Guinea pig bleeding

[pebbles and poppy]

My 6 year old female guinea pig Poppy has had an off and on problem and it’s reoccurred again. Every so often she bleeds fresh blood from the bottom area. Each time we go to the vet they feel her and say it’s either ovarian cysts or bladder stones. They give us antibiotics and each time it seems to clear it up temporarily. But it’s frustrating because their is obviously a bigger problem. I would never want to put her through prolonged pain, but she seems to be happy ( eating, drinking and moving, it would seem wrong to put her down ) although she is losing a lot of blood! I’ve been to 3 vets and each time they say she would be too old to go through any surgery, and scans/x rays are unnecessary. Do I treat it again with antibiotics like the previous 3 or 4 times?
Thank you!

 

[Swissgreys]

In the first instance I would ask for either scans or an x-ray.
This would certainly help rule out some problems and may help diagnose others.
I do not think 6 is too old for the very light sedation required for these tests.

It is good the antibiotics help, but clearly they are just a temporary solution, but without a proper diagnosis it is impossible to come up with an effective treatment plan for your girl long term.

 

[Siikibam]

Please have your girl seen by the vet again. Any bleeding is an emergency. Have they ever scanned her to confirm?

 

[pebbles and poppy]

We will take her to the vet ASAP. She has not had any scans just antibiotics before.

 

[Claire W]

I would push for an ultrasound scan and X-rays to rule out problems with the reproductive system (ovarian cysts) / problems in the womb and bladder stones and any other problems within the bladder / urinary tract

 

[Lady Kelly]

We will take her to the vet ASAP. She has not had any scans just antibiotics before.

It might be best to look for a cavy savvy vet to assess her. My main reason for saying this is that antibiotics are not a treatment for bladder stones or ovarian cysts (though can be prescribed to prevent infection caused by stones) so you may have a vet who doesn't have much experience with piggies

 

[Mother Hubbard]

I couldn't agree more, tell them you won't settle for antibotics, its not going to cure the problem. You need a full diagnosis, if it was a child you would do exactly the same, additionally I would make sure the vets were exotic and cavy savvy.

 

[Siikibam]

Are the vets she was seen by experienced in treating guinea pigs? Please can you add your location to your profile - county/state or country is enough. I’ll link the vet locator below but we’re not sure where you are.
Vet Locator