Mom4Life

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MIA and CHATTERBUG

Yes, I know....I haven't posted in a really really long time. I'm obsessed about Facebook right now; I see that you understand. The reason for my post is that I'm really pissed at Chatterbug. If you haven't heard of them, they are supposedly the new way for long distance calling. Yeah, well...it's new because their system CUTS OUT ALL THE TIME or it's UNAVAILABLE due to technical difficulties. I'd rather pay more than to deal with the frustration.

Anyhow, I found something else called TEL3ADVANTAGE.COM and it's been a huge improvement so far. Plus, they have local access numbers in all areas so I can use my long distance whenever and wherever!!! So I called Chatterbug to cancel my service. I must have called 5 times and emailed twice. Do you think ANYONE even bothered to contact me? That would be a NEGATIVE. They stopped automatic billing on my credit card, but still. What kind of back alley, prepubescent operation are they running anyway????

DO NOT sign up with Chatterbug if you enjoy no nonsense LD phone service or even simply customer service. NEVER NEVER NEVER again Chatterbug! You have been disconnected from any further business from me.

Alrighty then *dusting the craziness off shoulders*, I feel better *grin*

MISO - RIP

June 18 (12:20)----Regretfully, Miso passed away today following what seemed to be a stroke. I found my poor boy laying on his side. I held him and kissed him good-bye; and told him that he was loved. Thankfully, he didn't die alone tonight. Tomorrow will be his buriel where he will return back to the earth. He was the best little piggie....I couldn't have asked for anything more.




In loving memory of Miso, you will not be forgotten.

Max - Newest Piggie Addition

Max is our newest piggie addition. He's such a spaz.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!

I know, I need to really invest in an actual digital camera. But here's a pic of the snow where I'm at.

Holey Moley!!

More Piggies!!!!

This is cute:



Here's Pepper with her new barrett. It suits her don't you think?










My fave pic of Pepper:











My fave pic of Udon:











Udon and Pepper enjoying grass:

Miso is SICK!!! WAHHHH!!!

My poor guinea pig has gone through some hell. Here's the scoop:

Oct. 29----My sister’s three and a half year old guinea pig, Miso, stopped eating his pellets (however he was able to eat his carrots) and weight loss was obvious. We immediately took Miso to a vet in the Greater Toronto Area (this is where the guinea pig’s home was before I took him back with me to Cadillac) to get examined. The associate vet diagnosed that Miso’s bottom incisors were too long which is why the pig could not pick up his pellets. Miso’s lower anterior dentition was shortened. I was then instructed to force feed him 4 times daily.

Oct 31----We took Miso back to the vet because we didn’t notice any improvement. In fact, we noticed that he completely stopped eating and had a difficult time grasping his carrots after his bottom incisors were cut. Another associate vet examined Miso and noted discharge from the eyes and nose along with some wheezing. This vet administered one carpule of antibiotics (IM) and one shot of anti-inflammatory immediately. He also prescribed antibiotics (Baytril elixir) to be given for 14 days, twice daily.

Nov 1----We noticed an improvement in Miso. He was less shaky, and more responsive. His bowels were moving again, but I was still force feeding him.

Nov 2----Miso was back at the vet for a follow-up. Miso was still not eating on his own and this vet noted that his molars were overgrown and that Miso would benefit from tooth planing.

Nov 4----We admitted Miso in for dentistry. His upper and lower molars were planed and the height of his molars were decreased as well. Dental surgery was performed with no obvious complications.

Nov 5----We noticed Bell’s Palsy-like symptoms afflicting the left side of his face. He was not responding when his whiskers were being touched, and he was unable to blink. We immediately went back to the vet to advise us what the problem was. The vet assured us that no nerves were severed or incisions made during the oral surgery. Miso was given a shot (Dexamethasone) to speed up the recovery of the nerve and we were told that Miso should recover in about 10 to 14 days. Artificial tears were dropped into his eye to help with lubrication.

Nov 14----Miso is still not eating on his own nor has full recovery of his facial nerve. I have continued with his force feeding regime and haven’t noticed any drastic improvements in his face except that perhaps his lip isn’t as droopy. I have noticed that Miso has not been using his water bottle as of late. So I looked at his maxillary front incisors and they appear too long to me (approx. 10mm). I’m not sure if this is a bad incisor length, however I’m consequently having to hand feed him water as well. Allow me to note that Miso is now grinding/bruxing quite heavily now.

Nov 16----Miso is back at the vet, a new one because I'm now in Cadillac, and was told that Miso needs a dental trim on his upper incisors. Also told that there doesn't appear to be elongated roots. Miso received another shot of Dexamethasone for his facial nerve. Ben took more x-rays this evening to examine the problem for ourselves.

Nov 17----Miso was dropped off at the vet at 7:30am for his dental trimming. Picked him back up this afternoon and his incisors look pretty good.

Nov 22----Miso was seen by an exotics vet located in Grand Rapids, which is an hour an half drive for us. Miso still hasn't gained any weight and we're very concerned now. The vet is stumped. Miso's heart is nice and strong, his abdomen and kidneys feel good. To rule out hyperthyroidism, she took some blood to run a test. Results are to be in on Friday or Saturday.

Image 1: Udon is a healthy piggie. Udon's x-ray taken today Nov 16th.

Image 2: Miso's x-ray taken today Nov 16th.

There is obvious malocclusion of the incisors and incomplete apposition of the molars. Dental trimming of the upper incisors seems appropriate at this point.

Miso as a healthy piggie:

My sister making Miso work really hard for his carrots

Jan 2----OK, I'm a bit delayed in updating the status of Miso. But NO news is GOOD news right? Anyhow, Miso results are as follows: hyperthyroidism (negative); urinanalysis (negative). So, what was wrong with him you ask? Well, the vet in Grand Rapids prescribed Ditrim, another antibiotic. She suspected that the Baytril didn't kill the initial bug that he had. SHE WAS RIGHT. I noticed an immediate difference and he started gaining weight. To top it off, his teeth grew in very nicely and his occlusion is perfect. So, you guessed it, he started eating on his own! HIS OWN I SAY! What a miracle. He's now at 2lbs 7oz. A far cry from the 1lb 13oz he was at a month ago. He still has weight to gain, but that will probably take some time. I have completely stopped force feeding him now, but I'm still monitoring his weight just in case. ALSO.....his Bell's Palsy went away yesterday! I had to blink twice when I saw him blink. YEAH MISO! Things are finally looking up. This was the best Christmas present I have ever gotten :D

June 18 (12:20)----Regretfully, Miso passed away today following what seems to be a stroke. I found my poor boy laying on his side. I held him and kissed him good-bye; and told him that he was loved. Thankfully, he didn't die alone tonight. Tomorrow will be his buriel where he will return back to the earth. He was the best little piggie....I couldn't have asked for anything more.