Can I Give Over The Counter Cystitis Treatments At Same Time As Emeprid?

[saman]

Caramel has been in and out of vets for a few weeks now, after he was hunching and squeaking whilst weeing or pooping (unsure which). He was given an xray which was all clear, and wee sample was checked and all was ok. The vet gave him a course of baytril and metacam.
After a few days, we had to take him off the baytril, as he stopped eating and got diarrhea. He was given Emeprid to get him eating again. Anyway after nearly loosing him, and lots of sleepless nights feeding cc, he is now eating well again, and looking good/happy.
Took him back to the vets, who were happy with him, and said to continue the emeprid for 4 more weeks, slowly reducing the dosage. I was told to now stop the metacam.
Although he seems so much better, he is still doing the occasional hunching and squeaking whilst weeing/pooping. The vet did not feel any other cystitis treatment was necessary. He is drinking lots and lots, either due to the emeprid or cystitis?
Could I give an over the counter cystitis treatment (like cymalon or cystease), whilst he is on the Emeprid? Or would that not be wise? Don't want to do more damage than good. Any help appreciated

 

[Wiebke]

Cystease is mainly glucosamine and is classed as food supplement. You can give it without any problems long term and in combination with medication.

Increased thirst is typical for acute cystitis. (I call them the "smelly pees" due to the distinct stale smell and the high urination)

I would also look at filtering water (especially in a hard water area like the Southeast) and a low calcium diet.
Here is a list of low calcium foods from a member who has carefully researched this issue for her own bladder/kidney piggies: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/low-calcium-diet-for-bladder-piggies.105930/
But if you just stick to the veg listed for daily consumption in our recommended diet, you would also be fine:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/
@helen105281 can advise you on the most suitable pellets for bladder issue piggies, as she is currently researching for a new UK pellet guide for the forum.

Diet can make a difference in managing cystitis problems; they can help prevent the build-up of sludge and stone down the line as cystitis piggies are often more prone to those. You are likely looking at being saddled with the issue for some time, even years. Interstitial cystitis will often clear up on its own, but it is never soon.

 

[saman]

Thank you. The Cystease I have found is for for cats, is that the one? I will also try out the low calcium diet, just typical that all the foods he likes are high calcium Now that he is back to normal and I don't have to syringe feed anymore, I have more spare time, so I will also look into the water filter.
Also is the cystease ok to give whilst he also have the probiotic in his water bottle?

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. The Cystease I have found is for for cats, is that the one? I will also try out the low calcium diet, just typical that all the foods he likes are high calcium Now that he is back to normal and I don't have to syringe feed anymore, I have more spare time, so I will also look into the water filter.
Also is the cystease ok to give whilst he also have the probiotic in his water bottle?

it is cat cystease you are looking at. 1 capsule for the first week, then 1/2 capsule daily. I would recommend to mix the contents of 1 capsule with 1ml of water in a small medicine bottle (available at your vets or a pharmacy), shake well until it has dissolved and syringe 0.5 ml, i.e half a syringe full, in one go. Store the mixing bottle in the fridge in the meanwhile.

Please either syringe a pinch of probiotics directly 1-2 hours after the antibiotic (mixed with 1 ml of water) or give it sprinkled on a bit of veg. It will go off in a water bottle, not that you can control the individual intake! Giving medicine in a water bottle is useless when it comes to piggies and the sign of a general vet who is used to dogs and cats, but not small animals.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I would also look into Cartrophen injections, Petal has these once a month instead of the Cystease. Syringe him extra water daily & he may need to go onto a low dose of Metacam once or twice a day as it is an anti-inflammatory & can help with soothing the bladder wall. You can also look at using peral barley water, you have to buy the pearl barley in the raw (Supermarkets like Sainsburys do it) & boil it per instructions leave to cool then syringe the cool juice after straining. They can also eat the pulp left over. You have to make a fresh batch every day though. If he gets another bout, try to ask for Septrin or Marbocyl antibiotics as these are less harsh on their tummies & may avoid the problems you had with him before. I think you said you had to stop the Baytril early, so it could be he still has the infection ongoing, so you may need to return to the vet if he is still showing pain or squeaking when weeing

 

[helen105281]

@helen105281 can advise you on the most suitable pellets for bladder issue piggies, as she is currently researching for a new UK pellet guide for the forum.

Diet can make a difference in managing cystitis problems; they can help prevent the build-up of sludge and stone down the line as cystitis piggies are often more prone to those. You are likely looking at being saddled with the issue for some time, even years. Interstitial cystitis will often clear up on its own, but it is never soon.

I feed the Bunny pellets which are available from Zooplus as they were recommended to me as being good for pigs with bladder issues. My Phoebe and Amy both have IC and they have not really had any flare ups since being fed it.

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/food/guinea_pig/bunny/195679

These are also good:

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/food/guinea_pig/vitakraft/262148

Both are grainless and have very natural ingredients with no fillers, good protein and calcium to phosphorous ratios and also hardly any sugar. I will be including them on my sticky along with all of the other brands.

 

[saman]

it is cat cystease you are looking at. 1 capsule for the first week, then 1/2 capsule daily. I would recommend to mix the contents of 1 capsule with 1ml of water in a small medicine bottle (available at your vets or a pharmacy), shake well until it has dissolved and syringe 0.5 ml, i.e half a syringe full, in one go. Store the mixing bottle in the fridge in the meanwhile.

Please either syringe a pinch of probiotics directly 1-2 hours after the antibiotic (mixed with 1 ml of water) or give it sprinkled on a bit of veg. It will go off in a water bottle, not that you can control the individual intake! Giving medicine in a water bottle is useless when it comes to piggies and the sign of a general vet who is used to dogs and cats, but not small animals.

Thanks. Is Cystophan the same as Cystease? Would that be ok to give?
I was syringe feeding the probiotic whilst he was on the baytril, and for a week or so after. I had only just changed it to the water bottle, as I was only putting it in about 100ml water, which he would drink quite quickly. Is the Emeprid a antibiotic then? Sorry it all new to me .

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks. Is Cystophan the same as Cystease? Would that be ok to give?
I was syringe feeding the probiotic whilst he was on the baytril, and for a week or so after. I had only just changed it to the water bottle, as I was only putting it in about 100ml water, which he would drink quite quickly. Is the Emeprid a antibiotic then? Sorry it all new to me .

Emeprid is a gut stimulant. Cystophan is another glucosamine based food supplement for cats, similar to cystease.

 

[saman]

I would also look into Cartrophen injections, Petal has these once a month instead of the Cystease. Syringe him extra water daily & he may need to go onto a low dose of Metacam once or twice a day as it is an anti-inflammatory & can help with soothing the bladder wall. You can also look at using peral barley water, you have to buy the pearl barley in the raw (Supermarkets like Sainsburys do it) & boil it per instructions leave to cool then syringe the cool juice after straining. They can also eat the pulp left over. You have to make a fresh batch every day though. If he gets another bout, try to ask for Septrin or Marbocyl antibiotics as these are less harsh on their tummies & may avoid the problems you had with him before. I think you said you had to stop the Baytril early, so it could be he still has the infection ongoing, so you may need to return to the vet if he is still showing pain or squeaking when weeing

Hi thanks. Yes I have the pearl barley, which I have made up before. Just wasn't sure if something like cystease would be a bit stronger, to help him. He hates the pulp tho, so would never eat that.
The vet didnt really want to give more antibiotics, as he said the urine sample did not show any need. But if need be we will return for a different one.

 

[saman]

I feed the Bunny pellets which are available from Zooplus as they were recommended to me as being good for pigs with bladder issues. My Phoebe and Amy both have IC and they have not really had any flare ups since being fed it.

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/food/guinea_pig/bunny/195679

These are also good:

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/food/guinea_pig/vitakraft/262148

Both are grainless and have very natural ingredients with no fillers, good protein and calcium to phosphorous ratios and also hardly any sugar. I will be including them on my sticky along with all of the other brands.

Thank you, I will have a look into them

 

[saman]

Emeprid is a gut stimulant. Cystophan is another glucosamine based food supplement for cats, similar to cystease.

Ok thanks for your advice. Is it normal to be on Emeprid for over a month. I thought he was going to finish with it, as eating so well now, but the vet has advised to carry it on for another month.

 

[Wiebke]

Personally, I don't see any reason for giving it if your boy is off any antibiotics, eating well and has no digestive problems.

 

[saman]

Personally, I don't see any reason for giving it if your boy is off any antibiotics, eating well and has no digestive problems.

Its worrying to hear that, but exactly how I felt. Sadly I let the vet persuade me, saying that it was obviously working, so we should carry it on. I think he feels like we have had success, as he is eating well now. But really we have only tackled how poorly he became from the baytril, and are now just back to day one, when I took him to the vets in the first place.
Don't know what I would do without all the advice I have got on here from you guys

 

[Wiebke]

We have got a piggy savvy vet locator on the top bar, by the way!