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Little Rodney

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I am very sorry for the bad news. It is so disheartening when this happens. :(

HUGS
 
Oh I will do yes, but it's hard because I work in the day so I can't just sit & syringe him constantly as much as I would like to.

So worrying.

He hasn't had any high calcium foods. Feel gutted.

I'll try my best. Anyone have experience of having to have 2 ops?
 
PAMELAKT said:
Oh I will do yes, but it's hard because I work in the day so I can't just sit & syringe him constantly as much as I would like to.

So worrying.

He hasn't had any high calcium foods. Feel gutted.

I'll try my best. Anyone have experience of having to have 2 ops?
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Calcium absorption and the formation of stones are very complex processes and not just due to an overfeeding of calcium, so please don't blame yourself! It is not something you have done wrong, it is just very bad luck that Rodney has a problem that cannot simply be controlled by cutting out any high calcium in water, pellets and veg. :(

Perhaps your vet could look into alternative treatments or medications that could help to slow down the formation of stones. They often don't have an effect or much of an effect, but it is going to be very much trial and error to find what works for him and what not as research in that area is unfortunately very sketchy to non-existing and we are still on an experimental level.

I was up against it with my Cariad, who kept making bladder sludge and needed a bladder flush every 8-10 weeks at first after she was found to have a large, very fast growing stone, so I know how gutting and frustrating it is! Cariad needed an emergency spay (an even bigger operation) six months after her bladder op when her womb went horribly wrong, but she lived for another two years since her bladder problems began. One of my first piggies, Minx, had two bladder ops. It is possible to operate again and they are survivable. A lot depends with boars on where the stone is located; if stays in the bladder it is much more straight forward to operate than if it gets stuck in the urethra.
 
It's in the bladder yes....

I read one pig had a second op a month later & was fine.

We are basically waiting to see how he goes but the crying breaks my heart.... Hoping the tramadol works. What are the chances he could pass it ?

Feel a little better yours lived another 2 years.... I don't want to lose my little man for a long time! ;( x
 
it is very difficult to say whether he passes it, but you could try to have watering sessions trying to syringe him as much water n one go as he will take, ideally 10-15ml (although that may not be achieveable) to help flush the bladder. Do it twice daily and give half of 1 ml syringe in one go. That is about a mouthful, so you are in less danger that something will go down the wrong way. Take your time and make sure that he has swallowed all before giving the next lot.
 
I'm sorry he has another stone. I would recommend Glucosamine too if you are not already giving it as it will help protect the bladder wall.
 
Wiebke said:
it is very difficult to say whether he passes it, but you could try to have watering sessions trying to syringe him as much water n one go as he will take, ideally 10-15ml (although that may not be achieveable) to help flush the bladder. Do it twice daily and give half of 1 ml syringe in one go. That is about a mouthful, so you are in less danger that something will go down the wrong way. Take your time and make sure that he has swallowed all before giving the next lot.
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What worries me is, if I do get fluids in him to make him wee won't that increase the chance of a blockage? I feel awful to fill his bladder up & he can't get rid of it?

He had his first spot of blood last night, I guess maybe from the vet squeezing him or something. I'll have to tell him about this.

I don't want to be cruel to keep him. Would you go for a second op if you had to? What if I did that and 3 weeks later he had another?

This is a total nightmare.
 
It depends on the size of the stones, my Wilma has passed a whopper in the past. Also my P had 3 small stones and we did try and flush them, I had him Xrayed regularly to see if anything was changing we did have a clear Xray but 4 weeks later P had one significantly bigger stone which couldn't be flushed so at that point we opted for surgery - if it was the same stones that had merged or a new one we'll never know. P was on Tramadol for a long time, sometimes his eyes would look Glazed over, he'd run up to the cage bar's to get his medicine without it he was in a lot of pain but with it he was able to live almost pain free. It's difficult when you have a pig in such discomfort I lost count of the amount of times I cried over P's predicament but truth be told I'm fairly certain P didn't know any different he certainly continued to do everything piggy.
 
I feel utterly depressed.

He is great most of the time, but obv has this bout of pain every so often. His crying isn't as loud so the pain relief is taking the edge off. But I can't stand hearing it all the same. I feel cruel.

I also keep googling hoping to find a happy story & all I get is gloom. I did find one vet page about a pig that had a second stone out 4 weeks after the first & 3 months later was still fine but the story ended there with no further update. Months is positive, a month is not.

I also read how guinea pigs live to eat, and my poor boys get the same boring veg now every day and I'm considering whether I should stop feeding any pellets whatsoever. I spent twenty quid on a huge bag of the bunny low calcium food & they won't touch it, Rodney loves black currant & oregano Burgess.

I don't know. I will try my best to get fluid in him but am I worried his little bladder will burst or something.

Why can't these things just go away! Even cancer isn't this fast ;(
 
Rodney has also been on a diuretic twice a day since his op, to make him wee a lot. He wee's loads, he's taken to napping in his hay box which is unfortunate as it gets soaked right through & his little legs get wet.

Even with that, this stone has developed.
 
You are doing everything you possibly can so don't be so hard on yourself. If Rodney is still enjoying life aside from his squeaky bouts then I say give him every chance possible - thats the approach I am taking with Tango. IF and when it gets too much for him he'll let you know.

@Pebble and @Poppy'sMum mentioned the use of potassium citrate in my thread on Tango (pg4) re. its potential use for making calcium more flushable through the system. Perhaps thats something you and your vet could look into?

Big vibes for you and Rodney
 
The veg isn't boring for them. Mine love their selection of veg each day but get most excited about their hay.
 
I will read this thank you - I asked the vet if there is anything is can get him to help break them down and he said no.

He also said vegetables don't cause bladder stones and he should eat lots of leafy greens - it's all so confusing!
 
I will read this thank you - I asked the vet if there is anything is can get him to help break them down and he said no.

He also said vegetables don't cause bladder stones and he should eat lots of leafy greens - it's all so confusing!
 
I can't find this - can someone fill me in on the potassium thing?

Feel like I am putting so much down his little neck ;(

Tbag said:
You are doing everything you possibly can so don't be so hard on yourself. If Rodney is still enjoying life aside from his squeaky bouts then I say give him every chance possible - thats the approach I am taking with Tango. IF and when it gets too much for him he'll let you know.

@Pebble and @Poppy'sMum mentioned the use of potassium citrate in my thread on Tango (pg4) re. its potential use for making calcium more flushable through the system. Perhaps thats something you and your vet could look into?

Big vibes for you and Rodney
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I can't find this - can someone fill me in on the potassium thing?

Feel like I am putting so much down his little neck ;(

Tbag said:
You are doing everything you possibly can so don't be so hard on yourself. If Rodney is still enjoying life aside from his squeaky bouts then I say give him every chance possible - thats the approach I am taking with Tango. IF and when it gets too much for him he'll let you know.

@Pebble and @Poppy'sMum mentioned the use of potassium citrate in my thread on Tango (pg4) re. its potential use for making calcium more flushable through the system. Perhaps thats something you and your vet could look into?

Big vibes for you and Rodney
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Found it.

I don't know if I should try this as it says it clumps the calcium together and Rodney already has a stone formed. I want to something to break it up...

I can not believe in this day & age there isn't something to break up a calcium stone.

Ridiculous!

Rodney is sleeping peaceful at the moment, so I need to wake him so to try get fluids in ;( he won't be happy. I have the morning off work today.

We did have a lovely moment earlier, sometimes when I pet Rodney he gets his belly out (I swear he watches the dog!) so he had a lovely belly tickle & Billy got jealous, stuck his head right in the middle & purred like a cat til I put both hands in & rubbed them both at the same time :drool: Very cute. Billy picks & chooses when he wants to be affectionate, but when he does it's lovely bless him...
 
My piggies are on the I.c diet so they get the same select fresh food twice a day but they all Wheek and get excited still.
 
PAMELAKT said:
Rodney has also been on a diuretic twice a day since his op, to make him wee a lot. He wee's loads, he's taken to napping in his hay box which is unfortunate as it gets soaked right through & his little legs get wet.

Even with that, this stone has developed.
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As I have said before, there are different causes and ways for stones to form; it is not just one clearly understood process. :( Some forms are easier to control than others. I have had piggies where a simple change in diet has done the trick once and for all, and then I have had tiny low body weight Cariad (at around 700g!), who was a risk to put under even for a bladder flush every time she needed one, never mind a full blown spay with removal of a grossly enlarged fluid and lump filled womb and some nasty looking ovarian cysts. :(

A lot of our advice depends on the actual size of the stone. If it is still small enough to be flushable, then by all means try to flush it. If there is a chance that it could get stuck in the urethra then it needs to operated as soon as it is safe to. You can always ring up your vet for clarification on the size of the stone. Your vet should also be able to give you a recommendation for another small animal specialist if that is what you wish.

Please give the glucosamine to protect the bladder walls from the stone, so there is as little pain and damage as possible.

Piggies love to eat. Plenty of grass is good for a bladder piggy; and piggies never tire of that!
 
Thanks guys. I don't want to change the vet he is one of the top exotic vets as far as I'm aware! I will email
Him & clarify the flushing situation.

Rodney gets grass for dinner every night....

He is just so naughty with fluids. He will literally just hang his mouth open so it runs off his lips when he's had enough. I mean what can I do?!
 
Thanks guys. I don't want to change the vet he is one of the top exotic vets as far as I'm aware! I will email
Him & clarify the flushing situation.

Rodney gets grass for dinner every night....

He is just so naughty with fluids. He will literally just hang his mouth open so it runs off his lips when he's had enough. I mean what can I do?!
 
PAMELAKT said:
Thanks guys. I don't want to change the vet he is one of the top exotic vets as far as I'm aware! I will email
Him & clarify the flushing situation.

Rodney gets grass for dinner every night....

He is just so naughty with fluids. He will literally just hang his mouth open so it runs off his lips when he's had enough. I mean what can I do?!
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I feel for you, having been there with Cariad! Bladder stones piggies are often bad drinkers, which is one of the contributing factors as that means their bladder are not flushed out as well and they are more prone to infections and crystals forming. :(

Could you add a bit of his favourite veg in puree form to make the fluid more attractive?
 
I usually syringe the water I've used to rinse out empty juice/smoothie cartons with which gives it a bit of extra flavour - generally goes down a lot better with my guys too!
 
When ever i used to syringe Haven she was a nightmare! I used to purée a little cucumber or another veg (or even a drop of juice) and mix it in. I also used to stroke her chin to stimulate her swallowing. It can take ages and i know they (and we) get fed up with it all...but well worth it.
Sending you and Rodney hugs x
 
I had tried blending cucumber to make cucumber water as it's his favourite - didn't work.

The vet said to try any fruit juice such as apple - very diluted. I try this but he does let it run off his lips after a couple of syringes.... If only I could find something he will guzzle like his vit c!

I will try another fruit juice.

I have emailed the vet. Apart from going to the toilet he seems happy enough & is eating well...
 
Bless, at least he is happy most the time, that's what's important :). Glad he likes his vit c. I always rotated fruit juice so they don't get bored. I used to do a drop of apple (very diluted) one day, strawberry another etc and so on...if you buy the small bottles so you don't waste it...unless your a juice drinker. They are awkward creatures though aren't they? :P
 
jenniferanneharris said:
Bless, at least he is happy most the time, that's what's important :). Glad he likes his vit c. I always rotated fruit juice so they don't get bored. I used to do a drop of apple (very diluted) one day, strawberry another etc and so on...if you buy the small bottles so you don't waste it...unless your a juice drinker. They are awkward creatures though aren't they? :P
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Very! He has had a few syringes today, he loves his vit c but usually that's about a syringe & a half as I imagine any more diluted & it will lose it's effect. He's had a little apple & raspberry diluted juice tonight which he likes but again doesn't take much before He gets fed up.

Soon as I put him back in he cries cos he's held in his wee for those few mins ;( so sad. Hope I don't hurt him more by filling up his little bladder!
 
I've just been catching up on this thread; what an absolute nightmare you're going through! :( Poor Rodney is so lucky to have such a loving, caring mummy who is doing absolutely everything she can. Sending healing wheeks from the monsters and hugs from myself! x
 
katanamoon said:
I've just been catching up on this thread; what an absolute nightmare you're going through! :( Poor Rodney is so lucky to have such a loving, caring mummy who is doing absolutely everything she can. Sending healing wheeks from the monsters and hugs from myself! x
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Thank you, I'm trying my best. I've been back & forth to this exotic vet like a yoyo! 4 trips yesterday! And to think a we weeks back I was nervous of the 40 mile drive! Could do it blindfolded now!

Just can't believe these awful things, I wish I could stop him producing them!
 
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