Pain Pooping

[xToNix]

Hi all. I would be extremely grateful for some advice. I thought my pig was squeaking when urinating and I noticed sludge in cage. He had X-rays and blood taken which showed congestion in lungs and a little sand in his bladder but nothing of significance. Pig prescribed metacam, sulfatrim and cerenia. Sludge disappeared and Ca:p diet being tried. It became apparent that piggy is actually squeaking trying to poo and sometimes has trouble pushing poo out. Blood results show slightly elevated liver enzymes and high lymphocytes. Vet saw pig again the next day to check for lumps or swelling which may be indicative of lymphoma but luckily he couldn't feel any. Vet isn't sure what's giving my piggy problems pooing which is annoying and he's been prescribed metacam, tramadol, fibreplex and cerenia and see how he gets on. He's not squeaking as much as he was but still struggling to get poos out. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong with him or what else I can try as I feel I've been left to manage his pain rather than treat a condition. He has also been losing weight but I'm not sure if that's because I've altered his diet or because he's unwell. I also bought urine strips which show a microalbumin of 150+ and a little protein but I can't find any information about normal ranges for guinea pigs.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all. I would be extremely grateful for some advice. I thought my pig was squeaking when urinating and I noticed sludge in cage. He had X-rays and blood taken which showed congestion in lungs and a little sand in his bladder but nothing of significance. Pig prescribed metacam, sulfatrim and cerenia. Sludge disappeared and Ca:p diet being tried. It became apparent that piggy is actually squeaking trying to poo and sometimes has trouble pushing poo out. Blood results show slightly elevated liver enzymes and high lymphocytes. Vet saw pig again the next day to check for lumps or swelling which may be indicative of lymphoma but luckily he couldn't feel any. Vet isn't sure what's giving my piggy problems pooing which is annoying and he's been prescribed metacam, tramadol, fibreplex and cerenia and see how he gets on. He's not squeaking as much as he was but still struggling to get poos out. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong with him or what else I can try as I feel I've been left to manage his pain rather than treat a condition. He has also been losing weight but I'm not sure if that's because I've altered his diet or because he's unwell.

Hi! Please stop the ph : ca diet - it has not stood the test of time and has in many cases caused more problems as the balance is very difficult to strike right. A balanced low calcium diet that is free of root and high sugar/starch veg/grains is now recommended.
Our sample diet (minus the lettuce) is an example. Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet

Have there been any signs of cystitis/interstitial cystitis? Pain when pooing is generally connected with problems in the urinary tract.

@Pound Shilling & Pig @helen105281 @Jaycey @Freela

 

[xToNix]

Thank you very much for your reply @Wiebke.

Thank goodness! I've been struggling with it I must admit thank you for the link.

I've just googled the symptoms of cystitis/interstitial cystitis but I can't find much. I left him at the vets the night before he had the xray/bloods and when I went to collect him the following day he seemed rather dirty underneath and his wee did seem smellier for a couple of days but I can't say I've noticed it since, perhaps the smell disappeared when the sludge did? There's no blood in his urine. Could a UTI affect his ability to push poo out? There've been a few misshapen poos and sometimes there are 2-3 there waiting to come out

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you very much for your reply @Wiebke.

Thank goodness! I've been struggling with it I must admit thank you for the link.

I've just googled the symptoms of cystitis/interstitial cystitis but I can't find much. I left him at the vets the night before he had the xray/bloods and when I went to collect him the following day he seemed rather dirty underneath and his wee did seem smellier for a couple of days but I can't say I've noticed it since, perhaps the smell disappeared when the sludge did? There's no blood in his urine. Could a UTI affect his ability to push poo out? There've been a few misshapen poos and sometimes there are 2-3 there waiting to come out

How old is your piggy?

Misshapen poos are usually rather down to eating less. Has your vet checked the penis shaft for semen rods, etc. which can also be painful and cause similar symptoms? I assume that they would have shown up on a scan. It odesn't sound like an ongoing cystitis. I hope that our medically more experienced members will be able to come on at some point today and hopfully have more ideas what avenues to pursue.

Are you topping up with syringe feed?

 

[xToNix]

How old is your piggy?

Misshapen poos are usually rather down to eating less. Has your vet checked the penis shaft for semen rods, etc. which can also be painful and cause similar symptoms? I assume that they would have shown up on a scan. It odesn't sound like an ongoing cystitis. I hope that our medically more experienced members will be able to come on at some point today and hopfully have more ideas what avenues to pursue.

Are you topping up with syringe feed?

I adopted him from the RSPCA so I'm not 100% sure of his age but I would guess he's 4-5.

The vet didn't check his penis shaft but a few days ago something came out of his penis (picture attached) which the vet said is normal.

His eating habits have changed slightly in that he doesn't always eat his food all in one go but he does eat it eventually. Other than that he still eats as normal and has unlimited hay. Would you recommend feeding him a syringe-full of Critical Care for a little while?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[sport_billy]

That thing is a sperm rod by the look of it.

 

[gizzy]

Yup looks like a sperm rod, hopefully if there is any Moor it will pass when he wees !
Though it would be wise to keep an close eye to him for a few weeks to make sure that he is weeing and pooping properly , this is very important, if there is any sign that he is having problems then you realy need to see a vet asap
He should be able to dislodge any Moor , and possibly cafeterise if nessessary

I wouldn't think any pain meds would be nessasy at the moment!

 

[gizzy]

file:///storage/emulated/0/Download/18010898_1568773896467498_7488348744741153563_n.jpg

Sorry l have a good photo of a sperm or ejacuat rod but l can't upload it

 

[gizzy]

,

 

[xToNix]

Thanks guys.

He hasn't been squeaking as much the last few days, even the day before he was put on the meds but he is still in pain and it appears to be when he's trying to poo. I just wish I knew exactly what's wrong and what I need to do to make him better

 

[xToNix]

Is it possible this may be the start of impaction? I thought impaction was only when the faeces went all mushy inside the anus but I've just seen a picture of someone clearing their piggies bottom of faeces that is fairly properly formed. Does impaction cause pain or could he be squeaking in frustration? I've just helped him get a few out and this was amongst it. Is the substance on the picture just the sticky stuff they have in their bottoms sometimes or could it be something else?

 

[xToNix]

I also came down to this one morning but I think it's from when he was suffering with sludge and he'd urinated on his faeces? Sorry for the unpleasantness!