she's soaked :[

[Lois]

when i got cindy out today, her bum was wet. It went up to the middle of her stomach and just a bit on her back. It's a browny-yellowy colour and stinks.
We changed her bedding but when I got her out again she was still covered in it, after wiping and drying her.

I'm worried, is she just weeing and then lying in it...?

She's 5 1/2 now.

Is anyone elses guinea pigs like this?

What can I do to make sure she dosen't smell, or is soaked. I gave her a bath once, but she got a chill from it, so I don't really want to give her one again.

Thanks.
x

 

[CiaraPatricia]

Does it seem like it's urine, or diarrhoea? Sorry I don't know what is wrong, but with her age, I'd take her to the vet to see if they have any idea.

If it's urine then it could be something to do with bladder stones possibly? Or a urinary tract infection . . . but I don't know. Or maybe it is just her age, my old cat sometimes pees while she's asleep, but she's spayed so that is probably why too.

 

[Wiebke]

It sounds very much like your girl has got a fully blown UTI (or cystitis) - what I call the smelly pees.

Please have her seen by a vet tomorrow! Ask for:

a) pediatric septrin 0.5 ml as antibiotic preferably to baytril 0.4 ml twice daily. Septrin is an oral form of the "bactrim" that is mentioned on guinealynx. it acts specifically well on the urinary tract and is much less aggressive on the guts than baytril, which can cause loss of appetite in some cases. Baytril is however the only officially licenced antibitoic for guinea pigs, so your vet might refuse. In my own experience, you need to take septrin for at least three weeks to make sure that the UTI isn't coming back.

b) probiotics to bolster the effect of the antibiotic on her guts and keep her appetite up (especially with baytril). Avipro plus is good for UTI as it doesn't contain extra calcium.

c) metacam or another painkiller. UTI is very painful until you have got it under control.

d) give her as much to drink as she'll take in as many sittings as you can. Ideally syringe unsweetened cranberry juice or mix it with water or give water alone. Ocean Wave light is widely available in bigger supermarkets. You can also help flushing her bladder by feeding her dandelions - they are mildly diuretic.

Here is more information on urinary tract infection (if necessary print this page out and take it to your vet):
http://www.guinealynx.info/uti.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/urine_scald.html

 

[Lois]

okay, thanks.
it's definatley urine.

to be honest, i think she wee'd then the silly thing forgot she wee'd, then lied in it and got it all over herself. She's quite happy now, sat in a blanket.

I'll see how she goes.
Thanks.

 

[Tracyxx]

Oh the poor thing Pigs are more prone to problems like this when they get a bit older. Even though she may seem fine, guinea pigs are good at masking their symptoms, and a wet tummy/back end is a sign of a UTI, so I'd get her seen just in case.

 

[CiaraPatricia]

okay, thanks.
it's definatley urine.

to be honest, i think she wee'd then the silly thing forgot she wee'd, then lied in it and got it all over herself. She's quite happy now, sat in a blanket.

I'll see how she goes.
Thanks.

Some animals will be silly and sit in their own wee, but be careful and watch her closely. I'd watch her until she goes to pee and see if she looks uncomfortable or in pain or if she squeaks. If so then you better get her checked out by the vet. Also make sure she is acting normally and lively . . . I really hope she'll be ok. You have to be so careful with guinea pigs, it's so hard to know when they're very sick.

Oh and if the wee smells then that is a sign of a UTI, so not a great sign. Unless it just smells of normal wee.