Uk Survey On Regional Differences In Bladder Stones - Your Input Needed!

Wiebke

Wiebke

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
94,923
Reaction score
91,785
Points
3,466
Location
Coventry UK
Can you please take part in this survey in finding out whether there are regional links to the occurrance of bladder stones to help further scientific understanding why they are so common in guinea pigs?

It is important that we understand all the factors that go into the formation of bladder stones, so we are able to get a better grip on the problem in the years to come and can minimise the risk of future generations of guinea pigs needing costly operations or even dying from stones.

What happens in science is ultimately going into our own practical forum advice. The more we know, the better we can save our beloved pets from any avoidable suffering or even deaths!

This link will take you to the survey: The relationship between geographical locations in the UK and the prevalence of bladder stones and other urinary conditions in pet guinea pigs Survey

 
Wiebke said:
Can you please take part in this survey in finding out whether there are regional links to the occurrance of bladder stones to help further scientific understanding why they are so common in guinea pigs?

It is important that we understand all the factors that go into the formation of bladder stones, so we are able to get a better grip on the problem in the years to come and can minimise the risk of future generations of guinea pigs needing costly operations or even dying from stones.

What happens in science is ultimately going into our own practical forum advice. The more we know, the better we can save our beloved pets from any avoidable suffering or even deaths!

This link will take you to the survey: The relationship between geographical locations in the UK and the prevalence of bladder stones and other urinary conditions in pet guinea pigs Survey

Click to expand...
Did it as just back from Vet with Holly! No bladder stones thankfully!
 
Done. I think region could play a part as Anselmo was fine when I lived in a soft water area. When I moved to Leicester he started to show signs after a few months.

I do believe it is partly genetic but I find it interesting that he was completely fine, sludge free until I moved.
 
Jaycey said:
Done. I think region could play a part as Anselmo was fine when I lived in a soft water area. When I moved to Leicester he started to show signs after a few months.

I do believe it is partly genetic but I find it interesting that he was completely fine, sludge free until I moved.
Click to expand...

What causes bladder stones is very complex. But it is good that there is increasing research into this issue now!
- As you say, there is clearly a strong genetic component as you can have perfectly healthy piggies and bladder piggies in the same home and on the same conditions.
- There must also be an illness angle, as my Cariad suddenly produced a large stone within a matter of weeks of having a clean scan for a persistent UTI. Something must have suddenly gone wrong in the complex calcium absorption process.
- There is a dietary component as you can reduce the risk of bladder stones with diet adjustments.
I live in an similar high calcium/mineral water area to you, but have been able to minimise the occurrance of stones with dietary changes over the years. When my first adult piggy had her stones, there was no useful information on diet to be found.
- But there is also an environmental component. The UK is in the majority a hard water country, so is much more prone to bladder stone occurrence than other countries. But there are differences within these areas and within the hardness and mineral content. Finding that out and finding out whether bladder stone prevalence really corresponds with water hardness, and being able to give guidance as to whether you live in a high risk or lower risk area can be a real help, I think!

The more people respond, the clearer and the more reprentative this latter correlation will become and can then be hopefully used as a tool. Guinea Pig Magazine is hoping to publish an article of the survey conductors in a future issue.
 
Done, although I’ve been fortunate in not having had stone problems with mine.
Anything that helps guinea pig care is good.
 
Merab's Slave said:
Done, although I’ve been fortunate in not having had stone problems with mine.
Anything that helps guinea pig care is good.
Click to expand...

It is as important to contribute if you do have any issues as it is if you have been dealing with stones. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top