 08-31-2022, 01:36 PM

Rodney has been to the vet's again yesterday because i was concerned that he isn't getting better. He hasn't lost weight and still weighs the 155g he's been all through his adult life but his appetite and energy levels are decreasing and his poops are still abnormal and smelly.
I think that he's approaching the last phase of his life but i wanted to try one course of antibiotics to rule out an infection in his gastric tract. The vet agreed and prescribed a course of baytril.
Rodney's nose is clear but his back is scaly now indicating a demodex overgrowth so his immune system is probably low.
He has one more antiparasite treatment next week by which time the antibiotic will be finished as well. I'll clean his cage and change his substrate then to make sure that there's nothing that could re infect him. Just working on a plan to make this as stressfree as possible.
And that's it then.
Whichever direction his health is heading by then i'm going to go along with. I wouldn't put him through any invasive tests that require anaesthesia because it would stress him.

There is one test i am considering if he's still unwell but i'm not sure it would benefit him. I could collect his poops for two or three consecutive days and have it sent off and analyzed in the lab. I don't know if this test would result in a diagnosis and cure at his age. The cost is £142 which i'd happily pay in the hope of finding a medication to fix the problem.
But, at 26 months old and obvious signs of aging, i'm inclined to think that his body doesn't have enough strength left to heal.

The last few evenings he wanted out but didn't play for long. He soon climbed up my front so i'd carry him back to his home. He then went into his house and closed the door behind him.

Stanza · 08-31-2022, 02:32 PM

Bless little Rodney, lovely he is still popping out to see you and kinda keeping to his routine even though he’s feeling poorly. You are the most caring hamster mum and I’ve no doubt he feels your love, care and knows you are always doing your best by him. Hope the substrate swap goes ok and the new antibiotics help. Wishing Rodney well, hugs x

Ria P · 08-31-2022, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanza

Bless little Rodney, lovely he is still popping out to see you and kinda keeping to his routine even though he’s feeling poorly. You are the most caring hamster mum and I’ve no doubt he feels your love, care and knows you are always doing your best by him. Hope the substrate swap goes ok and the new antibiotics help. Wishing Rodney well, hugs x

Thank you so much Stanza.

cloudy · 09-01-2022, 12:10 AM

I really hope the antibiotics help. My friend recently had her guinea pig poops sent to a lab but nothing showed up. I hope you both still have lots of time together.

Ria P · 09-01-2022, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloudy

I really hope the antibiotics help. My friend recently had her guinea pig poops sent to a lab but nothing showed up. I hope you both still have lots of time together.

Do you know why your friend had her guinea pig's poops tested?
I was wondering too about the possibility of nothing showing up but traces of parasites and they could be there naturally as in any rodent.
On the other hand, some bacteria could show up that requires a different antibiotic than baytril.

Ria P · 09-01-2022, 01:15 AM

I had the fluid of Clarissa's mass on her throat sent off and analyzed in the lab but but it didn't really help with her diagnosis.
That became clear when the vet surgically removed the mass.

cloudy · 09-01-2022, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

Do you know why your friend had her guinea pig's poops tested?
I was wondering too about the possibility of nothing showing up but traces of parasites and they could be there naturally as in any rodent.
On the other hand, some bacteria could show up that requires a different antibiotic than baytril.

His poops have never looked normal. They are soft and smell strong. This is unusual as guinea pigs poops do not smell. The piggy has had various medication and this to see if anything could show up. Now the vet thinks he may have a thyroid issue.

Ria P · 09-01-2022, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloudy

His poops have never looked normal. They are soft and smell strong. This is unusual as guinea pigs poops do not smell. The piggy has had various medication and this to see if anything could show up. Now the vet thinks he may have a thyroid issue.

I had two dwarfs with thyroid issues but didn't affect their poops. Can't really see how it could. Can vets take a blood sample from a guinea pig?

Ria P · 09-01-2022, 04:15 AM

I've been at work overnight and just gave Rodney his antibiotic. He's deteriorating. His nose is scabby again and the fur under his chin is thin. Poops look worse. There's something serious going on inside and i can't see him recovering from it. I'll observe him tonight when he's out of his cage, providing he wants to come out, which will be a good indication of his state of health in itself. I have come to the point now where i am considering to have him put to sleep.

cloudy · 09-01-2022, 04:18 AM

They can take a blood sample but it is really hard and only done if essential. He has had tests done and he is well apart from the odd poops.

I am so sorry Rodney is deteriorating. I am thinking of you both.