[Stones] advice

[texg at 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