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Guinea pig health problem?

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flash

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Hi,

I've got a two and a half year old male guinea pig called Barney- Recently I've started to become a bit worried about his health. When he poos, he squeaks quite a lot about it, which is the main concern for me.

I've read up on it and seen it could be a UTI or kidney stones, but I just want some advice on it. Barney is still friendly and is eating really well, he eats any vegetables we put out for him, grass, his dried food- Water- so his eating hasn't been affected. I was also thinking about if this could be anything simpler, but I just want some advice really- Any ideas?

Thanks a lot :)
 
UTI and bladder stones (rather than kidney stones) are really the most likely cause. We have had quite a few cases of UTI lately. Bladder stones are not that rare, either. You'd best have your boy seen quickly, as either condition is quite or even very painful!

Please ask for pediatric spetrin as antibiotic. It works much better than baytril which is sadly still the only officially licenced antibiotic for guinea pigs. You can print out the link if your vet needs convincing, it's from the best medical website for guinea pigs. Also ask for metacam to help with the pain; metacam is an anti-inflammatory as well as a painkiller. Do not give large quantities of unsweetened cranberry juice until you have a diagnosis for UTI. It can make a bladder stone worse.

http://www.guinealynx.info/uti.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/stones.html
 
Wiebke said:
UTI and bladder stones (rather than kidney stones) are really the most likely cause. We have had quite a few cases of UTI lately. Bladder stones are not that rare, either. You'd best have your boy seen quickly, as either condition is quite or even very painful!

Please ask for pediatric spetrin as antibiotic. It works much better than baytril which is sadly still the only officially licenced antibiotic for guinea pigs. You can print out the link if your vet needs convincing, it's from the best medical website for guinea pigs. Also ask for metacam to help with the pain; metacam is an anti-inflammatory as well as a painkiller. Do not give large quantities of unsweetened cranberry juice until you have a diagnosis for UTI. It can make a bladder stone worse.

http://www.guinealynx.info/uti.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/stones.html
Click to expand...


Thanks-Seems both of those could be true for Barney, he's gotten a bit better but we'll book him in for a vet-
 
Does anyone know if there is a list of specialist guinea pig vets or special exotic animal vets in the UK?

I don't really want to take him to Pets at Home vets (The ones close to me) since the vets seem to know very little about guinea pigs. Any reply would be great!
 
Welcome to the forum Flash, sorry to hear Barney is squeaking when pooping. One of my sows did this for a long time, it was down to a type of cystitis even though she never cried when urinating.

There is an experienced vets in Broxbourne, Herts. They've actually got a guinea pig clinic on this coming Saturday with a rodentologist, would you be able to travel there for diagnosis/treatment/advice? http://kdaf.co.uk/GP-Clinic.aspx
 
Laura-CCC4 said:
Welcome to the forum Flash, sorry to hear Barney is squeaking when pooping. One of my sows did this for a long time, it was down to a type of cystitis even though she never cried when urinating.

There is an experienced vets in Broxbourne, Herts. They've actually got a guinea pig clinic on this coming Saturday with a rodentologist, would you be able to travel there for diagnosis/treatment/advice? http://kdaf.co.uk/GP-Clinic.aspx
Click to expand...

Ah, thanks very much for the info! Broxbourne is not far away from us-

It's weird, Barney has just stopped doing it, and seems fine- I'm confused. Will probably take him along anyway
 
Hi, we didn't take him on that Saturday because he seemed to have cleared up. He has been better, but last night it all seemed to start again, and there was blood present in the urine. We're off in an hour to take him to the Broxbourne vet- He's still eating and drinking
 
Just back from the vets-
We went to the one in Broxbourne. The vets were lovely and really cared about him, we told him about his problems and he examined him. The vet and his assistant really cared about Barney, unlike at pets at home where they don't really know about guinea pigs and just prescribe any old treatment. They said it was most likely cystitus or bladder stones, and we've left him there while they do X Ray examinations. If it is stones, they will operate on him today. They seemed a great vets, so hopefully Barney will come back a healthy piggy! We go to pick him up later after they call
 
I have heard nothing but good things about the place you took him to, I'm so glad you found them helpful. One of the vets there - Amir - performed a neuter on one of my boys in June - my boar got over his surgery better than I've ever seen a pig recover from surgery! Not to mention the rodentologist who runs the clinics (I don't think she'll have been there today), she's taught me an awful lot, saved a few of my pigs.

I sincerely hope that stones aren't the problem for Barney, but whatever the diagnosis I wish him and you lots of luck, I hope he is back to his usual self soon. Keep us updated. :)
 
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I agree, they have been excellent!

They called an hour or so ago to say it is bladder stones, but they are going to perform surgery on him and I'm glad he's at such a good place
 
Sorry to hear it is stones. He has the best chance, I hope his op goes well and he's back home with you very soon.
 
Just back from the vets with Barney, having picked him up after his op. He's doing well, nibbled on a bit of apple the vets put in his case (He's not too keen on apple) but is eating some greens in his cage now. They removed the bladder stone (Which we've got) and he's got some medicine to take every day. He goes for a check up on Wednesday. :)
 
Thanks everyone for the kind replies! I think Barney was hungry after not eating for a good 8/9 hours (He was dropped off at 1:15 ish, and was kept their until surgery late), so he's not off his appetite! He's been having lots of hay and some greens, and we've fed him some water from the bottle which he's been happy to drink. It's going well so far and he's shown no bad post op symptoms
 
Thanks :)

We've started his medicine/antibiotic stuff today, and he's looking well, so it looks as though it has gone well!
 
I am glad he's looking ok at the moment, fingers crossed for a swift and full recovery. :)
 
Update again-

Barney's doing really well, and being such a good boy! He's having his antibiotics via syringe without any complaining, and looks to be getting better- He has been out in his cage having some water and seems to be getting less "sorry for himself" as he was yesterday- it's nice to see him looking better- :)
 
Well, only four days on, Barney is almost back to normal after the operation! And I would really recommend that vets in Broxbourne, one of the best out there in the country for guinea pigs! Barney went for a check up last night and the vet said he is doing really well, and doesn't need to come back for any more check ups- We keep going with his septrin stuff until it runs out in a few days, and then that's it! He's already getting back to his usual vocal, mischevious self- It's lovely to see

I'm so glad he has recovered so well from this surgery, which has to be down to the practices of the vet! I'd recommend them 100%! :))
 
awww that would be lovely.

On my home page in a photo album i have a pic of pepper eating his parsley, it was taken the the morning after i brought him home from his bladder op, he looks so well and was doing everything right, it just took him in the end....so sad, and i miss him like crazy. But, I'm here to tell the tale so he will never be forgotten x8...
 
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