Stress induced cystitis? And insurance

[Devon]

Hi
Does anyone have any experience with guinea pigs that have the stress induced cystitis? I have an alpaca boar that has been to the vet 2 or 3 times with the same symptoms showing. Each has been treated with anti inflammatories and antibiotics as well as pain medication. I was using cytease alongside this but had reduced the amount because I thought maybe he would be ok. I know that this problem will keep occurring and the vet suggested x rays to investigate. I have had a pig before called cookie who had x rays and a procedure to flush the bladder as sludge was found. His procedure came to £1500 and upon picking him up he had already died! It was awful. I am reluctant to go through this again. I was wondering about insurance but as he's already had the uti 3 times can I just say he hasn't? Or will they ask for veterinary records? I dont know where to go with his treatment. He is eating and drinking and peeing and pooing (occasionally poos are linked together?). I'm not sure what to do so any advice or words of wisdom greatly appreciated

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this.

Sterile cystitis is caused by stress.
Bacterial cystitis is caused by bacteria in the bladder walls (often caused by the damage from sludge or stones).

Sterile cystitis can’t be treated with antibiotics as it is not bacterial: if antibiotics were used they may temporarily suppress symptoms but because it isn’t bacterial then the symptoms will return. That is the key of sterile cystitis - when all other possible causes have been ruled out, then the issue may be sterile cystitis.

The treatment for sterile cystitis is glucosamine at a maintenance dose (this is a long term/life long) and Metacam (an anti inflammatory pain killer). Glucosamine plays the main role in calming the flares.
Ensuring the diet is low calcium is also best.

If he has bacterial cystitis then treatment is with antibiotics and painkillers.

I’ve added a guide below which explains further

Wiebke's Guide to Pees and Stones

Poops being linked together is a sign of a digestive upset. If he is in discomfort then it may cause a reduction in his hay intake (hay intake cant be monitored by eye).
Are you weighing him daily to monitor hay intake?
(Switching from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weighing daily means you can monitor much more closely and step in quickly if hay intake has reduced).

Wiebke's Guide to Poops
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Most insurance companies won’t insure for an existing condition or recurring conditions; indeed some conditions are excluded entirely.
It has historically been tricky to get guinea pigs insured (with there, until recently it seems, only having been one company who would do it - I think there may be a couple more now).
I can’t comment in much detail though as, like a lot of other members, the conditions and excesses of insurance meant that we went for saving in a vet fund instead.

I hope he is ok

 

[Devon]

Thank you for taking the time to reply! The first time he went on antibiotics it took so long for him to stop crying when he was going to the toilet. He then would only cry occasionally once they were finished so I did carry on with the painkillers for a bit longer. The second vet was an exotic vet and he prescribed stronger antibiotics and anti inflammatories as well as gabapentin for pain and to help calm. When id completed those I started using cytease which seemed to keep him ok up until now. How much should I be using? He is 1.2kg. I was weighing him daily when he was ill last time but he isn't a very friendly guy and the handling was stressing him out more so once the medicines stopped I left him to it unless I needed to pick him up for some other reason. I try to make their hay enticing with forage and hiding food in it. I have stopped feeding kale too which was his favourite so that feels mean too lol!

 

[Piggies&buns]

If the vet can confirm whether it’s bacterial or sterile cystitis then that will help to know - if it’s sterile then there is no point in antibiotics as they wont help.
Sterile cystitis is diagnosed by process of elimination - everything else has to be ruled out first. If there is sludge in his bladder then that can cause bacterial cystitis.

Cystease is usually the contents of one capsule mixed into 2ml of water and then give 1ml in the morning and 1ml in the evening. It takes several weeks to build up in the system enough to help though so it is important not to stop giving it.

Most calcium comes into the diet via pellets and drinking water - so keep pellets limited to one tablespoon and filter drinking water.
Of course cutting out high calcium veg such as kale, spinach, parsley is important though.

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

I get it about handling being stressful for him but weight checks are very important - once a week as routine. If he isn’t eating enough hay but is still eating veg then that can cause an imbalance in the gut which will be seen in the poops, but also fibre is needed to keep the gut functioning.

 

[fluffysal]

My boy Dignified Sir George has sterile cystitis. Since I started giving him johnsons 4 joints liquid about 2 years ago he very rarely has a bout. He doesn't need to be handled to have this as he enjoys it and comes over for it. I'm fairly certain other people have pigs who like it too?
Might be worth thinking about?
A pigture just because he's handsome

 

[Devon]

My boy Dignified Sir George has sterile cystitis. Since I started giving him johnsons 4 joints liquid about 2 years ago he very rarely has a bout. He doesn't need to be handled to have this as he enjoys it and comes over for it. I'm fairly certain other people have pigs who like it too?
Might be worth thinking about?
A pigture just because he's handsome View attachment 286824

He is very handsome indeed and very dignified . Ive not heard of Johnsons for joints where might I find it? Is it the same kind of product as cytease? Thank you sir George for your help little fellow

 

[Devon]

If the vet can confirm whether it’s bacterial or sterile cystitis then that will help to know - if it’s sterile then there is no point in antibiotics as they wont help.
Sterile cystitis is diagnosed by process of elimination - everything else has to be ruled out first. If there is sludge in his bladder then that can cause bacterial cystitis.

Cystease is usually the contents of one capsule mixed into 2ml of water and then give 1ml in the morning and 1ml in the evening. It takes several weeks to build up in the system enough to help though so it is important not to stop giving it.

Most calcium comes into the diet via pellets and drinking water - so keep pellets limited to one tablespoon and filter drinking water.
Of course cutting out high calcium veg such as kale, spinach, parsley is important though.

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

I get it about handling being stressful for him but weight checks are very important - once a week as routine. If he isn’t eating enough hay but is still eating veg then that can cause an imbalance in the gut which will be seen in the poops, but also fibre is needed to keep the gut functioning.

I had the urine sample done and the vet said it came back clear with nothing abnormal etc. I guess this means its sterile cystitis. He is a very stressed pig and did not have a good start. He is still very frightened and its very sad, it makes me feel awful. I will go back to weighing him though because like you say its important and a good sign of problems ! I do use a water filter for them and he is on selective pellets. I dont feed spinach or parsley at all just in case! Thank you for your help it makes a difference to know there might be more i can do!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes this is most likely sterile cystitis then.
There are several members on here whose piggies have it - you will be able to find lots of useful threads on the subject and you can use the search facility to find them

 

[fluffysal]

I buy mine from amazon, some pet shops stock it too. It's supposed to be for dogs, my vet approved it's use due to it being glucosamine.
Piggie parcels (online) also sell glucosamine enhanced pellets for urinary support as well as urinary support forage selections. I only stopped using them because my boys went off them. It's run by a forum member @Guineautopia