Calcified Kidneys?

[Liane]

Does anyone have any experience of calcified kidneys?

Martha has been diagnosed with this Both kidneys are affected.

We’re now waiting for the results of her kidney function tests to find out how much time she has left/whether she needs to go to sleep

If she has reasonable kidney function left, can this be undone? Are my other pigs at risk? I’m becoming increasingly concerned that our water is causing problems as numerous piggies have had problems with their kidney/bladder.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I am so sorry to hear this. I don’t have any experience of it but wanted to offer support.
Do you filter their water? It is recommended that in hard water areas, that brita water filters are used.

 

[DMS260820]

I have to filter my tap water, its ridiculously hard. It will stain the kitchen worktop when it dries. I had one pig who got 3 bladder stones after moving to the hard water area.

 

[Liane]

I am so sorry to hear this. I don’t have any experience of it but wanted to offer support.
Do you filter their water? It is recommended that in hard water areas, that brita water filters are used.

I have to filter my tap water, its ridiculously hard. It will stain the kitchen worktop when it dries. I had one pig who got 3 bladder stones after moving to the hard water area.

I don’t filter my water at the moment but I am definitely going to buy something to do so now. I didn’t know until recently that we have ‘hard’ water. I’ve been so careful with their food ever since Clara and Glinda had sludgy wee. I didn’t even think about their water at the time

 

[DMS260820]

I don’t filter my water at the moment but I am definitely going to buy something to do so now. I didn’t know until recently that we have ‘hard’ water. I’ve been so careful with their food ever since Clara and Glinda had sludgy wee. I didn’t even think about their water at the time

Dont worry i didnt either

 

[Wiebke]

Does anyone have any experience of calcified kidneys?

Martha has been diagnosed with this Both kidneys are affected.

We’re now waiting for the results of her kidney function tests to find out how much time she has left/whether she needs to go to sleep

If she has reasonable kidney function left, can this be undone? Are my other pigs at risk? I’m becoming increasingly concerned that our water is causing problems as numerous piggies have had problems with their kidney/bladder.

I am very sorry about the bad diagnosis. While kidneys are one of the organs that tend to go wrong more often in guinea pigs, I don't have any experience. Please keep in mind that guinea pigs are still dreadfully underresearched and that due to quickly expanding veterinary knowledge and diagnostics in the past few years we are constantly confronted with new issues.

I don't think that the process is reversible and also I don't think that it is necessarily due to the hard water (unlike kidney and bladder stones).
Filtered or low calcium bottled water is however something that we generally recommend for the UK in our diet guide as hard or mineral rich water is one of the biggest contributors to stone problems.

 

[pig in the city]

Calcification of the internal organs is seen in guinea pigs, the cause isn't clear.
I have had several piggies that developed kidney failure as they aged. Apart from weight loss and excessive drinking they remained very well until finally passing peacefully in their sleep.

 

[eileen]

i have just recently had a guinea pig pass with kidney failure.it was diagnosed one year ago.George just increasingly drank more water,lost a little weight.he was doing all his usual behaviours.until one day he passed peacefully in his sleep;He had a painfree and good quality of life.he was approximatley6/7 years old.just enjoy the time you have left with your piggie.if i had to choose how i pass away i would like this ! I'm sorry for your diagnosis.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I’ve never filtered water or used bottled water, but do feed a very grass based diet, with a small amount of veg and a few nuggets, fed mainly as a treat. I’ve had very few piggies with bladder or kidney issues.

 

[DMS260820]

I’ve never filtered water or used bottled water, but do feed a very grass based diet, with a small amount of veg and a few nuggets, fed mainly as a treat. I’ve had very few piggies with bladder or kidney issues.

Wish i could keep feeding grass, but a family of foxes has moved into my grass supply and it stinks now

 

[Liane]

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to respond

We won’t get her kidney function results until after Christmas, so we’re just keeping an eye on her really. Poor Martha looks so sad most of the time but she has been slightly chirpier today and is currently munching on some cabbage.

All the water bottles now have filtered water in.