Bladder Stones Or Uti (pics For Awws!)

[Linedup]

Sorry for "piggy backing" on this thread, but I'm new and can't see how to start a thread.....

My piggy is female and has been wet and dirty for 3 weeks now. She's on baytril and has had 2 anti inflammatory injections with another planned for Monday, but I can't help feeling the vet is guessing while my little girl looses weight and becomes more ill. Her fur has come out from her bottom area now and she's bald. She lifts up her whole tummy and squeals whenever she pees. Can anyone advise? She's only 3 so should be in her prime. If it's a UTI, shouldn't the bay trial have dealt with it by now? Is there a better antibiotic? An old book I have suggests Terramycin but the vet looked puzzled and said no to that. Please help! Thanks.

 

[LisaAli]

We have created a thread for you, Hopefully one of our more experienced members will be able to advise..

 

[Gem789]

@Wiebke

 

[Freela]

If you are not seeing improvement with antibiotics, I think an x-ray to check for stones is a necessary next step. Stones/sludge are usually able to be seen on x-ray. How experienced is your vet with guinea pigs? A lot of vets will take them on as patients without any real knowledge of what they are doing. It might be worth your while to look for a vet that specializes in exotics (if you're in North America, most vets that deal with reptiles/birds/small mammals fall under this general heading.) If it comes to the point that she needs surgery for bladder stones, you want it to be done by someone who is familiar with the species. A good vet is worth his/her weight in gold, so if this vet is out of ideas after throwing antibiotics at the problem, that may be a sign that he/she doesn't know as much about common guinea pig problems as he/she should.

 

[Pampeliska]

Sorry for "piggy backing" on this thread, but I'm new and can't see how to start a thread.....

My piggy is female and has been wet and dirty for 3 weeks now. She's on baytril and has had 2 anti inflammatory injections with another planned for Monday, but I can't help feeling the vet is guessing while my little girl looses weight and becomes more ill. Her fur has come out from her bottom area now and she's bald. She lifts up her whole tummy and squeals whenever she pees. Can anyone advise? She's only 3 so should be in her prime. If it's a UTI, shouldn't the bay trial have dealt with it by now? Is there a better antibiotic? An old book I have suggests Terramycin but the vet looked puzzled and said no to that. Please help! Thanks.

Have your vet asked you for a sample of pee? My girl recently had bladder sludge and my vet was able to see it in her pee under the microscope (she even showed me small crystals). She also told me there is basically no way for her of knowing what could be wrong with her bladder without that. Also - ultrasound might help if your vet has the machine, maybe you could ask for that. As for the loss of fur - there was nothing like that while Medi had problems with sludge and we got some gel (to put in the food) that is supposed to prevent sludge and stones. Could it be that her skin is irritated after being wet all the time? If there is a risk that she might be cold because of loss of fur, plastic bottle filled with warm water (not too hot, i check it on my cheek) always helps.

 

[pig in the city]

I agree an x ray and urine culture is needed. Plus adequate pain relief to control her pain, infrequent anti-inflammatory injections are unlikely to be enough. Nurse her on vet bed to keep her dry. Also clean her gently with baby wipes. I find calendula lotion from gorgeous guineas is very soothing to inflamed skin in this area