Found blood in cage and on guinea pig

[jmdby]

Last night I went out for an hour. When I came home, one of my guinea pigs (Rosy) has quite a bit of fresh blood on her face and on the side of one her wooden shelters. I thought she had cut her face at first, but then I noticed blood all over her belly and around her anus when I picked her up. There was also a small puddle of blood in the cage that was bright red and looked quite goopy/congealed.

I cleaned her up and put her in a separate box for the night so I could keep an eye on her. Her sister, Roxy, nipped at her a little when I tried to put them together. There was no more fresh blood, apart from a tiny bit of purple-ish blood on her belly fur and a tiny spot on the blanket around 2am. Apart from that, there has been no more blood.

As soon as I put her in the new box, she started eating hay like she hadn't been fed in days. She then was very relaxed most of the night. Her poops were small and teardrop shaped for the first few hours, but apart from that she was peeing and pooping like normal.

This morning, her poops have been mostly normal sized and normal shaped. Roxy and her are getting along so I put them together in case they were missing each other because they had been separated for 8+ hours. Rosy isn't screaming or showing any kind of distress apart from squinting her for a few seconds a couple of times.

Unfortunately there is no guinea pig trained vet available here until tomorrow morning. I spoke to one vet and he said it's not an emergency because she is eating and drinking normally.

There is an emergency vet but it is a long drive around 40-45 minutes each way and it's hot here at this time of year, so I don't want to put that stress on here if it's not necessary. But also don't want to make the wrong decision!

Right now, I'm really just curious what I might be dealing with so I can prepare myself/feel confident that I'm doing best by her until I can see the vet tomorrow. Last year she had an external cyst on her side that came back 3 times. Each time, the vet drained it and gave an anti-inflammatory (if I remember correctly) but it stopped coming back.

 

[CTWC]

Hi how scary for you I'm not an expert at all but wanted to send support hopefully one of the experts will be along soon to offer advice in the meantime please keep a close eye on her of course as any blood loss in an animal so small could be a big cause for concern if it continues. Also do you weigh them weekly?

 

[fluffysal]

Welcome to the forum, I'm so it's in these circumstances.
I am not one of the experts either. How old are your girls and do you have any pictures? We all love drooling over other peoples piggies.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

How scary for you!

The blood will have either come from the reproductive tract (in which case it very much points to a larger, blood filled but most likely cancerous ovarian cyst having burst) or - a bit less likely - to a passed major bladder stone which would have badly scratched the urethra but there is not quite the amount of blood you are describing.
In either case there would be a certain amount of relief afterwards but a vet trip is essential; especially in view of an infection risk. The bloody face is from your girl investigating the bleeding and trying to clean herself up.

Please switch to weighing daily first thing in the morning on your normal kitchen scales instead of weekly. The poo output is always running 1-2 days behind because that is the time it takes to pass the digestive tract. Only the scales will give you up to date feedback re. the actual food intake. Please be aware that over three quarters of what a guinea pig eats in a day is hay and that you cannot control that by eye. Step in with feeding support at the appropriate level (topping up when still eating or round the clock if totally off their food) if that becomes necessary.

Here is a bit more information on the various aspects:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Guinea Lynx :: Ovarian Tumors

Wiebke's Guide to Pees and Stones
Wiebke's Guide to Poops

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

All the best with finding and getting to a vet.

 

[jmdby]

Hi and welcome

How scary for you!

The blood will have either come from the reproductive tract (in which case it very much points to a larger, blood filled but most likely cancerous ovarian cyst having burst) or - a bit less likely - to a passed major bladder stone which would have badly scratched the urethra but there is not quite the amount of blood you are describing.
In either case there would be a certain amount of relief afterwards but a vet trip is essential; especially in view of an infection risk. The bloody face is from your girl investigating the bleeding and trying to clean herself up.

Please switch to weighing daily first thing in the morning on your normal kitchen scales instead of weekly. The poo output is always running 1-2 days behind because that is the time it takes to pass the digestive tract. Only the scales will give you up to date feedback re. the actual food intake. Please be aware that over three quarters of what a guinea pig eats in a day is hay and that you cannot control that by eye. Step in with feeding support at the appropriate level (topping up when still eating or round the clock if totally off their food) if that becomes necessary.

Here is a bit more information on the various aspects:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Guinea Lynx :: Ovarian Tumors

Wiebke's Guide to Pees and Stones
Wiebke's Guide to Poops

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

All the best with finding and getting to a vet.

Thank you so much for the response. In hindsight, I probably made it sound like there a lot more blood than there was... I'm very squeamish and, to me, even a little feels like a lot.

I'm attaching a photo of the spot in the cage and her face mid-way through cleaning (I didn't take any right away because I was focused on seeing what was wrong). Plus some pics of Rosy on a "normal" day with her sister Roxy

She is 3.5 years old.

Thank you for the advice on weighing. I will begin weighing her daily tomorrow and have a vet appointment first thing tomorrow morning.

She's still acting completely normal, so at least it seems she is not in any pain. EDIT as I was about to publish: A little bit more blood has just come out. Not enough to mark the blanket she is on but enough to get on her a fur.

 

[jmdby]

Welcome to the forum, I'm so it's in these circumstances.
I am not one of the experts either. How old are your girls and do you have any pictures? We all love drooling over other peoples piggies.

Thank you! I attached a couple of pictures above

 

[fluffysal]

Sorry, I can't see them

 

[jmdby]

Hi and welcome

How scary for you!

The blood will have either come from the reproductive tract (in which case it very much points to a larger, blood filled but most likely cancerous ovarian cyst having burst) or - a bit less likely - to a passed major bladder stone which would have badly scratched the urethra but there is not quite the amount of blood you are describing.
In either case there would be a certain amount of relief afterwards but a vet trip is essential; especially in view of an infection risk. The bloody face is from your girl investigating the bleeding and trying to clean herself up.

Please switch to weighing daily first thing in the morning on your normal kitchen scales instead of weekly. The poo output is always running 1-2 days behind because that is the time it takes to pass the digestive tract. Only the scales will give you up to date feedback re. the actual food intake. Please be aware that over three quarters of what a guinea pig eats in a day is hay and that you cannot control that by eye. Step in with feeding support at the appropriate level (topping up when still eating or round the clock if totally off their food) if that becomes necessary.

Here is a bit more information on the various aspects:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Guinea Lynx :: Ovarian Tumors

Wiebke's Guide to Pees and Stones
Wiebke's Guide to Poops

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

All the best with finding and getting to a vet.

One more update because things have just changed.

I just checked her again (I've been checking every 30-60 mins) and there is now this white thing coming out of her. It also looks like maybe she's lost some hair in this area, but it's hard to tell.

 

[jmdby]

Sorry, I can't see them

Ahh no. Here they are

 

[fluffysal]

What cuties

 

[Wiebke]

One more update because things have just changed.

I just checked her again (I've been checking every 30-60 mins) and there is now this white thing coming out of her. It also looks like maybe she's lost some hair in this area, but it's hard to tell.

Hi

Do you mean that new hole in the belly up from the genitalia? It looks like a burst cyst/abscess/tumour in that case as the blood has not come from the genitalia. The the loss of hair is from mechanical abrasion when it was swollen and rubbing on the ground. The hair will grow back. Is the residue a bit like playdo or is it fluid. How smelly is it?
Guinea Lynx :: Lumps

Please disinfect with homemade saline solution. Unfortunately, only a vet can assess the nature of the lump and any further treatment/measures will depend on that.
Here is how to make saline solution for emergency disinfection at home: First Aid Kit: Easily available non-medication support products for an emergency

 

[jmdby]

Hi

Do you mean that new hole in the belly up from the genitalia? It looks like a burst cyst/abscess/tumour in that case as the blood has not come from the genitalia. The the loss of hair is from mechanical abrasion when it was swollen and rubbing on the ground. The hair will grow back. Is the residue a bit like playdo or is it fluid. How smelly is it?
Guinea Lynx :: Lumps

Please disinfect with homemade saline solution. Unfortunately, only a vet can assess the nature of the lump and any further treatment/measures will depend on that.
Here is how to make saline solution for emergency disinfection at home: First Aid Kit: Easily available non-medication support products for an emergency

Thank you once again for your help. I have an appointment for her tomorrow morning, so hopefully the vet can diagnose then. The saline solution link is very helpful, thank you!

 

[CTWC]

Hope all goes well.

 

[jmdby]

Hope all goes well.

Thank you

 

[Cait_lin]

That must have been so worrying to see But you handled it really well and did everything you could have to make sure she was ok! I hope the vet can give you some answers and that Rosy feels better soon

 

[jmdby]

That must have been so worrying to see But you handled it really well and did everything you could have to make sure she was ok! I hope the vet can give you some answers and that Rosy feels better soon

Oh thank you so much. Your message almost brought me to (happy/relieved) tears. It was the first time I've had anything like this happen and I've been so worried about doing the right thing for her. I love her so much. Thank you for helping me feel better

 

[Merab]

What a scare for you.
Offering support and hope the vet trip goes well tomorrow

 

[Cait_lin]

Oh thank you so much. Your message almost brought me to (happy/relieved) tears. It was the first time I've had anything like this happen and I've been so worried about doing the right thing for her. I love her so much. Thank you for helping me feel better

Aw I'm so happy to hear that!

 

[jmdby]

Just to update everyone: Rosy has been to the vet. He felt something deep inside her and then did an ultrasound but didn't find any tumours or cysts he did see that her bladder is inflamed and they found blood and crystals in her pee, so he believes its a UTI or bladder infection. She's on a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories now.

just want to say a big thank you to everyone for taking the time to respond and the support. It's really made a huge difference and made me feel like I'm not alone. Rosy is at home having a chill day after her big adventure this morning, and still seems like herself.

 

[Ramia]

Isso é tão legal! Que alivio. (Estudei portuges na universidade)

 

[Cait_lin]

Just to update everyone: Rosy has been to the vet. He felt something deep inside her and then did an ultrasound but didn't find any tumours or cysts he did see that her bladder is inflamed and they found blood and crystals in her pee, so he believes its a UTI or bladder infection. She's on a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories now.

just want to say a big thank you to everyone for taking the time to respond and the support. It's really made a huge difference and made me feel like I'm not alone. Rosy is at home having a chill day after her big adventure this morning, and still seems like herself.

I'm so glad it's not worse, and I hope Rosy feels better soon Aw that's so lovely, I hope you and Rosy can both chill now!

 

[CTWC]

Fantastic news then

 

[Wiebke]

Just to update everyone: Rosy has been to the vet. He felt something deep inside her and then did an ultrasound but didn't find any tumours or cysts he did see that her bladder is inflamed and they found blood and crystals in her pee, so he believes its a UTI or bladder infection. She's on a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories now.

just want to say a big thank you to everyone for taking the time to respond and the support. It's really made a huge difference and made me feel like I'm not alone. Rosy is at home having a chill day after her big adventure this morning, and still seems like herself.

Hi

Glad that you could see a vet for a proper hands-on examination. What a relief that is nothing really nasty after your bad shock.

I would also recommend that you order some glucosamine based cat bladder capsules; look for a brand that is available in Portugal. Glucosamine is classed as a food supplement and not as a medication. Cats are the other pets species that is prone to bladder problems. The walls of the urinary tract are insulated by a layer of natural glucosamine which prevents highly corrosive urine from coming into painful direct contact with raw tissue - that is what is causing the squeaking. Crystals being tumbled against the bladder walls with every pee will scratch that layer and bacteria can then get into scratches and cause a bacterial cystitis. The glucosamine is not a quick fix; it takes several weeks to build up but it can help with longer term comfort in the bladder and urethra and with helping to reduce the inflammation and pain. Capsules are much easier than tablets in term of dosages.

Please let us know what you can find and we can take it from there.
You my find this link here helpful: Wiebke's Guide to Pees and Stones

 

[Claire W]

How scary for you but you handled it really well. I’m so pleased you’ve been to the vets and have a diagnosis and that it isn’t something truly horrible. I hope her UTI / bladder infection clears up soon. Rosy and Roxy are both beautiful

 

[Posyrose]

I'm glad everything went well at the vets and it is something easy to treat.

 

[Merab]

Glad all went well and I hope the meds work quickly now.

 

[jmdby]

Hi

Glad that you could see a vet for a proper hands-on examination. What a relief that is nothing really nasty after your bad shock.

I would also recommend that you order some glucosamine based cat bladder capsules; look for a brand that is available in Portugal. Glucosamine is classed as a food supplement and not as a medication. Cats are the other pets species that is prone to bladder problems. The walls of the urinary tract are insulated by a layer of natural glucosamine which prevents highly corrosive urine from coming into painful direct contact with raw tissue - that is what is causing the squeaking. Crystals being tumbled against the bladder walls with every pee will scratch that layer and bacteria can then get into scratches and cause a bacterial cystitis. The glucosamine is not a quick fix; it takes several weeks to build up but it can help with longer term comfort in the bladder and urethra and with helping to reduce the inflammation and pain. Capsules are much easier than tablets in term of dosages.

Please let us know what you can find and we can take it from there.
You my find this link here helpful: Wiebke's Guide to Pees and Stones

Thank you so much once again! I'll give that a try