Urinary health and calcium build-ups

[Simoon]

In January our wonderful girl Biscuit had to be put to sleep after she was found to have a large kidney stone that couldn't be removed. Then two months later we lost her sister Cake too after a prolonged illness. Despite numerous tests a specific cause could not be found, although this was also kidney related, as there were small (what the vets assumed were) calcium stones in there, blood in her urine and passing stool became very painful for her.

We recently adopted two new girls, aged 18 months and 2 years, and we also have a 3½ boy. After all that's happened I really want to limit the possibility of urinary issues this time if possible. At the moment their diet is regular fresh timothy hay, Pet Select nuggets, some cucumber and romaine in the morning and then some cucumber and green/yellow pepper at night. Occasional snacks are mostly Oxbow ones (including the urinary support biscuits), pea flakes and dried tomato/pepper.

Is there anything else we should/shouldn't be doing? I found a supplementary feed online made of "traditional herbs and berries" which is supposed to "provide powerful support for flushing the urinary system". Does anyone else use anything like that? Is it generally a good idea?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Most calcium cones into the diet via pellets and drinking water.
To that end, making sure you feed a low calcium pellet and keep them strictly limited (to one tablespoon per pig per day) and filtering drinking water can help.
However there is also a genetic element as to how prone to bladder issues they will be. Obviously there is nothing that we as owners can do about that, we can only control the diet.

The best way to flush the system is by keeping them well hydrated, encouraging lots of drinking and feeding fresh vegetables.
Dried items will have all nutrients concentrated so aren’t the best option in all cases - dried leaves are absolutely fine for example but even some of them can be higher in calcium.
Supplements are only incredibly limited in what they can do, and that is if they do anything at all.

I personally never feed any supplements of any sort.
I feed unlimited meadow hay. I feed a bit more than the recommend amount of fresh veg (they get coriander, pepper, cucumber and lettuce daily), they also get lots of fresh grass and weeds in summer (I give dried forage leaves in winter but still pick some fresh grass for them if it isn’t frozen etc). They do not get any pellets at all and their water is filtered.
Due to the fact I don’t feed any pellets, it gives me more leeway with the veg - they do get higher calcium veg items.
Also due to eating a largely wetter diet, they tend to urinate frequently hence keeping the bladder flushing through

Wiebke's Guide to Pees and Stones
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[thewheakybeans]

Good plants to prevent urinary issues include dandelion leaves and celery leaves (diuretics) plus dried or fresh plantain, yarrow and cleavers.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Fresh dandelion is mildly diuretic but it is also higher in calcium, so should be fed alongside watery veg to help with peeing.

 

[HeatherW]

I bought a water filter for my piggies as it reduces calcium in the water. I also buy Science Selective Grain-Free pellets which have reduced calcium.