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Advice For 2 Problems Please

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Gem789

Gem789

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Hi everyone, I've 2 problems at the moment.
First off my pig Sam had problems in February/March when he was squeaking in pain while peeing and there was blood in his urine.He had an X-ray to check for stones and none were found and had a bladder flush which I think helped and was put on metacam for arthritis that was detected on the X-ray.He has been fine until last Tuesday when he started squeaking in pain while peeing and pooing- he's always had blood in his wee but it seemed more concentrated.I got him to the vets last Thursday and he was prescribed sulfratrim for 10 days.He seems to have got worse over the last couple of days and is squeaking every time he tries to go to the toilet and has lost a bit of weight.There is no blood now and I'm wondering if I should try and get him seen before the course of antibiotics is done or wait till they've finished as they haven't helped at all and could it be possible a stone has formed?

2nd problem: I noticed one of my female Guinea pigs had a bit of a gunky eye yesterday, this morning it looked more flakey so my friend took her to my local vets for me and they prescribed eye drops and baytril as she's shedding a lot of fur.Do the antibiotics sound right for shedding hair?I'm reluctant to give the baytril as I'm thinking it sounds more like mites.
Sorry for the extra long post.Any help would be appreciated x
 
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To be totally honest it sounds like both of them need to see a vet asap.

If Sam is in pain when peeing then clearly something is wrong, even if you can't see any blood in his urine.
I wouldn't wait until the antibiotics finish, because it could get worse, and at the very least she will be able to prescribe some pain meds to go alongside the antibiotics, so he is comfortable.

I am not an expert on piggie skin conditions, but if you have any doubts then I would take her along as well and ask your regular vet about the treatment.

Sorry you have two poorly piggies right now.
I hope everyone is feeling better very soon.
 
Swissgreys said:
To be totally honest it sounds like both of them need to see a vet asap.

If Sam is in pain when peeing then clearly something is wrong, even if you can't see any blood in his urine.
I wouldn't wait until the antibiotics finish, because it could get worse, and at the very least she will be able to prescribe some pain meds to go alongside the antibiotics, so he is comfortable.

I am not an expert on piggie skin conditions, but if you have any doubts then I would take her along as well and ask your regular vet about the treatment.

Sorry you have two poorly piggies right now.
I hope everyone is feeling better very soon.
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Thanks for your reply, he's on metacam already but I think you're right- he needs to be seen soon.Ill give the vets a ring today.
 
I agree about the vets. It is possible a stone has formed that wasn't visible before, or he could even have Interstitial cystitis so your vet could try him on Cystease or Cystophan or even vegan glucosamine. It is also possible that he just needs a longer course of Sulfatrim for a stubborn UTI.

Antibiotics don't really sound the right treatment for shedding fur, I would be looking more at fungal or mange mites and treating for that.
 
Thanks for your reply, I started him on cystease 4 days ago but it hasn't made a difference yet,can it take a while to work? And yes I thought antibiotics for shedding fur was strange.It was my local vets my friend took her too and while they are good vets, they don't specialize in small animals so I'll get her seen at the cat and rabbit clinic.
 
I think it can take a while yes, what dose is he on?

Great you can go to Cat and Rabbit, was it them that xrayed?
 
helen105281 said:
I think it can take a while yes, what dose is he on?

Great you can go to Cat and Rabbit, was it them that xrayed?
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Yes it was and I am giving him a full tablet a day as he is squeaking every time he goes to the toilet.I read on here on an old thread that a full tablet is ok, hope that is right.
 
Gem789 said:
Yes it was and I am giving him a full tablet a day as he is squeaking every time he goes to the toilet.I read on here on an old thread that a full tablet is ok, hope that is right.
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Yes that is fine. I even dose higher with vegan Glucosamine.
 
Just an update, Sam was seen by Simon today at 4 o'clock, he's been getting worse over the last couple of days so I'm glad he's in the best place he can be.Hes having an X-ray tomorrow so they said they could keep him overnight as it's easier for me.I hated leaving him there though and am worried that they're gonna find a bladder stone on his X-ray.Please keep your fingers crossed for him xx
 
He is in the best place. Keeping everything crossed.
 
helen105281 said:
He is in the best place. Keeping everything crossed.
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I had to have him put to sleep, Simon found a big stone in his uretha and I asked him to try flushing it into the bladder which he tried to but it didn't work and as he was in so much pain I had to make the kindest decision for him.I'm devastated, I've been crying at work and Ive still gotta collect him xx
 
Gem789 said:
I had to have him put to sleep, Simon found a big stone in his uretha and I asked him to try flushing it into the bladder which he tried to but it didn't work and as he was in so much pain I had to make the kindest decision for him.I'm devastated, I've been crying at work and Ive still gotta collect him xx
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I am so sorry to hear this! I am sending love and light to you both! Just know you are an amazing piggy parent and did all you could!
 
Oh no - what a terrible shock.
But remember you made the best decision you could for Sam, and you tried your hardest for him.
He knows he was loved.
I am so sorry for your loss. :hug:
 
Swissgreys said:
Oh no - what a terrible shock.
But remember you made the best decision you could for Sam, and you tried your hardest for him.
He knows he was loved.
I am so sorry for your loss. :hug:
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Thank you, I keep trying to think I did my best for him but it's still so hard, I didn't think when I left him yesterday, it'd b the last time I'd see him xx
 
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