Can Guinea Pigs Show Discomfort When Passing Calcium Deposits

[Claire W]

Now I apologise in advance as this is going to sound like a really daft question.

But I am just wondering if guinea pigs can show signs of discomfort when passing calcium deposits in their urine?

The reason I ask is because I have just witnessed Ellen 'grumbling' while passing a powdery wee. It definitely was a powdery wee as I have rubbed it between my fingers and it didn't feel sludgy or gritty.

Ellen has had blood in her urine (both visible and traces) since well before Christmas and scans, X-rays, urine cultures etc have all come back clear apart from blood.

She has had mild infections which have cleared up with Seprin but the blood still stays so along with Emma, it is pointing towards IC.

Ellen is taking half a capsule of cystease daily and I have seen an improvement as she hasn't been passing any visible blood since.

Sadly, Ellen can't have metacam as it pushes her glucose levels sky high due to her having diabetes although she is currently in remission and this is controlled through diet. However, if she is ever in serious pain for something else, my vet is happy to prescribe her with an alternative and in an emergency situation, I would give her a dose of metacam.

I must also point out though that Ellen is generally a whinny piggy who grumbles and whines at the slightest thing so her grumbling whilst passing these calcium pees may be a nothing. Sometimes she starts just by having Emma or Edward look at her! She definitely isn't making high pitched sounds like Emma does when she is having a 'squeaky wee' episode.

 

[Wiebke]

Now I apologise in advance as this is going to sound like a really daft question.

But I am just wondering if guinea pigs can show signs of discomfort when passing calcium deposits in their urine?

The reason I ask is because I have just witnessed Ellen 'grumbling' while passing a powdery wee. It definitely was a powdery wee as I have rubbed it between my fingers and it didn't feel sludgy or gritty.

Ellen has had blood in her urine (both visible and traces) since well before Christmas and scans, X-rays, urine cultures etc have all come back clear apart from blood.

She has had mild infections which have cleared up with Seprin but the blood still stays so along with Emma, it is pointing towards IC.

Ellen is taking half a capsule of cystease daily and I have seen an improvement as she hasn't been passing any visible blood since.

Sadly, Ellen can't have metacam as it pushes her glucose levels sky high due to her having diabetes although she is currently in remission and this is controlled through diet. However, if she is ever in serious pain for something else, my vet is happy to prescribe her with an alternative and in an emergency situation, I would give her a dose of metacam.

I must also point out though that Ellen is generally a whinny piggy who grumbles and whines at the slightest thing so her grumbling whilst passing these calcium pees may be a nothing. Sometimes she starts just by having Emma or Edward look at her! She definitely isn't making high pitched sounds like Emma does when she is having a 'squeaky wee' episode.

If it is just powdery calcium, she would not experience any discomfort from that; that is a normal process of excreting any excess calcium. Sometimes calcium absorption can suddenly change shortly before an acute URI ir cystitis phase. But it sounds pretty minor anyway.

 

[Claire W]

Thank you @Wiebke I have seen her pee since then and haven't heard anything. Edward was sat by her at the time and she is always grumbling at him so I am hoping it could have been that.

All 3 of them are at the vets in two weeks time for nail trims, check ups and urine testing for Emma and Ellen to see how things are since the cystease has been reduced so I will find out more then.

Obviously I will take them in sooner if needs be. I will keep an eye on her x