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Medication advice

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Roo3

Roo3

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Our pig Zippy, who is 4 years old has recently been suffering with Cystitus. We have been giving him Septrin and metacam for the past 10 days or so. The Septrin ran out yesterday, but we still have some metacam left. Can he take this on it's own without the septrin. The vet didn't tell us if we should continue with the metacam until it's finished or stop all the medication at the same time.
We are going to try to get him into the vets tomorrow as there has been no real improvement in him. The vet said the next step was to xray him for bladder stones if the medication doesn't work.
 
Metacam is a painkiller/antiinflammatory. How long have you had the septrin for? I found that it won't work as quickly as baytril, so have an eye out if the smelly pees return.

It is advisable to have an x-ray done to exclude bladder stones as the cause of cystitis, but you do not need to sedate a piggy for that. Wrapping him firmly up and placing him on a soft surface will do the trick, and is much lighter on him and your purse.
 
We have been giving him the septrin for about 10 days. We'll get him booked in for an xray tomorrow to see if he has bladder stones.
I remember that you had some trouble with one of your pigs with cystitus, how long did it take to work?
 
I usually gave septrin for two weeks for a straightforward cystitis, but I found that my guinea pigs had contracted a rather resistant strain this year, so it took two or three rounds to clear it with Llewelyn. Taffy needed only one round.

Nerys was battling it all summer and autumn long off and on, but hasn't had a bout lately - touch wood!
 
We've just given him some metacam and we'll get him to the vets tomorrow. He's not eating as much as he used to, but the vet said he's not that surprised about that. Poor little thing, it's horrible hearing him squeak when he's going to the toilet.8...
 
Yes we use the cat and rabbit clinic and we did see Simon when we took Zippy in. I think you were actually in the waiting room after us. We are going to try and get another appointment this week to see what the next step is as although he hasnt really got much worse, equally he hasnt really improved either and he has definitely lost a little weight.
 
When were you there? I seem to spend most of my time there just lately. Thank goodness I moved to Northampton! It's saved me a fortune in petrol! :))

Simon is a fantastic guinea pig surgeon. I wouldn't trust anyone else with my piggies.
 
We were there the week before xmas late afternoon. Have seen both Simon and Kim in the past and both have been excellent.
 
I'm sure that you are in the best of hands! Simon's an authority in terms of guinea pigs.

Wish I was closer to Northampton... rolleyes
 
Good luck with Zippy, hope it's just a stubborn case of cystitis and not stones. xx
 
Well, Zippy is booked in for an xray tomorrow so we'll find out if it is stones or not then. Poor little thing. He's nearly 4 and this is the second time he's been to the vets. I'll be on tenterhooks at work all day waiting to get him.
Wish us luck for tomorrow.
 
Best of luck, will be keeping my fingers crossed for some good news tomorrow. We'll be here to hold your hand while you wait. :))
xx
 
Roo3 said:
Our pig Zippy, who is 4 years old has recently been suffering with Cystitus. We have been giving him Septrin and metacam for the past 10 days or so. The Septrin ran out yesterday, but we still have some metacam left. Can he take this on it's own without the septrin. The vet didn't tell us if we should continue with the metacam until it's finished or stop all the medication at the same time.
We are going to try to get him into the vets tomorrow as there has been no real improvement in him. The vet said the next step was to xray him for bladder stones if the medication doesn't work.
Click to expand...

What does metacam and septrin cure?
 
pigpig479 said:
What does metacam and septrin cure?
Click to expand...

Septrin in an antibiotic. It helps to rid infections, but it works especially well for bladder infections i.e. cystitis.

Metacam is an anti-inflammatory and painkiller. Anti-inflammatories are beneficial for guinea pigs with cystitis because the bladder can become quite inflamed and painful.
 
Roo has asked me to update on here for her as shes at work. I'm her boyfriend by the way. Anyway i took Zippy in today and they admitted him for an X ray and a dental check. It also appeared that he only weighed 880grams although on our scales which i have since checked and they appear accurate he weighed 1049g. He has been X rayed and basically Simon said that there is something in his bladder which is either a badly formed stone or some sort of sludge made up of calcium deposits. As a result of which Zippy is having an operation hopefully to remove the stone or sludge as i type:(. We should know more in the next hour so fingers crossed, i will update as and when.
 
Roo get well soon, we all rooting for you :)! I've never used Simon, but both my girls were spayed by him before I got them, and they are perfectly healthy! Roo is def in the best hands :)!
 
Thanks for updating, I am glad Simon is being so helpful. I hope Zippy's surgery goes well. xx
 
Good news so far:(|), Zippy is out of surgery and Simon said it went as well as can be expected. He removed a large stone which he said was very uneven in shape. Zippy is now coming round slowly but doing well all the same. I think they are going to keep him in overnight and then i will go and fetch him in the morning. Simon also said we should look at feeding him less foods which are high in calcium once he returns home.
 
Great news, I hope Zippy is steady enough to return home very soon. Glad the stone has been removed, it must be a relief for you although I know you'll feel much better for having him home, safe and well. :)
 
It will be great to get him home again as even though we have other pigs seeing his empty hutch is awful:(. I keep expecting to see his little head pop out of his house but alas he isnt in there
I have to say Simon and Kim have been excellent throughout, especially with keeping us updated.
 
If only more vets were like Simon, and Kim! Everything I've heard about Simon certainly suggests he is one of the best guinea pig vets in the country. I'm so glad he was able to sort Zippy out so quickly.
 
I'm so pleased Simon has removed the stone and that Zippy seems to be recovering well.

I couldn't agree with you more about how well Simon and Kim keep you updated when your pet is in their care. I remember taking one of mine in and Kim telling me I could phone as often as I wanted, as she didn't want me sitting at home worrying.

Simon is a fantastic surgeon and probably operates on more guinea pigs each week than many vets operate on in a year.

I nominated him for vet of the year last year and will be doing the same again this year.
 
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