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Blood In Urine

Lynette09

Lynette09

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone, looking for some insight for our boy Oliver.

I had posted a week ago about a potential uti and Oliver had been put on Septrin as there was blood and protein in his urine sample and slight discomfort when he pooped and pee'd.

Today I noticed I could visibly see the blood in his urine and seems in discomfort a lot when going to the toilet now. It's heartbreaking.

We are just back from emergency walk in clinic at vets and he is to go in tomorrow morning for an X-ray as I am now thinking this is bladder stones and hate to think I am seeing with the rest of Septrin when things are getting worse.

If Oliver has bladder stones, it tears me apart to say this but I wouldn't put him through surgery. He is 6 years old, has cataracts, arthritis in front leg and has been living the last 6 months more chilled out. I feel we are at a point it has to be about quality of life for him now and surgery would not be fair : (

If this is bladder stones, I guess what I am wondering is when do I know enough is enough? He is already in discomfort for toilet but eating/drinking normally etc which makes it hard. I couldn't make the decision without the X-ray confirming bladder stones as I guess I still hope he doesn't have them and just needs a bit more time on anti biotic.

I keep getting upset at what may be coming and hate this decision and not knowing what's best but Olivers well being is my utmost concern right now.

Has anyone had a guinea pig with these symptoms that wasn't bladder stone?
 
Lynette09 said:
Hi everyone, looking for some insight for our boy Oliver.

I had posted a week ago about a potential uti and Oliver had been put on Septrin as there was blood and protein in his urine sample and slight discomfort when he pooped and pee'd.

Today I noticed I could visibly see the blood in his urine and seems in discomfort a lot when going to the toilet now. It's heartbreaking.

We are just back from emergency walk in clinic at vets and he is to go in tomorrow morning for an X-ray as I am now thinking this is bladder stones and hate to think I am seeing with the rest of Septrin when things are getting worse.

If Oliver has bladder stones, it tears me apart to say this but I wouldn't put him through surgery. He is 6 years old, has cataracts, arthritis in front leg and has been living the last 6 months more chilled out. I feel we are at a point it has to be about quality of life for him now and surgery would not be fair : (

If this is bladder stones, I guess what I am wondering is when do I know enough is enough? He is already in discomfort for toilet but eating/drinking normally etc which makes it hard. I couldn't make the decision without the X-ray confirming bladder stones as I guess I still hope he doesn't have them and just needs a bit more time on anti biotic.

I keep getting upset at what may be coming and hate this decision and not knowing what's best but Olivers well being is my utmost concern right now.

Has anyone had a guinea pig with these symptoms that wasn't bladder stone?
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I am very sorry for your distress. There is a chance that Oliver has got IC (interstitial cystitis) if a scan comes back clear. IC cannot be cured at this stage, but it can be managed and it is not fatal. It is basically a recurring inflammation of the bladder walls that doesn't react to antibiotics at all or comes back as soon as the antibiotic stops. IC is always a diagnosis by default.

If it is a stone, it is very much up to you how where a stone sits and how much you trust your vet.
In the worst case, I would opt for high painkillers and draw the line when the pain and discomfort becomes too much for Oliver to have interest infood and life an in general. However, there is no one set rule; you are both right if you want to send him to sleep right away or if you prefer to give him to live a bit longer - the most important aspect is that any decision is done with Oliver's wellbeing upmost in your heart, closely followed by what you feel you can live best with in the long term. We all experience strong feelings of guilt and second guessing when we have to make a decision like that; that is part of the grieving process for any loving and responsible owner. It is what you think you will be happiest once this phase is over.

The waiting and anxiety is always one of the worst bits as that is the time when you truly stare into the abyss and are torn between hope against the odds and dread of the worst.
HUGS
 
If it comes to the worst you will know extinctively the right time to let Oliver go I am sure they find a way to tell us.
Sending you and Oliver hugs.
 
Wiebke, thank you so much for your response. In tears again but all I have had today is my mind whirring all over the place, tears and stomach in knots, so to read things from a different approach has grounded me a bit again to think.

They said they will use some gas but I made it clear, no anaesthetic and they will call tomorrow after 12. I will be at work but my daughter will pick him up as he will hate being elsewhere (she's 17).

The vet tonight wasn't my usual of 2 and so I just hope one of them is in tomorrow to check X-ray (they are both exotics) and trust them.

Regarding pain meds, he was originally on 0.17 Metacam a day for arthritis. This used to be 0.2ml but got lowered when he lost a little weight but he's back up to 1.5kg. I will put my hands up and say I gave him 2 doses yesterday as gave him one last night when I knew something was not right and hate to think he's uncomfortable as 24 hours between doses doesn't seem much.

The vet tonight said I could give him 0.35ml per day at once but would rather split it to keep it consistent. Not sure if she's correct in what she's saying?
 
Thanks piggieminder

Just so hard not knowing what's best or when but not wanting them to suffer if there's nothing that can be done
 
Sorry to put not the nicest of pictures up, but Oliver just pooped whilst having floor time and they are joined. Any idea? Not seen this before

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Update : (

Oliver has 2 bladder stones with sludge. They have given a flush and put a catheter in him to drain and he is resting.

Devastated as know there is nothing I can do this time : ( I wouldn't put him through surgery.

They stated he is very alert, into his food and inquisitive for his age. He does however also show arthritis showing on X-ray in his back legs.

The vets are keeping him until 17:30 after my work as they will keep an eye on him and I will bring our boy home for a few days as I had an appointment booked for Friday before this happened.

Just hope I'm doing the right thing bringing him home and his pain is not too bad for him but keep thinking if they done it today a) I'm not there and b) he will be stressed in that environment and hate to think his last few hours were spent like that.

Absolutely devastated : (

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So sorry to hear your sad news. You are doing the right thing for the very reasons you have given. Sending hugs to you both.
 
Lynette09 said:
Wiebke, thank you so much for your response. In tears again but all I have had today is my mind whirring all over the place, tears and stomach in knots, so to read things from a different approach has grounded me a bit again to think.

They said they will use some gas but I made it clear, no anaesthetic and they will call tomorrow after 12. I will be at work but my daughter will pick him up as he will hate being elsewhere (she's 17).

The vet tonight wasn't my usual of 2 and so I just hope one of them is in tomorrow to check X-ray (they are both exotics) and trust them.

Regarding pain meds, he was originally on 0.17 Metacam a day for arthritis. This used to be 0.2ml but got lowered when he lost a little weight but he's back up to 1.5kg. I will put my hands up and say I gave him 2 doses yesterday as gave him one last night when I knew something was not right and hate to think he's uncomfortable as 24 hours between doses doesn't seem much.

The vet tonight said I could give him 0.35ml per day at once but would rather split it to keep it consistent. Not sure if she's correct in what she's saying?
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So sorry to hear about this. I have nursed several piggies with bladder stones. All had surgery however and many didn't do very well or got another stone soon after. I am currently looking after an older piggy who had a bladder stone removed several months ago and he is doing very well but needs twice daily metacam (0.4ml per kg twice aday) and glucosamine and gabapentin. On these meds he remains pain free although still has blood in his urine on testing. Last x ray was clear.
In older piggies l usually advise against surgery although this boy proved me wrong!
You do need your boy to be on decent pain relief. The dose of metacam sounds a bit low to me for his size. The gabapentin helps relieve pain and is given with metacam it is very safe and low in side effects.
Ensuring adequate fluid intake should help relieve some pain as well.
There is a risk that a stone could block his urethra causing him to be unable to pass urine. It is extremely painful, so if you suspect this you must contact the vet immediately.
Hoping that you can make your boy comfortable. I personally dread piggies getting bladder stones.
 
Devastated to say I got a call from vets an hour after I posted : (

Oliver had taken a turn for the worse and after racing to vets we had to say night night Absolutely heartbroken and in bits.

Vet showed me X-ray and he had 2 stones and sludge. It also showed an enlarged heart, kidney problem and arthritis.

Devastated that his last hours were in a place he didn't know which is why I needed to be there so he knew we hadn't left him. He was very groggy and in a lot of pain and that breaks my heart knowing before he wasn't this bad this morning but he must have been suffering immensely with what X-ray showed.

My boy is now at peace and will be running through those fields with his brother Keiko eating as much dandelion leaves as he can ☺️

Sleep well my handsome boy and run free x

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Lynette09 said:
Devastated to say I got a call from vets an hour after I posted : (

Oliver had taken a turn for the worse and after racing to vets we had to say night night Absolutely heartbroken and in bits.

Vet showed me X-ray and he had 2 stones and sludge. It also showed an enlarged heart, kidney problem and arthritis.

Devastated that his last hours were in a place he didn't know which is why I needed to be there so he knew we hadn't left him. He was very groggy and in a lot of pain and that breaks my heart knowing before he wasn't this bad this morning but he must have been suffering immensely with what X-ray showed.

My boy is now at peace and will be running through those fields with his brother Keiko eating as much dandelion leaves as he can ☺️

Sleep well my handsome boy and run free x

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So very sorry x
 
gizzy said:
Sorry to hear Oliver is not doing to well! You have done all the right things , though pesonaly withe the Metercam I'd stick withe the dose he is on and wouldent go any higher ! long term use of this med can carry its on set of problems poos joined together could be due to the meds


Meloxicam (Metacam) like other NSAIDs may cause some side effects. The most common side effects of Meloxicam involve digestive issues such as vomiting and decrease appetite. Other possible side effects of Meloxicam include: Change in bowel movements (black, tarry or bloody stools or diarrhea)

  • Kindey/ renal failure
  • Liver failure
  • Ulcers
  • Appetite (increase or decrease)
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea/ bloody stools
  • Behavioural changes (aggression, seizure, coordination, activity levels)
  • Skin (redness, scabs, scratching)
  • Urination (change in colour/ smell/ frequency)
  • Aneamia (manifested as pale gums)
  • Jaundice (yellowing of gums, skin and whites of eyes)
  • DEATH*
Metacam side effects | Rimadyl side effects | NSAIDs for dogs | Pooch and Mutt
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Metacam can be very toxic in cats and dogs but according to my vet there is no evidence that it has similar effects in guinea pigs. I personally have used this dose of metacam in piggies with chronic health issues. They continue to do well even after taking metacam for several years. More suffering is caused by vets using inadequate doses of pain relief than by the side effects of treatment.
I am not critical of @Lynette09 s vet as it sounds as if they provided excellent care in a difficult situation.
 
Lynette09 said:
Devastated to say I got a call from vets an hour after I posted : (

Oliver had taken a turn for the worse and after racing to vets we had to say night night Absolutely heartbroken and in bits.

Vet showed me X-ray and he had 2 stones and sludge. It also showed an enlarged heart, kidney problem and arthritis.

Devastated that his last hours were in a place he didn't know which is why I needed to be there so he knew we hadn't left him. He was very groggy and in a lot of pain and that breaks my heart knowing before he wasn't this bad this morning but he must have been suffering immensely with what X-ray showed.

My boy is now at peace and will be running through those fields with his brother Keiko eating as much dandelion leaves as he can ☺️

Sleep well my handsome boy and run free x

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Click to expand...

BIG HUGS

Losing a guinea pig can be quite traumatic, as death is very often not as nice and neat as our automatic assumption is. It was Oliver's time and his body was clearly breaking down. Your vets have done what they could and have done nothing wrong. If this is the first time you have been confronted with this and have not been able to brace for Oliver dying so quickly, it is hard to see past it as you grapple with your churned up emotions.
Please consider that while those hours are long for you, they have actually been only a comparatively short time and that Oliver has been spared a more drawn out dying process.

Please also try to keep in mind that Oliver has been feeling your love through all of it; guinea pigs have a much more fine and stronger sense of it than we humans. He has made his way carried by the wings of your love!

Soul searching and wondering is normal for the onset of the grieving process when we all try to make some sense of what has happened and trying to find more direct causes that we can blame or we are blaming ourselves directly for it. it is however only an expression of your strong love and sense of responsibility. Guinea pigs are small animals; Oliver was a frail old man, frailer than anybody suspected. He has simply reached the limit of what his little body has been able to cope with.

Give yourself time to grieve and to digest it all; that doesn't happen quickly. You are also going to feel rather blue at some point once the adrenalin high is running out and the full realisation of Oliver's absence is hitting you. If you find it difficult to cope, I would strongly recommend to talk about it all on a free pet bereavement phone service; the people manning them are trained to listen, to help, and they are confidential. You will find that talking it all through with somebody safe and understanding is the best thing you can do for yourself. All the forum members that have made use of this have found it very helpful and a very positive experience.
SupportLine - Problems: Pet Bereavement: Advice, support and information

PS: I fully agree with Barbara re. metacam in guinea pigs. Some of mine have or are on those kind of dosages short and long term without any ill effects that can plague other species of animals.
 
So sorry to hear this. As much as it hurts now, you did the right thing as he would have been too weak for surgery. You did everything you could for him.

My Kiwi has a sensitive bladder and was advised to take her off pellets as it kept causing sludge. Her and Peri only have a handful of nuggets a day as a treat and they are full of vitamins and encourage even teeth wear.
 
I'm so sorry for your loss of such a lovely piggy. I recently had to put one of my piggies to sleep as well so I feel your pain and heartbreak. You did the right thing by doing your best to make him as comfortable as possible before he went. He is now free of pain and enjoying treats with those piggies past before him.
 
I am so very sorry for the loss of your gorgeous little boy. Huge hugs x x
 
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