Advice needed - ongoing major bladder issues

[yvette langford]

Five month old Syrup is still battling bladder issues. He received a cartrophen injection on Tuesday and goes for a steroid injection on Friday. If none of these treatments work the next step is to operate to see what’s going on in the bladder. My vet has said if it is a stone it would be kinder to put him to sleep, as if he’s forming stones at this age he will most likely continue to do so. Same suggestion if it’s a tumour. My question is, what else could it be? and what’s the point in operating? I don’t understand

 

[Swissgreys]

Sorry you are going through this - bladder stuff can be tricky.
Has Syrup had x-rays and/or a scan.
What treatment is he currently receiving?

Both of my sows with bladder issues had x-rays first and then scans to check for stones, sludge, tumors, etc.

And if it is a stone (which will be picked up on most x-rays, so totally non invasive diagnosis) there is still no reason to pts.
Ruby developed severe bladder sludge at age 3 which caused a total blockage.
After treatment (flush, antibiotics, pain relief etc) the vet did warn me that this may now be a recurring issue.
We both agreed to move forward with various changes to her diet, etc and see what happened.
I don't want to jinx it, but Ruby has not had bladder issues for almost a year now and I am so glad we were able to give her the chance to recover and move forward.

How experienced is your vet with guinea pigs?
I don't know of many vets who would suggest pts (in the first instance) for a bladder stone, unless it was tightly lodged and had caused a blockage and major kidney damage as a result.

 

[yvette langford]

Sorry you are going through this - bladder stuff can be tricky.
Has Syrup had x-rays and/or a scan.
What treatment is he currently receiving?

Both of my sows with bladder issues had x-rays first and then scans to check for stones, sludge, tumors, etc.

And if it is a stone (which will be picked up on most x-rays, so totally non invasive diagnosis) there is still no reason to pts.
Ruby developed severe bladder sludge at age 3 which caused a total blockage.
After treatment (flush, antibiotics, pain relief etc) the vet did warn me that this may now be a recurring issue.
We both agreed to move forward with various changes to her diet, etc and see what happened.
I don't want to jinx it, but Ruby has not had bladder issues for almost a year now and I am so glad we were able to give her the chance to recover and move forward.

How experienced is your vet with guinea pigs?
I don't know of many vets who would suggest pts (in the first instance) for a bladder stone, unless it was tightly lodged and had caused a blockage and major kidney damage as a result.

Yes he’s had x-rays, ultrasound and a catheter inserted to feel if any stones were in the urethra. Nothing was apparent apart from a tiny shadow in the bladder, too small for the vet to worry about. Since then he’s completed a course of baytril and two courses of Septrin. He’s had loxicom and tramadol for pain, although the squeaking has never stopped even when on both painkillers at the same time.
now Tuesday he had a cartrophen injection and is going for a steroid injection on Friday. He’s had to stop the loxicom but is back on tramadol. He’s his usual self , eating normally and popcorning around just squeaking every time he wees and poops. I’ve overhauled his diet to the one recommended for bladder piggies.. I filter his water have changed to low calcium grainless pellets. The squeaking has not stopped once in the past three weeks.

 

[yvette langford]

Yes he’s had x-rays, ultrasound and a catheter inserted to feel if any stones were in the urethra. Nothing was apparent apart from a tiny shadow in the bladder, too small for the vet to worry about. Since then he’s completed a course of baytril and two courses of Septrin. He’s had loxicom and tramadol for pain, although the squeaking has never stopped even when on both painkillers at the same time.
now Tuesday he had a cartrophen injection and is going for a steroid injection on Friday. He’s had to stop the loxicom but is back on tramadol. He’s his usual self , eating normally and popcorning around just squeaking every time he wees and poops. I’ve overhauled his diet to the one recommended for bladder piggies.. I filter his water have changed to low calcium grainless pellets. The squeaking has not stopped once in the past three weeks.

Not sure if this is relevant, but the week before I took him in for his bladder issue I took him in because of a lump I found on the side of his neck. The vet checked to make sure it wasn’t an abscess. It hasn’t grown or shrunk, maybe a harmless cyst? I don’t know. Just odd, thought it might be relevant

 

[Wiebke]

Five month old Syrup is still battling bladder issues. He received a cartrophen injection on Tuesday and goes for a steroid injection on Friday. If none of these treatments work the next step is to operate to see what’s going on in the bladder. My vet has said if it is a stone it would be kinder to put him to sleep, as if he’s forming stones at this age he will most likely continue to do so. Same suggestion if it’s a tumour. My question is, what else could it be? and what’s the point in operating? I don’t understand

Hi!

How piggy savvy is your vet? Please be aware that steroid injections should be generally avoided in any rodents unless there is a really good reason for it that outweighs the concerns.
The Problems With Steroids And Why They Shouldn't Be Used.

Has your piggy had an x-ray or scan to check the ruinary tract before? It can be generally done with fairly minimal sedation.

 

[yvette langford]

Hi!

How piggy savvy is your vet? Please be aware that steroid injections should be generally avoided in any rodents unless there is a really good reason for it that outweighs the concerns.
The Problems With Steroids And Why They Shouldn't Be Used.

Has your piggy had an x-ray or scan to check the ruinary tract before? It can be generally done with fairly minimal sedation.

Yes he’s had x-rays (no sedation)and ultrasound, also a catheter to see if any stones are in the urethra. Nothings come up. Thank you for the link, will read up on it now

 

[yvette langford]

Yes he’s had x-rays (no sedation)and ultrasound, also a catheter to see if any stones are in the urethra. Nothings come up. Thank you for the link, will read up on it now

Ok yes, the steroids don’t sound like a good idea at all. I’ll question my vet about that.

 

[Wiebke]

Yes he’s had x-rays (no sedation)and ultrasound, also a catheter to see if any stones are in the urethra. Nothings come up. Thank you for the link, will read up on it now

Unfortunately if you start multiple threads on the same subject instead of keeping an ongoing case to just one support thread as we recommend, it is impossible to refer back and check was has already done/ruled out.

I and the other health mods jump between lots of different threads every single day and won't be able to remember what has been said some time back - on top of our day job, our own piggies and family life.