Bladder stone

[Sophie Gabriel]

My guinea pig had a hug bladder stone a month ago and we had to get it removed, she’s old and the vet was already co curbed with how stretched out she would be from it. There’s been a bump on her genitals ever since her surgery just from swelling. Now I’m noticing it hasn’t gone down and when I touched it, it felt hard, kind of like the last one but not as big. I’m thinking she might have another stone? Or does swelling from surgery last that long? Ive done everything I can to prevent stones and I cannot keep having stone removal surgery.

 

[Lady Kelly]

I'm sorry I don't have experience of this so can't give any advice. I would be inclined to have the vet go back over the area to advise. I was told some pigs are just prone to stones with no evidence of why those pigs get them. I was also told that after removal they may not come back but it's more likely that more will develop but again it was how longs a piece of string as to whether this is days or years. If you take her to the vet for some answers at least you will be armed with all the information you could need to make decisions going forward

 

[Claire W]

I would have her checked at the asap as if it is another stone in the urethra, it could get stuck and stop her from urinating.

It could of course just be swelling but only your vet will be able to diagnose

 

[Wiebke]

My guinea pig had a hug bladder stone a month ago and we had to get it removed, she’s old and the vet was already co curbed with how stretched out she would be from it. There’s been a bump on her genitals ever since her surgery just from swelling. Now I’m noticing it hasn’t gone down and when I touched it, it felt hard, kind of like the last one but not as big. I’m thinking she might have another stone? Or does swelling from surgery last that long? Ive done everything I can to prevent stones and I cannot keep having stone removal surgery.

Hi!

Please have her vet checked; any post-op lumps and swellings need to be seen.
In your case, it is rather likely that the has an urethral stone having fetched up just short of the opening. In a sow, they can usually be manipulated out with just a small cut if necessary, but no full GA required; not even for an x-ray under minimal sedation. I had several stones in sows removed this way.

The problem with bladder stones that have passed into the urethra is that they can block the flow of urine. If urine backs up into the kidneys, this would be fatal.

Please make sure that you give any piggy with serious bladder stone or other long term urinary tract issues glucosamine to support the beleaguered natural glucosamine lining in the urinary tract and help minimise discomfort. Glucosamine based cat bladder capsules for cats are ideal, like cystease for instance (they are the other pet species prone to urinary tract issues). Glucosamine is classed as a food supplement and not as a medication and is generally widely available online. Mix the content of one capsule with 2 ml of water shake well and give the powder time to absorb. always shake well before use and keep any leftovers in the fridge. You will need to do it freshly every day or every second day.

You will also want to go over the diet and look at all factors from water and pellets (which are usually the worst offenders but are far too often overlooked) to your veg diet and to hay. Our diet guide has a chapter on dietary recommendations for guinea pigs with long term urinary tract problems.