Dealing With Bladder Stones

[Piggies&Me]

Hello! I'm new here, just joined. I am needing some advice here (sorry this may be long) I am very worried about my pig Shadow, she is 4 years old and has just been disagnosed with bladder stones as of yesterday. I took her back to the exotic vet because after 2 weeks of antibiotics for a UTI which was confirmed by urinalysis, she had not gotten any better. (This is her 2nd UTI in about 2 years I believe) She was still whining while urinating.

So, yesterday I decided to get the x-ray the vet suggested to rule out stones and sure enough she has 3 stones. 2 tiny ones near the urethra that the Dr said she may be able to pass and a bigger one in bladder. I have the x-rays on a disc she gave me and to me the 2 tiny ones I can't even spot out they are so small and the larger one to me don't look big either. But I'm no expert. She is now on Meloxicam for pain management and is doing so much better, no crying at ALL. I picked that up for her a few days before the vet appt yesterday, so she's been on that for almost a week and has improved greatly.

I never would have expected stones, because other than her crying (every now and then) she is eating and drinking and acting totally normal, she is happy as can be! Popcorning also. No blood in cage or anything. I thought for sure it was just a UTI. The vet told me to call another Dr she recommended, to talk about the surgery, she said he may be able to flush them back up into bladder to be removed. And she also mentioned her age being on the older side, that it's a tough decision and that it's my decision on what to do.

But I still feel like I need more answers/advice. So, mainly my question is, should I get the bladder stone removal surgery or not? Can I wait to see if she passes them? And just monitor her by x ray? I have no idea what to do. I know surgery is really the only option to get rid of them. And if that's what needs to be done I will. But she is doing so good right now, I'd hate to put her through that and risk her not making it, as i know surgery comes with a risk especially in older pigs.

The thought of surgery is making me worried sick. I also failed to mention, she also got a urine culture done as well yesterday and will get results back in about a week. Last urinalysis did show bacteria in urine, so I'm guessing most likely she will be put back on antibiotics. Should I wait until after the course of antibiotics and get another x-ray to check on stones? Or get this surgery asap? I'm not sure what to do. I don't want her to suffer at all (doesn't seem like she is now) and I want to make the best decision for her. And also, much would surgery cost? I live in Cleveland, Ohio USA. I'm just curious what you all would suggest, everyone here seems so knowledgeable! But I am still going to talk to my vet more about this when she calls me for culture results and I also will call the other vet to talk about surgery and what to do also and ask many questions.

There is also no blood in her urine from what I can see, she seems totally fine and content. But do I wait until things get worse or have the surgery now?!?!

I am just needing some advice, since this is all I can think about. I love my girls so much and will do anything for them. I'm a nervous wreck. Please help. Thank you!

 

[Piggies&Me]

Here is a pic of the x ray showing her stone (where the cursor is) I cannot detect the 2 smaller stones.

 

[pig in the city]

It is best to get the stones removed while they are relatively small. Your vet may be able to get them out via the urethra rather than needing to open the bladder.
Unfortunately some pigs are prone to bladder stones and they can recur.
I paid £300 for a bladder stone removal where the bladder was opened. It will be less if they can remove the stone through the urethra.

 

[Piggies&Me]

It is best to get the stones removed while they are relatively small. Your vet may be able to get them out via the urethra rather than needing to open the bladder.
Unfortunately some pigs are prone to bladder stones and they can recur.
I paid £300 for a bladder stone removal where the bladder was opened. It will be less if they can remove the stone through the urethra.

Thanks so much for replying. That makes total sense to get them removed while still small. I believe my vet said she did try to remove the tiny ones in her urethra but she couldn't. So a few hundred dollars then here in the USA, that's not bad. No problem. Maybe this vet she is giving me a referral too will be able to get them out via urethra! I will most likely schedule a surgery then and see what needs to be done. I will be calling tomorrow to get info. Just hope the stones don't return! Thanks so much

 

[VickiA]

Sadly if they have had stones once they are at a higher risk of developing them again. One of my girls has just had a stone removed from her urethra. It must be very sore.

 

[Piggies&Me]

Sadly if they have had stones once they are at a higher risk of developing them again. One of my girls has just had a stone removed from her urethra. It must be very sore.

That's what I have read also, they can return again quickly. How upsetting, I sure hope not Sorry to hear about your girl, hope she gets well soon. Is that the first stone she has had? I'm so nervous about this. I'm sure these little piggies are in alot of discomfort with these darn things. My girl seems to be doing really well now for the time being now that she's on Meloxicam. I'm going to get this taken care of asap. I hope her age, being 4 she does well with it.

 

[pig in the city]

Thanks so much for replying. That makes total sense to get them removed while still small. I believe my vet said she did try to remove the tiny ones in her urethra but she couldn't. So a few hundred dollars then here in the USA, that's not bad. No problem. Maybe this vet she is giving me a referral too will be able to get them out via urethra! I will most likely schedule a surgery then and see what needs to be done. I will be calling tomorrow to get info. Just hope the stones don't return! Thanks so much

If you make sure she drinks plenty (l syringe fluids into my bladder pigs if they don't drink enough) this helps to prevent recurrence, use filtered water if you have hard water.
And take a look at this thread for diet advice
www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/long-term-balanced-general-and-special-needs-guinea-pig-diet.116460/
Let us know how she goes

 

[Piggies&Me]

If you make sure she drinks plenty (l syringe fluids into my bladder pigs if they don't drink enough) this helps to prevent recurrence, use filtered water if you have hard water.
And take a look at this thread for diet advice
www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/long-term-balanced-general-and-special-needs-guinea-pig-diet.116460/
Let us know how she goes

Thanks again! She is pretty good with drinking, I will keep an eye on that, I also wet their lettuce and give them extra water that way. I do filter their water also using a Pur Pitcher water filter, hope that's good to use. I checked out the link you sent, I seem to be offering all of the right foods for them! They usually get green leaf about 2 leaves per pig, good chunk of green pepper, chunk of cucumber, one cherry tomato and ocassionally a baby carrot, that's their Staples and small amount of apple, oxbow plain pellets 1/8th cup a day which they don't even eat all that. I also offer oxbow vit C tabs too as prescribed by the vet. Its unfortunate she has developed stones Thanks again, I will keep you all updated.

 

[kaja979]

My Harriet had an opp 10 days ago, I'm glad she had it as she had 3 stones, 2 small one larger, she past one of the smaller ones and the pain was horrendous. Shes recovering now but she had an infection in her bladder also which is causing problems.

She's on a small amount of grain free pellets, filtered water and low calcium veggies in an attempt to prevent further stones. I believe someone said Timothy hay is better for bladder pigs but I could be wrong. I would recommend the surgery as the surgery would be much more complicated if the stones moved to the urethra and there are far more risks involved.

 

[Piggies&Me]

My Harriet had an opp 10 days ago, I'm glad she had it as she had 3 stones, 2 small one larger, she past one of the smaller ones and the pain was horrendous. Shes recovering now but she had an infection in her bladder also which is causing problems.

She's on a small amount of grain free pellets, filtered water and low calcium veggies in an attempt to prevent further stones. I believe someone said Timothy hay is better for bladder pigs but I could be wrong. I would recommend the surgery as the surgery would be much more complicated if the stones moved to the urethra and there are far more risks involved.

Oh wow. Well, I'm glad to hear your pig did well with surgery! Hope she has a speedy recovery! Same with my pig, 2 small one larger. May I ask how long the surgery took? Did you get her back the same day? My pig is also suffering from an infection most likely from the stones. I hear too Timothy hay is best. Well, I am calling the vet tomorrow and getting this surgery set up as soon as I can. I'm afraid my pig has 2 tiny stones already in her urthrea, so need to act quick then

 

[kaja979]

The actual surgery itself took 30 mins but the pre opp stuff takes a while and obviously the after care. I picked her up at the vets closing time as the vet agreed she would receive better after care at home! The actual procedure should be straightforward but obvs your aware of the risks of any surgery.

So she's on a double dose of antibiotics (baytril&septrim) so I'm giving her probiotic. She will be on loxicom for a while, she's been on emeprid to keep the guts moving and I was advised on this forum to give her cystease (1 capsule diluted into 2ml of water, given 1ml per day) and the adult vitamin tonic called metatone (0.2ml twice a day)

This is my Harriet post opp

 

[kaja979]

And, if they are in her urethra they can flush them back into the bladder to remove x

 

[Piggies&Me]

The actual surgery itself took 30 mins but the pre opp stuff takes a while and obviously the after care. I picked her up at the vets closing time as the vet agreed she would receive better after care at home! The actual procedure should be straightforward but obvs your aware of the risks of any surgery.

So she's on a double dose of antibiotics (baytril&septrim) so I'm giving her probiotic. She will be on loxicom for a while, she's been on emeprid to keep the guts moving and I was advised on this forum to give her cystease (1 capsule diluted into 2ml of water, given 1ml per day) and the adult vitamin tonic called metatone (0.2ml twice a day)

This is my Harriet post opp

View attachment 79547

Aww! She is adorable! Wow, quick surgery though. Thanks for the info! I hope my piggie wont have to stay overnight! ..Yes, I am aware of the risks. That is alot of meds your little girl is on. Ive been seeing everyone talking about that cystease as well. Thats what my vet said, they can flush them back up to remove. Well, thanks again, youve been very helpful! Friday I have an appt to meet with the vet who will be performing her surgery to go over everything. Will be scheduled soon.

 

[kaja979]

Have u checked out the low calcium diet reduce the risk of further stones? Just give me a shout if u need anything x

 

[Piggies&Me]

Have you checked out the low calcium diet reduce the risk of further stones? Just give me a shout if you need anything x

I have, yes. I will be doing everything I can to keep her on a low calcium diet from here on out! One last question, with this visit I have Friday for her, will the vet just give her a regular exam you think? I have already faxed over all of her medical records etc per their request. I am a little short on cash until next week, I am just curious as to what he will do, I'm thinking just go over her x-rays and give her an exam to make sure she's healthy enough for surgery and talk about everything. This isn't her normal vet, so he wants to see her initially. Thanks again!

 

[kaja979]

Mine took another xray just before the surgery to locate the stones, they noticed one of the stones had been passed. We are lucky that the vet is a friend of the family so we get everything half price. It was £150 including meds, xrays and pre/post opp checks.

 

[Piggies&Me]

Mine took another xray just before the surgery to locate the stones, they noticed one of the stones had been passed. We are lucky that the vet is a friend of the family so we get everything half price. It was £150 including meds, xrays and pre/post opp checks.

Okay, thanks! You're so lucky to have a vet like that! That's awesome.