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Billiam bladder stone update

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vickie

vickie

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As some of you already know Billiam had an op to remove bladder stones last Friday. He seemed to be doing ok initially however he is now showing exactly the same symptoms as before the operation. He is squeaking in pain when he wees, straining for ages and his wee is always bloody. He's back in at the vets tomorrow for a check-up but I have no idea what to expect.

It's breaking my heart to hear and see him in pain but when he's not going to the toilet he's ok. I really don't want to have to put him through another op so soon if it is more bladder stones but then I don't want the alternative either. I was going to mention the chinese herb 'Shilingtong' to the vet tomorrow to see what he thinks. It's got to be worth a try.

Has anyone else ever been in this situation where there has been no improvement after bladder stone surgery?
 
BIG HUG

Piggies can still be bleeding for a few days after an op, but it looks like something may have got stuck somewhere or the remaining inflammation in his scarred bladder isn't under control.

Best of luck for Billiam tomorrow; you must feel so down!
 
Thank you :)

We are back from the vets and I have to say I'm feeling a bit more optimistic. He said they removed a large stone but there are still several little ones left in his ureter on one side. The options given to me were to continue with the pain relief (twice a day rather than once) and antibiotics as it's still fairly early days. Give him plenty of fluids including cranberry juice and hope that this will help flush out those little stones. If that doesn't work he can catheterise Billy and flush them out that way or the other option is to operate again and remove that blocked ureter and part of his kidney which he did not recommend due to his age.

We've decided to carry on with Metacam and Baytril for another week and increase his fluid intake. I need to get my hands on some pearl barley and order the chinese herb Shilintong. I mentioned these to the vet who didn't seem to think it would work but it wouldn't hurt to try. We also have unsweetened cranberry juice and we bought a Brita filter jug too for his water as we live in a hard water area. I'm going to be knocking up a Billy special cocktail methinks!

If this doesn't work we'll have to hope the catheter will do the trick. Has anyone else's piggies been 'flushed out' this way - did it work?
 
Thanks for updating Vickie, sorry to hear he's still not himself.

Definitely agree with continuing the pain meds and antibiotics, will the vet not prescribe Septrin? It's possible that the remaining stones are causing his upset, but it's also possible that there's a lot of inflammation and even slight urinary tract infection there - stones and UTI can go hand in hand.

Are the remaining stones in his ureter (tube connecting kidneys to bladder) or urethra (tube from bladder to genital opening)?
 
Laura-CCC4 said:
Definitely agree with continuing the pain meds and antibiotics, will the vet not prescribe Septrin? It's possible that the remaining stones are causing his upset, but it's also possible that there's a lot of inflammation and even slight urinary tract infection there - stones and UTI can go hand in hand.

Are the remaining stones in his ureter (tube connecting kidneys to bladder) or urethra (tube from bladder to genital opening)?
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The bladder stones are in his ureter (just one side). It's a shame these couldn't have been 'flushed out' at the same time as his op, or perhaps they can't do both at the same time.

The vet has never mentioned Septrin, I should've asked for it really but I will know for next time.

Billy is having a cocktail of cranberry juice, water and probiotics to help with the flushing out and to help with his gut whilst he's on antibiotics. Needless to say he hates the experience poor mite.
 
Vickie,

Have you looked into hydrangea root tincture? I'm not sure whether or not it'd be advisable to use whilst Billiam still has stones but it's a natural remedy which I've heard of people giving guinea pigs after stones have been removed.

It's something which Peter Gurney used to use on his pigs and my Vet also recommends it. Incidentally, Peter Gurney also used to recommend the barley water gloop so it's definitely worth a try. It won't miraculously shrink the stones but it can soothe inflammation and therefore ease the pain somewhat.

It's probably already been suggested but if you're not already looking into keeping his veg diet at the correct calcium:phosphorous ratio then I'd strongly recommend looking at that also.

How's Billiam today? Has there been any improvement?

Hope you can get him feeling better very soon x
 
Hi, no I haven't come across that one. At the moment I'm trying the barley water gloop and have just received Jin Qian Cao granules in the post. We're on day three now of this but I haven't noticed a change yet. I do hope this helps him but I'm not expecting miracles.

He's still straining when he wees and always has blood in his urine. His appetite is less than before but remains excited by his food in the morning and will mow your whole lawn for you if you let him.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice. I will update again if there is any change.

xx
 
I'm really upset to admit that I think we're losing him. He's shedding weight drastically and he's not taking syringe feed. I can get about 3ml inside him then he just leaves it in his mouth so I can't get anymore in. I check in his mouth ten minutes later and it's still there. I've tried him on grass and he's only half-heartedly nibbling at it. Nothing we have tried has worked and I'm devastated.

We've got an appointment at the vets with him tomorrow morning and I'm really wondering if this is going to be our last night with him.
 
So sorry to hear this. I was recently at this stage with George and I know how heartbraking it is to feel so helpless.

I will be keeping you in my thoughts tomorrow.
 
vickie said:
As some of you already know Billiam had an op to remove bladder stones last Friday. He seemed to be doing ok initially however he is now showing exactly the same symptoms as before the operation. He is squeaking in pain when he wees, straining for ages and his wee is always bloody. He's back in at the vets tomorrow for a check-up but I have no idea what to expect.

It's breaking my heart to hear and see him in pain but when he's not going to the toilet he's ok. I really don't want to have to put him through another op so soon if it is more bladder stones but then I don't want the alternative either. I was going to mention the chinese herb 'Shilingtong' to the vet tomorrow to see what he thinks. It's got to be worth a try.

Has anyone else ever been in this situation where there has been no improvement after bladder stone surgery?
Click to expand...

my rescue boae has loads of stones removed 4 wks ago is your guinea pig on cystease / cystaid has this is what mine has been put on its a preventative? x
 
clairelove said:
i have herd about flushing the bladder out via the vet with good results..
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The vet may suggest flushing tomorrow but I'm worried because he only had an op just over 2 weeks ago. I think he's lost just over 200 grams in weight since bladder stones were suspected and is looking pretty thin now. His chances of recovery must be poor considering his current state. It will be heartbreaking to let him go and I have been crying on and off all night thinking about it but I wonder if putting him through more (which might not cure him anyway) would be the wrong decision for him. But then he licks my hand and nuzzles me and I change my mind again. He's been in pain with his weeing pretty much since his op which must be exhausting despite being on Metacam.

I hope the vet can help me decide.
 
vickie said:
The vet may suggest flushing tomorrow but I'm worried because he only had an op just over 2 weeks ago. I think he's lost just over 200 grams in weight since bladder stones were suspected and is looking pretty thin now. His chances of recovery must be poor considering his current state. It will be heartbreaking to let him go and I have been crying on and off all night thinking about it but I wonder if putting him through more (which might not cure him anyway) would be the wrong decision for him. But then he licks my hand and nuzzles me and I change my mind again. He's been in pain with his weeing pretty much since his op which must be exhausting despite being on Metacam.

I hope the vet can help me decide.
Click to expand...

i do have to say if my boar got them again i wouldnt put him through it again it really knocked him for 6 after and he nearly died too..x

good luck xx
 
I couldn't believe it this morning - I went to check on Billy fearing he may have gone in his sleep last night but he was bounding around his cage singing for food! We gave him his usual veggies and pellets but he struggled to eat any of it but seeing him so lively and full of beans instantly swept away any thoughts I'd had of having him put to sleep.

We took him to the vets and he suggested flushing the bladder and another x-ray. He mentioned the possibility of removing of a kidney and the blocked ureter but as he'd said to us before he didn't think much of his chances following an op like that due to his age so didn't recommend it. The vet found that his bladder was inflamed and Bill had a nasty case of cystitis. We've just brought him home (he's VERY drowsy bless him) and have been given Zithromax for the cystitis and a strong painkiller. Let's hope this does the trick once and for all.

Thanks for all your vibes and well wishes. I'll let you know how he gets on.
x
 
I hope the Zithromax and pain meds help. Sometimes animals have a habit of picking up just as you feel there's little hope for them, I've treated a number of my own pigs and have often reached the point of despair that nothing's helping and nothing can be done, only for them to pick up the very next day. Sometimes it is just a temporary reprieve, so take one day at a time, but it is wonderful to hear that Billiam is doing a little better at the moment. xx
 
Do Billiam's teeth look the right length to you?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi

I just posted almost exactly the same thing about my little pig!
Should have looked first, but I didnt think the very next thread down would be about the same thing!


x
 
Is he able to eat, Vickie?

Just "looking", I'd say lowers are a bit too long, but any treatment carried out would depend on whether he can eat or not.
 
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