Stone in urethra female

[lmdd78]

Hi all I'm new, I've often came on here to read threads for advice, I've 2 female guinea pigs age 2 whom I adore, 1 of my girls has a stone in urethra & had a op to flush/ remove sadly vet couldn't get it out, shes still peeing however crys when doing so, shes on pain relief & antibiotics, shes eating & drinking well, the vet said she might pass it herself I'm praying she does where booked in for 2wks time repeat xray, my worry is how long can I let her cry like this, my piggies live inside in my living room I therefore hear her crys, I don't have a endless pot of money as I've paid well over a grand already, I love my piggies with all my heart

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry. It depends on how big the stone is and where it is stuck. The urethral stones are much harder and riskier to operate on. You are very unlucky in that your stone is obviously just about large enough to get into the urethra but too large to come down easily to fetch up behind the ring of muscles that operate the opening where it would have been within reach of your vet.

Every time the stone is washed down a bit further it is unfortunately scratching the walls of the urethra. These have a natural layer of insulating glucosamine which prevents the highly corrosive urine from coming in direct contact with the raw tissue of the whole urinary tract.

How much painkiller (dosage and concentration) is your piggy on?
I would also recommend that you order some Feliway cystease cat bladder capsules (which are glucosamine based) to additionally help with the discomfort and healing process. Unfortunately, the effect of the latter is not instant and may take some weeks.

Please be aware that with a larger stone there is a risk that the stone could block the urethra with fatal consequences if urine backs up into the kidneys. It is much rarer in sows than in boars (who have a longer, narrower urethra with an awkward kink in the middle) but not unknown.
If your girl is suddenly looking very off and off her food, please contact your vet/out-of-hours vet asap as a life or death emergency; a blocked urethra is extremely painful.
Otherwise all you can do right now is to wait and see; as uncomfortable as it is. You will notice a swelling around the genitilia when the stone has come down and you should be feeling something hard just above the genitalia under the skin.

My then 4 years old Teggy had about as large a stone fetching up in her urethra as could come down as a result of the fresh food shortages at the start of the pandemic as one of many piggies ending up with bladder stones that year. It took her stone several painful days over a weekend in October 2020 to get close to the exit from which it could be operated as an emergency by my local general vet. The sheer size of it made for a rather tricky operation. Thankfully fears of her becoming permanently incontinent did not materialise and she lived to the age of ca. 6 years with no further bladder problems.

My vet kindly sent me these two pictures, which you may find helpful. I was very lucky that the stone didn't block the urethra; it it was a rather narrow thing!

 

[lmdd78]

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry. It depends on how big the stone is and where it is stuck. The urethral stones are much harder and riskier to operate on. You are very unlucky in that your stone is obviously just about large enough to get into the urethra but too large to come down easily to fetch up behind the ring of muscles that operate the opening where it would have been within reach of your vet.

Every time the stone is washed down a bit further it is unfortunately scratching the walls of the urethra. These have a natural layer of insulating glucosamine which prevents the highly corrosive urine from coming in direct contact with the raw tissue of the whole urinary tract.

How much painkiller (dosage and concentration) is your piggy on?
I would also recommend that you order some Feliway cystease cat bladder capsules (which are glucosamine based) to additionally help with the discomfort and healing process. Unfortunately, the effect of the latter is not instant and may take some weeks.

Please be aware that with a larger stone there is a risk that the stone could block the urethra with fatal consequences if urine backs up into the kidneys. It is much rarer in sows than in boars (who have a longer, narrower urethra with an awkward kink in the middle) but not unknown.
If your girl is suddenly looking very off and off her food, please contact your vet/out-of-hours vet asap as a life or death emergency; a blocked urethra is extremely painful.
Otherwise all you can do right now is to wait and see; as uncomfortable as it is. You will notice a swelling around the genitilia when the stone has come down and you should be feeling something hard just above the genitalia under the skin.

My then 4 years old Teggy had about as large a stone fetching up in her urethra as could come down as a result of the fresh food shortages at the start of the pandemic as one of many piggies ending up with bladder stones that year. It took her stone several painful days over a weekend in October 2020 to get close to the exit from which it could be operated as an emergency by my local general vet. The sheer size of it made for a rather tricky operation. Thankfully fears of her becoming permanently incontinent did not materialise and she lived to the age of ca. 6 years with no further bladder problems.

My vet kindly sent me these two pictures, which you may find helpful. I was very lucky that the stone didn't block the urethra; it it was a rather narrow thing!

Thanku so much for replying, she down so well during the op & the vet tried for nearly 1hr, she was up eating & drinking very quickly after the op, she wasn't really crying for first few days now 6days in she's crying loudly again when peeing, her wounds clean no issues there, she's on fleece bedding changed few times a day, shes on Loxicom twice a day 0.49ml, I feel useless.

 

[Roselina]

You’ve had great advice from Wiebke - she is the guinea pig guru - she knows everything about piggies and will do everything she can to help
Sending healing vibes to your piggy - I really hope the stone moves out !

 

[lmdd78]

You’ve had great advice from Wiebke - she is the guinea pig guru - she knows everything about piggies and will do everything she can to help
Sending healing vibes to your piggy - I really hope the stone moves out !

Thanku so much

 

[Wiebke]

Thanku so much for replying, she down so well during the op & the vet tried for nearly 1hr, she was up eating & drinking very quickly after the op, she wasn't really crying for first few days now 6days in she's crying loudly again when peeing, her wounds clean no issues there, she's on fleece bedding changed few times a day, shes on Loxicom twice a day 0.49ml, I feel useless.

Hi

Is that cat loxicom 0.5 mg/ml or dog loxicom at 1.5 mg/ml? It should say on the bottle label.

The stone looks like it is in a very awkward position there when compared to the x-ray from my Teggy. Can you check around the genitalia whether it could have moved a bit closer to the exit since her op?

 

[lmdd78]

Hi

Is that cat loxicom 0.5 mg/ml or dog loxicom at 1.5 mg/ml? It should say on the bottle label.

The stone looks like it is in a very awkward position there when compared to the x-ray from my Teggy. Can you check around the genitalia whether it could have moved a bit closer to the exit since her op?

Cat Loxicom 0.5ml, I was worried to touch round that area as her wound I didn't want to disrupt, yes vet said it's in very awkward place, they where able to see water can get out passed it, shes due another xray, she's awful good & sits very well, I'm worried so much about her.

 

[Wiebke]

Cat Loxicom 0.5ml, I was worried to touch round that area as her wound I didn't want to disrupt, yes vet said it's in very awkward place, they where able to see water can get out passed it, shes due another xray, she's awful good & sits very well, I'm worried so much about her.

She could comfortably have double the amount of cat loxicom and still have wiggle room upwards.

Good that your vet has checked the urine flow and that you are due another x-ray to see whether the stone is moving further down. I hope that the wheeking means that it is actually doing that.

It is horrible feeling helpless when there is nothing you can do but sit by and wait. Please take heart in that the pain is obviously not so bad as to impact on her appetite; it is a sharp but relatively short-lived stab of pain but not a constant massive ache. You could give the clinic a call and see whether you could move the x-ry forward if it really upsets you.

HUGS

 

[weepweeps]

I really hope she can pass the stone herself. Sending healing vibes her way.

 

[CTWC]

Keeping our fingers and paws crossed for her

 

[lmdd78]

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry. It depends on how big the stone is and where it is stuck. The urethral stones are much harder and riskier to operate on. You are very unlucky in that your stone is obviously just about large enough to get into the urethra but too large to come down easily to fetch up behind the ring of muscles that operate the opening where it would have been within reach of your vet.

Every time the stone is washed down a bit further it is unfortunately scratching the walls of the urethra. These have a natural layer of insulating glucosamine which prevents the highly corrosive urine from coming in direct contact with the raw tissue of the whole urinary tract.

How much painkiller (dosage and concentration) is your piggy on?
I would also recommend that you order some Feliway cystease cat bladder capsules (which are glucosamine based) to additionally help with the discomfort and healing process. Unfortunately, the effect of the latter is not instant and may take some weeks.

Please be aware that with a larger stone there is a risk that the stone could block the urethra with fatal consequences if urine backs up into the kidneys. It is much rarer in sows than in boars (who have a longer, narrower urethra with an awkward kink in the middle) but not unknown.
If your girl is suddenly looking very off and off her food, please contact your vet/out-of-hours vet asap as a life or death emergency; a blocked urethra is extremely painful.
Otherwise all you can do right now is to wait and see; as uncomfortable as it is. You will notice a swelling around the genitilia when the stone has come down and you should be feeling something hard just above the genitalia under the skin.

My then 4 years old Teggy had about as large a stone fetching up in her urethra as could come down as a result of the fresh food shortages at the start of the pandemic as one of many piggies ending up with bladder stones that year. It took her stone several painful days over a weekend in October 2020 to get close to the exit from which it could be operated as an emergency by my local general vet. The sheer size of it made for a rather tricky operation. Thankfully fears of her becoming permanently incontinent did not materialise and she lived to the age of ca. 6 years with no further bladder problems.

My vet kindly sent me these two pictures, which you may find helpful. I was very lucky that the stone didn't block the urethra; it it was a rather narrow thing!

Just a update, vet has been very good & every avenue has been explored, my beautiful girl will go to sleep 2mrw my hearts sore, her sister is guarding her in her hunt like she noes, I feel awful as she's still eating & drinking, but crying alot when peeing she's on alot more painful relief until 2mrw, I no she can't go on like that, I'm now worrying how her sister will cope without her are do I get her another friend, my hearts breaking.

 

[CTWC]

I am so very sorry to hear this treasure the time you have with her even though it's breaking your heart you are doing this out of love but it makes it no easier. Be kind to yourself as you go through this we are all thinking of you, as for her sister I'm sure that you will do the right thing by her but yes watch her too as she begins to grieve with you

 

[VickiA]

I’m so sorry. You’re doing the kindest thing but I know hurts so badly. Big hugs.

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so very sorry. Sending you hugs.

 

[Bertie & Jelly]

So very sorry. It’s such a hard decision but you are doing it out of love and kindness. Thinking of you x

 

[Bill & Ted]

Sending hugs, I am so sorry

 

[lmdd78]

I’m so sorry. You’re doing the kindest thing but I know hurts so badly. Big hugs.

Thanku so much 8.53am she gained her wings, I've took many panic attacks today my hearts in bits, her wee sister is really grieving the noises she's making are heartbreaking, she's been cuddled endlessly today, I get my girls urn home next week, thanku all for your kind words.

 

[lmdd78]

Thanku so much 8.53am she gained her wings overnight she was crying so much i nursed her all night despite pain relief she actually was still eating loads but the pain took over, I've took many panic attacks today my hearts in bits, her wee sister is really grieving the noises she's making are heartbreaking, she's been cuddled endlessly today, I get my girls urn home next week, thanku all for your kind words, my

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry. Sleep tight little one

 

[fluffysal]

Popcorn high and sleep well over the rainbow bridge sweet girl

 

[CTWC]

Your sweet girl is pain free popcorning over the Rainbow Bridge be kind to yourself as you grieve and we are here for you if you want to talk look after her sister

 

[Bill & Ted]

So sorry for you, take care if each other I hope your little bereaved piggie is ok

 

[Wiebke]

Thanku so much 8.53am she gained her wings overnight she was crying so much i nursed her all night despite pain relief she actually was still eating loads but the pain took over, I've took many panic attacks today my hearts in bits, her wee sister is really grieving the noises she's making are heartbreaking, she's been cuddled endlessly today, I get my girls urn home next week, thanku all for your kind words, my

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry. You have done absolutely the right thing and have put your girl's welfare before your own fears and desires. You haven't failed her in any way; where that stone fetched up (in the worst possible place between the bladder and the anus) was just simply really bad luck.

Please be kind with yourself but see whether you can get support - if possible from Northern Ireland - from the free Blue Cross pet bereavement services tomorrow. Talking or writing is the best possible way to help yourself. Pet bereavement and pet loss
Here is our own human bereavement guide, which you may find helpful: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

If you can, let the sister have the hut and any cosies until the scent has truly faded; don't be tempted to clean. This is her comfort blanket. As long as she is still eating and drinking, she will hold for about 1-4 weeks, which would give you time to hopefully get through the very worst of it. Give her time to grieve herself.
You only need to look for a companion or two sooner rather than later if your bereaved girl is not coping at all well with being alone in the coming days and what your own plans re. continuing ownership are. If you want to contiue, then consider getting a couple of younger girls. But this can hopefully wait a little so you can clear your own mind more first.
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

We are here for more practical support if you need to.