Possible Urinary Tract Infection

[jean75]

Hi everyone. I had a very interesting day with my piggie Bandit yesterday. For the last couple of weeks I have been seeing red spots were he pees on and off. Yesterday I heard him squeak when he peed so I decided it was time to bring him in. Vet said she believes it is a uti and put him on antibiotics. She said if he didnt improve then they would have to do further testing (exrays and urine sample) which is going to be expensive. I am praying that the medicine works. Ive had a uti and I know how painful they are. The funny part to the whole story is that while the vet was examining him she discovered that he is really a GIRL! I have another one named Smokey and since he has been in the cage with bandit for 2 years and there are no babies its safe to assume he is a girl too. We were in such shock when she told us this. When we adopted them they told us they were boys. I kind of want to rename them but my husband is totally against. it. Vet said they are just tomboys lol.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

What medication have been you been prescibed? UTIs are not at all rare at this time of the year, especially now that the lawn season has started in the UK. Your vet is right that the next step is an x-ray to make sure that there is no bladder stone in play.
http://www.guinealynx.info/uti.html

Sadly, vet cost make the highest budget part in a piggy's life, but far too many people don't plan for it. here in the UK, there is insurance available and a number of vet clinics will agree to a payment plan.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/veterinary-fees-some-important-information.91847/

Here is the best sexing link possible; as adults, sows and boars are quite easily to tell apart, unlike when they are babies. But if you have never seen the other gender or would have to worry about the gender, you wouldn't know!
http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm

As we have got members from all over the world, yu can really help us by adding your country, state or (for the UK) your county to your details, so we can tailor any advice to what is available or possible where you are, which can differ quite a lot. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thanks!

 

[smokeysmummy]

Omg. I have nothing to add....but seems strange seeing those names again (see my thread in the rainbow bridge). My 2 little boys were smokey and bandit (smokey being my avatar). Good luck x

 

[Freela]

I hope the antibiotic improves things. One of my girls is prone to UTIs as well, and usually shows signs of improvement after a couple of days of UTIs. If the UTI doesn't go, or returns shortly after the end of the antibiotics, the next step would be an x-ray to check from stones/sludge. These things can be expensive (one of my girls has had a lot of medical problems- she is my thousand dollar pig by now!) It can be a shock if you're not expecting it! Hopefully the antibiotics will do the trick and you won't need to progress from there. And the gender thing must be a shock- how old are your pigs? In adults, un-neutered males have really noticeable testicles, so if you have an adult pig and don't see any obvious external genitalia, you likely have a sow! Hope Bandit makes a good recovery for you!

 

[jean75]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I updated my profile, as I can now see I live in the US. Smokeysmummy sorry for your loss on your furbabies.
The med she is on is enrofloxacin and also a pain killer. She is also taking a probiotic while on the antibiotic. I dont see to much improvement yet but she has only had 2 doses. She is still squeaking when she wees so she must still be in pain. How long does it usually take to start seeing an improvement? My piggies are 2 I have had them for a year and a half. I'm kind of excited they are girls cause now I get to go buy pink fleece for them.LOL

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I updated my profile, as I can now see I live in the US. Smokeysmummy sorry for your loss on your furbabies.
The med she is on is enrofloxacin and also a pain killer. She is also taking a probiotic while on the antibiotic. I dont see to much improvement yet but she has only had 2 doses. She is still squeaking when she wees so she must still be in pain. How long does it usually take to start seeing an improvement? My piggies are 2 I have had them for a year and a half. I'm kind of excited they are girls cause now I get to go buy pink fleece for them.LOL

It takes about 2-3 days for the acute symptoms to subside. You can help by feeding mildly diuretic veg like fresh grass and dandelion, cucumber, lettuce and celery chunks to help flush the bacteria out during the first few days. Just be careful to not overdo it and cause soft poo or even diarrhea!