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Scruff is ill. UTI? Advise please

Guineautopia

Guineautopia

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Ok so Scruff seemed quiet last night but he was eating fine so I thought perhaps he was feeling the change in weather. This morning he was eating but still not right and then when I picked him up I noticed he was wet underneath. I weighed him and he has lost a lot of weight in one week. So we have been to the vets and he squeaked in pain when she felt his bladder :(
Tonight he had had pain relief and I have more for the morning. I’m seeing the vet again in the morning to see where to go next. At this point we don’t know if it is an infection or something like a stone. So we could test the urine, take a scan? Any advise/ideas please.
He’s a dear old chap and he seems so sad :(
 
If you can get a urine sample it should indicate whether there is blood in it or not. It's not conclusive for a UTI but usually its a check with antibiotics whether symptoms improve but if he stops weeing then that could indicate a stone. Best of luck, I'm going through this with Donald at the moment who improves after a few days of antibiotics before weeing blood again
 
Lady Kelly said:
If you can get a urine sample it should indicate whether there is blood in it or not. It's not conclusive for a UTI but usually its a check with antibiotics whether symptoms improve but if he stops weeing then that could indicate a stone. Best of luck, I'm going through this with Donald at the moment who improves after a few days of antibiotics before weeing blood again
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Thanks so much, silly question but is it best to collect the urine sample in say a plastic Tupperware for example?
Good luck with Donald, it’s horrible seeing them in pain :(
 
Do we think a warm snuggle pad might help him stay comfortable? He’s not moving much.
 
Guineautopia said:
Thanks so much, silly question but is it best to collect the urine sample in say a plastic Tupperware for example?
Good luck with Donald, it’s horrible seeing them in pain :(
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The only time I have done it at home I had a sterilised pot from the vets and kept syringing water until they wee'd in a tray and then sucked it up with a syringe. I have often been lucky that they have obliged with a big wee on the vets table when having their bladder palpitated
 
Ok thanks, I have some serialise tablets and syringes so I’ll try it in the morning before I take him back to the vets.
Yes he’s had some loxicom but next dose is not until morning. He just sat on my lap right now with Sam, I’m trying to keep him warm and comfortable but he’s still in pain :(
 
Guineautopia said:
Ok so Scruff seemed quiet last night but he was eating fine so I thought perhaps he was feeling the change in weather. This morning he was eating but still not right and then when I picked him up I noticed he was wet underneath. I weighed him and he has lost a lot of weight in one week. So we have been to the vets and he squeaked in pain when she felt his bladder :(
Tonight he had had pain relief and I have more for the morning. I’m seeing the vet again in the morning to see where to go next. At this point we don’t know if it is an infection or something like a stone. So we could test the urine, take a scan? Any advise/ideas please.
He’s a dear old chap and he seems so sad :(
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Does he strain to poo and squeal. Or whilst weeing?
 
Ok so now we have septrim from the vet also. He’s eating this morning which is good and his body is not hunched up but he still squeaks when weeing. Fingers crossed!
 
Good to hear that you’ve got Septrin. It’s well tolerated by piggies and does work on UTIs. When mine have had Septrin and Metacam for a UTI there has usually been an improvement in a couple of days. Good luck x
 
Thanks, he just gobbled up a Timothy Hay ‘cookie’ so that’s good he seems to want to eat. And he head butted me at medicine time, so good to see he has some fighting spirit!
 
He’s put on 11grams since Friday :yahoo:I’m really keeping everything crossed it’s ‘just’ a UTI. I think if it was stones he would have gotton worse.
 
I’m starting to panic. He’s not improving and today there was blood in his wee. Vets are testing it now to see if there is any type of infection. But he’s been on septrin since Saturday and I’ve seen no improvement. Tomorrow he’s going in for a scan (I’m sending Sam I’m with him to keep him company) but I’m starting to think it must be a bladder stone :(
He’s eating a little but mostly just fresh grass and a little hay when I offer it.
 
@Guineautopia Try not to worry. It can take days before the medicine kicks in and if he's sore then he may continue squealing for a while,

Good luck at the vets tomorrow. Fingers crossed that it's not a stone.
 
Thanks guys x
I just called the vet again and asked about increasing his pain relief as his current dose is not working. They’ve told me I can increase it tonight and tomorrow morning before his scan and then speak to the vet again.
Just can’t bare seeing him in pain :(
 
Jaycey said:
@Guineautopia Try not to worry. It can take days before the medicine kicks in and if he's sore then he may continue squealing for a while,

Good luck at the vets tomorrow. Fingers crossed that it's not a stone.
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Ok thanks wasn’t sure how long it would take for the antibiotics to take effect. Just want a quick fix for him :(
 
It’s not good news :(
Scruff had a scan and an X-ray which has shown very clearly a large stone.
I don’t know what to do for the best, I’m not sure putting him through the operation is the right decision. But at the same time I don’t want to give up on him, not sure if that is selfish.
I couldn’t make the decision today so for tonight he has extra pain relief and then I’m back at vets on morning.
He’s and older boy, he’s already quite thin, he’s mostly blind and has had neurological issues previously. I don’t want to put him through the pain of an op or recovery if his chances are not good. I don’t know how I’m meant to make this decision :no:
 
I’m so sorry. You did absolutely the best thing to buy yourself some time. It doesn’t help at all with the decision making but it relieves the pressure of having to make an immediate one that you may regret. I’m afraid to say only you can make the decision. Whatever decision you make, you will have made it in an informed way and out of love for this sweet fellow and so from that perspective it can never be wrong. None of us can judge you either way. You have to weigh up the pros and cons of each decision and then make one that you can live with either way. I’m probably not the best person to advise, anyway, as I’m still raw after Sylvia and Mabel. Whatever you decide, you have our support and virtual hugs xx
 
Thank you @VickiA for your kind words and support.
I’m just spending some time with him tonight hoping the answer will come to me. He’s snuggled with his brother, they are very close.
I’m sorry you had to go through two losses so close together :(
 
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