Trixie
From ACRSWiki
Trixie is a self black american female guinea pig. She was estimated to be 2 years of age at her time of surrender.
Contents |
Pre-Surrender History
Andrea, our Charlotte anchor, was contacted on August 12th, 2008 with a request to intake Trixie. Here is the initial email:
I'm desperate! I have a sick guinea pig and I will be leaving to go out of town on Thursday for a wedding that my daughter is in. I don't know what to do as I had planned on leaving the pig with a neighbor but I now feel that she needs more care than an inexperinced person. I do not have the time or resources to take her to a vet. I suspect a possible jaw malocclusion as she tries to eat but cannot seem to chew. She has diarhea and is losing weight. I really just noticed today how sick she is. Can you or do you know of anyone who can help? I don't want to put her down.
Upon intake, we were horrified. Trixie weighed a mere two pounds, and her face was covered in crust. She was weak, obviously seriously ill, and her prognosis did not seem good. Though initially the surrenderer had claimed that she "only noticed today" how sick Trixie truly was, she informed us in subsequent emails that Trixie had had diarrhea for nearly two weeks, and that she had been lethargic and withdrawn for nearly a year.
Medical History
2008
August 12 - Upon intake, Trixie was obviously in distress. She was started on antibiotics, probiotics, and given subcutaneous fluids as a stabilizing measure. She was disinclined to eat, and aggressive handfeeding was begun.
August 13 - Trixie was taken to Park Cedar Veterinary Hospital for a confirmation of her respiratory infection. She was given an extended prescription for Baytril and the recommendation to continue handfeeding and supportive care.
August 15 - While out of her cage for free range time and to try and encourage eating in a novel area, Trixie began screaming and hobbling around in an extremely pained manner. When she could be caught in her panic, she was trembling and having small seizures. She was given Metacam to try and help her with any pain she was experiencing, and a vet appointment was made for first thing the next morning.
August 16 - Trixie's x-rays at Carolina Veterinary Specialist revealed a horrifying story. Her bones were deteriorated to the point where they were barely there. ACR&S made the decision to give her a few days on increased pain medication to see if we could find any information about helping her recover bone mass. Buprenex was added to her medicinal cocktail, and she was taken home for more palliative care.
Partner
Trixie entered ACR&S alone.
Foster History
Trixie fostered with Andrea in Charlotte.
Adoption History
Trixie was never adopted.
Death
On August 17th, Trixie laid down her head and quietly crossed over. Her extreme starvation and malnutrition had taken too much of a toll on her body. Her necropsy revealed signs of aspiration or seizure, both of which could have been caused by the state of her poor body.
