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No matter what I do she is still in so much pain :(

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Saysie

Saysie

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Thelma is still really suffering with Cystitis (day11). I took her to the vet yesterday and she had an x ray, thankfully no stones but there was some signs of sludgy calcium deposits around the urethra. There is still blood in the urine. The vet prescribed some cystease and an increase in the rimadyl to 1/4 of tablet twice a day.
I have also been giving her cranberry juice and barley water and the pearl barley mush, yet she is still in so much pain.
Every time she goes to wee or poo she starts trembling all over and whimpering. Its heartbreaking to watch.
I phoned the vet just now and she said that we should try metacam, she said if that didn't work then it may be time to think about letting her go 8... 8... Surely its too early for a decision like that!? Especially as she still has an appetite. Please help need any advice or reassurance that she can get through this. 8...
 
Oh my goodness, if the medication doesn't clear it up is there nothing else that can be done? You poor thing, your doing all you can, hugs to you and thelma, healing vibes being sent x
 
I asked if it was possible to flush the sludge out and she said no that it would make her bladder more painful :(
I dont know if this is selfish or not but I'm not giving up that easily surely there must be something? Just going to pray that the metacam works, and the septrin starts to heal the infection :(
 
It sounds like you're doing everything you possibly can for Thelma, fingers crossed her pain starts to ease soon. I'm sorry I don't have any practical advice as I have no experience of this with piggies, but I didn't want to read and run - I hope she starts to feel better soon, poor little piggie.

It sounds a bit insensitive of the vet to start discussing letting her go when she still has an appetite & there are more treatments to try such as the metacam. You'll know if that time comes - and hopefully it won't be for a long time yet :)

Thinking of you both & sending healing vibes x
 
Please look at Patrick's thread - I can post a reply later on my mobile just now but all options are not exhausted!

I was considering PTS for Patrick but have managed to manage his condition. Sludge is crystals in the urine.

x
 
Would you consider taking her to another vet? I know it's not close (probably about 1 1/2 hours away), but my vet is probably one of the best guinea pig vets around. I think it would be well worth getting his opinion on this.

Simon Maddock
Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic
1 Limehurst Square
Northampton

Telephone 01604 478888
 
In my opinion whilst they are still eating then there is hope, they are still showing signs of actually wanting to live. No-one can make the decision for you but if I was in your position then I think I would leave it abit longer and see if she improves.
 
I would second looking for another opinion. Flushing the bladder needs to be done by an experienced vet, or it can do more harm than good. If your vet is not confident about it then he is wise to leave his own fingers off it. Uriflow may be an option?
 
Thank you all so much for your replies, I know that I will try anything to avoid having her... well you know, I cant bare to say it out loud. She is still wheeking for veg and while she is doing that there is no other option then to try everything I can.

Jo have been reading your thread and it has given me a lot of hope, would love to know more about the injections etc maybe my vet could speak to yours?

Wiebke what is Uriflow?

As for the second opinion the vet I see is the vet everyone goes to for second opinions, she see's a lot of guineas including Reading GPR and Wheek and Squeak. Although if need be I may travel to Northampton.

Thanks you all again, your support means alot x
 
My bubble went through the same problem in April. She was on septrin for six weeks. Also cranberry and cytrise, we live in a hard water area so I filtered her water. Best of luck, my Bub looked so poorly but has made a full recovery she is now 5.
 
Saysie said:
Thank you all so much for your replies, I know that I will try anything to avoid having her... well you know, I cant bare to say it out loud. She is still wheeking for veg and while she is doing that there is no other option then to try everything I can.

Jo have been reading your thread and it has given me a lot of hope, would love to know more about the injections etc maybe my vet could speak to yours?

Wiebke what is Uriflow?

As for the second opinion the vet I see is the vet everyone goes to for second opinions, she see's a lot of guineas including Reading GPR and Wheek and Squeak. Although if need be I may travel to Northampton.

Thanks you all again, your support means alot x
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If your vet decides under those circumstances not to flush then she has probably good reason.

Uriflow is a kidney/bladder stone resolving human medication. You can find out about it when you google it. I have heard that it seems to have helped in some piggy cases.

Another place to do more research is on here and the medical forum attached to it. Unfortuntely, bladder issues are often difficult to treat. I found that when one of my first guinea pigs had bladder stone issues and I pushed it as far as I could (some time before I found this forum). http://www.guinealynx.info/stones.html
 
Poor Thelma and poor you. I would definatley look for a 2nd opinion. I think that while she is still eating and showing other signs of happiness there is hope.
In January, we had to make a difficult decision to PTS one of our girls after a 3 month battle with teeth probelms, but we knew when the time was right to help her on her way. I would say that you should trust your instinct, no one knows Thelma better than you and you would never make the wrong choice for her.

Our piggie Putt, has an inflamed Bladder Wall which has been ongoing since January this causes her pain when pooing and sometimes weeing. Our vet is giving her regular injections of something called 'Cartrophen' it's a supplement thats used for arthritis to lower inflamation in cats and dogs.

The injections are around every 2 weeks but the frequency should reduce as the inflamation dies down. She's had them for the past 3-4 months and is noticeably better (but it hasn't stopped it all together, she still makes a sound when pooing and at the moment is hitting a bad patch..)

The vet who is extremely cavy savy says it is more like a supplement not a drug and should have no long term side affects. It's simillar to Cystease but I think works in a slightly different way. It's maybe something worth thinking about.
I hope Thelma starts feeling better soon. x x *big hugs*
 
aww i bet this is heartbreaking for you to see i am so sorry.

Really wish you well in your search for a cure for your baby.

I dont know if this is any help at all, i have been through all this too and my vet had me trying lots of different things, and another one i havent seen mentioned, sorry if ive missed it, is potassium citrate. I really can not remember what is was for now and i am sure someone will come along and tell you if it is worth a shot or not.

Anyway, good luck xx
 
Thanks to everyone for your replies of advice and support. I had a lovely long chat with Jo (Flintstones) last night, and she has given me a lot of great advice. First things first we're going to increase her water intake to 60ml a day for four days, this really helped Patrick when Jo did it.
I think the metacam helped a little as first (she had her first dose at 4pm yesterday) but by about half 9 she was squeaking again and there was visible blood spots. We were able to get about 10mls in before we put her to bed.
This morning she is very quiet and trembly. Have just given her meds, so just observing her now to see if the metacam will help.
My vet is really good at listening to ideas and opinions and taking them on board. I have to call her tomorrow so will put forward your ideas.
Thanks again xx
 
I know this probably seems obvious, but as there is sludge but no sign of a stone has the vet actually checked the external opening to see if there is a stone lodged there, almost on it's way out? Two piggies I have had had stones actually poking out there, one I even removed myself :)
 
Poppy'sMum said:
I know this probably seems obvious, but as there is sludge but no sign of a stone has the vet actually checked the external opening to see if there is a stone lodged there, almost on it's way out? Two piggies I have had had stones actually poking out there, one I even removed myself :)
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No I don't think she has. Thank you, I will talk to her about it when she is back in tomorow.
 
Well she had metacam at half past 8 and she still squeaked when I gave her fluids at 11.15 :(
Anyone know how long metacam takes to kick in?
 
20mins or so to kick in to be honest. I'm so sorry you are having so much of a worry with your little one. Your definatly doing right by increasing the water intake, it will help to flush things through. To be honest, i would get an experienced vet to flush the bladder. If the metacam isnt helping there are stronger pain killers that can be given to her. Its not just a simple metacam or rimadyl (which are both the same type of drug - non steriodal anti inflammatories). Talk to your vet about getting some vetergesic maybe (drug name buprenorphine), it can also go orally, but must be given onto the gums or under the tongue if possible as this is where it absorbs. Just be careful however if you do use this, it can make piggies a little bit woozy so you need to make sure she is still eating while being medicated with it.

x.
 
Thanks Abi. The metacam is not working she is still squeaking and shaking when she does a wee or a poo. This so upsetting I feel like I'm letting her down. I fear she maybe wondering why I'm not trying to stop the pain 8...
How long should metacam normally last in the system? She is on 0.3 on the metacam syringe twice a day.
Will def ask about vertergesic!
Its just so frustrating that I cant make her more comfortable 8...
 
:( only just seen this. Poor little Thelma. Sending her all my healing vibes and hopefully things will start to work for her soon. Big hugs, it must be horrible seeing her in pain but you're doing all you can for her x
 
poor thelma

poor lil girl, hope shes feeling a little better, lots of love an helaing dotty, milly an there slave aka mam xx x>>
 
Hi. John chitty my vet recommended loxicom (paind killer) for Dotty with cystitus. I could give her up to 4 drops twice a day. It might also be worth using the drug septrin, which is an antibiotic. You could try giving Vedra from Cambridge Cavy Trust a ring. She is brilliant with advice. You will need to ring for a while and, if no answer, leave a messsage or text her. Phone number 07721026401. I also syringed a little ribena and water into Dotty every day (again under my vets advice). Poorly guineas need more Vit C. Oxbow Vit C tablets crushed either with meds or on food good idea too.

If there is no kidney damage with her cystitus she may well recover. Stick with the meds and it will work - it did with mine. You could always give my vet a ring and ask for advice 07775 796 432

Meds I used: Septrin 1 ml once a day. Loxicom up to 4 drops twice a day. Go to your vet and see if they will prescribe these to you. I have given this advice to other guinea owners and it has worked. My guinea Dotty was also bleeding.

It might also be worth getting Dandelion Extract from the health food shop and put 1 drop in with her meds. My vet recommended this too as Dottys bladder was very calcified.

I had more success with Septrin than Baytril.

Good luck. Hope that this helps
 
I think Loxicom is Metacam, happy to be corrected on this though.

Also, I was giving Little Pig the Oxbow vit. C tablets until it was pointed out to me that it contains added calcium - so may not be the best option if you are worried about sludge/stones.
 
Poor Thelma

Cant believe Thelma seems to be having the same problem as my piggy Squeak. She has had what we thought was a uti, as in pain when weeing, also blood, and after 2 lots of antibiotics over 4 weeks, there has been no improvement, and when the vets tested her wee yesterday they said showing crystals in, so now she is booked in for an xray, and prescribed metcam for pain relief, and in some way i am hoping it is cystitis rather than stones, as because she is nearly 4, i am worried that the op will be too much for her and she wont make it.
She has lost weight too, but like Thelma, she is wheeking for her food, and is always stuffing her face, which i think is a good sign.
I would be reluctant to do what the vets suggest as in putting her to sleep, as there maybe other options, and could it clear up? but if she is eating and having pain relief, then dont give up on her, which no doubt you would never do anyway, like me, you only want them to get better and keep going.

I wish you and Thelma lots of luck, and wish you all the very best.

x>>xx
 
hid74 said:
Cant believe Thelma seems to be having the same problem as my piggy Squeak. She has had what we thought was a uti, as in pain when weeing, also blood, and after 2 lots of antibiotics over 4 weeks, there has been no improvement, and when the vets tested her wee yesterday they said showing crystals in, so now she is booked in for an xray, and prescribed metcam for pain relief, and in some way i am hoping it is cystitis rather than stones, as because she is nearly 4, i am worried that the op will be too much for her and she wont make it.
She has lost weight too, but like Thelma, she is wheeking for her food, and is always stuffing her face, which i think is a good sign.
I would be reluctant to do what the vets suggest as in putting her to sleep, as there maybe other options, and could it clear up? but if she is eating and having pain relief, then dont give up on her, which no doubt you would never do anyway, like me, you only want them to get better and keep going.

I wish you and Thelma lots of luck, and wish you all the very best.

x>>xx
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Sorry to hear Squeak is suffering too. There seems to be a lot of piggies suffering with this at the moment. Fingers crossed the X Ray shows no stones.
I won't be giving up just yet, still have a lot of things we need to try first.
Hope Squeak starts to feel better soon x
 
Update

Thelma is still squeaking this morning. She has just done a wee and I saw a lot of chalky grit in it, can see some white stuff around her genitals too. What could this mean? She's looking really sorry for herself poor girl :(
 
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