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Pig needs x-ray

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Wheeky

Wheeky

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Background:
Manny started squeaking when weeing/pooing and I noticed spots of blood on towels. He has had two courses of Baytril, which seemed to stop the squeaking at the time but it came back both times. He's now squeaking and bleeding again. The vet said if the Baytril didn't work he would need an x-ray under GA.

The trouble is, this is the same vet who told me to restrict water to get Manny to drink the Baytril (I ignored this advice because even I could tell it was a bad idea). Therefore I don't feel comfortable letting him put Manny under GA.
People have advised me to get a new vet, but I've asked for recommendations and nobody knows any, so I don't know how to find a new one. I could just randomly change but what if they're not cavy savvy either? How am I supposed to tell? :(

I don't know what to do, should I just let my current vet do the x-ray? Is GA risky?
 
Wheeky said:
Thanks for the list. :)
The closest one is Holly House in Leeds which is about 30-45 mins away. That might be OK, I'll have to check with my Dad since he'd be taking me.
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30-40mins drive will be worth it if you get some answers that get you results, paying out for a vet that doesn't seem to have much idea is a waste of time for your piggie and your finances. Hope your dad will agree to run you.
 
Hi wheeky, sorry to hear your piggie is unwell. I noticed blood in my piggies cage where she had been toilet and she also had a lump that needed checking out. She had to be sedated and x-rayed as they had to check for bladder stones and any cysts. There are risks with GA but they are only given a mild dose for an x-ray. She was then given some antibiotics for a bladder infection as nothing showed on x-ray, don't think it was the same meds as yours. I had to syringe 0.52 once a day for 7 days and touch wood all seems ok, and she recovered well from the GA. I researched the vet beforehand and it said they had guinea-pig experience. My advise would be use your intuition, if you don't feel confident about this vet,try someone else. Let us know how it goes and hope this helps x
 
Hope you can convince your dad to get you to the recommended vets. Get well soon Manny. x
 
Just wanted to check dosage as 0.2mls once a day is a little low and if the squeaking whilst weeing seemed to get better whilst on antibiotics it could suggest that it was doing its job but the dosage and time scale of given antibiotics isn't enough
http://www.guinealynx.info/antibiotics.html#baytril

Often with x-rays giving a whiff of gas so a better imagine can be taken can be beneficial.
 
I have found a place called Abbey House that's in Cleckheaton and my mum said she would take me, it says that the vet surgeon is interested in small furries so I assume that means she knows about guinea pigs. So I'm going to try and get an appointment there.
The Baytril did seem to work a little bit so I will ask to try it again on a higher dose and for longer.
 
Be carefull our Bruny stopped eating after 5 days of septrin,lucky my wife knows what do it. Bio-lapis + recovery mix bring her back from this tricky situation.So Suggest you have it ready.
 
If you're concerned about the anesthesia, can you request that they first try an x-ray while conscious? Conscious x-ray is what my vet does anyhow for piggies and other small exotics... unless the pig makes it impossible to do it that way! It can't hurt to ask them!
 
Update - I took Manny to Abbey House in Cleckheaton this morning and I was very relieved to find that the vet actually knew about guinea pigs!
She said that, like you guys suggested, I should try an even longer course of ABs on a higher dose, as well as pain relief, so now he's on Metacam and 0.8ml Baytril p/day for 4 weeks.
Manny was obviously comfortable with her as well because he did 5 poos and a huge wee on the table (it was a squeaky wee as well so it was like he was performing on cue). :))
 
UTI's can be such a nuisance to shift, so hopefully the higher dosage and longer course will clear it. Keep a close eye on him though - monitor his food intake and weigh him daily.

Personally, I wouldn't want to wait for 4 weeks to see signs of improvement. If the painful wees and blood don't stop in a week or so then I would be inclined to get back in contact with the vet again in case it's a bladder stone (which can only be ruled out with an x-ray).

Did the vet prescribe a probiotic too? If not it's best to buy some as Baytril can upset their stomachs.

Best of luck!
 
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