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Dirk Piggler - weight loss + pain when urinating?

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little_mascara88

little_mascara88

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Took Dirk to the vet today. He's been steadily losing weight over the past couple of weeks, and has recently began whimpering when going to the toilet. I had him out on a white towel yesterday until he urinated, and there was no blood, but he seemed to be letting a little bit out at a time, poor mite! He has become very fussy with veg, only taking a few bites and leaving it, and not really eating much in the way of pellets. He still eats hay no problems. I made up a batch of bran mash with cranberry juice I saw suggested on here and he seemed to love it.

The vet suspected cystitis but upon feeling his bladder said it seemed normal, and Dirk didn't really seem to bothered by him doing it, so he wants to keep an eye on it. He was more concerned by his weight loss. He checked his teeth and they were fine. He had an injection and some Baytril to have over the week(I've ordered some Fibreplex - is that the right thing to do?) and he has to go back next week for a check up.

My poor lad. He's only about a year old. Any ideas to what could be causing the weight loss? :...

(And just to break up the essay a bit - here he is all grumpy after his trip to the vet...)
piggybaths025.jpg
 
i took mine to the vets today too because she was whimpering while weeing & it was a funny colour though her weight is fine & now she's on baytril
i bought a probiotic powder to put in her drinking water from pets at home its the same as fibreplex but in powder form
just keep giving him hay if thats all he will eat , poor mite :(
fingers crossed for mine & your piggies to get well soon
sending healing vibes to your baby :)
 
gingersusie said:
i took mine to the vets today too because she was whimpering while weeing & it was a funny colour though her weight is fine & now she's on baytril
i bought a probiotic powder to put in her drinking water from pets at home its the same as fibreplex but in powder form
just keep giving him hay if thats all he will eat , poor mite :(
fingers crossed for mine & your piggies to get well soon
sending healing vibes to your baby :)
Click to expand...

Oh I'm so sorry to hear about your girl. Fingers crossed the Baytril does the trick for her. What did your vet think was up with her?
He's been sulking in his pigloo since we've got back (though I think he's been nipping out to munch on hay when I'm not looking!) so may try and tempt him with a bit more bran mash.
Let me know how your piggy gets on, hope she's better soon! :)
 
I've just found the thread you started about your piggy, I was a bit of a plank to overlook it!
 
If he is in pain that may explain the weight loss and poorly piggies sometimes won't eat. Has the vet gave you any Metacam (pain killer)? This often helps when the UTI is causing them discomfort, it may be worth ringing your vet to ask for some.

If the Anti-biotic's don't stop the crying and clear up the UTI, I would next ask for an x-ray to rule out Bladder stones. Please weigh him everyday to monitor his weight.

Fibreplex is a good pro biotic and will firm up any loose poo. We tend to use Avi-pro plus when ours are on AB's as the piggies like the taste of it, it can be syringed to them in water or sprinkled on food. Another excellent Probiotic is Poo-Soup, which is made from the poo of a healthy piggie.

Lots of healing vibes Dirk's way x
 
Hi... Sorry to hear your little piggie is unwell - I hope the Baytril works and the pro-biotics kick in soon.

It sounds like a wee infection and should be right as reign soon enough.

How old is she out of interest?

x
 
Very good advice from Sports Billy, I would also begin topping him up with additional food if he does need an Xray and a bladder stone is found then he'll benefit from being in good condition for the operation.

I hope it's just a UTI and your little one gets better soon, but please do Xray if he continues to cry.

x
 
Thank you sport_billy and flintstones for your advice!

Howard&Vince, Dirk's about 14 months old.

I'll ring up and see if I can get some Metacam in the morning.

I have been in the living room all evening and haven't heard him crying at all. He had a very long sulk but has been popcorning round his cage and seems to have perked up a lot since coming back from the vet.

I weighed him just before we went to the vet so will carry on the weighing.

The vet did mention starting x-rays and other tests if the Baytril doesn't do anything, and he was very thorough when checking Dirk over, booked us a new appointment for next week there and then to check up on him; he appears quite cavy savvy so happy he seems on the ball with course of action. :)
 
Dirk's gone into the vet this morning for a ultrasound scan and x-rays if necessary. If they find anything I've given permission for him to go into surgery. The weight has still been dropping off him and he's been going to and from the vet over the past week, and now all he wants to eat is grass and hay, I suppose it's a blessing he will actually eat something.
I just wanted to thank all of you who sent advice about him. Please send healing vibes for him, I'm so worried. 8...
 
Hope everything goes well for Dirk, big hugs to you and lots of love and healing vibes to your little man x
 
Bad news for Dirk. He has been diagnosed with kidney failure. Nothing can be done to treat it and all we can do is make him comfortable as possible until we feel he's no longer enjoying life and have to make that final trip to the vet. I am absolutely devastated. 8...
 
Oh no - was really hoping for some good news, I'm so sorry 8...
I have no experience or advice on kidney issues, hope someone can help here - we're here to help and support you ?/
Sending lots of gentle hugs to Dirk Piggler x>>
 
HUGS

I am sorry that you have got news of the worst sort.
 
Oh no, Really sorry to read this, huge hugs to you and Dirk. x x
 
Sorry to hear this. Try and make sure you keep his fluids up (syringe water if needed), it will help him feel a little better by flushing those toxins out his bloodstream.

Hugs!

xx.
 
Just thought I would let you all know that Dirk Piggler passed away this evening. He had gone downhill quite suddenly and we were making the decision to take him to the vet to have him euthanised when he passed. I will put a proper tribute to him in the Rainbow Bridge section when our Internet is set back up. In the mean time I thank all of you who replied or sent supportive messages throughout Dirk's illness. It meant an awful lot to me.

RIP my little man. 8...
 
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