From monioak at yahoo.ca Fri Jan 2 12:03:22 2009 From: monioak at yahoo.ca (Monique Charlebois) Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 09:03:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Stones] Elvis and his bladder ostomy-last update Message-ID: <872013.71754.qm@web58004.mail.re3.yahoo.com> I?m sorry to inform you that Elvis was euthanized on Sept. 30. He survived a year, within a week, after his bladder ?ostomy?, reported in previous 'stones posting' and also in GuineaLynx.?? (with pics - http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=41065 ? ? In brief the surgery was a roaring success, and we had some precious extra time ? very expensive and high maintenance time, but who?s complaining? - with this very special little guy, at a tough period in my family?s life. In August he developed an enormous infection in his left front paw which would not respond to treatment.? This was likely the result of his chronic bumblefoot, which he first got very shortly after his surgery as we finessed the after-care protocol for this uncharted territory.? And after a year of daily antibiotic treatment (baytril and metronidazole (Flagyl) ), he finally caught a superbug (Cornyebacterium pyogens) which was resistant even to a third antibiotic we tried (Septra aka trimethoprim or sulfamethoxazole).? It had started to destroy the bones in his foot. ? The necropsy showed a very healthy heart and no evidence of other stones. His bladder showed no inflammation, although the skin around the actual ostomy had always been inflamed for about 2 mm around. The stomach cultures showed a 4+ (very high) count for candida (yeast). There was some liver congestion and lung pinpoints which could have been post-mortem effect. There was amyloid patchiness in the adrenal gland which was considered interesting but possibly just an effect of age. (He was a month shy of 6 years old.) ? The tissues around the foot showed acute cellulitis and pododermatitis which so impaired the tendons and bones that the only treatment would have been amputation ? and he was certainly not a good candidate for that, after the physical stress of the past year. ? Since his surgery, his belly and feet were bathed twice daily and slathered with HealX and furazone ointment. He was housed on puppy pads on top of fleece for a year. The puppy pads were changed 6 to 8 times per day but reality was that we could not change them during the night or for 8 hours during a work & school day. Of course he was on metacam all along, and we added tramadol in the last few days before the euthanasia. The pain of the infection probably was the cause of a bad bloat episode, so he was on motility drugs for a month as well.? In the end, he was on 8 different meds, twice a day. ? All through the year and up to the end, he stayed alert, friendly and extremely interested in food & cuddles.? He would chow down on about a cup of greens and fruit per feed, three to four times a day, in addition to piles of Oxbow hay and he was supplemented with Critical Care at least once a day.. I?m certain that his relaxed personality and strong interest in food were determining factors in the success of the surgery and his recovery. He was such a trouper and a great favourite with staff at the vet clinic (in Guelph ON,?about 50 km from home) for our monthly (or more) check-ups and teeth trims.??Of course we miss him terribly.? There are reminders everywhere ? chopping veggies, weeding dandelions, choosing fruit at the supermarket. ? I have been promised a veterinary journal article in 6 to 12 months ? I certainly hope we can make this contribution to cavy care. Thanks to everyone for their support. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rzm.2 at juno.com Sat Jan 3 19:22:13 2009 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2009 00:22:13 GMT Subject: [Stones] MISC- condolences for Elvis Message-ID: <20090103.162213.5177.0@webmail08.dca.untd.com> Monique- I'm very sorry to hear Elvis the piggie has passed away. Wow, 6 years! What a lucky piggie to have you for so long, & you lucky to have so much time with him as well. It's sadly never enough time though. You went above & beyond in your care for him & I'm sure he's eternally grateful. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. Take care. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~(& Holli too!) ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________ Click to make millions by owning your own franchise. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw2THzB2qnYaNowMqzb9uijb3ZX3y7mMclSXZGoflzOf91SlX/ From calliope at geeksnet.com Mon Jan 5 19:01:02 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:01:02 -0500 Subject: [Stones] Elvis and his bladder ostomy-last update (Monique Charlebois) In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <49629F3E.4070506@geeksnet.com> Monique, please accept our condolences on Elvis's passing. It was amazing to read of his bladder stone/ostomy surgery, and we indeed hope it will be written up in a veterinary journal. Although piggies are never with us long enough, it is wonderful that he lived for a year after his ground-breaking operation. We hope you will find comfort in knowing that you prolonged his life; the details of your daily care of him show such compassion and concern. Elvis was so lucky to be part of your family. We are so sorry that he developed a foot infection that would not respond to treatment, but we know he felt your love in everything you did for him. How wonderful that he stayed alert and happy until the end. We have no trouble imagining that he was a favorite with the vet staff. Thank you for sharing some of your memories of him. We are sure his name will live on, and the information about the surgical procedure will save the lives of other piggies -- what a tribute to Elvis. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From gvillalobos at ocean.edu Tue Jan 6 01:16:06 2009 From: gvillalobos at ocean.edu (Gloria A Villalobos) Date: Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:16:06 -0500 Subject: [Stones] Elvis Condolences & Introduction Message-ID: <0KD100GB7DEWXW91@mta2.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> My sincere condolences on Elvis' passing. I was fascinated by his experiences and he truly sounded like a wonderful piggy. I know you did everything in your power for him, and that's all we can ever do. I just found this list a couple of days ago and it's actually a little ironic that my two piggies are Priscilla and Lisa Marie (AKA, the Presley Girls.) They are two rescue piggies (now aged 5 & 5 1/2) who have been with me for a little over 2 years now. Both came to me with a past history of ear infections and were left with head tilts. They actually tilt in opposite directions and will sit on either side of their veggie dish like a matched set of bookends, begging for food. Lisa's eye turned opaque a couple of days after I got her and we had a long bout of dealing with a corneal abrasion. She's now on a daily dose of eye gel, but doing well. Then, about 6 months ago, I found a lump on her throat which turned out to be a highly aggressive malignant thyroid tumor. Surgery and lots of TLC got her through that fortunately. Priscilla has been pretty healthy since I got her. Unfortunately, when I took the girls in for their check-ups last week, they found Priscilla had an ear infection & started her on antibiotics. Not such a big deal but, even with probiotics, she stopped eating. Her regular vet said to stop the antibiotics & referred her up to our area emergency veterinary hospital. During her exam, they noted she had some severe discomfort in her belly. An x-ray later . . . and they show me a nice collection of stones. Numerous small ones in the bladder, some tiny ones in the right ureter, and one large one in the urethra. They put her on IV fluids to try to flush out the stones, but after 2 days, there was little motion, and they'd only disloged the one from the urethra. So, she went in for surgery Monday afternoon. They got out all the stones in the bladder, but weren't able to get all the ones from the ureter. The surgeon didn't want to cut into the ureter itself for fear of scaring and eventually losing the kidney. She says she feels the stones may still get flushed into the bladder where they may either make it out on their own or be easier to retrieve. She also found that Priscilla has a pretty significant bladder infection. Currently, Priscilla is still at the hospital, on fluids, hand feeding, antibiotics and pain meds. One of the things I like about the hospital is that they're a 24-hour facility, so doctors & support staff are there throughout the night, and they have a separate area for guinea pigs and other exotics where it's quieter and they're not stressed by barking dogs and the like. So, I'm glad I found this community and have been reading furiously through the archives to bring myself up to speed on the stone issue. Prior to Priscilla & Lisa Marie, I've had 6 other guinea pigs (all but one of whom lived to at least 5 years) and this is the first time I've encountered stones. Priscilla's now 5 1/2 and I know this is tough on her. I know she may not have a good outcome, but I REALLY don't want to say goodbye to her yet. I've never had a piggy that was as much of a mush. Given a chance, she'll sit and cuddle for hours. I'm trying to figure out what kinds of things I can change to help prevent (or at least delay) a recurrence. As I said, she's well over 5 and as much as I'm not ready to lose her, I also don't think she'd tolerate numerous surgeries. Please wish her the best. G.- From calliope at geeksnet.com Wed Jan 7 11:34:43 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:34:43 -0500 Subject: [Stones] Elvis Condolences & Introduction In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4964D9A3.6040608@geeksnet.com> Gloria, welcome to the Stones List. We certainly are sending good thoughts and healing wheeks to Priscilla. It sounds as though you have an excellent vet. How great that the office has people on duty 24/7. As far as stones in the ureter, I think I remember reading that in England, they have been able to work them out by hand. This might have been at the Cambridge Cavy Trust. I can check around some if you'd like more information. Please know that both Priscilla and Lisa are very lucky piggies to have you taking such excellent care of them. Do keep us posted on Priscilla's progress. Best wishes, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From ann.evans at hintlink.com Wed Jan 7 12:49:35 2009 From: ann.evans at hintlink.com (Ann Evans) Date: Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:49:35 -0500 Subject: [Stones] info on submissions Message-ID: <4964EB2F.6050705@hintlink.com> I sent all of the details of Kinjaroo's stone removal surgery to the regular GPDD. Should I have sent a copy of what was posted also to the stones at gpigs-database.org? -- Ann Evans From gvillalobos at ocean.edu Thu Jan 8 15:10:26 2009 From: gvillalobos at ocean.edu (Gloria A. Villalobos) Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:10:26 -0500 Subject: [Stones] Elvis Condolences & Introduction In-Reply-To: <4964D9A3.6040608@geeksnet.com> References: <4964D9A3.6040608@geeksnet.com> Message-ID: At 11:34 AM 1/7/2009, Cindy wrote: >Gloria, welcome to the Stones List. We certainly are sending good >thoughts and healing wheeks to Priscilla. It sounds as though you >have an excellent vet. How great that the office has people on duty 24/7. I was thrilled when I found them a few years ago. It's great comfort knowing they're there & only about 25-minutes from home. >As far as stones in the ureter, I think I remember reading that in >England, they have been able to work them out by hand. This might >have been at the Cambridge Cavy Trust. I can check around some if >you'd like more information. Please know that both Priscilla and >Lisa are very lucky piggies to have you taking such excellent care >of them. Do keep us posted on Priscilla's progress. > >Best wishes, >Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday Thanks, it would be great to see what information they may have. Priscilla made it through the surgery fine. They got all the stones from the bladder, but were unable to get the ones from the ureter. The surgeon tried working them out by hand but had no luck and didn't want to cut the ureter itself at this point to try to get them. Right now, urine is still getting through and her kidney function is fine, so they want to monitor it and see how things go. Unfortunately, my little girl seems to be in quite a bit of pain and really isn't taking much food or water right now, so I'm going to give the vet a call and see what they recommend. They had her on an injectable pain med in the hospital, but put her on the oral version of it to send her home. They did say that it may not be as effective as the injection. Gloria, Priscilla & Lisa Marie From calliope at geeksnet.com Thu Jan 8 18:24:52 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:24:52 -0500 Subject: [Stones] info on submissions In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <49668B44.3060603@geeksnet.com> Ann, I think it would be great if you would post that here, too. Cindy > I sent all of the details of Kinjaroo's stone removal surgery to the > regular GPDD. Should I have sent a copy of what was posted also to the > stones at gpigs-database.org? > -- Ann Evans From gvillalobos at ocean.edu Fri Jan 9 00:09:25 2009 From: gvillalobos at ocean.edu (Gloria A Villalobos) Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:09:25 -0500 Subject: [Stones] Priscilla Message-ID: <0KD600F4JUBSTWG0@mta2.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> Despite our best efforts, Priscilla passed away around 11:15 Thursday night. She was developing pneumonia, wouldn't take food or water and just gave out. I knew going in that it was going to be rough on her, but I also know now that if I hadn't done anything I would have lost her anyway. So I gave her the best chance I possibly could. But as I'm sure you all know, that doesn't make it hurt any less. Gloria & Lisa Marie From texg at cavyinfo.com Fri Jan 9 10:21:41 2009 From: texg at cavyinfo.com (texg at cavyinfo.com) Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:21:41 -0500 Subject: [Stones] Priscilla In-Reply-To: <0KD600F4JUBSTWG0@mta2.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> References: <0KD600F4JUBSTWG0@mta2.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> Message-ID: <20090109102141.hxoxxcons4w0woc4@www.cavyinfo.com> Gloria, I'm very sorry to hear of Priscilla's passing. You did all you could for her - which, like you said doesn't make losing her any easier - which should bring some peace of mind. You're in our thoughts, Tex Quoting Gloria A Villalobos : > Despite our best efforts, Priscilla passed away around 11:15 Thursday > night. She was developing pneumonia, wouldn't take food or water and > just gave out. I knew going in that it was going to be rough on her, > but I also know now that if I hadn't done anything I would have lost > her anyway. So I gave her the best chance I possibly could. But as > I'm sure you all know, that doesn't make it hurt any less. > > Gloria & Lisa Marie _______________________________________________ > Stones mailing list > Stones at gpigs-database.org > http://gpigs-database.org/mailman/listinfo/stones_gpigs-database.org From rzm.2 at juno.com Fri Jan 9 19:09:26 2009 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:09:26 GMT Subject: [Stones] MISC- condolences Message-ID: <20090109.160926.7098.0@webmail03.dca.untd.com> Gloria- I'm so very sorry to hear Priscilla passed away. I lost my first piggie Albert after stone surgery. I did everything I could for him, but sometimes it's just too much for them. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~(& Holli too!) ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________ Purify your water with professional water treatment. Click now! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw2uXsAQjRx9WAO8L3zMypd9mUODxDbMuqetef4zfU4ZUEhdT/ From calliope at geeksnet.com Fri Jan 9 21:59:10 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:59:10 -0500 Subject: [Stones] condolences for Priscilla In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <49680EFE.6060605@geeksnet.com> Oh, no, Gloria, we are so very shocked and sorry to hear of Priscilla's passing; we had so hoped that she would be able to make a full recovery. Please know that you absolutely did your best for her. Without surgery she would have had no chance at all. All we can do is try our best, and you did -- and we know Priscilla understood and appreciated all of your efforts. So many of us -- too many -- understand what you're going through. I lost my Sunshine in December 2007 after two stone surgeries. Unfortunately the stones kept coming back, and quickly. He, too, developed pneumonia. We hope it will help you to know that many of us have "been there." Your sadness and pain at losing Priscilla run through us all. Your girl was so lucky you rescued her and gave her a wonderful life in which she was much loved. Please accept our condolences on her passing. We also send our best to Lisa Marie. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From dawndastricklen at yahoo.com Sat Jan 10 11:47:24 2009 From: dawndastricklen at yahoo.com (Dawnda Stricklen) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:47:24 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Stones] stones: condolences for Priscilla Message-ID: <330464.30621.qm@web52312.mail.re2.yahoo.com> I know it is so dishearting when you try so hard to save your pig and you just cannot. At least we try. I send my deepest condolences to you. Dawnda Stricklen http://dawndasticklen.tripod.com From laurel_demming at hotmail.com Sun Jan 11 20:59:53 2009 From: laurel_demming at hotmail.com (laurel demming) Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:59:53 +0000 Subject: [Stones] advice In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I am reaching out as a last attempt to help my little Churbie.~We might have a 3rd stone. He had his first stone removed 2 years ago and did well on a modified diet and shillingtong. For a year and a half he was fine until we moved back to Portland. This October he had another removed. This vet had no knowledge of the herb shillingtong and advised me NOT to give him it.Here we are 3 months later and he is squeeking again. Is there anyone out there that can help? I have been told with each removal the bladder gets more scaring and less efficient. Please, it anyone can help me...I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.> From: stones-request at gpigs-database.org> Subject: Stones Digest, Vol 44, Issue 7> To: stones at gpigs-database.org> Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:00:02 -0500> > Send Stones mailing list submissions to> stones at gpigs-database.org> > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit> http://gpigs-database.org/mailman/listinfo/stones_gpigs-database.org> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to> stones-request at gpigs-database.org> > You can reach the person managing the list at> stones-owner at gpigs-database.org> > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific> than "Re: Contents of Stones digest..."> > > Guinea Pig Bladderstone Mailing List> > Today's Topics:> > 1. MISC- condolences (Jaime)> 2. Re: condolences for Priscilla (Cindy)> 3. stones: condolences for Priscilla (Dawnda Stricklen)> > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------> > Message: 1> Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:09:26 GMT> From: "Jaime" > Subject: [Stones] MISC- condolences> To: gvillalobos at ocean.edu, stones at gpigs-database.org> Cc: rzm.2 at juno.com> Message-ID: <20090109.160926.7098.0 at webmail03.dca.untd.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252> > Gloria-> I'm so very sorry to hear Priscilla passed away. I lost my first piggie Albert after stone surgery. I did everything I could for him, but sometimes it's just too much for them. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family.> > > ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~(& Holli too!)> ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~> http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/> > ____________________________________________________________> Purify your water with professional water treatment. Click now!> http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw2uXsAQjRx9WAO8L3zMypd9mUODxDbMuqetef4zfU4ZUEhdT/> > > > ------------------------------> > Message: 2> Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:59:10 -0500> From: Cindy > Subject: Re: [Stones] condolences for Priscilla> To: stones at gpigs-database.org> Message-ID: <49680EFE.6060605 at geeksnet.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed> > Oh, no, Gloria, we are so very shocked and sorry to hear of Priscilla's > passing; we had so hoped that she would be able to make a full > recovery. Please know that you absolutely did your best for her. > Without surgery she would have had no chance at all. All we can do is > try our best, and you did -- and we know Priscilla understood and > appreciated all of your efforts.> > So many of us -- too many -- understand what you're going through. I > lost my Sunshine in December 2007 after two stone surgeries. > Unfortunately the stones kept coming back, and quickly. He, too, > developed pneumonia. We hope it will help you to know that many of us > have "been there." Your sadness and pain at losing Priscilla run > through us all.> > Your girl was so lucky you rescued her and gave her a wonderful life in > which she was much loved. Please accept our condolences on her passing.> > We also send our best to Lisa Marie.> > Sadly,> Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday> > > > > ------------------------------> > Message: 3> Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:47:24 -0800 (PST)> From: Dawnda Stricklen > Subject: [Stones] stones: condolences for Priscilla> To: stones at gpigs-database.org> Message-ID: <330464.30621.qm at web52312.mail.re2.yahoo.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii> > I know it is so dishearting when you try so hard to save your pig and you just cannot. At least we try. I send my deepest condolences to you.> > Dawnda Stricklen> > http://dawndasticklen.tripod.com> > > > > > > ------------------------------> > _______________________________________________> Stones mailing list> Stones at gpigs-database.org> http://gpigs-database.org/mailman/listinfo/stones_gpigs-database.org> > > End of Stones Digest, Vol 44, Issue 7> ************************************* _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live?: Keep your life in sync. http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_explore_012009 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From texg at cavyinfo.com Sun Jan 11 21:56:22 2009 From: texg at cavyinfo.com (texg at cavyinfo.com) Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:56:22 -0500 Subject: [Stones] advice In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <20090111215622.9av752mhccgww008@www.cavyinfo.com> Hi Laurel, Is there any chance you can get a second opinion? It's unfortunate, but some vets do not believe in alternative treatments unless it has been documented. Anecdotal evidence, etc. has no sway. My personal feeling is, if something appears to work - and does no harm - then it's worth doing. The first thing you need to do is make sure Churbie is getting lots of water. And you may want to use bottled water if you suspect the tap water is different that what he was getting before. You also need to make sure he gets a varied diet, so his system is not overloaded with the same minerals, nutrients, etc. While there is some truth to more surgeries possible hastening the return of stones, another surgery is not out of the question if he needs it. We had a stone piggie that underwent four surgeries. The fifth he did not survive. Have you looked into other alternative management techniques such as polycitra syrup, actigal, etc.? We currently have a stone piggie that is asymptomatic. We *know* he has stones (x-ray), but because he is holding his weight and not in pain, we have been monitoring him only - no surgery unless something changes for the worse (at the vet's willing advice). The last x-ray showed one stone had disappeared and one was smaller. Baby Hamlet's situation is rather unique, however. Usually a stone piggie will lose weight and be in pain most of the time; usually the only recourse is surgery. In the even that Churbie needs another surgery, you might consider putting him back on the shilintong afterwards to try and keep the stones from re-forming. You might also ask your vet why he advises against using it. "Not familiar" is not a good enough answer. If there is a suitable reason - such as he knows it causes health problems, etc., that is one thing. But ignorance is not a reason. I hope Churbie recovers soon! Tex From jocelynm at umich.edu Mon Jan 12 09:11:54 2009 From: jocelynm at umich.edu (Anderson, Jocelyn M) Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:11:54 -0500 Subject: [Stones] stones: condolences for Priscilla Message-ID: <3AF9B038A6B07641B36C799ED4EBB0D78DDFC8@ITCS-ECLS-1-VS3.adsroot.itcs.umich.edu> Hi Gloria, I'm very sorry to hear of Priscilla's passing. She knew you were fighting for her and loved her horribly. She is happily popcorning around right now with all of her favorite snacks and without any pain. You are in my thoughts. Best, Jocelyn, Little John and Flashbang Fatbottom From rzm.2 at juno.com Mon Jan 12 13:41:49 2009 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:41:49 GMT Subject: [Stones] HEALTH- stone Message-ID: <20090112.104149.12596.0@webmail02.dca.untd.com> Laurel- I'm sorry to hear Churbie is having more stone troubles. Alot of us have used shilintong for our piggies & I think it is very safe. I also think it works. My first piggie Albert had stone issues & after giving him shilintong he passed the stone on his own. Albert's story is a long one. Check out my website for a detailed description of what we went thru with his stone problems. You'll have to click on "older posts" to read it. Also give him lots of water. You may have to syringe him extra to help flush him out. Try cutting back on his greens. Maybe they are causing extra sludge & stone formation. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me & I can give you more details. I hope things will be ok. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________ Having problems with the IRS? Click here to find a tax attorney. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw3cYmwpTZmwUrnPaVrbhZQMfT9lRaL2ZN7TYm9kaM2rqSbhD/ From ann.evans at hintlink.com Tue Jan 13 19:33:20 2009 From: ann.evans at hintlink.com (Ann Evans) Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:33:20 -0500 Subject: [Stones] Health : urethral stone removal Message-ID: <496D32D0.4000409@hintlink.com> This is what I posted to the GPDD on December 18, 2008. Kinjaroo is healthy, active and has gained 75 grams since her operation on December 3, 2008. Vedra Stanley Spatcher of the the Cambridge Cavy Trust and Guinea Pig Hospital advised me to give Kinjaroo 0.3 ml liquid vitamin C mixed with 0.20 ml hydrangea root extract orally for the rest of Kinjaroo's life. This is suppose to prevent another stone from forming. She gladly takes it everyday. Our 4.5 year old sow Kinjaroo had a 16 mm long by 11 mm wide by 8 mm high stone in her urethra. The stone was 1.5 mm from the urethral opening. The female urethra is about 20 mm long and 2-3 mm in diameter (Cooper and Shiller). On the 3rd of December Dr. Frank Bonsack DVM of Tampa Florida successfully removed the stone. Today she is totally normal. She was taking 10 mg of Rimadyl twice a day for pain for 2 days and 0.5ml of pediatric Bactrim twice a day to prevent infection for 7 days. The following are the details of the surgery for those that are interested. Dr. Bonsack first spoke with Dr. Griffin of http://www.griffinexotics.com about a method he had pioneered using a catheter to remove urethral stones. However, Kinjaroo?s stone was too large to be removed by Dr. Griffin?s method. He then spoke with Vedra Stanley Spatcher of the Cambridge Cavy Trust (CCT) and Guinea Pig Hospital http://rodentology.co.uk/. She advised that he use a local anaesthetic, insert obstetric lubricant into urethra via Jackson cat catheter, slide stone down to opening then using a number 11 blade make a slit at the opening of the urethra and remove stone. Vedra said there would be no need to suture the urethra because it will heal within a couple of days. She also advised to keep patient on clean towels or vet bed, give 10 mg of Rimadyl twice daily for two days and give plenty to drink. I told Vedra that Kinjaroo is a very excitable cavy and I did not think that the surgery could be done under a local. Vedra then responded ?We use an anaesthetic chamber and once they are under we take them out and use a nose cone to maintain, once you have cut through the skin you can reduce the concentration to about 2 or 2.5%. Half hour prior to operating we give 0.2 ml of Rimadyl. We never use Vetagesic or any form of injectable anaesthetic. On completion of op turn off isoflurane flush patient with oxygen put dollop of Vick vapour rub on nose and guinea pig should be back in cage and eating/normal within 10 mins. PS empty mouth with 1 ml syringe prior to induction and if guinea pig has not been drinking well give 10ml of Hartman?s sub cut at shoulder prior to op.? Kinjaroo was given 10 mg of Rimadyl pre op per Vedra?s instructions. Dr. Bonsack did not have an anaesthetic chamber so he put Kinjaroo three quarters of the way into a large anesthetic cone where she was breathing 2.5% isoflurane. She calmed down quickly and that gave me the opportunity to take her out of the cone and using a 1 ml syringe remove any fluid from the back of her throat. I then made sure her tongue was extended as to not block her trachea and placed her on the pre-warmed operating cradle. Dr. Bonsack then put a nose cone on Kinjaroo, which was delivering 2.0% isoflurane and taped it to her body. After approximately 10 minutes of receiving the isoflurane she moved her legs when Dr. Bonsack cleaned her skin with povidone iodine surgical scrub. I advised that at this point we should give her an injection of local anesthetic. He administered the local and then held the urethra open using tweezers and made a small incision using scissors. He then inserted the cat catheter along the sides of the stone and applied sterile mineral oil around the stone. He then gently pushed on the back of the stone closest to the bladder and it just slid out of the urethra entirely intact. Using vicryl suture thread he sewed the urethra and overlying skin in three places. He then turned off the isoflurane and flushed the nose cone with oxygen. Within 10 minutes Kinjaroo was completely awake and I applied Vick?s vapor rub to her nose. By 15 minutes she was in her cuddle cup eating cucumber, urinating and defecating normally. She has never shown any sings of pain. Her incision is almost completely healed 5 days post op and she has not developed an infection. Thank you to everyone who has given me advice, prayers and encouragement during this difficult situation. I am happy to answer any questions that you may have. Cheers, Ann and the rescued Piggys of Piggyville Tampa Florida USA From calliope at geeksnet.com Mon Jan 19 17:37:44 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:37:44 -0500 Subject: [Stones] HEALTH: Churbie Message-ID: <497500B8.8080806@geeksnet.com> Laurel, how is Churbie doing? We are sending healing wheeks and all good wishes his way. Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From calliope at geeksnet.com Mon Jan 19 17:41:15 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:41:15 -0500 Subject: [Stones] Health : urethral stone removal In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4975018B.1050508@geeksnet.com> Ann, thanks so much for posting the great information about Kinjaroo's urethral stone removal. I'll be saving it for my files. We are so glad that Kinjaroo is doing so well! Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday