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Mavis and Betty's Bladder Issues

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Belinda Shute

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Mavis and Betty, my 2 younger teddy sows have both got bladder issues (Sludge and Crystals). They are not related and are cage mates so I could not pin it on the fact that they were both related.

They have been under the care of the vets for some months now (scans to make sure no bladder stones present) and on meds. Despite this they have still been squeaking and it has really got me down as I hate to see them in pain.

I have put it down to their diet (I feel really bad that I have more than likely contributed to this as I was giving them Kale, parsley, chard and spinach - everything that they love but is high in calcium), however with great advice from Suzy (Glynneath GPR) I decided to try them on a dry diet - Loads of hay, pellets and no veg. We are not yet at the "No Veg" stage as they continued to yell their heads off at tea time (it was quite upsetting to see them looking at me, pleading for their veggies). However, we are down to 2 very small "Treat" bowls a day with no high calcium veg at all. I am going to reduce it down even more (having battles with my husband who is a really softy with them!).

Suzy also mentioned getting a water filter (which I had) as we are in a very hard water area. She also suggested Cystaid which my vet, John, has been more than happy to try and they are now on half a tablet a day each.

I am not sure if it is the reducing down of the veggies or the introduction of the cystaid but the squeaking has definatley been reduced and I havent heard it for a few days now. I have actually stopped giving them their favourite treat daily of tomato, and this appears to have had a positive effect too (may be a coincidence).

John did say that sometimes it is a case of managing bladder issues as they cannot always be cured. Once the bladder lining has been compromised/damaged it is never the same again.

I am hoping that one day I will be able to get them off their meds, but for now I am just grateful that they are not squeaking as much and are still bouncy and up to all their antics! They have recently just chewed through the telephone line in the kitchen and removed some more of the wallpaper by the back door so they can't be too poorly!

Will keep you posted how they get on and if I can persuade my husband to try them for a while on a completely dry diet to see if it makes a difference.

Thanks as always to Suzy for all your help and advice and to my amazing vet John Chitty for all his patience with me. I think we are his best customer!

xx
 
I am sorry your little ones are poorly. I really hope they recover soon.
 
Thank you Piggyfan. I think it is going to be more a case of managing it than curing it unfortunately. Beware the perils of overfeeding calcium rich food. I'm convinced that this is the root of the problem.
 
Hi, I have been going through a similar thing with one of my pigs (see 'three cheers for Clive' thread). My piggies now have heaps of hay, a few pinches of readigrass a day and a big plate of mixed lettuce each day. Clive has been on meds for bladder issues since Halloween and is due to come off them in 5 more days. He isn't squeaking at the mo - hasn't been for a good few days but my vet says pigs should continue their meds for 14 days after apparent cure. Even when Clive does squeak (and it does make me very sad to see) the rest of the time he is happily living it up in his cage. Just going to manage him and long as he is mostly happy and healthy and my vet agrees I am hoping to keep him around for a long time yet!
 
piggyfan said:
I am sorry your little ones are poorly. I really hope they recover soon.
Click to expand...

Belinda Shute said:
Mavis and Betty, my 2 younger teddy sows have both got bladder issues (Sludge and Crystals). They are not related and are cage mates so I could not pin it on the fact that they were both related.
O
They have been under the care of the vets for some months now (scans to make sure no bladder stones present) and on meds. Despite this they have still been squeaking and it has really got me down as I hate to see them in pain.

I have put it down to their diet (I feel really bad that I have more than likely contributed to this as I was giving them Kale, parsley, chard and spinach - everything that they love but is high in calcium), however with great advice from Suzy (Glynneath GPR) I decided to try them on a dry diet - Loads of hay, pellets and no veg. We are not yet at the "No Veg" stage as they continued to yell their heads off at tea time (it was quite upsetting to see them looking at me, pleading for their veggies). However, we are down to 2 very small "Treat" bowls a day with no high calcium veg at all. I am going to reduce it down even more (having battles with my husband who is a really softy with them!).

Suzy also mentioned getting a water filter (which I had) as we are in a very hard water area. She also suggested Cystaid which my vet, John, has been more than happy to try and they are now on half a tablet a day each.

I am not sure if it is the reducing down of the veggies or the introduction of the cystaid but the squeaking has definatley been reduced and I havent heard it for a few days now. I have actually stopped giving them their favourite treat daily of tomato, and this appears to have had a positive effect too (may be a coincidence).

John did say that sometimes it is a case of managing bladder issues as they cannot always be cured. Once the bladder lining has been compromised/damaged it is never the same again.

I am hoping that one day I will be able to get them off their meds, but for now I am just grateful that they are not squeaking as much and are still bouncy and up to all their antics! They have recently just chewed through the telephone line in the kitchen and removed some more of the wallpaper by the back door so they can't be too poorly!

Will keep you posted how they get on and if I can persuade my husband to try them for a while on a completely dry diet to see if it makes a difference.

Thanks as always to Suzy for all your help and advice and to my amazing vet John Chitty for all his patience with me. I think we are his best customer!

xx
Click to expand...
My guinea who sadly had to be put to sleep last year because of damage to her kidney after recurrent bladder infections was a faddy eater and I had never given her spinach, kale, chard, coriander, and yet she had bladder sludge. She liked broccoli though but I have read if there isn't enough calcium in their diet it is taken from their bones. So I wouldn't feel bad at all . I have bought a water filter though as I live in a very hard water area and watch calcium rich foods. I wonder sometimes if some guineas just don't drink enough. She didn't seem to and she was the only guinea I have had who has had bladder trouble.
 
Jerry (the piggy in my avatar) also has bladder issues. He has recurrent bladder sludge and had a bladder flush operation last May. He takes Metacam, half a capsule of Cystaid and a pinch of Dibenyline each day. His bladder issues started this time last year and I very much agree that it is a case of managing the symptoms, rather than curing them. The sludge causes permanent inflammation of the bladder, which although is aided by the anti inflammatory properties of the Metacam and Cystaid, never goes away. As a result Jerry has good and bad days when he will squeak when weeing. Despite this, he is the happiest, most energetic piggy I have ever cared for. He popcorns every day, and continues to amaze me with his resilience.

Bladder sludge issues can be managed, and if done so successfully I truly believe that the piggies can live long, happy lives, just like normal piggies.
 
Thanks for all your posts. Betty and Mavis definately have not been squeaking so much and like Jerrybelly are pretty happy and energetic piggies even when they do have it. Like you all have said it is a case of managing it and I am really glad that I have a brilliant vet who seems to understand how I feel and is prepared to listen to me and try to help

xx
 
Can you please share with me what meds your pigs are taking? One of my girls has just been diagnosed with bladder issues and I am trying to gather information. Vets in Canada don't seem to be as knowledgeable about guinea pig treatment options so I'm trying to do my own research here. Thanks in advance!
 
Hi Freela. Sorry it has taken me ages to reply. Life has been pretty hectic lately.

My guineas are on 0.5 mls Septrin (Antibiotic) twice a day, Metacam (Pain relief and anti inflamatory) 5 drops twice a day, 0.3 mls tramadol (stronger pain killer) twice a day diluted in water, 0.1 ml frusol (duiretic) twice a day and cistaid (primarily a cat drug but used to support urinary probs) half tablet a day diluted in water.
 
Belinda Shute said:
Hi Freela. Sorry it has taken me ages to reply. Life has been pretty hectic lately.

My guineas are on 0.5 mls Septrin (Antibiotic) twice a day, Metacam (Pain relief and anti inflamatory) 5 drops twice a day, 0.3 mls tramadol (stronger pain killer) twice a day diluted in water, 0.1 ml frusol (duiretic) twice a day and cistaid (primarily a cat drug but used to support urinary probs) half tablet a day diluted in water.
Click to expand...

How do you find them on the tramadol? I've heard it can make them quite drowsy. Jerry's just on Metacam at the moment, but tramadol may be an option for him in the future
 
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