Bladder stone battle! Please help!

[Frankie003]

Hi all!

I was wondering if anyone can help! I have a 4 year old little boy guinea pig who three weeks ago had his 2nd bladder stone removal operation.. there was quite a lot of scarring when they went in to take the two small stones out and the vet had to double check it was his bladder they were going in to! They removed the stones and for two days after he wasn’t straining to wee, there was some post op blood but that soon stopped.

To date we are still battling on as he is STILL uncomfortable when he wee’s.. i have gone back to the vets numerous times.. wound is all okay and healed.. we have upped his pain killers.. injected him with a pain killer.. steroid and now he is on tablet form of steroids.. slight improvement on those. Antibiotics have been ongoing since the operation.

I am really struggling with what to do next.. he is really happy, eating well, running around.. he goes and wee’s and then looks uncomfortable! The vet wants to monitor how he responds to the steroids but there isn’t much change now.. we are 5 days in.

As anyone got any experience, advice on this? After three weeks of trying I am wondering if it is scarring that he is in discomfort from.. and I don’t know whether to keep going or what is best for him?

Any help would be really really gratefully received.
Thanks, Frances

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all!

I was wondering if anyone can help! I have a 4 year old little boy guinea pig who three weeks ago had his 2nd bladder stone removal operation.. there was quite a lot of scarring when they went in to take the two small stones out and the vet had to double check it was his bladder they were going in to! They removed the stones and for two days after he wasn’t straining to wee, there was some post op blood but that soon stopped.

To date we are still battling on as he is STILL uncomfortable when he wee’s.. i have gone back to the vets numerous times.. wound is all okay and healed.. we have upped his pain killers.. injected him with a pain killer.. steroid and now he is on tablet form of steroids.. slight improvement on those. Antibiotics have been ongoing since the operation.

I am really struggling with what to do next.. he is really happy, eating well, running around.. he goes and wee’s and then looks uncomfortable! The vet wants to monitor how he responds to the steroids but there isn’t much change now.. we are 5 days in.

As anyone got any experience, advice on this? After three weeks of trying I am wondering if it is scarring that he is in discomfort from.. and I don’t know whether to keep going or what is best for him?

Any help would be really really gratefully received.
Thanks, Frances

Hi!

Here is our post-op care guide. Please make sure that you weigh daily at the same time and supplement with fibrous food (recovery formula and/or mushed up low calcium pellets).
Tips For Post-operative Care
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

It is very likely that your boy is suffering from bladder trauma. Please make sure that your vet gives him a high dosage of metacam, about 2.5 - 0.3 ml twice daily dog strength but please stop the steroids ASAP. They are a no no for rodents as they slow down and not perk up the organs.
The Problems With Steroids And Why They Shouldn't Be Used.

Discuss the use of glucosamine based cat food supplements like cystease (one capsule per day in a severe case like yours) to support the battered natural glucosamine coat of the bladder walls.

Please also have a look at our diet recommendations for urinary tract guinea pigs.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

@Jaycey @helen105281 @Freela @Lady Kelly

 

[lexi468]

Hi!
I (unfortunately) have some experience with this. My boy had recurrent bladder stones, and he seemed to be uncomfortable with blood in his pee for the last couple months of his life. He did eventually lose his battle, but what helped him was staying on antibiotics permanently, a small dose of metacam, and lots of water and exercise. He was taking a glucosamine suspension of some sort, but I cannot remember what it was. I live in the states and I had to have it specially made at a holistic pharmacy. I can call my vet and ask what it was if that is helpful. One way to get a lot of water in pigs is to give them watery veggies like cucumber. Let me know if you have any other questions and I may be able to help!