I thought I would re-post this as I desperately want some help on what to do next. Bertie possibly hasn't long to go. Here is his past thread: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=76611&page=2
After he showed negative signs in tests of diabetes, we ruled that out. We started treating him for an internal infection and he was also given antibiotics as the tests showed up signs of infection. It also showed some signs of possible kidney problems. However, the blood cleared up and he seemed fine again.
Bertie saw the exotics vet again yesterday, as he started producing a lot of blood in his urine, some very big clots, and he wasn't eating on his own. I syringe fed him, and got him to eat out of my hand (but he would only do so whilst cuddled up on my lap). He lost an incredible amount of weight very quickly (over 150g in a week).
The vet was great, and immediately did an ultrasound. It showed up the stone which we knew was already lodged in his ureter, and showed lots of smaller stones in his bladder which he has been passing the last few days. Unfortunately, it also showed extensive kidney damage. The kidney with the blocked ureter was covered in fluid filled cysts - waste material that wasn't being flushed but was instead backing up in the kidney. The vet said it might be possible to remove the entire thing so he could get along with one, but images of the second kidney showed damage and lots of stones.
The vet was very kind and said that in a younger pig with no kidney damage he would probably go in and flush the bladder and remove the kidney and stone blocking the ureter, but that with Bertie the damage was too extensive. He said the best thing was to try and give Bertie a great few weeks and make the decision to put him to sleep before his kidneys actually fail.
My poor little boy must be in such a lot of pain with the kidney stones. It is entirely likely that this has caused his progressive weight loss over the last four months or so, and must have been there a long time before there was any sign of a stone (we lost his dad Biscuit to stones and renal failure at two years old). We;ve been lucky he's got to five before this all started up.
I don't know what to do. How can I make him as comfortable as possible for his remaining days?
After he showed negative signs in tests of diabetes, we ruled that out. We started treating him for an internal infection and he was also given antibiotics as the tests showed up signs of infection. It also showed some signs of possible kidney problems. However, the blood cleared up and he seemed fine again.
Bertie saw the exotics vet again yesterday, as he started producing a lot of blood in his urine, some very big clots, and he wasn't eating on his own. I syringe fed him, and got him to eat out of my hand (but he would only do so whilst cuddled up on my lap). He lost an incredible amount of weight very quickly (over 150g in a week).
The vet was great, and immediately did an ultrasound. It showed up the stone which we knew was already lodged in his ureter, and showed lots of smaller stones in his bladder which he has been passing the last few days. Unfortunately, it also showed extensive kidney damage. The kidney with the blocked ureter was covered in fluid filled cysts - waste material that wasn't being flushed but was instead backing up in the kidney. The vet said it might be possible to remove the entire thing so he could get along with one, but images of the second kidney showed damage and lots of stones.
The vet was very kind and said that in a younger pig with no kidney damage he would probably go in and flush the bladder and remove the kidney and stone blocking the ureter, but that with Bertie the damage was too extensive. He said the best thing was to try and give Bertie a great few weeks and make the decision to put him to sleep before his kidneys actually fail.
My poor little boy must be in such a lot of pain with the kidney stones. It is entirely likely that this has caused his progressive weight loss over the last four months or so, and must have been there a long time before there was any sign of a stone (we lost his dad Biscuit to stones and renal failure at two years old). We;ve been lucky he's got to five before this all started up.
I don't know what to do. How can I make him as comfortable as possible for his remaining days?
Oh hun I am so sorry to read this, poor poor Bertie 