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Cystitis?

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Hi everyone, since getting my piggies on Saturday I've been so busy so apologies for not getting pics on.

Anyway, today I noticed a few bloody urine patches on the fleece but I don't know which of the 5 piggies is poorly (I have suspicions its Merlin, he seems a little quiet) however they're all eating/drinking/pooing as normal.

I have bought some cranberry juice in the hope of it being something simple like cystitis (please can someone enlighten me if it could be something else - I'm aware of symptoms of bladder stones) but I was wondering how do I administer it?

Obviously not actually KNOWING which piggy it is (guessing isn't going to cut it) I want to treat them all and know that cranberry juice helps piggies in the same way it does for humans but how do I do it? Put it into one of their water bottles? (they have 2) or will I syringe feed it? (having them only a few days I don't think I'll be successful with this method) and what concentration should I give, how much should I dilute it?

As you can imagine, having them for only a few days I'm kind of bricking it and wanna help asap if I can. x
 
Actually looking at the stain it looks more orangey than red. Is it possible that too many carrots could cause the urine to change colour? I've just given them their second lot of veg for the day and they're all as-happy-as-larry tucking in, none of them are showing any signs of loss of appetite. x
 
You must have had a really busy week settling them all in. I know that some foods can change the colour of urine, such as beetroot, so maybe it's the same if one of them's eaten a lot of carrot.
You can give unsweetened cranberry juice by syringe. I'm not sure I've read of anyone giving in a bottle. You can put them on a white fleece or sheet to get a better idea or urine colour if needed.

:)
 
flips said:
You can put them on a white fleece or sheet to get a better idea or urine colour if needed.

:)
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They were on a white/cream fleece, thats how I found out in the first place. x
 
Craig David said:
I'm no pig expert but mine have carrot and it makes their wee a funny colour xx
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I hope its just that but I'll treat them all with cranberry juice as a matter of caution. x


I think I'll just put the juice in the bottle, diluted a little, as because I've only had the piggies for a few days I think it'd dtress them too much trying to syringe feed them. x
 
It is hard when you have a few pigs together to work out which one is the poorly one. You could maybe get each one out individually and if they pee on you ( not the most pleasant of things, I know! ) then check the wee to see if there's any blood in it. I think cystitis can sometimes be cleared up with cranberry juice but athena has had cystitis and now bladder stones so is on antibiotics so you may have to get them to the vets just to be safe once you figure out which one it is. I have loads of syringes if you need any, I can post them to you if need be x
 
If it is orange in colour it could just be caused by normal oxidisation with the air, rather than be blood in the urine. Blood in urine usually dries a brown colour and if you add water the stain will go red/pinkish in colour.

Stress can sometimes trigger problems like this as can change in diet. It is good to be vigilant though, so if you are concerned and can work out who it is get them to the vet.

I would keep an eye, in my experience of guinea pig urine it sounds more like just the colour of the urine rather than abnormal.
 
I would strongly recommend that you do not put the cranberry juice in the water bottle because most guinea pigs do not like the taste of cranberry juice. If you put the juice in the water bottle, you run the risk of discouraging your guinea pigs from using it in the future.
Please try not to worry. Easier said than done I know. It doesn't sound like blood to me. I would keep an eye on your pigs for a few days and if things do not improve, I would make a vets appointment just to be on the safe side.
Good luck xx
 
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