Bladder Stones

[netti]

Hi, first post on here. My 3 year old female, Star, started showing signs of a uti yesterday. She was still eating and drinking but quieter than usual and squeaking slightly when she wee'd. Took her to our vets today who has given 7 days of baytril. They said the correct thing to do would be to do an x-ray to check for stones and/or sludge as well. I was happy to do this but they said they would only do it under a general anaesthetic so if there was a problem they could operate immediately. I said I wasn't willing to risk a general until I had at least given the baytril a chance to work but not sure if this is the right thing to do.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the baytril will work for her sake but also now really worried as they have quoted £270 for the x-ray and a further £530 if she needs the operation (includes over night stay and pain meds), so £800 in total. This sounds a crazy amount of money. I know guinea pigs are expensive when they are ill but this seems too much.

But I am also worried that if I don't have the x-ray she can deteriorate quickly and not be well enough to have the operation.

Any advise?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, first post on here. My 3 year old female, Star, started showing signs of a uti yesterday. She was still eating and drinking but quieter than usual and squeaking slightly when she wee'd. Took her to our vets today who has given 7 days of baytril. They said the correct thing to do would be to do an x-ray to check for stones and/or sludge as well. I was happy to do this but they said they would only do it under a general anaesthetic so if there was a problem they could operate immediately. I said I wasn't willing to risk a general until I had at least given the baytril a chance to work but not sure if this is the right thing to do.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the baytril will work for her sake but also now really worried as they have quoted £270 for the x-ray and a further £530 if she needs the operation (includes over night stay and pain meds), so £800 in total. This sounds a crazy amount of money. I know guinea pigs are expensive when they are ill but this seems too much.

But I am also worried that if I don't have the x-ray she can deteriorate quickly and not be well enough to have the operation.

Any advise?

Hi and welcome

Could you please add your UK county to the details, so our members may be able to recommend a piggy savvy, but cheaper vet within your reach if that is possible. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. £270 for an x-ray is rather over the top indeed!

Generally, she should be OK on the baytril (or septrin) even though it may take longer than a week to clear a UTI. An x-ray is usually indicated if the antibiotic is not working, if it comes back or if there is a deterioration while she is on the antibiotic, so you should have a bit of time to do your research and can stop panicking.
Did your vet mention during the examination whether your girl has got a rather hard bladder, which can indicate irritation from stones, sludge or an inflammation of the bladder walls and which would be an indication to x-ray sooner rather than later?

Plase make sure that your girl is getting plenty of water (preferably filtered); if necessary you can syringe her once or twice daily. About half a syringe full (ca. 0.5 ml = 1 mouthful), wait until it has gone down before you give the next lot, as much as she will take. Ideally 101-5 ml, but you may not be able to get as much in. This will help to flush out the bladder. Mildly diuretic veg like lettuce, cucumber, celery or fresh baby dandelion can also help with the flushing, but don't overdo it and end up with diarrhea. This should help to bring down the discomfort from any infection.

Please weigh any guinea pig under the weather daily at the same time (either before or after their dinner) to keep a close eye on their food intake, so you can step in whenever necessary. Did you vet give you metacam or loxicom, which is a painkiller and anti-inflammatory?

 

[netti]

Thanks for all the advice Wiebke, the vet said her bladder felt healthy, he spent quite a while examining her and tried to feel for stones but couldn't find anything. I've updated my profile- i'm in Norfolk.

I do wish he had given septrin (which when my other piggy had it, it was banana flavoured) as Star is HATING the baytril. Just tried syringing some water and she went crazy, probably thinking it's more baytril. Maybe i'll call in the morning and see if it can be changed as seems silly to stress her needlessly.

 

[MerryPip]

Wiebke has given you plenty of good advice.

That sort of price does sound a bit steep for an x-ray even with an anaesthetic... So definitely worth investigating if there is someone else locally that is good that might be a bit cheaper. I had a lad have an x-ray followed by stone removal surgery plus some extras (on a Sunday) and it didn't cost me that much!

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for all the advice Wiebke, the vet said her bladder felt healthy, he spent quite a while examining her and tried to feel for stones but couldn't find anything. I've updated my profile- i'm in Norfolk.

I do wish he had given septrin (which when my other piggy had it, it was banana flavoured) as Star is HATING the baytril. Just tried syringing some water and she went crazy, probably thinking it's more baytril. Maybe i'll call in the morning and see if it can be changed as seems silly to stress her needlessly.

Baytril is about the most foul tasting medication that there is, so please don;t blame your piggy. They have also got about double the number of human taste buds, which can't help!

If your vet can't find any instant sign of bladder stones, you need not panic about her going downhill suddenly because of a stone causing trouble. The baytril may cause loss or dampening of appetite, or some softish poos.

Here is our recommended UK vet locator; is one of them within your reach? Guinea Pig Vet Locator

 

[netti]

Thank you. Yes one of the vets is close. The vets I use are the ones all the local vets use for exotic animals, they are highly highly recommended but just so expensive. I'm wondering if maybe the vet I saw wasn't as clued up as the others at that practice, I haven't seen her in there before and she was very young.

 

[netti]

Ö

Wiebke has given you plenty of good advice.

That sort of price does sound a bit steep for an x-ray even with an anaesthetic... So definitely worth investigating if there is someone else locally that is good that might be a bit cheaper. I had a lad have an x-ray followed by stone removal surgery plus some extras (on a Sunday) and it didn't cost me that much!

That's a relief re the prices. I don't want to sound like a pet owner not willing to pay vets fees because that's not the case, but I also don't want to pay extortionate unecessary prices!

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I am a bit surprised they prescribed Baytril as generally Exotic vets don't use it. That does sound high for the op & x rays, I would be inclined to ring up & ask to speak to one of the more experienced Exotics vets if I were you just to clatify & also to mention she is not liking the Baytril ; Septrin or Marbocyl are better for utis & are better tolerated by piggies.