• 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

My millionth post on URINE SCALD

Queenjellybeany

Queenjellybeany

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jun 17, 2020
Messages
190
Reaction score
352
Points
345
Location
Lincoln
Hi all!
I was here a few weeks back in regards to my pigs BUM! I took her vets where she had her bum cleaned as it had yellow stains and looked very red and sore. He gave me isathal to put on her bum twice a day and it did help.
Recently you’ve noticed that her bum is wet again with wee. She has squeaked a couple of times when weeing today and yesterday. I have had her on loxicom for 5 days so maybe I should keep her on that longer I’m not sure?
My main concern Is that if I even touch her bum area she shrieks very loudly like I’ve ripped her leg off! I’ve attached a picture of her bum below if that helps at all! I’m really not sure what to do! I have some of the cream left so I could start applying that again but otherwise I’m really unsure! She’s had a few butt baths because she will get absolutely SOAKED in pee but I only do it if it’s super bad.
Any advice please: I can go back vets but I’m not sure my new vets (I moved cities) is as good as my old one in Northampton as he didn’t really diagnose her with anything just gave me this cream and that was it
Thank you
Ellie
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2274.webp
    IMG_2274.webp
    79 KB · Views: 41
I am not one of the forum health experts but i think another vet visit is in order. Stinky urine and pain when passing urine can have lots of causes. Maybe try a different vet. Have you taken a look at the list of recommended vets here on the forum.
 
I would definitely go to a vet. Being wet and smelly urine can point to a urine infection or other bladder condition.
 
please check my previous post: My millionth post on URINE SCALD

Had problems with my Guinea pig for a while, noticed today a slight change in her weight and she’s lost 30 grams over the last month. I rang the vets and they recommended to bring her in Monday morning as it’s not a dangerous amount, plus she’s eating, drinking walking around as normal so no other worries.

I got her out earlier to clean their cage out and I noticed patches of blood? I put her down on the ground and noticed she was bleeding fresh blood from her bum hole.
I pressed it with a cotton bud and thought it had stopped but I think when she pooped again it reopened the wound?

I’m really not sure what to do. My vets is too far and I can’t drive there today, there is also one that can drive here for emergency but it’s £250 just for the appointment. Would you hold off till Monday morning or just get her in today? I just need some advice I’m having a total panic attack over this

Images of blood patches below. She is the one with the black nose and is eating fine
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2410.webp
    IMG_2410.webp
    15.9 KB · Views: 28
  • IMG_2407.webp
    IMG_2407.webp
    153.3 KB · Views: 21
  • IMG_2409.webp
    IMG_2409.webp
    77.4 KB · Views: 28
Hi

I agree. Please see a vet for either an infection in the urinary tract or - with a sow - a possible but much, much rarer infection in the womb.

The stink is usually characteristic of an infection. Red pees (which may or may not test for the presence of blood) are usually coloured by porphyrine, which is a natural dye that can freak out the unaware owners. Urinary tract infections are either bacterial urine infections caused by faecal bacteria in the urinary tract (most piggies have some since the tiny scent gland for territorial marking is located just in front of the genitalia) or it is caused by a sterile (i.e. non-bacterial) interstitial (i.e. recurring) cystitis that is testing free or very low in bacteria. Sterile cavy cystitis can at the best only be temporarily suppressed by an antibiotic due the lack of bacteria and is a condition that mainly affects guinea pigs with a nervous disposition. It is managed by anti-inflammatories like metacam/loxicom etc. and a glucosamine supplement(which is not classed as a medication) in its milder form or in its stronger forms by cartrophen. Characteristic are regular flare ups every weeks. Guinea pigs with a stronger immune system can usually fend it off without ever developing symptoms. Sterile IC is very often only diagnosed by default after all other potential problems in the urinary tract have been excluded and is sadly not well known outside vet circles that see guinea pigs regularly even though it has been around for over a decade now and has become the number one bladder infection in indoor piggies. Treatment basically follows that of feline sterile cystitis (FSC) that present with a very similar stress-based issue.
Bacterial bladder infections (bacterial cystitis) are rarer and usually the result of a bladder stone or sludge scratching the bladder walls with every pee; these can be treated with an antibiotic and glucosamine.
With all urinary tract infections, it usually takes several days for symptoms to firm up.

Here is our recommended vets locator which may help you find a new vet (a shortcut is also on the extended top bar when you click on the three horizontal lines): Recommended Guinea Pig Vets
Local members may be able to help you. Please keep in mind that our member distribution is a bit haphazard and that our vet locator relies on their feedback.

PS: You can change your location anytime by clicking on your username on the top bar, then go to account details and scroll
down.

I hope that this helps you? All the best.
 
Please do call a vet.
Do also read Wiebke’s new reply in your urine scald thread as she explains the possible issues and potential for this being an infection (I would not think this is a wound given she was already having problems consistent with a possible infection).
 
I can only agree with all the health experts. Please see a vet as soon as you can. I sadly lost a piggy to Pyometra earlier this year, this is a serious infection of the womb which can present with similar symptoms to a UTI. I'm not trying to scare you but neither would I want you to go through my experience.
 
Hi everyone thank you so much for all your support and kind messages! Really helps me so much.
I took her to the vets again, but saw a lady who was very nice. She did a full check on her, even scanned for bladder stones but none were found but she said it looks like there could be sludge (?)
She’s prescribed her with baytril and metacam. Both new drugs to us and she absolutely HATES both and it’s a nightmare to get her to take them but I pray this will help her recover and I can have my normal pig back.

She’s super smelly atm and her back leg is covered in wee. I really have no idea whether to bath her or just let her do as she wants as she’s already having to take medicine twice a day…. 😭 I feel so bad for her! Any advice?
 
Wiebke said:
Hi

I agree. Please see a vet for either an infection in the urinary tract or - with a sow - a possible but much, much rarer infection in the womb.

The stink is usually characteristic of an infection. Red pees (which may or may not test for the presence of blood) are usually coloured by porphyrine, which is a natural dye that can freak out the unaware owners. Urinary tract infections are either bacterial urine infections caused by faecal bacteria in the urinary tract (most piggies have some since the tiny scent gland for territorial marking is located just in front of the genitalia) or it is caused by a sterile (i.e. non-bacterial) interstitial (i.e. recurring) cystitis that is testing free or very low in bacteria. Sterile cavy cystitis can at the best only be temporarily suppressed by an antibiotic due the lack of bacteria and is a condition that mainly affects guinea pigs with a nervous disposition. It is managed by anti-inflammatories like metacam/loxicom etc. and a glucosamine supplement(which is not classed as a medication) in its milder form or in its stronger forms by cartrophen. Characteristic are regular flare ups every weeks. Guinea pigs with a stronger immune system can usually fend it off without ever developing symptoms. Sterile IC is very often only diagnosed by default after all other potential problems in the urinary tract have been excluded and is sadly not well known outside vet circles that see guinea pigs regularly even though it has been around for over a decade now and has become the number one bladder infection in indoor piggies. Treatment basically follows that of feline sterile cystitis (FSC) that present with a very similar stress-based issue.
Bacterial bladder infections (bacterial cystitis) are rarer and usually the result of a bladder stone or sludge scratching the bladder walls with every pee; these can be treated with an antibiotic and glucosamine.
With all urinary tract infections, it usually takes several days for symptoms to firm up.

Here is our recommended vets locator which may help you find a new vet (a shortcut is also on the extended top bar when you click on the three horizontal lines): Recommended Guinea Pig Vets
Local members may be able to help you. Please keep in mind that our member distribution is a bit haphazard and that our vet locator relies on their feedback.

PS: You can change your location anytime by clicking on your username on the top bar, then go to account details and scroll
down.

I hope that this helps you? All the best.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for this informative comment, you’ve really helped me so much!
 
UPDATE: She was prescribed baytril and metacam for 7 days. I had to be away for a wedding out of town so my partner had to do it all pretty much oops. Her doses finished Tuesday, but I am stilling finding she is smelly and covered in urine so I've gave her an extremely quick bum bath.
Not sure what to do! Should I just keep an eye on her or take her back to the vets once again?
She seems to me like she has gained weight and seemed happier to walk around on her last floor time so I'm unsure! Let me know what you think as I'd hate to think she is still feeling poorly.
Many thanks
 
Queenjellybeany said:
UPDATE: She was prescribed baytril and metacam for 7 days. I had to be away for a wedding out of town so my partner had to do it all pretty much oops. Her doses finished Tuesday, but I am stilling finding she is smelly and covered in urine so I've gave her an extremely quick bum bath.
Not sure what to do! Should I just keep an eye on her or take her back to the vets once again?
She seems to me like she has gained weight and seemed happier to walk around on her last floor time so I'm unsure! Let me know what you think as I'd hate to think she is still feeling poorly.
Many thanks
Click to expand...

It would be a good idea to go back to the vet if there are still symptoms. It might be a longer course of antibiotics is needed
 
Been so busy but taking piggie to the vets tomorrow as no change still.
I have noticed she is squeaking while weeing/pooing again and biting herself on the bum.
Just posting this for future reference mostly, taking her tomorrow so praying we get a solution to this. I feel so tired of worrying about her as she really has had so many issues (you can see in my profile ). Just makes me feel so horrid every time and like a horrible owner. I can’t even think of the amount of times she’s been to the vets now.
 
Queenjellybeany said:
Been so busy but taking piggie to the vets tomorrow as no change still.
I have noticed she is squeaking while weeing/pooing again and biting herself on the bum.
Just posting this for future reference mostly, taking her tomorrow so praying we get a solution to this. I feel so tired of worrying about her as she really has had so many issues (you can see in my profile ). Just makes me feel so horrid every time and like a horrible owner. I can’t even think of the amount of times she’s been to the vets now.
Click to expand...

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry about your exhaustion. You are a very loving and caring owner, and this is not your fault.
 
At vets now they are taking her for another X-ray and bladder scan. I had to run outside to cry because it’s so horrible leaving them there once again, and the option of being PTS was mentioned very lightly. She has lost a lot of weight (she said she has lost about 300 grams, I really thought she’d put weight back on as she always seems to be eating). She tested her wee and there is blood in it.
I’m so scared. They really don’t seem to know what it is which is even scarier.
 
I'm thinking of you and your piggy. All my fingers and toes and everything else crossed that she is going to be OK. Stay strong ❤️
 
Hi all!
Good news and bad news!
The X-ray and scan came back fine which is what we had expected. We spoke to a different vet who told us she had lost 30 (I can’t believe me and my partner panicked all day about her losing 300 grams when it was just an error lol…. I was so sad that I hadn’t noticed such a big weight loss hahaha but she’d only lost 30!)
She is now on a higher dose of meloxicam for 3 to 4 weeks. If nothing changes she suggested we do a bladder flush (no idea what that’s about so any advice would be lovely?)

The vet is happy with her diet and everything. The only issue I’m finding is that her wee sort of just leaks out and doesn’t really spray, and she’s constantly trying to chew at her bum (like folding herself over?) or trying to scratch it and squeaking?

I’ve gave her a few bum baths but I know too many can be bad. Is there anything I can do to sooth her? I’m going to give her a little check over and just clean her with a cotton pad and a little bit of water so she doesn’t have to have a full bath? Not too sure what else to do!

Many thanks!
 
Glad to hear the x ray was OK! Hopefully the increased metacam will help with any pain 🤞👍
Regular cleaning with some cotton wool and warm water to keep any urine on her skin and fur to a minimum will be fine 😊
Not sure if you've already mentioned what bedding she is on, buy Vetbed is very good for keeping piggies dry.
 
Been on metacam for a while not really much change unfortunately. She’s eating well playing etc so trying not to worry. I’ve booked into having an exotic vet over but she can’t visit until the 25th so just hoping atm. She squeals when her bum is touched even slightly and it’s so scary! I’ve noticed her wee isn’t coming out consistently, it’s dripping a lot as she’s walking which I think is what’s hurting her bum,? No idea really! Trying to keep her clean but it’s difficult when she screams the minute I even touch her bum :(
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3375.webp
    IMG_3375.webp
    63.1 KB · Views: 11
Hey everyone I am mostly updating here to help me monitor as well as possibly help others who will have pigs with a similar condition. For the past few months I have been in a lot of stress looking after my pig above yen yen. I’ve been back and forth from the vets a lot of times and once I noticed myself how truly horrid yens body had become I made another larger finicial decision to get a Guinea pig vet to travel to see her.
I will attach images I’m not sure if you’ll have to click to view but I’d like to warn you it’s not pretty at all. I will also go over her symptoms and what the vet said on inspection:
Symptoms: Squeaking when weeing/pooing. Only making very small poos and weeing constantly as she’s walking (dribbling pretty much). Appetite is normal, drinking enough and otherwise active. She has lost around 30 grams but that’s all. Wees are also extremely stinky, you could hold her and scent will trap on your clothes.

The vet has prescribed metacam and a cream I’ve forgotten the name of to place on her morning and night. We are on 0.15 metacam for now. A swab has been taken and sent off for a lab to see exactly what we are dealing with.
At best, it’s an infection that has gone horribly, at worst it’s something more sinister.
I would also like to mention I love this pig so much. I have literally spent over a grand on medical care for her but I feel like I’ve been running in circles. I feel it is more so the vets that haven’t given her the correct care, not due to neglect but just not being able to understand what’s wrong.

I will update once I get results and will share pictures if her backside gets better
 
Attached the file here sorry I sent too quick
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3663.webp
    IMG_3663.webp
    86.5 KB · Views: 11
I'm sorry you are going through this.its difficult to sort out.flamazine cream is good,but only able to get on prescription.i hope your piggie improves.ive got a bladder sludge 4 year old piggie,thats having ups and downs,she eating small amounts but I'm syringe feeding round the clock.1ml of loxicom twice aday,septrin antibiotic.
I'm continuing with this treatment....if it does not get better ,i suspect a bladder flush will be needed.
it is difficult dealing with this,good luck going forward.
thanks for the update.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top