john jones

I need some advice. I suspect one of my pigs has diabetes. She
doesn't have cataracts, and hasn't lost weight yet (in fact,
she's fat), but she's urinating a _lot_.

She's going on a diet right away, avoiding fruits and carrots,
and getting more hay.

I am diabetic myself, so I have test strips and glucose meters
for testing her blood sugar, but I have no idea what a normal
blood glucose reading should be for a guinea pig.

I'm really strapped for cash, and I hope to avoid a vet bill for
a test I perform on myself many times a week. Can anyone tell me
what normal blood sugar is for a guinea pig?

thx

lori coates

It could be this guinea pig has a bladder infection and needs antibiotics.
You need a vet. Sorry but you definitely need a vet. I have never heard of
a guinea pig with diabetes actually so I would almost totally rule this out.

incs

Try to get Nancy de Marco's attention, if I remember well she has a lot of
experience with diabetes in general, low-carb diets and GP's with diabetes.
It does eem to exist.
Incs

"John Jones" <enuffspam@nothanks.invalid> schreef in bericht
news:fS38b.9$oC5.3@clmboh1-nws5.columbus.rr.com...

patricia simon

In general, 'normal' BG levels are the same for humans, dogs, cats and guinea
pigs. I learned it as 4-7.5 mmol/L (metric measurement), which translates to
approx. 70-135 mg/dL (the US scale of measurement).

However, it has been noted in recent years that some piggies can swing to
slightly higher levels naturally. If your piggie's levels are elevated but
still below 11 mmol/L (200 mg/dL), she's in the 'gray zone' and may or may not
be diabetic.

Be aware that many things can cause excessive thirst / excessive urination in
piggies besides diabetes, including infection (respiratory, UTI or other) and
bladderstones.

We have 2 diabetic GPs. You can read about them on my website:
http://members.shaw.ca/patriciasimon/

Good luck,
Patricia

john jones

Thanks for your help, but diabetes in piggies is not uncommon.

john jones

Thanks. Where can I flag-down Nancy De Marco?

lizzard woman

I think she's in the midst of a move. She hasn't been posting to at least
one other group she frequents. I assume she will land sometime and unpack.
I agree she is very knowledgable about diabetes in humans and people.

Here's her email from a post but I don't know if it works or she still uses
it:

nancydemarco@comcast.net

sharon, momma to panda and peanut

kelvyn

In article, enuffspam@nothanks.invalid says...

Go to 'google', select 'google groups' then type in alt.pets.guinea-pigs
This will detail all the previous posts to this group then just search 'nancy' or diabetes.
hope that helps...
kelvyn.
--
No Guinea Pigs were harmed in the writing or sending of this post.

john jones

That does help. Thanks to you and everyone else that has
replied. I won't be able to get a blood glucose reading for
several more hours but there is no crisis. It's the excessive
drinking and urinating that caught my attention. Poor Rosie
seems normal otherwise.


P.S. Thanks to those who sent me tips via email.