[Gpdd] [Health] Heart Condition

[Marianne Leach]

I've had one pig diagnosed with a heart condition, Lace - dilated 
Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is what was actually diagnosed.

The vet had her on three medicines - Lasix to flush fluids out of her 
system, Digoxin to help the heart muscle work, and enalapril (that 
one helped enlarge blood vessels so the heart would have an easier 
time - if I remember right).

The Digoxin and enalapril were a consistent preset dose as prescribed 
by the vet. The Lasix had a range of doses which we gradually 
increased when her breathing got worse.

The Lasix was prescribed by my regular vet, but the other two came 
when Dr. Stewart referred me to a vet specializing in cardiology. He 
usually saw cats and dogs but was willing to see guinea pigs when 
referred by my usual vets office. A part of the diagnosis was an 
ultrasound procedure - which was the only way they could tell for 
sure what was going on. It is somewhat expensive.

Dr. Stewart had mentioned an article on this condition in guinea pigs 
which I managed to obtain a copy of for her as I work as a librarian. 
If this would help, I can try and remember the journal it came from.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me. I rarely post to 
listservs so hopefully this is in a proper format.

Marianne
Smokey, Squirt, Audrey