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Second bladder stone - not looking good

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Jennifer

Jennifer

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Hi All

This is my first post and I'm sad to be posting unhappy news. My 18 month old boar, Jackson had a bladder stone removed 3 weeks ago and made a superb recovery, back to his old bouncy self within days. Yesterday I noticed some discomfort and took him back. The x-ray shows another large stone.

The vet has said that a second lot of surgery on the bladder in such a short space of time could lead to further problems and there is no guarantee that another stone wouldn't form. Not being a piggie expert she has offered to refer to an expert for advice on whether there are any non-surgical options but from my limited knowledge I fear there aren't. Can anyone give any advice?

I fear that I may have to do the kind thing soon as although he's eating fine and running about and enjoying his usual cuddles, even with pain relief he is clearly in pain when he urinates and I can't bear to see him suffer.

Thanks for reading, hope someone can share some wisdom.
 
I have heard that it may be possible to break the stone up using ultrasound, but I doubt you'll get a vet to try that. A stone recurring so soon after surgery is not a good sign sadly, and eventually that stone is going to cause him a lot of pain. Some pigs just seem prone to them and as you say, if you have yet another operation on him then you may well be back in the same situation in another few weeks. It's a hard decision but I would discuss it further with the vet you are being referred to and see what they say, but the outcome may not be what you want to hear - so sorry. :(
 
Thank you so much for replying, I thought that was the case but I just really wanted a second opinion as I want to do the right thing for him.
 
You are very welcome and I'm sorry I couldn't be more positive. It's awful when you can't do anything for them isn't it? Only last week I lost one of my favourite sows to a bladder stone so I know what you are going through. X
 
Sorry to hear that Jackson is unwell again. You mentioned that your Vet is not an expert in piggies - you should definitely make sure that you do get a second opinion from a recommended piggy-savvy Vet ASAP before making any decisions. Please don't just assume that there is no hope at all.

With regard to managing the symptoms in the meantime, what pain relief is he on? And is he on any other meds/treatment?
 
My Hazel (boar) has just had a bladder stone op and he did at first seem to make a slow but positive recovery but he's reached a plateau now and I'm getting worried too. He's not old but he is just over four years so not a younster any more. He does occasionally make painful noises when going to the loo but no where near what he was like before the op but I'm really concerned another stone is giving him problems. I don't want to put him under another ga so soon as he only had his op a week ago.

Hopefully your referral will produce good results and your piggy will be back to good health in no time. I would say if he is well in every way apart from it being sore when going to the loo you have to weigh up how much pain he is in. Does it pass quicky and he's back to usual self in moments, if so I wouldn't consider pts at this stage.

I wish you the best of luck.

Jenny xx
 
Just wanted to say thanks to you all. I didn't feel able to post sooner but I took the hard decision to have Jackson put to sleep in the end as the stone was huge and he was in a lot of pain and the prognosis was not good enough to put him through another set of treatment so soon. I am absolutely gutted and miss him tonnes. I'm glad I found this forum though with so many knowledgeable and supportive people. If I do get another piggy to keep my other boy company I know I will have access to a lot of help to make the right decisions. Thank you all.
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. Its so sad when a pet dies, they are part of the family. I still miss flo and she crossed over the beginning of sept.
Run free little one.
 
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I'm so so sorry for your loss, I went through the same thing in 2008, I didn't know anything about bladder stones then tho. My Dibbs went in for surgury and didn't wake up, you did the right thing, it is 'just one of those things' i.e you can't anticipate them. Big hugs xx
 
I went through the same thing a few months ago with my 4 year old boar Gilbert, it was such a hard decision for me so I understand how you feel, like me you can have a clear concience that you did everything possible before making a tough but fair decision. Hugs x
 
I'm so sorry for your loss Jennifer. It's a horrible decision to have to make but sometimes it's the only option left for your piggy not to suffer. I know that doesn't make it any easier for you and you have our sympathy. x
 
So sorry for your loss. Where abouts are you? Someone may be able to recommend a piggie rescue in your area for boar-dating which I would highly recommend for your other piggie. Our poor boy Mr M ( see my profile pic left) left us for the Rainbow bridge in June 8... and his partner Wallace took it very badly ( we did too ), luckily he's been given a second lease of life since we've had Rocket ( thanks to Helen at The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue for arranging his boar date ) and he's also helped us to cope with our loss too ( as has our second pair from a rescue...you know what it's like, you just can't stop at two. ). x
 
HUGS

I am so sorry about your loss. It is such a gutting decision. I have been through two bladder stone ops with my Minx (14 months apart), but had to have her pts in the end.

RIP Jackson - you have plenty of company over the Rainbow Bridge!
 
Oh how very sad :(

I lost my boy immediately after a bladder stone removal. He got through the op ok, but died in the recovery unit 8... I still miss him immensely every day.

I am sorry that you had to make that decision, how awful for you :(
 
Sorry for your loss you made the right decision for him poor boy. Big hugs xxxxxx
 
Thank you so much

Thank you all so much for the thoughts and messages of support and sympathy, you are all such a lovely bunch of people, I'm so glad I found this forum. It helps to know there are people out there who have been through the same thing (not that I would wish it on anyone) and understand.

I vowed never to have another piggie as I just felt so sad, but having seen my one remaining boar (Cecil) sitting looking glum without a friend I plucked up courage to visit my local guinea pig rescue centre (where I originally got Jackson) and somehow have had Cecil neutered (he's not looking any happier after that unsurprisingly) and on Sunday next week will be bringing home two or three little girls who need a home. I have the space and the love for them and I hope they will cheer Cecil up.

I know this is a bit off topic, but can I ask for your thoughts on this? I know I will need to keep the girls separate from Cecil for a good few weeks (vet recommended 6 - 10 weeks) to ensure no accidents and to let him completely heal so the girls will be living in the penthouse together whiole Cecil gets the ground floor, with the ramp between floors closed up. DO you have any thoughts about whether it would be better to get 2 females (who can bond and get used to each other in the meantime but then is 3 an odd number to have) or 3 females (with the risk that 2 may bond and leave the third one out) and make it 4 in total? Does it make much difference? The cage is huge so I have enough room!

Thank you all for being so lovely! x>>
 
I am so sorry to read this, how heartbreaking for you, i know exactly how you feel i went through exactly the same thing in August last year, its just heartbreaking.

I cant advise on the rest of your questions, but i cant imaging that cecil would not be a happy chappy to be getting not one but maybe two girlfriends!

Really wish him well and your potential new piggies, and i hope you are ok, all you can do is take one day at a time, it does get easier but does take time xx
 
Sows tend to get along well however many you have - can only go from my experience though and know some sows can be unforgiving of a mate :)
I had two girls who bonded immediately then we rescued four more whom we quarantined then opened the pen up. Happily they all live together, have the occasional spat usually over the beds or one doesn't want to play... nothing I worry about :))
I love my herd of six but would never add another in case it upset the bond they have so when I found my last trio of girls, built them a separate pen.
The rescue will be able to tell you which ones are happy together so be aware that you may come home with a whole bunch as oppsosed to two or three if they are living in a group :(|)
 
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