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Help/advice With A Uti Or Stones :(

Tina McNulty

Tina McNulty

New Born Pup
Joined
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Location
Sheffield, UK
Hello everyone!
I'm sure there are tonnes of posts like this so I apologise for possibly repeating a previous thread.

Anyway, I have just got back from the vets with my guinea pig Badger. He has been squeaking a lot and has blood in his urine......yep, UTI.
He is currently on 1ml of Baytril, Tramadol and 0.3 mls of Loxicom.
Friday morning, he ate his breakfast and seemed his usual self (apart for the squeaking) but come the evening he barely ate anything and as far as I am aware hasn't had much water. I've been syringe feeding him OxBow Critical Care. He hates the stuff but it has to be done. He has since been eating small amounts.
Anyway, my vet felt around his abdomen and said that she could feel stones. I was advised to keep up with his meds over the weekend and bring him in again on Monday morning for an x-ray. She told me that if stones are present then he will need surgery to remove them. Now the alarming part, she told me that this will all cost about £500 in total! I have scoured the internet on advice and have read many threads of information. From what I have read, this seems grossly over priced and that there are other means of procedures that don't have to result in surgery. I understand that it most likely depends on the amount and size of stones in the bladder. Just wondering if anyone has any advice on what I should do? I don't want to resort to putting him to sleep, that would break my heart.
I have read elsewhere about other medications that can help. Some seem to say that Bactrim or Metacam is more suitable dealing with this health issue?

What are your thoughts please, any help would be gladly appreciated.

Many thanks :)
 
Sorry that I have no advice as I’ve never been in this position.
Just wanted to offer support.

One thing - would your vet be open to discussing a payment plan if surgery is required?
 
Merab's Slave said:
Sorry that I have no advice as I’ve never been in this position.
Just wanted to offer support.

One thing - would your vet be open to discussing a payment plan if surgery is required?
Click to expand...

Hi there, I asked about making monthly payments for the surgery but they don't do this due to previous arrangements going sour. It would make my life easier.
You are lucky for not having to have been in this position, I cant stand to hear his high pitched squeaking. I just wish I could help him in some way. I've read that pure cranberry juice can be effective in pain relief but all I can find is 'from concentrate'. Will this still have some effect?
 
Tina McNulty said:
Hello everyone!
I'm sure there are tonnes of posts like this so I apologise for possibly repeating a previous thread.

Anyway, I have just got back from the vets with my guinea pig Badger. He has been squeaking a lot and has blood in his urine......yep, UTI.
He is currently on 1ml of Baytril, Tramadol and 0.3 mls of Loxicom.
Friday morning, he ate his breakfast and seemed his usual self (apart for the squeaking) but come the evening he barely ate anything and as far as I am aware hasn't had much water. I've been syringe feeding him OxBow Critical Care. He hates the stuff but it has to be done. He has since been eating small amounts.
Anyway, my vet felt around his abdomen and said that she could feel stones. I was advised to keep up with his meds over the weekend and bring him in again on Monday morning for an x-ray. She told me that if stones are present then he will need surgery to remove them. Now the alarming part, she told me that this will all cost about £500 in total! I have scoured the internet on advice and have read many threads of information. From what I have read, this seems grossly over priced and that there are other means of procedures that don't have to result in surgery. I understand that it most likely depends on the amount and size of stones in the bladder. Just wondering if anyone has any advice on what I should do? I don't want to resort to putting him to sleep, that would break my heart.
I have read elsewhere about other medications that can help. Some seem to say that Bactrim or Metacam is more suitable dealing with this health issue?

What are your thoughts please, any help would be gladly appreciated.

Many thanks :)
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

Please split the dosages and give half 12 hours apart. Guinea pigs have a very fast metabolism.
Your vet is correct in addressing an infection, pain and possible inflammation. she is covering all angles.

Baytril is still the only officially licensed antibiotic for guinea pigs and therefore most used for guinea pigs. If it doesn't work, I would recommend to try sulfatrim (the new UK vet brand for septrin (UK)/bactrim (US)).

If there is no sign for improvement within the next week, if there is a further deterioration, please see a promptly. The next step especially in the second case will be a scan for bladder stones.
There are several urinary tract problems that present with the same symptoms; UTI (urinary tract infection cause by faecal bacteria getting into the urinary tract), cystitis and interstitial (i.e. recurring) cystitis (IC), which is a non-bacterial inflammation of the bladder walls and therefore doesn't react much to antibiotics. Then there are bladder stones and sludge. UTI and IC can be treated medically, at least the symptoms in the case of IC. Any vet will firstly treat for UTI, then look for bladder stones and only finally diagnose IC as a default diagnosis after all other issues have been excluded since IC cannot be cured, only managed until it finally goes away on its own again.

The only way to deal with bladder stones is an operation. Medication cannot desolve them, but you are free to look for other vets. Exotic vets are increasingly asking for very high fees, but you have to always weight up the experience and service you get with the cost of the operation. it is worth checking around until you find a vet you are happy with.
We have got a recommended UK vet locator on the top bar. Guinea Pig Vet Locator
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

Please split the dosages and give half 12 hours apart. Guinea pigs have a very fast metabolism.
Your vet is correct in addressing an infection, pain and possible inflammation. she is covering all angles.

Baytril is still the only officially licensed antibiotic for guinea pigs and therefore most used for guinea pigs. If it doesn't work, I would recommend to try sulfatrim (the new UK vet brand for septrin (UK)/bactrim (US)).

If there is no sign for improvement within the next week, if there is a further deterioration, please see a promptly. The next step especially in the second case will be a scan for bladder stones.
There are several urinary tract problems that present with the same symptoms; UTI (urinary tract infection cause by faecal bacteria getting into the urinary tract), cystitis and interstitial (i.e. recurring) cystitis (IC), which is a non-bacterial inflammation of the bladder walls and therefore doesn't react much to antibiotics. Then there are bladder stones and sludge. UTI and IC can be treated medically, at least the symptoms in the case of IC. Any vet will firstly treat for UTI, then look for bladder stones and only finally diagnose IC as a default diagnosis after all other issues have been excluded since IC cannot be cured, only managed until it finally goes away on its own again.

The only way to deal with bladder stones is an operation. Medication cannot desolve them, but you are free to look for other vets. Exotic vets are increasingly asking for very high fees, but you have to always weight up the experience and service you get with the cost of the operation. it is worth checking around until you find a vet you are happy with.
We have got a recommended UK vet locator on the top bar. Guinea Pig Vet Locator
Click to expand...

Thank you for your response, I will split his medication into 2 separate dosages.
Using the 'Guinea Pig Vet Locator', the nearest one to me from the list is the vets I originally had them both registered with. I had a problem with Rolo a couple of years ago where he had diarrhoea and wasn't eating, and they suggested putting him to sleep! Of course I didn't go with that option and syringe fed him every 2 hours for a couple of days and he was soon quickly his old self. So I didn't go to them anymore after that and did find an exotic veterinarian which is where I went today.
My thoughts at the moment are to continue doing what I'm doing, take him for an X-Ray on Monday and go from there. I have read that not all stones can be visible from an X-Ray? I guess Ill just have to wait and see what happens on Monday.

Thank you all :)
 
Tina McNulty said:
Thank you for your response, I will split his medication into 2 separate dosages.
Using the 'Guinea Pig Vet Locator', the nearest one to me from the list is the vets I originally had them both registered with. I had a problem with Rolo a couple of years ago where he had diarrhoea and wasn't eating, and they suggested putting him to sleep! Of course I didn't go with that option and syringe fed him every 2 hours for a couple of days and he was soon quickly his old self. So I didn't go to them anymore after that and did find an exotic veterinarian which is where I went today.
My thoughts at the moment are to continue doing what I'm doing, take him for an X-Ray on Monday and go from there. I have read that not all stones can be visible from an X-Ray? I guess Ill just have to wait and see what happens on Monday.

Thank you all :)
Click to expand...

Ideally the x-ray should be taken from two different positions. Hopefully it is just a bad UTI or cystitis and not stones!

Please be aware when doing online research that you get all the various horror stories and rare complications but not the many more success stories; that gives you a somewhat skewed view which you need to factor in right from the start. You have to also be aware that UK and US recommendations and medications can vary.
 
Wiebke said:
Ideally the x-ray should be taken from two different positions. Hopefully it is just a bad UTI or cystitis and not stones!

Please be aware when doing online research that you get all the various horror stories and rare complications but not the many more success stories; that gives you a somewhat skewed view which you need to factor in right from the start. You have to also be aware that UK and US recommendations and medications can vary.
Click to expand...

This is why I joined this forum to speak about my concerns rather than read someone else and try to relate.
 
@Tina McNulty £500 is a bit expensive but considering it could involve an xray, operation and a possible overnight stay at the vet it's not too bad.

One of my past pigs had a bladder stone and unfortunately surgery is the only option for a boar. With females it's possible to flush or manipulate the stone out sometimes but that's not possible with a boar.

Stones are very spiky so it does need to be removed. I've read of people leaving the stone but my boar was in quite a bit of pain with it. I can't imagine having a spiky ball floating around in your bladder very pleasant.

If you have a good vet the surgery shouldn't be too harsh but it is quite a big surgery so you need to be prepared to step in with recovery help and there's always a chance they don't make it through the surgery.
 
Quick update on Badgers condition. There is no longer any blood in his urine, his piggy poops aren't as squishy and taking more of a pellet form but still not pooping anywhere near as much as he did before he got poorly. He's eating little bits now and then but he's eating more than he did yesterday. I bought him some Timothy Hay which he eats occasionally.
I'm still giving him his meds and syringe feeding him the Oxbow CC, he still isn't drinking from his water bottle. He still squeaks when trying to pee/poop but it isn't as high pitched. I can tell he still experiencing some discomfort though.
Are these still possible signs of bladder stones? His X-Ray is tomorrow morning, I'm really hoping that he wont need surgery.

Thanks for reading.

My beautiful Badge
 
Hello, another update on Badger. He had an x-ray this morning to prove the existence of a stone. It was quite big! I opted for him to have surgery today as he was in a terrible amount of pain and there was still bloody present in his urine.
Unfortunately the stone is actually in his ureter and his bladder had swelled to almost 3 x its normal size. It was very inflamed and contained a nasty sludge which they have flushed out. I brought him home 2 1/2 hours ago, he is still very groggy and lethargic. I have been able to syringe feed him CC along with water containing a pro-biotic as well as a little fresh veg (red pepper, cucumber, coriander) and he's nibbled on a bit of hay and dandelion greens. Should I be continuously trying to feed/water him or should I allow him to have naps in between say 30 minutes at a time? I know he is at his most vulnerable right now but I don't want to keep forcing him to eat and drink. I'm going to stay up with him tonight and monitor him.
Thanks in advance for any help :) xx
 
Tina McNulty said:
Hello, another update on Badger. He had an x-ray this morning to prove the existence of a stone. It was quite big! I opted for him to have surgery today as he was in a terrible amount of pain and there was still bloody present in his urine.
Unfortunately the stone is actually in his ureter and his bladder had swelled to almost 3 x its normal size. It was very inflamed and contained a nasty sludge which they have flushed out. I brought him home 2 1/2 hours ago, he is still very groggy and lethargic. I have been able to syringe feed him CC along with water containing a pro-biotic as well as a little fresh veg (red pepper, cucumber, coriander) and he's nibbled on a bit of hay and dandelion greens. Should I be continuously trying to feed/water him or should I allow him to have naps in between say 30 minutes at a time? I know he is at his most vulnerable right now but I don't want to keep forcing him to eat and drink. I'm going to stay up with him tonight and monitor him.
Thanks in advance for any help :) xx
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Poor boy! Fingers very firmly crossed for him! it is a positive sign that he is nibbling and looking at food.

Feed him every 2 hours as much as he will take. You are aiming at 40-60 ml in 24 hours during the crisis to keep the guts going. He can have as much water as he will take.

Here are our specific guides that address your issues in more detail:
Includes tips on what to do during the first night: Tips For Post-operative Care
Includes tips on how often/how much you feed in various situations: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
One day after surgery:
Badge is a bit more himself, he seems more alert and moving a bit. His back leg seems to be a bit weak though. I was up with him last night and syringe feeding him every two hours as instructed. He's eating a bit more hay and veges. He is peeing but I've noticed quite a bit of blood in it. I can imagine that this is normal due to the surgery, the vet did say that there will be blood present but he isn't squeaking anymore. I'm just concerned that he hasn't developed any faeces yet. I was given some information by the vet that if he hasn't produced any faeces within 24 hours then I need to take him back to the vet. He does have an appointment for a post-op consultation this afternoon so I can inform the vet of this then.

Thanks for reading :) x
 
Tina McNulty said:
One day after surgery:
Badge is a bit more himself, he seems more alert and moving a bit. His back leg seems to be a bit weak though. I was up with him last night and syringe feeding him every two hours as instructed. He's eating a bit more hay and veges. He is peeing but I've noticed quite a bit of blood in it. I can imagine that this is normal due to the surgery, the vet did say that there will be blood present but he isn't squeaking anymore. I'm just concerned that he hasn't developed any faeces yet. I was given some information by the vet that if he hasn't produced any faeces within 24 hours then I need to take him back to the vet. He does have an appointment for a post-op consultation this afternoon so I can inform the vet of this then.

Thanks for reading :) x
Click to expand...

Hi! Are you weighing him and topping him up with syringe feed if necessary? That is the best thing you can do for keeping the guts going. Just watching a piggy nibble can be deceptive. The poo output reflects the input one or two days later on, so don't expect big poos if your boy is not eating fully. That is why supportive care is so important even if you find it a daunting concept.
If you are worried, ask your vet for some painkiller for the next week to help the bladder walls settle down and gut stimulants like emeprid and zantac to stimulate the gut.

However, the fact that he is eating by himself and is out and about is encouraging; it means that the guts are still working even if they are a bit slower than normal. GI stasis - the guts stopping to work - is always accompanied by loss of appetite and lethargy.
You are bound to see poos sooner or later even though they will look very funny at first as they reflect the operation/post-op period with all the operation drugs and a time without any food intake.

Bleeding and weaker back legs are a reflection of the operation. The bleeding should hopfully stop by today and the back legs strengthen again over the coming days as the traumatised bladder is settling down. Just having the stone out is such a massive relief from acute pain!
 
Wiebke said:
Hi! Are you weighing him and topping him up with syringe feed if necessary? That is the best thing you can do for keeping the guts going. Just watching a piggy nibble can be deceptive. The poo output reflects the input one or two days later on, so don't expect big poos if your boy is not eating fully. That is why supportive care is so important even if you find it a daunting concept.
If you are worried, ask your vet for some painkiller for the next week to help the bladder walls settle down and gut stimulants like emeprid and zantac to stimulate the gut.

However, the fact that he is eating by himself and is out and about is encouraging; it means that the guts are still working even if they are a bit slower than normal. GI stasis - the guts stopping to work - is always accompanied by loss of appetite and lethargy.
You are bound to see poos sooner or later even though they will look very funny at first as they reflect the operation/post-op period with all the operation drugs and a time without any food intake.

Bleeding and weaker back legs are a reflection of the operation. The bleeding should hopfully stop by today and the back legs strengthen again over the coming days as the traumatised bladder is settling down. Just having the stone out is such a massive relief from acute pain!
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the stone was in his ureter so it couldn't be removed. I read a previous thread on here with someone else's guinea pig having the same issue. Someone replied about having a catheter inserted to try and flush out the stone or having the ureter and kidney removed although that sounds life threatening. This might seem like a stupid question but can a guinea pig tolerate having a stone in the ureter?
 
Tina McNulty said:
Unfortunately the stone was in his ureter so it couldn't be removed. I read a previous thread on here with someone else's guinea pig having the same issue. Someone replied about having a catheter inserted to try and flush out the stone or having the ureter and kidney removed although that sounds life threatening. This might seem like a stupid question but can a guinea pig tolerate having a stone in the ureter?
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I am very sorry; that is bad news! :(

No, a stone in the ureter is usually very painful and generally leads sooner rather than later to a quick decline.
Stones in the urethra (between bladder and anus) can be often operated in a make and break operation, but stones in the ureter (between kidneys and the bladder) are like kidney stones very difficult to reach and virtually untreatable. :(

@helen105281 @Jaycey @Abi_nurse @Freela
 
Quick Update.
Took Badger to the vets for post-op appointment. She had a listen to his tummy and said that it sounds good. She has gave me Emeprid (0.6ml x3 a day) and Ranitidine (0.25ml 2x a day). He has done a few piggy poops which I've never been so happy to see. I think he's very upset with me, what with all the syringe feeding. Its quite strange how he used to love Oxbow critical Care but now he cant stand it! Is there anything I can do to make the taste more bearable for him? I tried adding a bit of cranberry juice but I don't think he liked that either.
 
Tina McNulty said:
Quick Update.
Took Badger to the vets for post-op appointment. She had a listen to his tummy and said that it sounds good. She has gave me Emeprid (0.6ml x3 a day) and Ranitidine (0.25ml 2x a day). He has done a few piggy poops which I've never been so happy to see. I think he's very upset with me, what with all the syringe feeding. Its quite strange how he used to love Oxbow critical Care but now he cant stand it! Is there anything I can do to make the taste more bearable for him? I tried adding a bit of cranberry juice but I don't think he liked that either.
Click to expand...

Try to mix in some mushed pellets; that makes it taste more 'normal'. You will however have to prep the syringe tip as shown in the syringe feeding guide for a the fibre to come through. If he is eating on his own, you just feed as much as he will take in one go. The daily weigh-in will tell you how much he needs.

Since he has been eating since his op, there was never any doubt about gut stasis or a blockage. In either case the piggy would be feeling very unwell and is off its food. It will not take anything on if it is not going to come out at the other end. It was just a matter of being patient, as it can take a day or two for things to move through after an op. ;)
 
Hey,

Just replying as tagged. Glad to see your little one is beginning to recover slowly, it can really take some time after these ops.

As for experience with stones in ureters, I've seen a few. Taken perhaps one out with flushing but it is very difficult. One we removed the kidney due to it being such an issue, so it is potentially possible to sort. Some of them do manage to move through but they are painful and it will be important for your piggie to be on pain relief which I would expect he should be on post operatively anyway. I think it may be a case of monitoring for now and letting him get over this first. If the ureter blocks then it can cause issues with the kidney so it needs to be watched.
 
Last edited:
Abi_nurse said:
Hey,

Just replying as tagged. Glad to see your little one is beginning to recover slowly, it can really take some time after these ops.

As for experience with stones in ureters, I've seen a few. Taken perhaps one out with flushing but it is very difficult. One we removed the kidney due to it being such an issue, so it is potentially possible to sort. Some of them do manage to move through but they are painful and it will be important for your piggie to be on pain relief which I would expect he should be on post operatively anyway. I think it may be a case of monitoring for now and letting him get over this first. If the ureter blocks then it can cause issues with the kidney so it needs to be watched.
Click to expand...

Thank you Abi_nurse for your response, its giving me some hope for my poor little Badger. He is currently on Tramadol (5 drops, 3x a day) which I mix with a little cranberry juice to help him.
I just wanted to ask the community a question. Is it OK for him to get a little exercise after the operation? I have my guinea pigs set up in C&C cage in my living room downstairs, usually I would let them out and they have full reign over the downstairs. Under supervision of course. At the moment, I have Badge sleeping in my suitcase with a cushion and white fleece. He has pretty much spent all day in this apart from when I take him out for syringe feeding. I'm concerned that he isn't moving around very much but at the same time I understand that his wound will undoubtedly be painful. He wont eat any veges or hay anymore so the syringe feeding is all he will take in. I want to try and encourage him to eat some hay at least but when he's in his suitcase bed he just stays in one place. I thought if I maybe put him back in his cage for a while he might feel more comfortable to move around, familiar surroundings and all that. Plus I think his little mate Rolo is a bit worried about him. He can hear and smell him but cant see him and it might perk him up a bit to see him again. Unfortunately I have had to keep them both separate from each other as I was unable to bond them both but they are right next to each other.
What are your thoughts on this please?

Thank you in advance xx

Rolo and Badge

 
I've just ordered some Emeraid Herbivore Sustain for little Badge. I read on a previous thread that the taste is more desirable but it cannot be used long term. Hopefully that wont be the case for my little man. He really doesn't like the taste of Oxbow CC and cries when I give it to him and puts up such a struggle. It wont arrive until tomorrow so Ill try mushed pellets in with the CC for the time being, see if that helps. Has anyone used Emeraid on their wee ones and what was the experience like?
And also, he weighs 1200 grams ( I know, quite the chunks!) I weighed him at the vets yesterday and so far he hasn't lost any weight since the surgery. Ill keep weighing him daily to keep an eye on things.
 
Allowing gentle but restricted exercise and time with his friend will be beneficial for his appetite, gut motility and moral so I would let him have some time together and just ensure it's not too big an area.

Emerald sustain is good for bulking up. I use the sustain and normal emeriad for very unwell piggie or those who need more calories and the oxbow critical care for more of a maintainance food.
 
I have to start by saying I am absolutely not an expert on this topic, but we have also recently gone through a bladder sludge surgery with Ruby, so I do have some ideas.
Firstly it is great that Badger hasn't lost weight - it shows you are doing a brilliant job keeping up the feeding.

I struggled greatly to get enough food into Ruby once she started feeling better, and every feed was a battle.
We tried most of the recovery formulas (Critical Care, Critical Care fine grind, Emeraid, a special Swiss formula, etc) but eventually she would fight all of them.
We also rotated syringe contents (1 critical care, 1 water or herbal tea, 2 critical care, 1 fruit/veg puree, etc). I think this did help a little with the syringe feeding, but it still wasn't easy.

In the end a forum member sent me a couple of sachets of Recovery Formula, and instead of trying to syringe feed it, I made it up and put it on a small plate (ok, it wasn't a plate, it was a jam jar lid!) in Ruby's cage, and left her too it.
She loved it and ate the lot, so this is how I continue topping her up - now she only gets syringes for antibiotics, which is much easier for both her and me.
So maybe try offering the recovery formula mix on a small plate (or jam jar lid) and see if this helps.

We also used the supplement RodiKolan, which I am convinced helped her get her appetite back, but I am not sure if it is available in the UK?

Ruby's operation was over a month ago and I do feel we are finally getting there. She is no longer syringe fed (except for meds) and although she is still quite underweight (she went from 1200 grams down to 940 grams at her lowest) she is definitely heading in the right direction.
Sending lots of healing vibes to both you and Badger.
 
I've just put Badger in his cage next to Rolo. Immediately, he waddled to the side (I can see his back legs are still quite weak bless him) and Rolo lay next to him on the other side. I can tell they've missed each other even if they do bicker when trying to bond. Ive just gave him a feeding so Ill supervise him in there until the next feeding and Ill put him back in his suitcase bed.
Some more good news, he has been pooping during the night. His poops are very small but pellet shaped, is this a good sign? They're quite hard and dark also, does this mean he needs more hydration?
 
Tina McNulty said:
I've just put Badger in his cage next to Rolo. Immediately, he waddled to the side (I can see his back legs are still quite weak bless him) and Rolo lay next to him on the other side. I can tell they've missed each other even if they do bicker when trying to bond. Ive just gave him a feeding so Ill supervise him in there until the next feeding and Ill put him back in his suitcase bed.
Some more good news, he has been pooping during the night. His poops are very small but pellet shaped, is this a good sign? They're quite hard and dark also, does this mean he needs more hydration?
Click to expand...

Hi! it is a good sign that he is pooping now and that his guts are working normally, but it is also a sign that has has not eaten and drunk quite as much as should have since the operation.

Please start propping him up with syringe feed and as much water as he will take. leave him with his companions, as the separation is another stress factor. If the stone in ureter is only small, it will hopefully wash into the bladder and can be passed out normally.
 
Hello again, sorry I am just riddled with questions.
Is it really OK for a guinea pig to be on so much medication? Here's the full list:

Baytril - 5ml two times a day.
Loxicom - 0.3ml once a day.
Tramadol - 5 drops three times a day.
Emeprid - 0.6ml three times a day.
Ranitidine - 0.25ml two times a day.

He has been on the Baytril and Loxicom for 2 weeks now. He did have a slight eye infection before the UTI business. I'm going to ring my vets tomorrow to see how long he needs all this stuff for. I know its crucial for his recovery but surely it must be taking its tole too.
He has been better today. He has been eating a little bit of veg and drinking from his water bottle. I'm still syringe feeding him CC every 2-3 hours, I mixed in a little cranberry juice to improve the taste and he doesn't put up as much of a fight as he did. Still hates the stuff but it only takes me about 20 minutes per feeding. His poop is getting a bit bigger and more in quantity. I just hate to keep disturbing him all the time and shoving syringes in his mouth. He's been through so much and is probably scared and confused. Maybe I'm just having a moment of weakness and probably exhausted too.

Thanks for reading x
 
He is on one antibiotic, 2 painkillers/anti-inflammatory and two gut stimulants that work on different parts of the digestive tract to encourage his appetite. Piggies can be on that much meds. Hang on in there; things are moving in the right direction. But it is very exhausting, and it is no wonder that you are asking yourself whether it is all worth it.

My Pili Pala, who has irritable bowel syndrome, has got 4 meds twice daily (metacam/loxicom, emeprid, zantac/ranitidine plus a strong bowel drug) for the rest of her life; she's survived a full-blown GI stasis last October. I am grateful for her extra lease of life knowing that it is likely a limited time and that I will have to pts her at some point. I truly didn't think she would be able to celecrate her 5th birthday last December; she was so frail and needed syringe feeding support for several weeks.
 
Wiebke said:
He is on one antibiotic, 2 painkillers/anti-inflammatory and two gut stimulants that work on different parts of the digestive tract to encourage his appetite. Piggies can be on that much meds. Hang on in there; things are moving in the right direction. But it is very exhausting, and it is no wonder that you are asking yourself whether it is all worth it.

My Pili Pala, who has irritable bowel syndrome, has got 4 meds twice daily two (metacam/loxicom, emeprid, zantac/ranitidine plus a strong bowel drug) for the rest of her life; she's survived a full-blown GI stasis last October. I am grateful for her extra lease of life knowing that it is likely a limited time and that I will have to pts her at some point. I truly didn't think she would be able to celecrate her 5th birthday last December; she was so frail and needed syringe feeding support for several weeks.
Click to expand...

Wow, poor little thing! That has definitely put things into perspective. I definitely know that this is worth it, just hoping that this doesn't mess with him later on down the line. But your story has reassured me, thank you. I'll still have a chat with the vet tomorrow just to be sure of everything.
 
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