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Bladder stones

Alfieboy

Alfieboy

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Messages
36
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175
Location
Newcastle
My male guinea pig is prone to UTIs. About 2 and a half weeks ago I spotted blood in wee again. Took him into vets! Scan and X-ray later showed he has 3 little stones. He’s been on septrim and metacam and doing great. Today when I’ve checked on him there was a lot of blood in wee again, some quite thick on the vet bed and what looked to be a tiny little stone but can’t be sure! What are the signs of them passing stones?

He’s eating and drinking and weeing fine but hasn’t quite seemed his usual cheeky self yesterday, but maybe he was in discomfort. He seems happy at the moment, he’s out munching away. Il attach photos. I’ve taken him to numerous vets with these issues but I find they’re never overly confident when it comes to piggies. Although I’ve been give the name for a great exotic vet so il be taking him for another trip! I'm syringing him extra water too but any advice would be greatly appreciated x
 

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Alfieboy said:
My male guinea pig is prone to UTIs. About 2 and a half weeks ago I spotted blood in wee again. Took him into vets! Scan and X-ray later showed he has 3 little stones. He’s been on septrim and metacam and doing great. Today when I’ve checked on him there was a lot of blood in wee again, some quite thick on the vet bed and what looked to be a tiny little stone but can’t be sure! What are the signs of them passing stones?

He’s eating and drinking and weeing fine but hasn’t quite seemed his usual cheeky self yesterday, but maybe he was in discomfort. He seems happy at the moment, he’s out munching away. Il attach photos. I’ve taken him to numerous vets with these issues but I find they’re never overly confident when it comes to piggies. Although I’ve been give the name for a great exotic vet so il be taking him for another trip! I'm syringing him extra water too but any advice would be greatly appreciated x
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Hi!

If your local vets are not confident, please see a more piggy savvy one. Here is our recommended UK vets locator: Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

@Gerties may perhaps know more, as they are in your part of the world and run a good standard rescue there.

Passing small stones can result in sudden bleeding. Please be aware that boars have an awkward inglenook in their urethra where stones can fetch up and - depending on the size - block the urethra.

Be aware that most of the calcium usually comes not so much from veg too high in calcium but from hard water and pellets, which are the two food groups that are generally overlooked.
You may find the special diet tips for guinea pigs with urinary tract problems (including bladder stones) helpful. Please be aware that any diet changes need some time to percolate through since calcium absorption is a complex process, and you don't know what exactly is going wrong. All you can do is to do your best to minimise the formation of any further stones in the long term.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

You may also want to discuss with your vet the use of cystease, which is a glucosamine based cat food supplement (and no medication) to help support the beleaguered natural glucosamine coating of the bladder walls and help prevent a cystitis (bladder infection).
 
I have a water purifier to remove calcium, I’ve taken him off all veg high in calcium and have him on peppers, carrots etc. He’s also having half a natural science urinary support tablet per night as prescribed by vets. As mentioned he will be going to another vet. As even those who claim to be confident with guinea pigs have not impressed me so far.
 
After a potential stone is passed would you expect the urine to be bloody for a while? I’m just not sure what to expect. If it is a stone I’m pleased it’s out. And I’m being very careful to ensure he is weeing plenty x
 
Alfieboy said:
After a potential stone is passed would you expect the urine to be bloody for a while? I’m just not sure what to expect. If it is a stone I’m pleased it’s out. And I’m being very careful to ensure he is weeing plenty x
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Depending on how much damage the stone has caused or whether it is the start of a cystitis.
In either case, the sooner you see a good vet the better!
 
If the stone has caused trauma to the urethra on its way out, I would expect to see some blood in the urine for a while but really you need to see a vet to find out what is going on.
 
VickiA said:
If the stone has caused trauma to the urethra on its way out, I would expect to see some blood in the urine for a while but really you need to see a vet to find out what is going on.
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I’ve seen a vet 3 times in last 2 weeks he’s a scan an X-ray and been on meds for last 2 weeks
 
Just an update. We took Alfie to a good vet on Tuesday the day after this post. He had numerous scans done from more angles which showed stones dotted over his whole urinary system. Some in bladder, 1 in kidney. The vet thinks when he passed a stone it may have done some damage on the way out and as a result he was incontinent when I brought him home. He was hunched over, not happy and as there was no way of surgery I made the difficult decision to have him put to sleep. Totally devastated but feel it was the right thing for him.

I adopted Alfie 2 years ago as he had been severely mis treat and have dedicated my time to him through his various problems. Nevertheless I am so lucky to have had him, thank you for all your help! X
 
Oh dear, I’m so sorry to read this, but agree with you that you have done the kindest thing for him. Hugs x
 
Alfieboy said:
Just an update. We took Alfie to a good vet on Tuesday the day after this post. He had numerous scans done from more angles which showed stones dotted over his whole urinary system. Some in bladder, 1 in kidney. The vet thinks when he passed a stone it may have done some damage on the way out and as a result he was incontinent when I brought him home. He was hunched over, not happy and as there was no way of surgery I made the difficult decision to have him put to sleep. Totally devastated but feel it was the right thing for him.

I adopted Alfie 2 years ago as he had been severely mis treat and have dedicated my time to him through his various problems. Nevertheless I am so lucky to have had him, thank you for all your help! X
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BIG HUGS!

I am very sorry for the bad news. You have done the right thing for Alfie and spared him any unncessary suffering.
We can never know when and what from a piggy's time will come; what is in our control is to make the time they have with us a happy and good time. You haven't failed Alfie in any way!

Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children
 
Wiebke said:
BIG HUGS!

I am very sorry for the bad news. You have done the right for Alfie and spared him any unncessary suffering.
We can never know when and what from a piggy's time has come; what is in our control is to make the time they have with us a happy and good time. You haven't failed Alfie in any way!

Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children
Click to expand...
Thank you so much! Will look at that link as it does feel like absolute grief, I feel as though I’ve lost a family member. Thanks again x
 
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