Bladder Stones X-Ray or Ultrasound?

[benjerry_gp]

My guinea pig Ben has had a second case of bladder stones recently (his first was November 2018 but he was able to pass them easily as they were tiny). However, at the beginning of April 2020, he had blood in his urine again, and an x-ray ruled that he has two tiny stones, but my vet is unsure if these are new or from 2018. He had no symptoms between 2018 and now, and the blood went away after no intervention after his vet visit in early April.

Fast forward to now, he had blood in his urine for a few days along with intermittent squeaking when peeing/pooping. I took him to the vet on Thursday and he got a SQ for extra fluids, and I have been giving him 0.25 mL of Metacam daily for almost a week now. The good news is that he has no longer peed blood since Wednesday evening, but he still has intermittent squeaking only when pooping.

He currently has another vet visit on Tuesday to get another x-ray done, but I am wondering if he should be getting an ultrasound instead. I have been giving him Metacam every 24-hrs still, so I am concerned why he is still squeaking when pooping. I am assuming that since the tiny stones are there still that he has some irritation, but could it be due to something else?

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
I can’t offer advice but wanted to offer support.
It’s worrying to have a sick piggy

 

[DMS260820]

Sorry can't offer advice, but what exactly do you feed him daily?

 

[benjerry_gp]

No worries, thank you for reading my post!

@SkyPipDotBernie I feed* him radicchio, green pepper, and a small cherry tomato daily. I stopped feeding both my pigs pellets way back in 2018 when Ben first had stones, so I supplement them with 50 mg of vitamin C daily. They both have done well on this diet, but recently an individual in my household kept feeding them basil/mint daily without me knowing - which most likely caused him to have this issue again. I have made sure that they have stopped feeding them.

 

[DMS260820]

No worries, thank you for reading my post!

@SkyPipDotBernie I feed* him radicchio, green pepper, and a small cherry tomato daily. I stopped feeding both my pigs pellets way back in 2018 when Ben first had stones, so I supplement them with 50 mg of vitamin C daily. They both have done well on this diet, but recently an individual in my household kept feeding them basil/mint daily without me knowing - which most likely caused him to have this issue again. I have made sure that they have stopped feeding them.

Are your pigs indoor pigs? You sound like you know what your doing. I was going to see if I could find fault and help you. But I can't. I've literally been going though very similar issues this last week with my sow guinea pig with stones and sludge.

 

[benjerry_gp]

Are your pigs indoor pigs? You sound like you know what your doing. I was going to see if I could find fault and help you. But I can't. I've literally been going though very similar issues this last week with my sow guinea pig with stones and sludge.

Yes, my piggies are housed indoors. Aw thank you, they're my first pair so I am being extra careful to ensure that they are living the most fulfilling life. I've read some of your posts as well, and it is definitely a hard thing to deal with. It is heartbreaking when piggies are dealing with health issues.

 

[DMS260820]

Yes, my piggies are housed indoors. Aw thank you, they're my first pair so I am being extra careful to ensure that they are living the most fulfilling life. I've read some of your posts as well, and it is definitely a hard thing to deal with. It is heartbreaking when piggies are dealing with health issues.

I had a feeling you had read my posts, because of your reply. Iguess someone else will see this thread soon and be able to help more than me. I would probably just be guessing and making you confused lol