• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Sugar in water?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Julesie

Julesie

Senior Guinea Pig
Joined
Oct 29, 2010
Messages
5,622
Reaction score
4,015
Points
1,305
Location
Hertfordshire
Gilberts had problems squeaking when peeing and occasionally bleeding.

The vet has been trying to figure it out and after a test today we got the results that he has two types of Crystals. Calcium and Oxylate.

As I like to double check, she said to try and add sugar or honey into his water to try and tempt Gilbert to drink more water.

Is this okay? I trust her but as not all vets are cavy savy I just want to make sure this is good advice or not?

thank you. :)
 
Others may disagree but this just seems ludicrous to me.

I've never had one with sludge before but from reading other threads it's seems common to control it with a low calcium diet.
 
He's already on a low calcium diet and has filtered water.

I'm trying my best for him.
 
Increasing water is a good idea it will help flush out the bladder... Putting sugar or honey in it is a no. Can't believe it was suggested.

Treacle has long term cystitis, We are treating her with a little Metacam when it flairs up to help the inflammation but most importantly trying to up her fluids. A little pro biotic called AviPro Plus sprinkled into some water and then syringed is one way we get her to drink more. She adores the taste and will quite happily drink 15 ml in a sitting....
Another way well documented by Flintstones is the use of pearl barley water. Get some pearl Barley and boil it up in a saucepan, drain off the liquid and let it go cold, syringe the liquid to piggie, it's excellent for helping line the bladder.

Hoping Gilbert feels better soon.
 
Well thank goodness for TGPF eh!

I use pearl barley (aka Patrick Juice!) and it's great, they love it and so the syringe gets tugged at! Try to get around 40++ mls a day, more if Gil will let you, do this over a few feeds :) and i'm sure Gil will tell you when he's had enough and wants to go do wee-wee (i hope!)

Light cranberry juice is another that is often recommended, use the Ocean Spray brand LIGHT.

Give little Gil lots of loves from us all XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 
sport_billy said:
Increasing water is a good idea it will help flush out the bladder... Putting sugar or honey in it is a no. Can't believe it was suggested.

Treacle has long term cystitis, We are treating her with a little Metacam when it flairs up to help the inflammation but most importantly trying to up her fluids. A little pro biotic called AviPro Plus sprinkled into some water and then syringed is one way we get her to drink more. She adores the taste and will quite happily drink 15 ml in a sitting....
Another way well documented by Flintstones is the use of pearl barley water. Get some pearl Barley and boil it up in a saucepan, drain off the liquid and let it go cold, syringe the liquid to piggie, it's excellent for helping line the bladder.

Hoping Gilbert feels better soon.
Click to expand...
Yes I thought it was very weird personally as I know sugar isn't usually good for anyone.

I'll give a go at the pearly barley. I'm working on giving him some cat medication that another forum member reccomended at the moment though its hard to get Gilbert to eat it. He's a very fussy boy.

Thank you. :)
 
Glynis said:
Well thank goodness for TGPF eh!

I use pearl barley (aka Patrick Juice!) and it's great, they love it and so the syringe gets tugged at! Try to get around 40++ mls a day, more if Gil will let you, do this over a few feeds :) and i'm sure Gil will tell you when he's had enough and wants to go do wee-wee (i hope!)

Light cranberry juice is another that is often recommended, use the Ocean Spray brand LIGHT.

Give little Gil lots of loves from us all XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Click to expand...
Yes certainly! I always like to double check here as I know vets aren't all that savy when it comes to cavys.

I have thought of getting cranberry juice. I'm going shopping tomorrow so I think I'll keep a look out for the ocean spray light tomorrow.

Thank you Glyins. :)
 
Honey is a BIG no no. A bee will take nectar and swallow it to their nectar stomache then throw it back up several times to make honey. It contains bee saliva. Piggies are vegans not vegetarians. Maybe the vet got that confused. Also I like to talk about bees, NOT to be confused with wasps, I don't like wasps!
 
gpmomma said:
Honey is a BIG no no. A bee will take nectar and swallow it to their nectar stomache then throw it back up several times to make honey. It contains bee saliva. Piggies are vegans not vegetarians. Maybe the vet got that confused. Also I like to talk about bees, NOT to be confused with wasps, I don't like wasps!
Click to expand...

Wow I didn't know that. Thank god I personally hate honey. XD;;

Well she said she phoned an American vet for advice and I figure she must have gotten it from them...

I definitely wont add sugar or honey. I really didn't think it sounded right.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top