Experience with recurring bladder stones

[annachristina_piggies]

Tommy had a large bladder stone removed one month ago by an exotic vet in Richmond, London. Surgery went well and he has made a very good recovery. However, the same symptoms have reocurred. Blood is urine and pain when going to the toilet. He has been on antibiotics for a while and they have not made a difference so we are suspecting a second bladder stone has already formed
We have an xray scheduled for tomorrow to determine this. I would appreciate anyone's experience of piggies with recurring bladder stones. What is the best course of action? I have already spent £1K on his original bladder operation and this is no doubt going to cost a similar amount. I am in a very difficult situation now

 

[Swissgreys]

I really feel for you - bladder stones are a nightmare for both piggies and their owners.

Is Tommy on a low calcium diet and do you filter his water?
Is he taking any supplements for his bladder?
After one of our pigs had problems with bladder sludge we radically changed everyone's diets and since then have not had any further problems.
I know it isn't that easy for everyone but a combination of Cytease daily, a low calcium diet and filtered water have definitely helped.

 

[Wiebke]

Tommy had a large bladder stone removed one month ago by an exotic vet in Richmond, London. Surgery went well and he has made a very good recovery. However, the same symptoms have reocurred. Blood is urine and pain when going to the toilet. He has been on antibiotics for a while and they have not made a difference so we are suspecting a second bladder stone has already formed
We have an xray scheduled for tomorrow to determine this. I would appreciate anyone's experience of piggies with recurring bladder stones. What is the best course of action? I have already spent £1K on his original bladder operation and this is no doubt going to cost a similar amount. I am in a very difficult situation now

Hi!

Have you switched to a low calcium diet, filtered or low calcium bottled water, low calcium pellets etc.?

Unfortunately, it very much depends on whether the bladder stone is caused purely by a high calcium diet or by something going wrong with the complex calcium absorption process - or a mixture of the two. In the second case, it can happen that a stone reforms rather quickly but with a determined low calcium diet you should hopefully be able to slow down and minimise that problem to prevent the formation of a third stone.

I am very sorry that you are finding yourself in that situation again. I've been there with my Cariad and her bladder sludge saga in the wake of her large and very quickly forming bladder stone op. She also needed a full emergency spay for her womb going wrong right in the middle of all that just a few months after her bladder op. Still one of my most expensive piggies...

HUGS

 

[annachristina_piggies]

Hi!

Have you switched to a low calcium diet, filtered or low calcium bottled water, low calcium pellets etc.?

Unfortunately, it very much depends on whether the bladder stone is caused purely by a high calcium diet or by something going wrong with the complex calcium absorption process - or a mixture of the two. In the second case, it can happen that a stone reforms rather quickly but with a determined low calcium diet you should hopefully be able to slow down and minimise that problem to prevent the formation of a third stone.

I am very sorry that you are finding yourself in that situation again. I've been there with my Cariad and her bladder sludge saga in the wake of her large and very quickly forming bladder stone op. She also needed a full emergency spay for her womb going wrong right in the middle of all that just a few months after her bladder op. Still one of my most expensive piggies...

HUGS

Yes, I have switched to low calcium only veg (cucumber, peppers, occasional tomato and a slice of romaine a few times a week), low calcium pellets and filter his water! I switched everything but it doesn't seem to have helped He is not currently on any supplements but he gets a vitamin c tablet every day.

 

[Merab]

Can’t advise but wanted to offer support for you and Tommy

 

[Wiebke]

Yes, I have switched to low calcium only veg (cucumber, peppers, occasional tomato and a slice of romaine a few times a week), low calcium pellets and filter his water! I switched everything but it doesn't seem to have helped He is not currently on any supplements but he gets a vitamin c tablet every day.

Please consider cystease; the glucosamine can really help to ease the discomfort in his battered bladder and make him feel better in himself.

All the best!

 

[annachristina_piggies]

Hi everyone - update on Tommy. Two xrays today and no visible bladder stones!
The vet has switched his antibiotic as well as providing the supplement to help with possible cystitis, although I tried to put it on a treat this morning and he did not like the taste at all! Fingers crossed this helps!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone - update on Tommy. Two xrays today and no visible bladder stones!
The vet has switched his antibiotic as well as providing the supplement to help with possible cystitis, although I tried to put it on a treat this morning and he did not like the taste at all! Fingers crossed this helps!

Good news! What a relief for you!

Can you tell us the brand names of his medication, please?
If the supplement comes as powder, please mix it with 1 ml of water and syringe; that is much more effective than putting it on a treat.