Please help! Cushing's and bladder stone

[misssaj]

My girl has had bald patches for approx 3 months now. Initially it was thought to be mites and then hormonal changes as she got older. She is only two and a half but them started with urinary incontinence. She
Lost weight and generally looks unwell. She had an ultrasound scan and x-ray last week and was found to have ovarian cysts a bladder stone and a urinary infection. She's been on antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory for the last week. There is blood in the urine and no change in her condition so today I took her back to the vet. The vet said it looks like she has cushing's disease and the bladder stone is quite large and inoperable due to her condition. The only thing we can do do is keep her comfortable and has given some gabapentin to try and help with any pain. I'm in shock as never expected a terminal diagnosis I'm not sure now what to do. Has anyone dealt with this kind of situation before?

 

[Shelley anne]

Not exactly this situation but I have had a terminal diagnosis with a pet and I understand how awful it is. You start to grieve even before they have gone. The only thing you can do is enjoy the last bit of time together and make them as comfortable as you can. My heart goes out for you at this time.

 

[alexr]

I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. I can identify with this a bit with my recent shock diagnosis of one of my boys Harry. Initially, he was treated for a UTI due to peeing vast quantities of blood and being in pain when weeing. When no improvement was seen, we decided to X-Ray for a stone. However, we also discovered rapidly growing lumps on lymph nodes all over his body. Due to the likelihood of this being terminal lymphoma/leukaemia, we were prepared to let Harry go if an inoperable stone was found whilst he was sedated. However, no stone was found.

Unfortunately, Harry doesn’t seem to be responding to treatment for his UTI so it’s a case of keeping him warm, comfortable and dosed up on Metacam and Tramadol. We are due to see the vet again on Wednesday so we can discuss how long it’s fair to keep trying to resolve the UTI given Harry’s poor prognosis.

I don’t know if this helps at all but, in the past, I had a sow with bladder stones who was operated on but then passed another all by herself a couple of weeks later! You never know, she may pass it naturally but the emergency issue could arise if it blocks her urethra and stops her peeing.

I guess, like with Harry, it’s about trying to keep her comfortable and knowing when it’s time to intervene if necessary. I know how very hard this is.

Sending you and your girl lots of love. X

 

[Freela]

I'm so sorry. One of our hamsters had Cushing's. I feel for you. In terms of the UTI, Sundae had a stone that we just managed with antibiotics to prevent infections and a pain med. Where I live, bladder surgery on guinea pigs is seldom performed and hence is high risk and prohibitively expensive. We decided to just treat her for comfort and see how she did for quality of life... to our surprise, she really did not seem bothered by the stone at all and did fine on meds. I would think that keeping your pig comfortable for the time she has left. Of course, if you feel that she is suffering, it may be best to let her go, but I know how hard a decision that is. Thinking of you and hope you can keep her comfortable to enjoy the time she has.

 

[Wiebke]

My girl has had bald patches for approx 3 months now. Initially it was thought to be mites and then hormonal changes as she got older. She is only two and a half but them started with urinary incontinence. She
Lost weight and generally looks unwell. She had an ultrasound scan and x-ray last week and was found to have ovarian cysts a bladder stone and a urinary infection. She's been on antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory for the last week. There is blood in the urine and no change in her condition so today I took her back to the vet. The vet said it looks like she has cushing's disease and the bladder stone is quite large and inoperable due to her condition. The only thing we can do do is keep her comfortable and has given some gabapentin to try and help with any pain. I'm in shock as never expected a terminal diagnosis I'm not sure now what to do. Has anyone dealt with this kind of situation before?

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry for the bad news; it is the kind that none of us ever wants to hear!

Cushings in guinea pigs is rare; we see perhaps one or two cases in a year on here. Because of that and because the adrenal glands in guinea pigs are not much researched (like so much else, unfortunately), treatment is very limited and it is not curable. By the time it is usually diagosed in guinea pigs, Cushings is also usually well advanced as it is not all that widely known that guinea pigs can get it, too.
Here is a link with a bit more information; it is not a medical link as such, though: https://www.cuteness.com/article/cushings-disease-guinea-pigs

Sadly the only way you can deal with a stone is an operation. There is not medication that dissolves stones.
If you have got other piggies, you may want to rethink your diet: Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

Please be aware that your reaction is totally normal; it is the same shock and the same feelings that you would experience if you found your piggy suddenly dead or dying; your grieving process is starting now. Next to the actual loss itself, it is the worst time for you.
There is however one huge redeeming grace when caring for a terminal piggy: you can live the remaining time, however long or short, much more consciously and pack all the love of a lifetime into it.
You may find our grieving guide helpful; it has got a chapter on looking after terminally ill piggies and the special dynamics, the emotional and ethical issues involved during that difficult time: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

 

[Merab]

So sorry for the shock of the diagnosis.
Make good memories now as they will sustain you through the grieving.
The bereavement guides are very good and very helpful.
We are here to support you.

 

[misssaj]

Not exactly this situation but I have had a terminal diagnosis with a pet and I understand how awful it is. You start to grieve even before they have gone. The only thing you can do is enjoy the last bit of time together and make them as comfortable as you can. My heart goes out for you at this time.

Thank you. I feel so sad for her. She really is such a beautiful girl.

 

[misssaj]

I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. I can identify with this a bit with my recent shock diagnosis of one of my boys Harry. Initially, he was treated for a UTI due to peeing vast quantities of blood and being in pain when weeing. When no improvement was seen, we decided to X-Ray for a stone. However, we also discovered rapidly growing lumps on lymph nodes all over his body. Due to the likelihood of this being terminal lymphoma/leukaemia, we were prepared to let Harry go if an inoperable stone was found whilst he was sedated. However, no stone was found.

Unfortunately, Harry doesn’t seem to be responding to treatment for his UTI so it’s a case of keeping him warm, comfortable and dosed up on Metacam and Tramadol. We are due to see the vet again on Wednesday so we can discuss how long it’s fair to keep trying to resolve the UTI given Harry’s poor prognosis.

I don’t know if this helps at all but, in the past, I had a sow with bladder stones who was operated on but then passed another all by herself a couple of weeks later! You never know, she may pass it naturally but the emergency issue could arise if it blocks her urethra and stops her peeing.

I guess, like with Harry, it’s about trying to keep her comfortable and knowing when it’s time to intervene if necessary. I know how very hard this is.

Sending you and your girl lots of love. X

Thank you so much. X

 

[misssaj]

I'm so sorry. One of our hamsters had Cushing's. I feel for you. In terms of the UTI, Sundae had a stone that we just managed with antibiotics to prevent infections and a pain med. Where I live, bladder surgery on guinea pigs is seldom performed and hence is high risk and prohibitively expensive. We decided to just treat her for comfort and see how she did for quality of life... to our surprise, she really did not seem bothered by the stone at all and did fine on meds. I would think that keeping your pig comfortable for the time she has left. Of course, if you feel that she is suffering, it may be best to let her go, but I know how hard a decision that is. Thinking of you and hope you can keep her comfortable to enjoy the time she has.

Thank you. It's so hard to know what to do for the best. I was expecting a suggestion of an operation to remove the bladder stone, I never thought it could be this serious.

 

[misssaj]

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry for the bad news; it is the kind that none of us ever wants to hear!

Cushings in guinea pigs is rare; we see perhaps one or two cases in a year on here. Because of that and because the adrenal glands in guinea pigs are not much researched (like so much else, unfortunately), treatment is very limited and it is not curable. By the time it is usually diagosed in guinea pigs, Cushings is also usually well advanced as it is not all that widely known that guinea pigs can get it, too.
Here is a link with a bit more information; it is not a medical link as such, though: https://www.cuteness.com/article/cushings-disease-guinea-pigs

Sadly the only way you can deal with a stone is an operation. There is not medication that dissolves stones.
If you have got other piggies, you may want to rethink your diet: Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

Please be aware that your reaction is totally normal; it is the same shock and the same feelings that you would experience if you found your piggy suddenly dead or dying; your grieving process is starting now. Next to the actual loss itself, it is the worst time for you.
There is however one huge redeeming grace when caring for a terminal piggy: you can live the remaining time, however long or short, much more consciously and pack all the love of a lifetime into it.
You may find our grieving guide helpful; it has got a chapter on looking after terminally ill piggies and the special dynamics, the emotional and ethical issues involved during that difficult time: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Thank you so much. That's all really useful.

 

[misssaj]

Thank you, your replies have been so helpful. I need to process it all I think. I'm panicking because I don't want her to be in pain and suffer. She's eating and talking to me today. The gabapentin doesn't seem to have made her too drowsy so I'll increase as per vet instructions tomorrow and then see where we are. I don't normally bath her but she's leaking urine and getting smelly. Her back legs look redder than normal so must be sore from the urine. Would it be a good idea to give her a bath? Maybe vaseline to protect her legs?

 

[Bill & Ted]

I am so sorry to hear that your little piggie is so poorly. Sending you hugs at this awful time. I have no experience of stones or Cushings but sending you both hugs x

 

[Freela]

Thank you, your replies have been so helpful. I need to process it all I think. I'm panicking because I don't want her to be in pain and suffer. She's eating and talking to me today. The gabapentin doesn't seem to have made her too drowsy so I'll increase as per vet instructions tomorrow and then see where we are. I don't normally bath her but she's leaking urine and getting smelly. Her back legs look redder than normal so must be sore from the urine. Would it be a good idea to give her a bath? Maybe vaseline to protect her legs?

You can definitely do that... when our bladder-issue pig was elderly, she would sometimes dribble urine and we regularly gave her bum baths with warm water to keep the urine off her skin. Cushing's can cause skin breakdown and thinning anyhow, so you definitely want to protect her skin as best as you can. Maybe someone can recommend a barrier cream that is safe and effective... Vaseline would definitely help to protect from wetness, but I'm not sure if it would be safe if ingested, and it would be on an area where she could reach while grooming, etc. Hopefully someone else can chime in with specific product recommendations.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, your replies have been so helpful. I need to process it all I think. I'm panicking because I don't want her to be in pain and suffer. She's eating and talking to me today. The gabapentin doesn't seem to have made her too drowsy so I'll increase as per vet instructions tomorrow and then see where we are. I don't normally bath her but she's leaking urine and getting smelly. Her back legs look redder than normal so must be sore from the urine. Would it be a good idea to give her a bath? Maybe vaseline to protect her legs?

Please ask your vet for an antibiotic. The smell is most likely the sign of a cystitis (smelly pee is usually infected pee); a bladder infection caused by the stone.
You may also want to give her glucosamine to support the natural glucosamine coating of the beleaguered bladder walls to help ease the discomfort. Feliway cystease capsules are best; they are widely available online as a cat bladder food supplement, not as a medication. Mix the contents of 1 capsule with 2-4 ml of water and syringe half every 12 hours. Shake well before use and store the mix in the fridge.

Give your girl a regular bum bath or wipe down.
You can find care tips for urine scald and guinea pigs with limited mobility/major leaking issues in this guide here: Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility

All the best! It is a painful time, but it is your choice whether you see every extra day as a special gift to fill with love or whether you see it as a day closer to death. As long as your putting your girl's wellbeing first, you won't have to hopefully go through the full guilt/failure thing that is characteristic for the onset of the grieving process; the loss itself will be painful enough. Sadly we can never choose what our piggies die from; all we can do is give them as many happy todays as we can and let them go when that is no longer an option.

 

[misssaj]

Please ask your vet for an antibiotic. The smell is most likely the sign of a cystitis (smelly pee is usually infected pee); a bladder infection caused by the stone.
You may also want to give her glucosamine to support the natural glucosamine coating of the beleaguered bladder walls to help ease the discomfort. Feliway cystease capsules are best; they are widely available online as a cat bladder food supplement, not as a medication. Mix the contents of 1 capsule with 2-4 ml of water and syringe half every 12 hours. Shake well before use and store the mix in the fridge.

Give your girl a regular bum bath or wipe down.
You can find care tips for urine scald and guinea pigs with limited mobility/major leaking issues in this guide here: Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility

All the best! It is a painful time, but it is your choice whether you see every extra day as a special gift to fill with love or whether you see it as a day closer to death. As long as your putting your girl's wellbeing first, you won't have to hopefully go through the full guilt/failure thing that is characteristic for the onset of the grieving process; the loss itself will be painful enough. Sadly we can never choose what our piggies die from; all we can do is give them as many happy todays as we can and let them go when that is no longer an option.

Thank you that's all incredibly helpful. She's been on antibiotics for 10 days now it's called enrobactin. The vet didn't seem to want to continue them after the 14 days were up. It is very smelly. I'm changing the cage twice a day. We use fleeces so easy to change and wash.

 

[misssaj]

Hello just an update. Thanks to everyone for your input. 2 weeks ago I took her to the vet with a view to putting her to sleep. I was due to move house the next day and decided to give her a couple of extra days. The vet advised no more than a week. We moved into the new house on Wednesday and by Saturday as I was about to take her in the afternoon to be put to sleep, I noticed she wasn't straining, there was no blood and her bottom was dry. I watched her very closely over the next 24 hours and she was talking to me, asking for food and popcorning! She must have passed the stone! The vet thinks she has cushing's so will likely recur but for now I've got my lovely Smudge back and feel so very lucky.

 

[Merab]

So pleased to hear this news.