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Guinea Pig With A Uti

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lewpylew

lewpylew

Junior Guinea Pig
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Took Sammy pig to the vet last Thursday as I had noticed some pink/bloody urine in the cage. The vet diagnosed a UTI and she had been on Baytril since then.

It had not improved so I took her back yesterday, and they said she would need investigation works done. I left both piggies there overnight(came home sobbing my eyes out) and I have just called the vet who has told me the prognosis.

They have done an x-ray and found she has 2 bladder stones. One they have managed to remove using forceps as it was in the urethra, and there is one they couldn't get too.

I will know more later when I go to collect them. No experience of this before, so just wanted some advice on how to care for a piggy after 'surgery' and is she likely to get more of these.

Can't wait to tell the children later she is doing ok and it was nothing horrible.

Thanks x
 
Hi, so sorry about your piggies doing poorly. It seems like you're doing everything right. I would ask the vet about post op care while at home, many piggies decline at home because the caretaker doesn't know what to do, so spend the time at the vet to get clear instructions not only on the meds but also over all care, write it down while you're there, have them repeat explanations, if necessary. Ask them about this paste called "Critical Care" I've never used it, but other members have gotten good results. Ask syringe feeding and hydration, ask about mashed pellets. Extra time petting piggy will work wonders, instead of just giving him rest time in the cage. Good luck. Keep us posted
 
Bladder stones are quite common in piggies and can cause a lot of problems. She may well get more. @helen105281 has loads of experience with bladder piggies and she has hers on a low calcium diet. I'm sure she can give you more advice. Let us know what the vet says - she could need to have the other stone removed surgically.
 
Stones can reccur very quickly unfortuanately and diet can help prevent them though some pigs are genetically more prone to them. I agree that the remaining stone is likely to need to be removed, is your vet experienced in bladder ops on pigs?

My pigs are on a low calcium and low protein diet (protein is an issue with pigs who have Interstitial cystitis which is inflammation of the bladder and can also occur after stones). I feed pellets from Zooplus called Bunny Guinea Pig basic, and they have low calcium and protein, very natural ingredients and little fruit which can also cause issues. Iam in the middle or preparing an information thread for the forum which will list the calcium and protein of all available pellets together with ingredients etc. I also feed only spring greens, cucumbers, celery, green beans, pepper and coriander and these are in very small amounts. I know you will think that greens are high in calcium but they literally have a tiny amount. I am following a diet that my friend who runs a piggy clinic has put together after years of research and none of her pigs have had any stones since being on it. I switched too late unfortuanatley and the damage was already done for my Maddie who got a stone. I also give my bladder pigs vegan Glucosamine and I know Karen recommends this for pigs who have had a stone. Has your vet suggested anything like Cystease? (this is also Glucosamine). Also plenty of fluids are important.

Just to get an idea, please can you let me know what diet you were feeding prior to the stones appearing? What breed are your girls?
 
Hi Helen,

Thanks for your reply. Sammy came home yesterday and is doing ok. She is on Baytril twice a day for a week and another medicine once a day. She squeaked when I went out this morning and ate a couple of little dandelions and some celery.

Am slightly concerned as she still has bloody urine and discharge but guessing that is due to the procedure yesterday. Would you expect this 28 hours later? Was going to call vets tomorrow and just ask what with bank holiday coming up.

They would have a small bowl of pets at home guinea pig nuggets, hay, and something fresh morning and night. This is only a small portion and ranges from Kale, broccoli, carrot, apple, celery, green pepper etc.

Am resisting the urge to keep checking her as I am doing all I can and will just make myself ill

The piggies are short haired and I don't think they are any particular type? x
 
I think it is common to still have symptoms after a big op but speak to your vet if you are worried. Do you know what the other medicine is called?

Let me know if you need any information on tweaking the diet. At the moment I would say not to feed any fruit, kale or brocolli especially is she may have some inflammation in her bladder after the op.
 
We were also given Metacam to take once a day. Her urine is still really bloody and her belly is really wet which I don't think is right. I called the vets and they weren't overly concerned about the blood. Due to the long weekend I am going to take her to surgery at 5 as want her checked.

Also, going to bring them in for a few days as its cold and damp outside : (
 
Are they still on the metacam?
 
Yes tonight will be day 3 as she had a bladder stone removed under sedation from her urethra on Wednesday lunchtime.
 
That's good, that will help two fold with the inflammation and pain. It sounds like she is doing well, bug hugs to you, you are doing really well. You are doing all you can for her. I hope she starts to feel better soon.
 
Hi there, I was wondering how your little one is getting on. My Moulder has been diagnosed with a bladder stone and I'm just trying to decide whether to put him through the op. He is in a lot of pain and I'm thinking it is worth it if there is a chance to make him better as I don't see how he can be left like this; although the vet was very cautious in that he may not make it through the op. Thanks
 
Sammy went back to the vets last friday evening as she had a very wet belly and they removed a bit more stone from her front bum entrance, and despite Baytril 0.5 x 2 a day and Metacam was still leaking pinky liquid. She was still being cheeky and wanting hay/vegetables but not drinking so much. Baytril ran out on tuesday evening and her tummy had dried up and she seemed to be getting over it.

Was due to take her back yesterday but I had work til 5 and then had a young baby to look after so couldn't make the surgery so have an appt this afternoon. Just been to say hi and give them some hay and noticed lots of fresh pinky/red blood again :( Had a look round as she may have passed a bit more stone or it could be the infection flared up again.

They are in an indoor cage at the mo so I can keep an eye on her and she's climbing the bar for food, but not interested in water or pellets but wants other things. Have been giving them bits of cucumber and putting water on veg as read that's a good way to get water in them.

Now sat here in tears as thought we had turnt the corner :(
 
Has she been xrayed at all? or was the stone spotted last time because it was so near the entrance? If not I would recommend having one done as there may be more stones further up or it could be inflammation from the original stone. Has the vet put her on anyting like Cystease?
 
Sammy had investigation work done 8 days ago when they x-rayed her and took out a stone via forceps as it had passed in her urethra. They could see other bits in her bladder. Friday was when they took a bit more out as it was near the entrance and no not heard of that drug.
 
It may be worth asking your vet about it as she may have some inflammation following the stone and it would help. Alternatively Vegan Glucosamine is the same thing.
 
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