Thursday, May 1, 2014

Post veterinary update on Lilly.

Well, I went to the vet today with Lilly. The vet initially agreed that it was likely diabetes (based on the fact that she is SO young to get cataracts and that they came on so quickly). However, after a blood-glucose test (stick in the foot-pad), we found out that this is not likely the cause because her level was 137, which is normal for guinea pigs (and guinea pigs are not likely to have highs and lows like other animals since they forage all day). She gets plenty of vitamin C so it is not that (and there are no other symptoms of deficiency according to the vet). So, she likely has a genetic predisposition to cataracts, but I have been referred to an eye specialist to find out more. She most likely cannot see very well because the vet could not see her retinas at all because of the cataracts. So, while it is very good that she doesn't have diabetes, it is not so good that she may have a genetic tendency for cataracts and that she cannot see well. Apparently there is a procedure to "liquify" the cataracts with a laser that has been done on RABBITS (not sure if it has been done on guinea pigs or not) that clears the vision but we'll see.

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