Heart Conditions in Cavies

[Kims Critters]

This is something that goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in cavies. There are only a handful of vets, that I know of, that are aware of heart ailments and treatment in cavies.

Warning signs of possible heart conditions include:
*Recurrent URIs that do not respond to antibiotic treatment.
*Lungs souding normal but the cavy is experiencing labored breathing.
*Blue or purplish color of the lips when examined.
*Noisy breathing which is caused by fluid in the lungs
*Anorexia/weight loss
*Lethargy.
* Drooling in spite of a clean bill of dental health.
I will use one of my cavies, George as my example here.

George came into the rescue very sick. I immedately took him to my vet (knowledgeable about heart conditions in pigs with limited experience). We both thought that George was exhibiting classic signs of a strong URI or pneumonia. Neither of us thought that George would relax enough for an x-ray and he wasn't healthy enough to be put under anesthesia. We started to treat him with baytril to reduce his symptoms.

Within the first 24 hours, he started to perk up and eat and drink on his own. His intake and output were normal. He wasn't very active but he would move around his cage and interact with me.

We continued on his baytril for the full 7 days. Within 2 days of going off the antibiotic, he started exhibiting signs of another URI. I called the vet and we went back in later that afternoon. We were able to obtain xrays which showed a slightly enlarged heart. We were also able to get an ultrasound which showed fluid around the heart.

We put George on Lasix 4mg/kg every 12 hours. It is a high dose but it is needed to start out. With all the extra fluid being removed from George's body, we had to supplement him with SQ (subcu/subcutaneous) injections.

Within 72 hours, George started to perk up and act like a normal cavy. We slowly lowered the lasix dose to 1mg/kg every 12 hours then down to 1mg/kg every 24 hours, as a maintenance dose.

Due to George's heart being enlarged, he is also on Enacard (enalapril) which is an ace inhibitor.

If your cavy is experiencing recurrent URIs, please please insist that the vet does xrays and possible ultrasound. An xray will not show heart problems unless the heart is enlarged and possibly the presence of fluid around the heart. Ultrasounds are often needed.

[Kims Critters]

I was able to edit it. Thank you for pointing that out!

It is actually pretty common. I think that is one of the reasons, besides lack of prompt medical treatment, that we see cavy deaths while being treated for URIs. I think heart conditions in cavies is overlooked and the owner and vet become stumped as to what to do next. While trying to figure out a new course of treatment, the cavy succumbs. If more vets and cavy owners are aware of heart ailments in cavies, I think there would be less deaths due to awareness that this does happen in cavies and it IS treatable.

[Kims Critters]

Well, we just got another heart pig in the rescue. She is approximately 2 years old. She weighs 2.4 pounds, about 1kg. We started her out on 3mg/kg of lasix on Saturday. We noticed a great improvement almost overnight with this. We will keep her on this dose for a week then gradually taper off to a maintenance dose.

A little history of this cavy. She was brought into a local vet 3 weeks ago with signs of a URI. The vet prescribed baytril along with a probiotic. The former owner kept the cavy on the prescribed regimen for 7 days, with the symptoms not going away. She returned to the vet for a recheck. The vet prescribed Bactrim in hopes that a better antibiotic was needed. Another 10 days pass and this poor pig is still very sick, but holding on for some reason.

The vet ended up calling me and asking me what else could be up with this pig. This vet is not the first one that has called the rescue for answers to mystery illness. Anyway, I suggested an ultrasound of the pig's heart and possibly an xray. The vet called me back the next day saying the owner didn't have the money for the course of treatment. I volunteered to take the cavy. I immediately took her, and her records to our vet. He agreed with me that it was definitely a heart problem and we started her on the Lasix to see how she would react. What a difference. She is eating on her own; drinking and peeing/pooping, etc. She was even popcorning a little while ago.

I am so glad that the other vet called and we were able to save this little girl. She is absolutely precious.

[wheekoffortune]

Thank you for posting this, Kim. My guinea pig Zeus died in March of what at first we thought was a URI, but was mostly likely heart problems. The vet did an x-ray to confirm and his chest was so full of fluids that we couldn't see his heart. I decided to put him down.

I hope others read this and it doesn't happen to them and their piggies.

[Kims Critters]

Thank you wheekoffortune (love that nick btw). I had written this in hopes it would become a sticky due to the fact that it is something that is more common than people think.

I am sorry to hear you lost Zeus. I have a little cavy here by the same name, that I got at the end of March.
Weird...LOL

[wheekoffortune]

Thank you!

Really! Zeus died at the end of March... if your Zeus is a black and orange Abby/Peruvian mix then... that would just be quite strange! Funny how things happen, huh?