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Post by max on Jul 29, 2011 0:57:12 GMT
I haven't been here in very long time. Life has been crazy. Anyway, I believe my Max has diabetes. I came on here to verify they can get it and see that they can indeed get it. I can't afford to take him to the vet and get him the proper care. Can he live long with this if I don't get him to the vet? And does anyone know about how much insulin costs? I'm in the states and I know everyone is different..but the cost of all this is also bothering me. I would really love to rehome him with someone who can care for him, but the other problem is he isn't a very friendly piggy. He likes to bite and doesn't like to be held. So my odds of finding him a new home are also going to be tough. I'm so torn right now.
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Post by piggylover on Jul 29, 2011 9:20:18 GMT
Your find without treatment he will fade quicker, your vets would help you rehome him but you can't rehome a guinea pig with no idea what wrong, I wouldn't take one on if I got told I think his got this, I'd wanna know 100%, so I think a vet trip is a must, if diabetes is what it is, then think what it does to humans, it affects there liver and kidneys, sorry just my view
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Post by Orlaith on Jul 29, 2011 13:47:05 GMT
Here is a link to a page with more information on diabetes in guinea pigs: hereIt seems that insulin is only necessary in certain pigs and from what I've read elsewhere, vets are reluctant to give it to guinea pigs as they may not have the experience to give a correct dose. The links on that site bring you to a girl who has had personal experience with diabetes in her guinea pigs so she seems like a reliable source. You could purchase those urine strips from your local pharmacist, I don't think they're expensive, and test Max yourself. If he has a lot of sugar in his pee then the immediate term you should completely cut out any sugary snacks or fruits. You could ring your vet rather than going in and discuss your options that way and ask if they have any experience treating gps with diabetes. If diabetes is confirmed you could look into the cost of the tablets that are mentioned on that site, but I wouldn't do anything like that without consultation of your vet. Can I ask what symptoms Max has to convince you he has diabetes?
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Post by max on Aug 1, 2011 18:16:54 GMT
Thank you I will check link out.
Max drinks tons of water and I mean tons. I had to buy a much bigger bottle and I'm filling it just about daily. He is super skinny, and he is soaking his cage within days and I imagine from all the water. He is roughly about 3 yeas old I'm guessing. I haven't had him since a baby so I really dont know age.
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Post by Kayleigh on Aug 1, 2011 18:27:20 GMT
This doesnt mean he has diabetes. It could be an underlying problem. I have a couple of guinea pigs who need their bottles filled daily or even twice daily. They are often wet under the chin and their cage is soaked. But this is due to him/her playing with the bottle.
I would get him checked out by a vet as he could have something else wrong.
Kayleigh
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