Specialist Follow up to May 5th bladder stone sx on 6yr old pig

[JelloB123]

Hello...I posted on May 5th asking for input on getting my pigs bladder stone removed. I did, in fact have it removed. Unfortunately it was in his urethra complicating things. He is still struggling to recover from this very invasive surgery. He lost half his body weight (thank goodness he was overweight prior to surgery) and I'm struggling to get weight back on him. His stools have not completely formed and he often has diarrhea. I am constantly going in to get the stool out of him as he's not pushing it out.
A few days ago he began to have blood tinged urine and discharge from his nose. He's very much interested in eating. I'm still syringe feeding Oxbow critical care. He's also eating greens, blueberries, carrots and red pepper. I have discontinued fruits and veg with high water content due to his soft stools.
I recently changed his pellets to Supreme Science brand in hopes of him eating more. My vet has him eating oats as well. He is not interested in hay.
I've gotten a bit of weight back on him. He seems happier and I'm pleased with his recent progress however, I don't know what to do about his loose stool and now the discharge from his nose.
the vet has basically told me that there is not much more she can do. Oh and I forgot! I was also mixing liquid from another pigs poop in with the critical care. The vet called it "repoopulation" and the idea was to introduce healthy bacteria to the gut.
Basically, he's not absorbing the nutrients he needs.
Any feedback would be appreciated. Any ideas on diet or getting him to eat hay?
I should also mention he's still in pain meds, antibiotic, gut meds and appetite stimulant.
Again, I appreciate feedback from anyone who has gone through this.
Thanks for reading my extra long post!

 

[Wiebke]

Hello...I posted on May 5th asking for input on getting my pigs bladder stone removed. I did, in fact have it removed. Unfortunately it was in his urethra complicating things. He is still struggling to recover from this very invasive surgery. He lost half his body weight (thank goodness he was overweight prior to surgery) and I'm struggling to get weight back on him. His stools have not completely formed and he often has diarrhea. I am constantly going in to get the stool out of him as he's not pushing it out.
A few days ago he began to have blood tinged urine and discharge from his nose. He's very much interested in eating. I'm still syringe feeding Oxbow critical care. He's also eating greens, blueberries, carrots and red pepper. I have discontinued fruits and veg with high water content due to his soft stools.
I recently changed his pellets to Supreme Science brand in hopes of him eating more. My vet has him eating oats as well. He is not interested in hay.
I've gotten a bit of weight back on him. He seems happier and I'm pleased with his recent progress however, I don't know what to do about his loose stool and now the discharge from his nose.
the vet has basically told me that there is not much more she can do. Oh and I forgot! I was also mixing liquid from another pigs poop in with the critical care. The vet called it "repoopulation" and the idea was to introduce healthy bacteria to the gut.
Basically, he's not absorbing the nutrients he needs.
Any feedback would be appreciated. Any ideas on diet or getting him to eat hay?
I should also mention he's still in pain meds, antibiotic, gut meds and appetite stimulant.
Again, I appreciate feedback from anyone who has gone through this.
Thanks for reading my extra long post!

Hi!

It sounds like your boy has got impaction, which can happen as a result of a major urinary tract or lower body operation. About 10% of older boars develop it normally.
A diet as high in hay as you can make it, very regular and no variation can help with stabilising it. It is the redigested caecotrophs that get stuck and do not make a second run through the guts for the full break-down and extraction of nutrients, so your boy is not getting the whole benefit.
Please take the time to read this guide here for much more information and diet tips: Impaction - How To Help Your Guinea Pig.

I would also recommend to try a course of fibreplex to help steady the guts in addition to what what we call 'poo soup' (fresh healthy poos soaked in a little water and then the water being syringed). All antibiotics impact on the gut bacteria which are vital for the digestion process as well as on the 'bad' bacteria they are supposed to wipe out. Fibreplex has helped with piggies of mine whose guts were wiped by more than one course of a life-saving very strong antibiotic or were not stable when recovering from GI stasis.
You can mix it into your syringe feed if your boy doesn't like it given directly, as many piggies do.
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

It is very difficult to get lost weight back again in older piggies in the first place, as I know only too well from my own experience. But here are some tips. You may have to weigh up the pros and cons re. impaction and if necessary discuss it with your vet. There are also the considerations about a balanced calcium diet to minimise the risk of more stones forming.
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

All the best! Bladder stones stuck in the urethra are always extremely difficult to get out, and sometimes impossible.
It is a testament to your vet's skill and your good care that he has come through it, if not with flying colours.

@helen105281 @Jaycey @Abi_nurse @Freela

 

[lexi468]

Hello, I'm so sorry to hear about your piggy!
One of mine that passed had chronic bladder stones, and I think I went through just about every treatment possible.
Something to think about in giving him carrots is that they are very high in calcium, and for pigs that have had stones already, should be kept to a minimum. I also recommend filtering his water.
I would definitely stick with giving him the critical care because it has so much fiber for him.
Another thing that might help is getting some hay that has botanicals in it. I'm pretty sure Oxbow has one. It might encourage him to eat some.
Blood tinged urine could be from inflammation, I don't know if he's on Metacam or another pain killer, but I always found that to be helpful for the recovery of my Midnight, as well as keep the inflammation down and the blood to a minimum. He had two surgeries to remove stones, and they came back within a couple months in between, which is rare, but worth looking into with your pig, since he does have the bloody urine. Last thing is that he might need some antibiotics. I hope your vet gave you some post-op, but the drippy nose makes me think infection.
I hope this helps and that he gets better soon! I know what it's like to deal with this, and I can always give you advice or support if you need.

 

[JelloB123]

I truly appreciate everyone’s feedback. I just had surgery myself so things have been hectic.
At this point I’m questioning my pigs quality of life. He’s my first pig and while I understand signs in cats and dogs, I just don’t know about guinea pigs.
He continues to loose weight. He’s down to 804 grams. He’s still unstable on hind legs. He’s passing stool on his own but I have to help as well. The discharge from his nose seems to have resolved but now he has a bit of crust on the edges on his ears. Almost like a scab.
Do pigs still want to eat even if they are feeling terrible? He still loves eating so that makes me question whether or not it is his time. He will not eat hay at all. He is eating the critical care 3x a day, oats and fruits/veg.
Can anyone please share their experiences of when they knew it was time?

 

[Wiebke]

I truly appreciate everyone’s feedback. I just had surgery myself so things have been hectic.
At this point I’m questioning my pigs quality of life. He’s my first pig and while I understand signs in cats and dogs, I just don’t know about guinea pigs.
He continues to loose weight. He’s down to 804 grams. He’s still unstable on hind legs. He’s passing stool on his own but I have to help as well. The discharge from his nose seems to have resolved but now he has a bit of crust on the edges on his ears. Almost like a scab.
Do pigs still want to eat even if they are feeling terrible? He still loves eating so that makes me question whether or not it is his time. He will not eat hay at all. He is eating the critical care 3x a day, oats and fruits/veg.
Can anyone please share their experiences of when they knew it was time?

Hi!

It is always a difficult question when you are coming closer to the band where pets/euthanasia is an option and start wondering as a caring owner who wants their beloved pet not to suffer. There is a band when signs are not quite cut clear as some would rather their piggy didn't suffer at all while others want to have as much time with their piggy as possible. There is no right or wrong as long as your piggy's wellbeing and interests are the main concern and not your own desires.

Generally, as long as your boy has an appetite and interest in food, he still has a zest for life and enough quality to want to go on. When he loses that, then it is time to let him make his way to the Rainbow Bridge. You will usually know when the day has come and he has had enough.

I am very sorry that your boy is not recovering well after his operation and that it has affected his mobility and his motility. Impaction can happen in older boars after lower body operation; it happens naturally in about 10% of old boars. It is irreversable.
Impaction - How To Help Your Guinea Pig.

The crust on the ears could be fungal as a result of his immune system not being working all that well anymore. It is not uncommon for frail piggies to pick up these things.

Keep in mind that what for us is just a month or two, is for a guinea pig more like a year or two. Cherish every day you still have with him and that he wants to be with you.

HUGS

 

[JelloB123]

Thank you. I appreciate your response