Hello. My guinea pig has cystitis, she squeaks when she goes to the toilet and there is blood in her urine. The doctor took a urine culture and it was found out that the infection is caused by the bacterium “enterobacter cloacae”. The results of the culture showed that the bacterium is sensitive to antibiotics: amikacin and meropenem. The doctor says that none of these antibiotics can not be used for guinea pigs, they cause enterotoxemia. Is this true? I have read that amikacin is still used to treat guinea pigs. I live in a big city but only one clinic treats rodents, unfortunately in my country there are few places that treat rodents at all. Perhaps among you there are doctors or owners of guinea pigs who have faced a similar problem. Please tell me more about the antibiotics mentioned above, all the risks and whether I have any chance to cure my baby.
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Cystitis. What antibiotics to use?
- Thread starter Djaget
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No, I haven't and I have never seen them used by guinea pigs on here. I hoped that one of you would have.
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Amikacin can be given to guinea pigs, but should be used with caution. Personally I wouldn’t risk it.
Thanks!
No, I don't actually live in the UK. But thank you for your reply
You have put Uk on your visible profile.
Please do correct it to your actual location. it makes it hard for us to advise accurately on what products or services which may be available to you if we don’t know what country you are in
I have read about the effect of this drug on the kidneys and hearing, in addition, my pig has a history of enteropathy, but not particularly serious (the previous owner did not feed her correctly, and sometimes did not feed at all). I guess it's really risky.
But also I will be glad to any advice how to ease the condition of my pig. The doctor prescribed her suspension with meloxicam. It also becomes easier for her to go to the toilet when I give her nettle, dandelion root and other plants with diuretic effect
Okay, but I'm not sure that's gonna make counseling any easier. But I'll gladly take any advice
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The reason we ask for location is that vet care and vet advice differs from country to country.
Although UK owned and based we have members from all over the world and we try to tailor any help to the country you are in.
Welcome to the forum.
I can’t add to the health advice but I do offer my support
Although UK owned and based we have members from all over the world and we try to tailor any help to the country you are in.
Welcome to the forum.
I can’t add to the health advice but I do offer my support
Mon59
Junior Guinea Pig
My 3 year old sow has constant cystitis. Visible blood in urine quite often.
A very happy pig with no other issues . She is on 3rd dose of three weeks Trimethoprim now. Still visible blood. She had lab work which pointed to this antibiotic due to e-Coli.
Also had whole body scan with no issues.
Prefer she didn’t bleed into urine .
Any wise ideas ?
A very happy pig with no other issues . She is on 3rd dose of three weeks Trimethoprim now. Still visible blood. She had lab work which pointed to this antibiotic due to e-Coli.
Also had whole body scan with no issues.
Prefer she didn’t bleed into urine .
Any wise ideas ?
I'd like some advice too, but I'll share what I've been able to find out. Adding plants with a diuretic effect to the diet will relieve the condition and remove the blood, at least temporarily. This will not solve the problem, but the pig will not have pain when urinating.
In my memo from the doctor listed: lingonberry leaf, cranberry leaf, leaf and root (especially good, you don't have to give it whole, a part of the root will be enough, and the pigs like it a lot) of dandelion, chamomile, nettle (Dip the plant in boiling water before feeding it to the animal to eliminate the stinging effect. Has a hemostatic effect, but don't overdo it), blackcurrant leaf, fir, birch leaf, bird's throat, hibiscus, from myself still want to add rose hips. Some of these herbs can be brewed in filter bags from the pharmacy and give from a syringe. But it is better if you give fresh herbs. These plants also make urine more acidic, which is a good thing.
And also remove from the diet of grain, legumes, plants with a high content of calcium oxalates and oxalic acid (sorrel, spinach, chard, beet haulm, leaf mustard, parsley, radish haulm, celery, kale, dandelion flowers, salad greens of dark colors. also it is worth excluding very young grass sprouts.
Ramia
Adult Guinea Pig
My boys take a supplement with cranberry, dandelion and echinacea. It's for their urine and they are on a very small dose of pellets. They get a forage with chamomile, nettle, clover and lavender twice a week.
If she has only had three doses of antibiotic so far then it is going to take a lot longer for you to see improvement. It takes a few days for the antibiotic to start working but may well take the entire course before you see she is better
I know it’s hard when you can find a vet but unfortunately we can’t tell you what antibiotic your piggy needs. Legally only a vet can do that.
Your piggy will also need painkillers.
Diuretic plants might help to increase urinary frequency but they won’t relieve pain.
Of course I understand. The doctor has prescribed painkillers and she is taking them, but unfortunately they don't get rid of the blood in her urine, and hemostatic pills cannot be taken for long periods of time