[Stones] Elvis and his bladder ostomy-last update

[Monique Charlebois]

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. 


      
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