Bladder stone removal:

[MoruMum]

I’m posting this because tomorrow I’m going to book surgery for bladder stone removal for two of my guinea pigs. I am so worried. They are a bonded pair and around 5 years old (possibly closer to 5½ — they’re rescues, so the exact age isn’t certain).

I was so careful about low calcium diet but I think it might be that it was too low and I read it on this forum that too low in calcium can also cause calcium build up.

Also I didn’t notice the weight loss of my sow until it became quite significant, especially as my sow is very small. The vet has said that her surgery should be fairly straightforward, as she has a single, round bladder stone (image attached). My boar’s case is more complex, as he has multiple stones.

I’m extremely worried, but I love them very much and want them to be pain-free in their senior years, so I’ve decided to go ahead with the procedure.

Current medication (pre-op):

Prescription:

• Metacam (for pain)
• Baytril (for UTI — currently on day 7)

Non-prescription / supportive care:

• Oxbow Vitamin C biscuits
• 4Joints for dogs: 0.4 ml per kg per day
• BioLapis: ¼ sachet each, given 30 minutes after Baytril

My questions:

1. For 4Joints (glucosamine) — would it be safe or beneficial to give this twice daily as a loading dose to help protect the kidneys post-operation?
2. What are the success rates for bladder stone removal in guinea pigs? I’m particularly worried as my boar’s case is more complex, although he is otherwise healthier. My sow’s case is simpler, but she is very small now.
3. How long does glucosamine typically take to start offering kidney or bladder support?
4. Is there anything else I can do to support them before or after surgery?

Any advice or shared experiences would be very appreciated — I’m feeling quite anxious about the whole situation.

Thank you so much.

 

[Merab]

I don’t have any experience of bladder stones to be able to advise but hope the surgery goes well
Holding you in my thoughts

 

[KK327]

sending you love and support and I rather think I’ll be in the same position shortly - trouble is I don’t have faith in the vets - any I’ve used which frightens me even more.

Your vet sounds very confident - it would be good to know how many ops they have done on piggies

Good luck x

 

[Merab]

sending you love and support and I rather think I’ll be in the same position shortly - trouble is I don’t have faith in the vets - any I’ve used which frightens me even more.

Your vet sounds very confident - it would be good to know how many ops they have done on piggies

Good luck x

I used to live in North Wiltshire and found Drove Vets excellent.
@weepweeps lives in Wiltshire and may have more up to date knowledge than I do.

 

[KK327]

I used to live in North Wiltshire and found Drove Vets excellent.
@weepweeps lives in Wiltshire and may have more up to date knowledge than I do.

We are literally on the wilts/Dorset border.

Piddle valley were supposed to be good but I’m not sure if there is an exotic there now. I had awful experience with Squirrel - 4 vets and the last was supposed to be the best exotic in Dorset but we were not treated with any urgency and I literally had to cry on the phone to beg for test results ! We had Squirrel PTS and I still have a lot of guilt.

 

[Roselina]

Sending love and healing vibes to your piggies
It’s a very difficult situation and only you can decide
I use Johnson4joints but it takes a few weeks to have an effect and should only be 0.4 for piggies over 1kg ( as per my Vet)
It’s made a great difference to my nearly 6 year old boy
My experience of bladder stone removal didn’t go well - the vet removed all but 1 stone she couldnt get and it blocked his urethra she hoped he’d pass it but sadly he died a few hours after surgery …but he was at home with me and his friend
I wish you good luck tomorrow

 

[weepweeps]

I'm so sorry your piggies have bladder stones. I have also had a bad bladder stone surgery experience. My Percy was young and fit. He passed away 3 days after the surgery. I think it was a bad reaction to the anaesthetic.

I wouldn’t recommend Drove Vets. They have prescribed Penicillin in the past which is deadly for piggies. They weren’t confident to operate on a tooth root abscess. They are good for basic care.

Sending healing vibes to your piggies.

 

[Merab]

I'm so sorry your piggies have bladder stones. I have also had a bad bladder stone surgery experience. My Percy was young and fit. He passed away 3 days after the surgery. I think it was a bad reaction to the anaesthetic.

I wouldn’t recommend Drove Vets. They have prescribed Penicillin in the past which is deadly for piggies. They weren’t confident to operate on a tooth root abscess. They are good for basic care.

Sending healing vibes to your piggies.

Sorry to hear that Drove have stopped being so good with exotics.
Thanks for the update.

 

[Merab]

We are literally on the wilts/Dorset border.

Piddle valley were supposed to be good but I’m not sure if there is an exotic there now. I had awful experience with Squirrel - 4 vets and the last was supposed to be the best exotic in Dorset but we were not treated with any urgency and I literally had to cry on the phone to beg for test results ! We had Squirrel PTS and I still have a lot of guilt.

@Betsy ?

 

[Betsy]

Hi, I live in Dorset and I use these vets. They are very caring and treated my old gal Thea with love and respect and they had to euthanise her in the end and they were just lovely. I have had them put on the recommended list.

Pet Practice Vets Poole