Unwell Piggie

[Gimz]

Poor little Ruby was not herself this morning. Didn't come out to eat breakfast with the other piggies so I knew something was up. She looked very sorry for herself in her little hidie home. Picking her up she did lots of squeaking, especially when I rubbed her lower tummy so thought she might have bladder issues. Luckily I can work from home, so rushed her off to vets. By the time I got there she was in lots of pain and there was blood in her wee. Vet examined and thought she has a UTI. Been told to give 0.3 ml meloxicam daily and 0.5 ml of Septrin twice daily and keep an eye on her. If not eating any solids today then she will have to go back in.

SInce this is my first ill piggie, anything specific I should keep an eye on today, apart from eating / her discomfort?

 

[gizzy]

just keep her warm and quiet, and wach her poos , sometimes a pig on anti b's may develop sloppy poops ,
when mine are on anti bs l always give them a probioctic such as fibtaplex

Protexin Fibreplex for Rabbits & Small Rodents

might be worth getting critical care as well

Vetark Critical Care Formula

 

[gizzy]

Oxbow Critical Care for Herbivores

best get this critical care suringe feed as well

 

[Wiebke]

Poor little Ruby was not herself this morning. Didn't come out to eat breakfast with the other piggies so I knew something was up. She looked very sorry for herself in her little hidie home. Picking her up she did lots of squeaking, especially when I rubbed her lower tummy so thought she might have bladder issues. Luckily I can work from home, so rushed her off to vets. By the time I got there she was in lots of pain and there was blood in her wee. Vet examined and thought she has a UTI. Been told to give 0.3 ml meloxicam daily and 0.5 ml of Septrin twice daily and keep an eye on her. If not eating any solids today then she will have to go back in.

SInce this is my first ill piggie, anything specific I should keep an eye on today, apart from eating / her discomfort?

I am very sorry. the pain from a UTI can cause loss of appetite. Please start stepping in with syringe feeding, as you should with any guinea pig that is off its food. Weigh once daily to check the food intake, ideally either before or after dinner for comparable results. Up to 80% of the daily food intake should be hay, which you cannot control by just observation.
I am adding a link to our detailed step-by-step how to and how much/how often to guide, whic you should find helpful. The appetite should return once the metacam and the antibiotic are kicking in within about 2-3 days.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

What else you can do:
- Feed a little bit more mildly diuretic veg like cucumber, lettuce and celery or young dandelion to help flush the bacteria out of the bladder and minimise the acute symptoms as quickly as possible. Please don't go overboard and cause diarrhea.
- For that reason, you can also syringe water once or twice daily, as much as your piggy will take in one go. Please never give more than half a syringe full in one go (less with smaller piggies) and do so slowly; ideally you let your piggy drink from the syringe. That is about a mouthful. Make sure it has been swallowed well before giving more, to prevent things from going down the wrong way.
- also give a pinch of probiotic once or twice daily, to help prop the guts up, as any antibiotic not only kills bad bacteria, but also the good bacteria in the guts.
- give a bit more vitamin C to boost the immne system, about 1/8 - 1/4 of a human tablet. You can find the necessary information for probiotic products as well as vitamin C and recovery foods at the end of our syringe feeding guide.

Please contact your vet:
- asap at all times of day or night if your guinea pig continues to deteriorate and is looking very much in pain or becomes listless/apathetic.
- if the appetite is not picking up over the course of the week. Septrin is generally causing less problems, but it can occasionally. It usually needs to be taken longer than just a week to prevent a return.
- if the acute symptoms are not going down or are recurring. There are several issues presenting with the same symptoms. UTI is the most common. In that case, an x-ray or scan is advisable to check for the presences of stones or sludge in the bladder.

I hope that this helps you.

 

[Gimz]

Will read all the extra info you have posted, thanks. Just reviewed Ruby couple of hours after injections and she is much brighter, eating hay, gave her some of the veg she missed at breakfast and she wolfed it down. So hopefully everything going in right direction. She's lost around 20g since I last weighed her a week ago, but will monitor daily for the moment

 

[Wiebke]

Will read all the extra info you have posted, thanks. Just reviewed Ruby couple of hours after injections and she is much brighter, eating hay, gave her some of the veg she missed at breakfast and she wolfed it down. So hopefully everything going in right direction. She's lost around 20g since I last weighed her a week ago, but will monitor daily for the moment

You only need to start worrying if the weight loss is more than 50g/2 oz and see a vet asap as an emergency if the weight loss is 100g/3 oz, especially from one day to another, as that means that a guinea pig has not had any food or water in 24 hours. A full/empty bladder/belly can make as much as 30g/1 oz difference in weight.

It rather sounds like you do not need worry at all, as the metacam is taking care of the pain.

 

[Gimz]

Ruby is still doing well, which is good news. She was a little sore when going for a wee this morning, but he next round of medicine perked her up. She is continuing to eat lots of hay and veggies and is drinking lots of water on her own volition. Weight has stayed steady since the initial drop and am expecting that to start reversing upwards by the weekend.

 

[Wiebke]

Ruby is still doing well, which is good news. She was a little sore when going for a wee this morning, but he next round of medicine perked her up. She is continuing to eat lots of hay and veggies and is drinking lots of water on her own volition. Weight has stayed steady since the initial drop and am expecting that to start reversing upwards by the weekend.

that is great news!

 

[sport_billy]

Sending continued healing vibes x

 

[Gimz]

Ruby is feeling better and definitely in the mend but can't work out if one of my other piggies also has a UTI as there were pink stains on the puppy pads where I don't see Ruby go much. Decided to separate them into two groups of two sisters and put puppy pads under everything so I can eliminate those not affected.

Having removed the ramp linking my cage to the run, Treacle seems pretty distressed at not being with Bella and Luna. She keeps chewing at the bars where the ramp normally sits and keeps squeaking out calls to the other two. Ruby partnered with her seems fine and not bothered at all. Bella and Luna in the other part were a little worked up to start with but they have now settled down happily. Am I doing the right thing with this being a means to an end just for one night or am I making too much undue stress for Treacle?

 

[helen105281]

If they seem distressed you could pee test them all one at a time in a bucket?

 

[Gimz]

Decided to keep Ruby on her own for the night. She seems to be fine on her own. Then can see if the others have issue or not tomorrow.

 

[Gimz]

Unfortunately Ruby was in pain again tonight, 6 weeks after she cleared up from her previous UTI. She was squeaking in pain every 3-4 minutes, shaking and seemed to have difficulty pooing. She was particularly pained when I gently pressed around her bladder region. Took her to emergency vet tonight as she continued to seem quite distressed despite eating food OK. He wasn't sure if it was another UTI or if she maybe had bladder stones which was causing inflammation and infection. He thought it best to prescribe Baytril and Metacam and for me to monitor her situation and if she doesn't get better to take her back to my normal vet for a scan. He also suggested that if the UTI clears up but returns a third time then I should also have a scan. I wasn't 100% convinced he had specialist knowledge about piggies as he seemed to just repeat what I said back to me about the past and what was previously prescribed. He also disappeared half way through and then came back and changed his mind about giving her an injection there and then, instead deciding to put her on a full course of pain killer and antibiotics. It gave me the feeling he deferred to someone else out of the room or checked on his available information elsewhere.

Does his diagnosis and his suggestions sound reasonable or should I take Ruby back to see her normal vet first thing tomorrow, despite having given her the Baytril and Metacam?

RIby did continue to be in pain and look very forlorn but seemed to bounce back a little just now and was up eating hay for the first time since breakfast.

 

[Wiebke]

Unfortunately Ruby was in pain again tonight, 6 weeks after she cleared up from her previous UTI. She was squeaking in pain every 3-4 minutes, shaking and seemed to have difficulty pooing. She was particularly pained when I gently pressed around her bladder region. Took her to emergency vet tonight as she continued to seem quite distressed despite eating food OK. He wasn't sure if it was another UTI or if she maybe had bladder stones which was causing inflammation and infection. He thought it best to prescribe Baytril and Metacam and for me to monitor her situation and if she doesn't get better to take her back to my normal vet for a scan. He also suggested that if the UTI clears up but returns a third time then I should also have a scan. I wasn't 100% convinced he had specialist knowledge about piggies as he seemed to just repeat what I said back to me about the past and what was previously prescribed. He also disappeared half way through and then came back and changed his mind about giving her an injection there and then, instead deciding to put her on a full course of pain killer and antibiotics. It gave me the feeling he deferred to someone else out of the room or checked on his available information elsewhere.

Does his diagnosis and his suggestions sound reasonable or should I take Ruby back to see her normal vet first thing tomorrow, despite having given her the Baytril and Metacam?

RIby did continue to be in pain and look very forlorn but seemed to bounce back a little just now and was up eating hay for the first time since breakfast.

It is good that you did see a vet who did consult a colleague or references in an area he is not quite familiar with. That is the sign of a conscientious and careful vet, and there is nothing to criticise. Personally, I'd much liefer deal with a vet like that than one who pretends to know it all but doesn't!
What he has prescribed is what is becoming par for the course when dealing with UTI/cystitis; treating with both an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory (which metacam is; it is not just a painkiller!), so there is nothing wrong with the medication.

There are several different issues lumped together because they present with the same symptoms. UTI is a bacterial urine infection. Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder walls; if this doesn't react to medication and recurs, then you are talking of interstitial cystitis (IC). Then there are stones or bladder sludge.

It is up to you when you want to have a scan done. Usually, vets have a feel of the bladder; if it is soft and relaxed, then they will concentrate more on treating for URI or cystitis at first. If the bladder is hard and tight, then a scan for a stone will be done sooner rather than later. A urine test can also help. You are free to ring your regular vet and ask him whether he would recommend to bring in your piggy for a scan or see wether this round is bringing relief first. All issues are painful and can cause loss of appetite.

It usually takes a day or two for an antibiotic to kick in, but the metacam should bring relief more quickly. If the discomfort is ongoing, then I would recommend to go for a scan sooner rather than later.

 

[Gimz]

Ruby has recovered well from her UTI and didn't need to take into main vet in the end. The problem now is the other piggies. When she was ill I separated her from the others and removed the ramps linking the cage to the bigger run area. When I introduced her back the others seemed initially pleased to see her. However things quickly descended into chaos. The former cage submissive treacle started bullying Ruby, chasing her around the run and cage. No biting with blood but lots of aggressive nipping and nose bumping. This set the others off, with Bella squeaking in fear and retreating to a hidey, but Luna came out to then confront Treacle. There was lots of rumbling and teeth chattering from Luna, submissive / fear squeaking from Ruby and Bella. Eventually this settled down, but every food time now or every time Ruby is in the hay and Treacle wants to go in then Treacle chases Ruby aggressively away. Then Cue repeat of a Luna Treacle show down and Ruby hiding in fear in the deepest depths of the hay tray. Ruby used to be number 2 piggie but it appears she has since illness dropped to lowest rank in the herd and all the others will now push her around a little, Treacle too much so. Do piggies sense weakness in a herd with exploiting a sick piggie like other animals? It's now been 5 days since introducing them back to each other and things haven't changed. It's not constant fighting, but there are probably 4 or 5 flare ups a day now, when before Ruby was ill there were none. Would be grateful for some advice or just reassurance.

 

[Wiebke]

Ruby has recovered well from her UTI and didn't need to take into main vet in the end. The problem now is the other piggies. When she was ill I separated her from the others and removed the ramps linking the cage to the bigger run area. When I introduced her back the others seemed initially pleased to see her. However things quickly descended into chaos. The former cage submissive treacle started bullying Ruby, chasing her around the run and cage. No biting with blood but lots of aggressive nipping and nose bumping. This set the others off, with Bella squeaking in fear and retreating to a hidey, but Luna came out to then confront Treacle. There was lots of rumbling and teeth chattering from Luna, submissive / fear squeaking from Ruby and Bella. Eventually this settled down, but every food time now or every time Ruby is in the hay and Treacle wants to go in then Treacle chases Ruby aggressively away. Then Cue repeat of a Luna Treacle show down and Ruby hiding in fear in the deepest depths of the hay tray. Ruby used to be number 2 piggie but it appears she has since illness dropped to lowest rank in the herd and all the others will now push her around a little, Treacle too much so. Do piggies sense weakness in a herd with exploiting a sick piggie like other animals? It's now been 5 days since introducing them back to each other and things haven't changed. It's not constant fighting, but there are probably 4 or 5 flare ups a day now, when before Ruby was ill there were none. Would be grateful for some advice or just reassurance.

Illness and separation can unfortunately change the dynamics in a herd and they can bring latent conflicts to the fore. Group dynamics change over time. If things do not settle in the longer term, I would consider splitting up the group in a pair and trio.

Generally, guinea pigs are very supportive of disabled piggies that have proven they can keep up with the group, but infectious members often go away from the group or are sometimes bullied if they are unwell - they are a potential danger to the survival of the group as a whole. This also depends on how well bonded and how close he group is a whole.

 

[Gimz]

I have four piggies. Originally just Ruby and Treacle (sisters) and Ruby used to push Treacle around. Not chasing her but certainly telling Treacle this was Ruby's hidey or hay spot and to clear out. When I got Bella and Luna (sisters) and they all settled together then Ruby seemed less concerned with Treacle. There was the occasional bit of alpha piggie acting on a favourite spot between Bella and Ruby but Ruby then Accepted she was now number 2. So it now seems Treacle is asserting her own authority back on Ruby for the times she was pushed around. With only 4 piggies I can't separate easily as I can't put Ruby with Treacle and I can't split up Luna and Bella because they go nuts without being in same cage together. Only longer term option would be to have Treacle in with Bella and Luna, and Ruby on her own. Not ideal.