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Is this normal?

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Madam-coco

Junior Guinea Pig
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2161E732-95E1-477D-8C89-59E39F06C73E.webpWhat is this, my son put them in a shoe box to keep them from escaping whilst he cleaned some bedding and then found this?
 
It's quite hard to tell from the picture but this isn't a normal wee. Is it red? It looks like it could be blood. I would pop along to a vet for a check up
 
This does look rather dark for wee, piggy wee does oxidise and darken quite fast but I agree with @Lady Kelly it is darker than expected and worth a routine vet check just to make sure- unless you have been feeding them beetroot or something? In which check the pee again in a couple of days and if it is still discoloured then book in to see the vet.
 
Intensely red (porphyrine) coloured pees are typical for the onset of a urinary tract infection or cystitis. They may or mey not contain invisible blood. If you see more of these unusually dark pees or notice other symptoms like arching the back or wheeking when peeing or if you notice any sudden signs of discomfort/pain/loss of appetite, please see a vet promptly within 24 hours or sooner if your piggy is really unwell.

Right now, I would keep an eye out and be prepared to act promptly.
 
Well she’s been back and forth to the vets and she is losing weight even though she’s eating and drinking normally.
She did get a sore bum so we’ve been cleaning her with iodine as per vets instructions.
She’s nearly 7 so I know she’s old, I can’t possible pamper her more than I am. But nothings working.
 
It didn’t look red to me, but I’ve changed the bedding over to Fitch so I’m sure I will notice any blood hopefully.
 
Ok we just heard her squeal and she’s got more under her and it does look like blood. What do I do
 
Update again, took her to the emergency vets and they think she’s coming to the end but have given an anti inflammatory injection and a pain relief injection.
If no better tomorrow then we will have to do the kind responsible thing for her so she’s not in pain.
Heartbreaking
 
Sorry you’re in such a difficult position. Thoughts are with you. ❣️
 
Really sorry you are in this difficult position. It's great that you got her to the emergency vet for some pain relief. It could still just be an infection which antibiotics may help with. I would book a further appointment with a cavy savvy vet for a check up and review going forward to make the best decisions for your piggy and you.
 
She’s going to her normal vet today who’s been seeing her for years. I am not giving up on her, and want to be sure first it’s not an infection. I do also know though she’s lost a lot of weight in the last 2 weeks.
I’ve just checked her and she’s alert so that’s one relief this morning.
 
This sounds so similar to my darling Honey, hers turned out to be an infection. By any chance are you syringe feeding her to help keep her weight up. It can appear as if s piggy is eating normally, when in actual fact, as you've pointed out, they continue to lose weight. Syringe feeding saved my Honey multiple times as we stared to figure out in her old age the colder nights almost sent her body into shut down, then once the heating came on, and she had syringe food in the morning she would be okay. Keep her nice and warm and I would suggest asking about critical care at yours vets today. Good luck!
 
Sorry to hear she isn’t well. It may be an infection and antibiotics may sort this out.
It’s good advice from @dannif_piggies regarding syringe feeding her to help her with her weight. Using mushed up pellets is a good alternative to critical care in the meantime. The familiarity of the taste can also help them be encouraged to take it
 
I agree with the above posters. Step in with syringe feeding to try and increase her weight. We have a syringe feeding guide at the top of the health and illness section.

I'm sorry that you face the decision but it could still just be an infection x
 
Thanks for the above link, I need to order it unless the vets carry it.
she is still eating and drinking as normal, soft and hard food. Shes also still eating her dried grass and hay.
Thanks everyone for your help.
The pic was 5 mins ago so she looks more comfortable today.
 

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Putting their normal pellets in boiled water until they go mushy, letting it cool and then feeding via syringe works just as well as critical care.
Older piggies do lose tone but if she is losing weight then it suggests that she isn’t eating as normal. It may appear to be that she is but you can’t judge hay intake correctly by eye and hay being the biggest part of their diet often means that weight loss suggests not enough hay is actually going in.
 
She have loads of hay always, and dried grass, in fact everything you can buy for a guinea pig.
Vet told me not to take over feeding as it may put strain on her belly but I will give it a go this morning as she’s taking the meds easily by syringe
 
Madam-coco said:
She have loads of hay always, and dried grass, in fact everything you can buy for a guinea pig.
Vet told me not to take over feeding as it may put strain on her belly but I will give it a go this morning as she’s taking the meds easily by syringe
Click to expand...

Perhaps you ought to do as your vet has said then. If they don’t want you syringe feeding her, then they have their reasons for that.
 
I think they were worried about it making her worse but I’ve noticed she’s only eat her fresh veg.
I made up some soup pellets and she tried it and kept coming back for more which to me shows she’s hungry. Now she’s eating a few muesli bits.
I think if I don’t step in she will die, maybe she still will I don’t know but I can’t sit and just watch her die.
 
Madam-coco said:
I think they were worried about it making her worse but I’ve noticed she’s only eat her fresh veg.
I made up some soup pellets and she tried it and kept coming back for more which to me shows she’s hungry. Now she’s eating a few muesli bits.
I think if I don’t step in she will die, maybe she still will I don’t know but I can’t sit and just watch her die.
Click to expand...

I do have to agree to step in. I wouldn’t go against vet advice but a piggy who isn’t eating at all/not eating enough can quickly get in trouble without being syringe fed, so feeding her would be the first thing we would say.
 
I can only go by gut feeling, and I feel she’s hungry but very weak. Hopefully by getting some food/fluids into her she will pick up.
I can only try,
 
All the best and fingers crossed she will start perking up and putting on some weight again. Only feed pellets rather than a muesli mix - it stops selective feeding.
 
Sorry to hear about this.
I feel you are trying your best for your little one so I wish the best for the both of you.
 
Thank you,
Well she’s been on meds for days now, she pooing/weeing blood still. She’s been taking the critical care and first seemed to have more energy.
But I’m fast seeing that she’s not going to get better.
Please, I don’t know what to do. The thought of putting her to sleep is very very upsetting.
How hard do you fight and for how long?
How do I know when she’s had enough.
I’m in absolute bits,
 
I’m so sorry that you are in this position. I think you need to have this discussion with your vets as you and they know her problems best.
Personally I favour the “better a month/week/day early than a day too late” approach. I look at my piggies in the whole. I ask myself do they have quality of life? Are they suffering? Are they in pain? Is the treatment effective? It’s always a finely balanced decision, and only you can make it with your vet’s help. Any decision made with care and love is unlikely to be the wrong one.
 
Sorry to hear your both having a rough time of it :(
I think if it was me I would carry on feeding her if she's happy to take it, I've found with mine they don't like critical care so the mushed pellets in warm water is always a winner, but they do like supreme recovery.
But to be honest if she's eating anything it's definitely better than eating nothing, so just give her anything she will eat :)

What antibiotics is she having? The antibiotics will generally take a few days to start working, so hopefully she will show improvement soon :)

If she's tried on a different antibiotic if this one's not working, it might make a difference as the infection could be resistant to the current antibiotics, maybe a swab would beneficial?

Does her wee seem at all gritty/chalky? I'm wondering if she has bladder stones, crystals or sludge which is scratching her urinary tract & causing the continuing bleeding?

As far as how long to fight for her, she will let you know when shes had enough, if she's still fighting & enjoying doing piggy things then I would leave her as she is, keep up the pain relief so her quality of life is good.
Maybe wash any veg she has & leave it wet, let her get in as much liquid as possible to keep her well hydrated.

Are there any classic signs of ovarian cysts (hormonal, hair thinning on sides, etc)? My 6yr old Ellie had persistent uti's & heavy bleeding & it turned out to be an ovarian cyst. She was however generally in very good condition otherwise & had hormone injections which gave her 2 extra years.

Good luck in your decisions.
I hope you can get her sorted, fingers & paws crossed for a full & speedy recovery.
Xx
 
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