Baytril or further tests

[Zinnypig]

Hi all,

We're looking for some advice. Some of you are aware that zinny has been having some pain when pooping. After seeing the specialist vet he's been on baytril for 6 days today for a suggested UTI.

We said to our vet that he still gets pain here and there. She suggested that we can carry on the antibiotics ( we are not sure for how long, we need to clarify this). Or does anyone know how long it's suitable for a pig to be on baytril? The other option was to undergo more tests including x-rays, putting him under anaesthetics, testing for kidney infection and a few other things. This has been suggested as we are worried.

Can anyone shed light on what they might do?

How long have your piggies been on baytril before you had to consider something else?

What's your views on having a piggy under anaesthetics?

Zinny is active, playing, eating his veggies, lots of hay and drinking plenty of water.

Thank you,

 

[sport_billy]

Baytril is often well tolerated. I would speak to the Vet about trying another Antibiotic called Sulfatrim it is good for UTI which it could be as urinary tract can cause pain while pooing also.

Has he been on any metacam for pain relief this is also an anti-inflammatory

If you are going to have an xray which is normally the next course of action should another round of antibiotics not clear it up, i would ask them to do it without a full GA our vet uses just a tiny whiff of gas to sedate them gentley so they come round very quick unlike a full GA

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Some vets can do XRays without any sedation at all. In my Steve’s case for example, he was not sedated and awake the whole time. Obviously this depend I guess on how cooperative your little piggy is for them, how much he lets them pull him about until he gets stressed and how many images they are planning on taking. If there is a chance, I would definitely see if they’d be willing to try without sedation as it certainly isn’t always necessary.

 

[Zinnypig]

Baytril is often well tolerated. I would speak to the Vet about trying another Antibiotic called Sulfatrim it is good for UTI which it could be as urinary tract can cause pain while pooing also.

Has he been on any metacam for pain relief this is also an anti-inflammatory

If you are going to have an xray which is normally the next course of action should another round of antibiotics not clear it up, i would ask them to do it without a full GA our vet uses just a tiny whiff of gas to sedate them gentley so they come round very quick unlike a full GA

Yes he's also on metacam. Thank you he's already had an x-ray with our original vets and they didn't sedate him. I definitely don't want him to go under GA.

 

[Zinnypig]

Some vets can do XRays without any sedation at all. In my Steve’s case for example, he was not sedated and awake the whole time. Obviously this depend I guess on how cooperative your little piggy is for them, how much he lets them pull him about until he gets stressed and how many images they are planning on taking. If there is a chance, I would definitely see if they’d be willing to try without sedation as it certainly isn’t always necessary.

Thank you, he had an x-ray with our original vets and they didn't sedate him. May I ask which vets you go to? Yes I will definitely ask them if they can do it without the GA.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Thank you, he had an x-ray with our original vets and they didn't sedate him. May I ask which vets you go to? Yes I will definitely ask them if they can do it without the GA.

You certainly can, it’s actually also my place of work . An independent practice in Cambridgeshire if that’s anywhere close to you?

I know within our area we also have the likes of a vet up in Newmarket I believe who is also quite piggy savvy.

 

[Zinnypig]

You certainly can, it’s actually also my place of work . An independent practice in Cambridgeshire if that’s anywhere close to you?

I know within our area we also have the likes of a vet up in Newmarket I believe who is also quite piggy savvy.

Ahh that's amazing. I would definitely be tempted to give your practice a call.

It's not close but can definitely make arrangements if needed.

How old are your piggies?

 

[Freela]

Baytril is quite a safe drug (provided your pig can tolerate it... one of my pigs was on Baytril long-term for bladder bacteria suppression and was fine... another pig went totally nuts, probably due to stomach upset, and tried to eat all of my carpet and drywall!) For persistent pain with urination or passing poop, an x-ray to check for bladder stones or sludge sounds like a reasonable next step... I've had this done without anesthesia in the past, but a quick whiff of gas to keep him calm is probably reasonable. Best of luck to you!

 

[Zinnypig]

Baytril is quite a safe drug (provided your pig can tolerate it... one of my pigs was on Baytril long-term for bladder bacteria suppression and was fine... another pig went totally nuts, probably due to stomach upset, and tried to eat all of my carpet and drywall!) For persistent pain with urination or passing poop, an x-ray to check for bladder stones or sludge sounds like a reasonable next step... I've had this done without anesthesia in the past, but a quick whiff of gas to keep him calm is probably reasonable. Best of luck to you!

Thank you so much for your advice- yes I think we will do an x-ray to hopefully rule out bladder stones/ sludge.

How did you find out your piggy had bladder bacteria suppression? From the x ray?

 

[Zinnypig]

Baytril is often well tolerated. I would speak to the Vet about trying another Antibiotic called Sulfatrim it is good for UTI which it could be as urinary tract can cause pain while pooing also.

Has he been on any metacam for pain relief this is also an anti-inflammatory

If you are going to have an xray which is normally the next course of action should another round of antibiotics not clear it up, i would ask them to do it without a full GA our vet uses just a tiny whiff of gas to sedate them gentley so they come round very quick unlike a full GA

Thank you for you advise, would you say another round being another week?

 

[Freela]

Thank you so much for your advice- yes I think we will do an x-ray to hopefully rule out bladder stones/ sludge.

How did you find out your piggy had bladder bacteria suppression? From the x ray?

She had recurrent UTIs and took the antibiotics to keep her bacterial load low and not symptomatic. Long-term suppressive therapy is used in human sometimes too for recurrent infections that can't be completely wiped out.

 

[wiggypig]

Perhaps you could consider and research the following and maybe ask your vet for advice:
-digestive support tablets by oxbow (not sure how effective they are to be honest!)
-urinary support supplements (I have heard sherwood and other brands make them)
-oat hay (helped my piggie with small poops to have bigger 'healthier' looking poops)
-garden select adult guinea pig food (pellets that helped my piggie have better poops)
-probiotics
-opportunities for daily exercise (keep his body moving to encourage hind muscle tone and to keep gasses in his tummy moving)
-feeding of gassy (kale, green beans and more) or sugary (beets, apples) veg and fruits can cause gut flora imbalance, gas and sour stomach
-orchard grass hay is softer than timothy, perhaps could encourage more hay consumption (not sure if it wears teeth less than timothy or not)
-if his poops are soft, consider the food he is eating. Some vegetables are natural diuretics, which can make poop a bit softer.
-Ask the vet about meds he is taking. Ask if they can have diuretic effects or if they are known to cause anything like ulcers in the stomach or bowels.
-if feeding veggies on wood chips or fleece, consider the shavings or hair he is consuming that stick to the veg. The lid of a yogurt container makes a great little veggie plate to serve salads on. Cutting veg into strips temporarily discourages piggies from carrying veggies off to hide (dragging the veg through debris on their floor). Buildup of hair can show up in poops from this, and perhaps from grooming activities, but less so in my opinion/experience.
-consider acidic foods. Perhaps research vegetables you food regularly and Google the name of the vegetable + acidity. Perhaps acidic foods could cause painful poops.



Good luck!

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Ahh that's amazing. I would definitely be tempted to give your practice a call.

It's not close but can definitely make arrangements if needed.

How old are your piggies?

The boy that had the XRays done (Steve- the crested boy) just turned 3 and my other little monster Bellamy is 2. Certainly if you decide you want to hit me a message and I’ll send the number for the practice. Xx

 

[Zinnypig]

Perhaps you could consider and research the following and maybe ask your vet for advice:
-digestive support tablets by oxbow (not sure how effective they are to be honest!)
-urinary support supplements (I have heard sherwood and other brands make them)
-oat hay (helped my piggie with small poops to have bigger 'healthier' looking poops)
-garden select adult guinea pig food (pellets that helped my piggie have better poops)
-probiotics
-opportunities for daily exercise (keep his body moving to encourage hind muscle tone and to keep gasses in his tummy moving)
-feeding of gassy (kale, green beans and more) or sugary (beets, apples) veg and fruits can cause gut flora imbalance, gas and sour stomach
-orchard grass hay is softer than timothy, perhaps could encourage more hay consumption (not sure if it wears teeth less than timothy or not)
-if his poops are soft, consider the food he is eating. Some vegetables are natural diuretics, which can make poop a bit softer.
-Ask the vet about meds he is taking. Ask if they can have diuretic effects or if they are known to cause anything like ulcers in the stomach or bowels.
-if feeding veggies on wood chips or fleece, consider the shavings or hair he is consuming that stick to the veg. The lid of a yogurt container makes a great little veggie plate to serve salads on. Cutting veg into strips temporarily discourages piggies from carrying veggies off to hide (dragging the veg through debris on their floor). Buildup of hair can show up in poops from this, and perhaps from grooming activities, but less so in my opinion/experience.
-consider acidic foods. Perhaps research vegetables you food regularly and Google the name of the vegetable + acidity. Perhaps acidic foods could cause painful poops.



Good luck!

Thank you so much for this, very informative.

I will look into this and research thoroughly.

Thank you again

 

[Zinnypig]

The boy that had the XRays done (Steve- the crested boy) just turned 3 and my other little monster Bellamy is 2. Certainly if you decide you want to hit me a message and I’ll send the number for the practice. Xx

Thank you so much, and such beautiful piggies. Love the piggy ears and the white in the middle of his body x