Potassium citrate

[Roclibrarian]

Ginny has been prescribed potassium citrate, just in case she has bladder sludge (along with metacam and randatine after an x-ray last week). After 2 days of 0.1ml twice a day I have noticed white urine stains on the fleece.
Is this the potassium working and flushing the calcium out? There were no stains before starting the potassium.

 

[Abi_nurse]

Potassium citrate is used in humans when you have a urinary infection to change the PH of the urine to alkaline as there is theory that bacteria doesn't survive as well in the alkaline urine. Guinea pigs already have alkaline urine so there is little point in using it, though it's unlikely to harm if you wish.

The calcium will just be from the excess in the diet. It's especially evident if you've given a high calcium veg not long before. For example, spinach, kale, basil, parsley. If your piggie is taking in plenty of water and getting good exercise then it will help flush the excess calcium through.

 

[piggieminder]

Potasium Citrate is recommended for human's who are prolific stone formers (I'm one) to make the urine alkaline which in turn helps stop mineral crystals binding to form stones. As @Abi_ nurse says guinea pigs already have very alkaline urine so I'm not convinced it would help, although I have heard of a lot of vets who prescribe it.