hind leg paralysis and pinkish urine

[Tdhousecat]

Hello ,
I have a 7-year-old male guinea pig named Lotus who weighs about 1300 grams. Since yesterday, I’ve noticed that his urine is pinkish. I’ve been monitoring it using white underpads. I also gave him some tomatoes at the morning.( I didn't know he has pinkish urine)
While urinating (or possibly defecating), he makes a small squeaking sound as if he is in pain. Because of this, I gave him Metsil and 0.3 ml of paracetamol.About 1–2 hours later, he started walking abnormally on his left side. When I placed him on the floor, his left leg didn’t move properly. He still seemed to have strength in it, but he couldn’t use it for walking.I took him to the vet immediately. The vet said it could be a toxic reaction to paracetamol, which really scared me. I’m worried about whether he will be able to use his leg normally again.The vet also mentioned a possible bladder stone or urinary infection.Has anyone experienced something similar? I would really appreciate any advice or insights.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I'm sorry that your senior guinea is suddenly so unwell and that your vet doesn't know why exactly. How worrying for you.

I don't know the answers to your questions, so I'm bumping your post

 

[Truffolo]

Both stones and UTI are very common. What meds has your vet given your piggy? Is he going to have a scan to look for stones? Get in some critical care supplementary food and some probiotics such as Fibreplex by Biolapis as you are likely to need to feed him using a syringe. Aldo weigh him daily first thing in the morning and stand by to feed him if he starts losing weight. There are very good guides on the forum around this. Good luck, wishing you strength

 

[Truffolo]

Seven years is a great piggy age, congratulations

 

[Tdhousecat]

Hi again,
I took my guinea pig to the vet yesterday for X-rays, and he was diagnosed with a 0.76 cm bladder stone. Because of his advanced age , the vet mentioned that surgery is high-risk. We decided to try a medical treatment plan for one week first.
Currently, he is on Antibiotics,PainkillersVitamin C supplements.The vet suggested that Vitamin C might help reduce the stone, as a deficiency can sometimes contribute to stone formation (though I'm a bit skeptical about this).
He is still somewhat active but has periods of lethargy. I’m hand-feeding him a puree of Versele-Laga Complete Cavia mixed with a little apple juice to keep his energy up. He occasionally squeaks in pain while urinating.
We have a follow-up checkup in one week to see if the stone has shrunk. If there is no improvement, we will have to discuss the surgical risks again. Has anyone had experience with stones of this size being managed without surgery in older pigs? I’m hoping for the best. Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

Hi again,
I took my guinea pig to the vet yesterday for X-rays, and he was diagnosed with a 0.76 cm bladder stone. Because of his advanced age , the vet mentioned that surgery is high-risk. We decided to try a medical treatment plan for one week first.
Currently, he is on Antibiotics,PainkillersVitamin C supplements.The vet suggested that Vitamin C might help reduce the stone, as a deficiency can sometimes contribute to stone formation (though I'm a bit skeptical about this).
He is still somewhat active but has periods of lethargy. I’m hand-feeding him a puree of Versele-Laga Complete Cavia mixed with a little apple juice to keep his energy up. He occasionally squeaks in pain while urinating.
We have a follow-up checkup in one week to see if the stone has shrunk. If there is no improvement, we will have to discuss the surgical risks again. Has anyone had experience with stones of this size being managed without surgery in older pigs? I’m hoping for the best. Thank you

Hi

HUGS

I am very sorry. 7 years is a grand old age and a testament to your good care. I am very sorry about the bladder stone diagnosis.

Unfortunately, operations in old guinea pigs of that age are sadly high risk. Even if is getting through the operation, there is no guarantee that he will recover. Many piggies die from a bad reaction to the general anaesthetic or other complications in the days after the operation.

Your boy is right at the upper end of the average life span and has survived about three quarters (in Turkey likely even more) of his age mates. The stone is on the larger side. How experienced is your vet with operating on guinea pigs and what are their experience with post-operation recovery in guinea pigs?

There is unfortunately nothing reliable that can dissolve stones medically. Since he has already lost his mobility, you will have to seriously ask yourself, how much quality of life in terms of the massive pain in the bladder does he have and how his quality of life is going to be.

I cannot say how sorry I am when you are faced with only bad choices and have to work out which of them is the best for you and your boy. All of us who have been in similar situations are feeling for you.

You may find the information in these links here helpful in making your decision:

Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility

Wiebke's Guide to Pees and Stones

Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection

Operation, Terminal Care or Euthanasia? - Helpful Questions to Ask Ahead or in Hindsight

Tips For Post-operative Care

A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

I am never happy linking in these guides into a post but I hope that they give you enough information to really think things through and to make a decision with which you can live with for the long term. Having been in your situation a few times myself, I appreciate it how hard and heart-breaking this is.

We are here for you for questions and moral support.

 

[Tdhousecat]

Hi,
Thank you all for the information and the links you shared. I will read through all of them carefully.
I’d like to clarify a few points regarding our situation. Euthanasia is not an option for me due to my personal beliefs and the legal status in my country. More importantly, Lotus is a fighter. He successfully underwent surgery for a breast tumor last year and recovered beautifully, so he has a history of being resilient despite his age.
I brought him to a University Hospital where they have extensive experience with exotic surgeries. The vet’s main concern isn't just the surgery itself, but the post-operative recovery phase. (Like you said)That’s why we’ve chosen to wait one week and monitor his progress with medical treatment first.
This is my first experience with a guinea pig, and it’s heartbreaking to see him go through this. I am doing my best to manage his hydration, hand-feeding, and daily monitoring at home. We are hoping for a positive outcome during his check-up next week. Thank you for your support.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,
Thank you all for the information and the links you shared. I will read through all of them carefully.
I’d like to clarify a few points regarding our situation. Euthanasia is not an option for me due to my personal beliefs and the legal status in my country. More importantly, Lotus is a fighter. He successfully underwent surgery for a breast tumor last year and recovered beautifully, so he has a history of being resilient despite his age.
I brought him to a University Hospital where they have extensive experience with exotic surgeries. The vet’s main concern isn't just the surgery itself, but the post-operative recovery phase. (Like you said)That’s why we’ve chosen to wait one week and monitor his progress with medical treatment first.
This is my first experience with a guinea pig, and it’s heartbreaking to see him go through this. I am doing my best to manage his hydration, hand-feeding, and daily monitoring at home. We are hoping for a positive outcome during his check-up next week. Thank you for your support.

Thank you for clarifying. I will keep that in my mind from now on. It's the first time the issue of euthanasia in an islamic country has come up. But I hope that our care advice is still going to help you.

I am holding you and your precious old boy in my thoughts and am keeping my fingers firmly crossed. He is clearly dearly loved, well cared for and you are lucky to have access to the best medical care available in your country.

 

[Truffolo]

Sending wishes for healing