• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Mollie Has Cystitis

Status
Not open for further replies.
i've spoken to the vet. he was fine about me ringing yet again and asking questions. i think he likes when people take an interest and he does go into alot of detail. probably a bit too intelligently for my brain :)) so i'll try and word the basics of what he said.

so firstly, metacam, cerania and bendroflumethiazide are safe to use together in the doses mollie has been given. no gap has to be left between the bendro and the others so in the morning i can give all three one after the other safely.

the bendroflumethiazide has been chosen for mollie because it is a milder diuretic, and it also works with calcium specifically in a way that means it competes with it to then flush the calcium salts out of the body through the urine. i mix the 1/4 tablet with water and she takes it really well. the vet said it doesn't matter how much water it is mixed with aswell so that's good because by the time i crushed it, i had to use about 0.6ml of water just to get it into the syringe without any air bubbles!

the metacam and cerenia are obviously both the anti-inflammatory meds and they will work in different ways to give better cover. the metacam will also make sure mollie is comfortable in terms of inflammation based pain aswell. the cerenia is more specifically for the bladder walls.

in terms of the treatment plan for mollie. she is going to be on the diuretic for quite a long time it looks like. her issue with calcium salts is worse than i thought originally i think. so basically she will stay on all three medications and along with the diet change, we want to be seeing a reduction in symptoms. when we get to the stage of her being symptom free then we can start to reduce meds. but it's important that she is completely symptom free for 7-10days before we reduce. the first med to be reduced will be the cerenia. if that goes well then we will begin to reduce the metacam. the vet said for mollie particularly, if we can get her off cerenia and metacam eventually then he would class that as a good result.

so seems we have a long-ish road ahead but i feel much happier knowing what the aim is here and that everything is safe to be used together. the vet said they use this combination alot for guinea pigs and the combination seems to work very well where excess calcium/salts is the issue.

mollie actually seems bright today and i think there has been a little improvement just with the diet change. her urine is alot less dark and more watery which is what we want :tu:
 
Thanks for the explanation, that all makes sense to me. Did the vet say anything about adding in additional fluids while on diuretics?
 
helen105281 said:
Thanks for the explanation, that all makes sense to me. Did the vet say anything about adding in additional fluids while on diuretics?
Click to expand...

he said the changes in diet should help her fluid wise, with the main fresh food being lettuces. i can also wet them aswell to provide even more water, and grass will be good because of the moisture. i also syringe her water during and after meds aswell and she is an ok drinker so will get some that way.

he didn't say anything specifically in terms of possible dehydration (i read a few threads on diuretics on here and saw possible dehydration mentioned) but said using this diuretic is a good choice because it is milder. but from what he said i think the main reason overall was how it works competing with the excess calcium. he did say there haven't been any issues using this combination that he has encountered. but he always says that you can never say how an individual will react but that they use this combination alot for other piggies they treat.

luckily mollie has a strong gut and tolerates meds really well. she also hasn't had any issues so far with just extra wet lettuces - no soft poops or anything. i think her being an excellent hay eater will be helping alot aswell.

have you had experience of extra fluids being needed? i seem to recall reading that on some threads i was browsing. if she did, is that where they may need alot more than people realise. it's something like a huge amount to be syringed or the fluid that is injected under the skin to rehydrate the body? :)
 
The reason I give extra fluids is that diuretics can affect potassium levels so I give Dioralyte if my heart pigs are on diuretics for any length of time. They have Furosemide though.
 
That is very interesting, thankyou for the update. Its odd though isn't it, the diuretic flushes out the calcium in the urine but isn't that where it causes the problem? I suppose it makes the urine more dilute and it doesn't irritate the bladder as much? Oooh its a bit mind boggling this stuff! As long as it works!
 
helen105281 said:
The reason I give extra fluids is that diuretics can affect potassium levels so I give Dioralyte if my heart pigs are on diuretics for any length of time. They have Furosemide though.
Click to expand...

thanks. he didn't really say much more than that about it but i got the sense that this is a mild way so shouldn't disrupt things too much, or at all hopefully. he did say something about the doses being smaller but can't remember if he was talking about the bendroflumethiazide or the cerenia at the time! but again, the impression i got is that the doses are not huge or anything and it's all a gentle way to help things along. but i can always ask for more detail next time i speak to him when i update him about mollie. :)
 
pig in the city said:
That is very interesting, thankyou for the update. Its odd though isn't it, the diuretic flushes out the calcium in the urine but isn't that where it causes the problem? I suppose it makes the urine more dilute and it doesn't irritate the bladder as much? Oooh its a bit mind boggling this stuff! As long as it works!
Click to expand...

it's too much for my brain! :)) but i would assume if it competes with the calcium then it would maybe break it down and flush it out more easily because it dilutes the urine. she has inflammation also but i don't know if this is aswell as the calcium salts issue or separate but part of the overall same condition if you know what i mean?! i guess flushing out out would irritate the bladder to an extent which is probably why the metacam and cerenia are given at the same time aswell and not reduced until symptoms are under better control meaning the calcium is reducing. i suppose the main thing is to get it out the body before it causes more issues, but not so rushed that it causes her to become dehydrated or lose essential things she needs, like the potassium helen mentioned. and it can take weeks and weeks for inflammation of the bladder to settle down so i guess this way all bases are covered.

i think! :)):)):))
 
biscandmatt said:
it's too much for my brain! :)) but i would assume if it competes with the calcium then it would maybe break it down and flush it out more easily because it dilutes the urine. she has inflammation also but i don't know if this is aswell as the calcium salts issue or separate but part of the overall same condition if you know what i mean?! i guess flushing out out would irritate the bladder to an extent which is probably why the metacam and cerenia are given at the same time aswell and not reduced until symptoms are under better control meaning the calcium is reducing. i suppose the main thing is to get it out the body before it causes more issues, but not so rushed that it causes her to become dehydrated or lose essential things she needs, like the potassium helen mentioned. and it can take weeks and weeks for inflammation of the bladder to settle down so i guess this way all bases are covered.

i think! :)):)):))
Click to expand...
Well said!
 
i don't want to tempt fate and get too ahead but mollie seems really bright, especially today and yesterday. her change in diet we started properly about a week ago now and it's already made a difference and even only a couple of days into the diuretic with the other meds, she already seems to have improved. :luv:

she's brilliant having meds, she enjoys lettuces anyway and she is so laid back that she doesn't even bother that benjie is having other veggies. and she has been off pellets about a week aswell and although she knows when i sneak benjie his.. :)) ... she isn't bothered really without them. she never did eat many but she's just so easy come easy go :luv:

the main thing i've noticed already is how her urine is more dilute than it was, so heading back towards a more normal colour. she stayed bright through this anyway, but got a bit fed up with meds at one point, but now she's even brighter you can really tell.

just really proud of her :D :luv:
 
so after i posted last, mollie had a couple of days of being slightly quieter and she made that noise. not sure how to describe it really but maybe groaning. no squeaking before it or any hunching though, just that noise. not sure why because today she had been really bright again and touch wood, so far no uncomfortable noise.

today i have let her have a small strip of cucumber minus the skin. no idea why i removed the skin but there you go! :)) she has just had lettuce since we changed her diet so hopefully cucumber will be ok aswell. i suppose i should try her with other low calcium food aswell before we reduce her meds. i think it might be better than getting her stable and reducing meds, only to find she reacts to certain veggies and has another flare up...? any advice on this would be good. we're thinking mainly lettuces and small amounts of other low calcium veggies.

she's been having more grass which she loves. and her usual hays and no pellets for over a week now aswell. she's doing well so far, minus those two days of being a bit more uncomfortable. we aren't sure if it was random but she had romaine lettuce and i think i remember reading that it could potentially irritate IC, although can't remember why now. if anyone knows anything about it then let me know. we're leaving it out for now just incase :)
 
just a little update - mollie has seemed to really improve these last couple of days. she is having small amounts of cucumber now and is fine with that. she's been very bright and been doing lots of popcorns which is sooo lovely to see. we haven't heard any uncomfortable noises for a while either so fingers crossed we can get to 7-10days without symptoms at some stage in the not too distance future and then start reducing her meds. that would be really great, but one step at a time!

she's enjoying her lettuces and she's been having more grass recently aswell which she loves of course. and generally things are going well :)
 
sport_billy said:
You are doing great mate x

Love to Mollie Moo x x
Click to expand...

i think it's more mollie and the vet.... but thanks :)

she's such a special little girl and i know i've said it alot, but she's so brilliant with it all. it is lovely to see her happier though. and she seems so settled now. as you know, she had a really bad year last year and the lady who told me about her, the one who runs boarding, said mollie always seemed such a sad liitle piggy :( but i hope from how much she loves benjie, and the popcorns, and piggy kisses i keep getting, that she is happy and knows that we are trying to help her with all these meds. i think she knows why she's having them. once they associate the meds with feeling better, they do appear to make that connection and realise why we have been doing it. :luv:

she's been purring aswell when i stroke her which is funny because her purr is very deep sounding :)):)):)) she's so funny :))
 
You two have a great bond it sounds. I am pleased she is much happier, it does sound like the meds, all the research and trying of different diet etc...you are doing is paying off. It is full credit to you that she is having a good period, bladder issues are so tricky... We never got to the bottom of Putt's... I am delighted it is going well. Keeping an eye on this thread, it will be such a good resource to refer to in years like Flintstones Patrick's threads are for research. Lots of continued love and vibes to Mollie x
 
sport_billy said:
You two have a great bond it sounds. I am pleased she is much happier, it does sound like the meds, all the research and trying of different diet etc...you are doing is paying off. It is full credit to you that she is having a good period, bladder issues are so tricky... We never got to the bottom of Putt's... I am delighted it is going well. Keeping an eye on this thread, it will be such a good resource to refer to in years like Flintstones Patrick's threads are for research. Lots of continued love and vibes to Mollie x
Click to expand...

thank you. even when i saw her pics before we got her, i felt an instant connection to her :luv: she seemed to have her guard up a while at first but now she's really settled :luv: fingers crossed we can keep this under control for her x
 
pig in the city said:
Great news, popcorns' are always good!
Click to expand...

she actually said 'wheeeeeeeeee' when she did one yesterday which she has never done before :)) and she keeps trying to copy benjie's mouse impression. he goes into the cosy tunnel, whacks it with his head and says EEEK really loudly. it's so funny and she tries to copy but she can't manage the eek bless her :)) but she appreciates when we notice her effort :)):)):))
 
i really wasn't sure whether to post this because i don't want to tempt fate.... but i've just read my notes and today is the fifth day since she last made any uncomfortable noises!

she's bright again today :luv: if we could get to 7-10days without symptoms this quickly then that would be amazing! it's hard not to get too far ahead but i find when a meds course is the right one, improvement really does happen quickly. i'm going to aim for ten days though rather than seven with no symptoms just to make extra sure, but fingers crossed.... :)

oh and she's also having a slice of cucumber a day now aswell as her lettuces so that's good aswell :)
 
My Joe is booked at the vets again tomorrow morning. He is having cystitis problems again so need to have the full works again. Joe has a history of Interstitial cystitis. He loves his cucumber and various fresh foods and he is eating hay, but he if off his pellets, so starting to lose weight, so off to the vets again. Cystitis is such a difficult one to get over completely and feel it is a condition to manage as best you can. You think you have cured it, but then back it comes from time to time.
 
JackJack1 said:
My Joe is booked at the vets again tomorrow morning. He is having cystitis problems again so need to have the full works again. Joe has a history of Interstitial cystitis. He loves his cucumber and various fresh foods and he is eating hay, but he if off his pellets, so starting to lose weight, so off to the vets again. Cystitis is such a difficult one to get over completely and feel it is a condition to manage as best you can. You think you have cured it, but then back it comes from time to time.
Click to expand...

poor little guy. i hope the vet visit went well. i agree these bladder issues can be really difficult. vet said mollie's issues will likely be long term at least but i hope we can find a way to keep her comfortable and then manage any flare ups in the future. give joe a cuddle from us x
 
katie-elizabeth said:
Great news about Mollie :D x
Click to expand...

thank you. i tempted fate of course and last night she did a small groan noise! it was only very slight, the slightest i've heard her do, but it does mean we have to start counting from the start again! i'm not too disappointed because she's still soooo much better than she was. but we begin with day 1 again, and begin our count to ten days symptom free hopefully :) x
 
biscandmatt said:
poor little guy. i hope the vet visit went well. i agree these bladder issues can be really difficult. vet said mollie's issues will likely be long term at least but i hope we can find a way to keep her comfortable and then manage any flare ups in the future. give joe a cuddle from us x
Click to expand...
Thanks. Vet was OK. On Metacam, Baytril and Cystophan and cost another £60. My husband has a theory that the reason he is gold coloured is that we have spent his weight in gold on him. (not quite - but you get the picture). He is an old age pensioner at just over 5years old, but we want to keep him comfortable as long as is possible. Even though he cost a lot, we love him dearly and it upsets us to see him poorly. I lose a lot of sleep over him and I hope he comes through OK. The dining room table looks like a Pharmacy at the moment.

I really hope your little one gets better soon too.

Best wishes
 
JackJack1 said:
Thanks. Vet was OK. On Metacam, Baytril and Cystophan and cost another £60. My husband has a theory that the reason he is gold coloured is that we have spent his weight in gold on him. (not quite - but you get the picture). He is an old age pensioner at just over 5years old, but we want to keep him comfortable as long as is possible. Even though he cost a lot, we love him dearly and it upsets us to see him poorly. I lose a lot of sleep over him and I hope he comes through OK. The dining room table looks like a Pharmacy at the moment.

I really hope your little one gets better soon too.

Best wishes
Click to expand...

aw bless him. it is upsetting and worrying when they're not well, but sounds like he is very loved and well cared for and he will know this :luv: x
 
biscandmatt said:
aw bless him. it is upsetting and worrying when they're not well, but sounds like he is very loved and well cared for and he will know this :luv: x
Click to expand...
Thanks biscand matt, it really helps that everyone here understands how it feels to see your little one poorly. When you have to hand feed and give meds and get him special food and worry about his weight, some people do not understand how upsetting it can be. That's why this forum is great support. Cystitis seems to be a common problem for guinea pigs. Even though I have had guinea pigs for decades, this is the first guinea pig with interstitial cystitis and it has been quite a journey. I am hoping that he gets better soon. We have just been out to buy him some Timothy Hay as this was recommended by the vet, so hope he like it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top