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UTI advice please.

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ChrisU

ChrisU

Junior Guinea Pig
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I think one of my pigs Heather may have a UTI. I have noticed she squeaks a lot when she wees. I've also noticed blood in her wee which is bright red (although the strange thing is it doesn't darken on drying). I was also shocked to see she has lost some weight. She is normally a big pig (about 3 lbs) but today weighed only 2lbs 8oz. She is still eating though.

I've been reading about other pigs with UTIs on here and as well as a vet visit obviously, I see cranberry juice is a good thing to give her.

I have looked for unsweetened cranberry juice today but couldn't find any. Does it really have to be unsweetened? Does anyone know the best place to get it?

Also, if the vet proscribes antibiotics I gather Septrin is the best and I should ask for a probiotic too. Is this correct?

I will have a go at collecting a sample by putting her in a clean bowl, before I go to the vets.
 
Hi, Ocean spray light is a good choice amongst members on here. Most supermarkets stock it. You can also syringe you pig as much water as she will take. This can help flush the bladder out. Yes, Septrin is the best antibiotic for UTI. Good luck at the vets and keep us updated xx
 
Aw, sorry Heather has this, these flippin UTI's :o
Septrin is not as harsh as Baytril and doesn't kill off as many 'good' bacteria in their gut as Baytril. Ask your vet for Fibreplex, I find this the easiest to use, it's in a large syringe, carroty flavour and a thick paste. My piggies will lick it off my finger if they need any :)
Hope all goes well and sending healing vibes to Heather, get well soon sweetie :)p x>>
 
This is Heather

DSC04418sml-1.jpg
 
Heather is lovely, hope all goes well at the vets, a probiotic is definately worth getting. Let us know how she gets on gorgeous girl x)
 
Heather is a gorgeous girl; I hope all goes right at the vets.

If you can, ask for avipro plus probiotic - it is the only one that doesn't contain any extra calcium and is the best probiotic for any bladder problems. In a pinch any else will do, though.

Septrin is the best antibiotic, but you will need at least 3-4 weeks on it. If she is painful peeing, as for some metacam for the first 2-3 days. By then, you should hopefully start seeing an improvement in the symptoms. Septrin is much easier on the guts and most piggies seem to even like it, unlike horrible tasting baytril!

Here is more information on UTI: http://www.guinealynx.info/uri.html
(Septrin is an oral form of the bactrim mentioned, which is the medication used in the US)
 
This is not good news. I took Heather to the vet last Friday and she obliged by doing a wee on the vet's table. It had blood in it but when he dipsticked it he couldn't see any infection.
He gave me baytril (I asked for Septrin but he said he couldn't give me it and 'it wasn't as good'). I have some powdered probiotic too. He felt her and couldn't find any evidence of stones.

Anyway she has really gone down hill and just sits in her hay hardly moving. I have tried syringe feeding nuggets mixed with water but she doen't really want them. She is now in the house where I can see her often.

Last night I went to bed convinced she wouldn't last till morning, but surprisingly she is still with us. She ate a few mouthfuls of grass at lunch time, but hasn't had anything else unless she is eating hay.
Has anyone got any more advice as it is awful watching her fade.
 
Sorry to hear about Heather. Have you had her xrayed or ultra sounded for stones? I would suggest phoning around to find a more cavy savy vet. I am hoping that someone on the forum may know of one local to you.

I will do a quick search in the minute on the forum and see if any posts point to one.

Is she still pooing and weeing?
 
I would ring round all local vets, thats how we found our piggie vet, ask about their experience with piggies.

Stones cannot be fully diagnosed without a scan either xray or ultrasound.

I cannot find a vet local to you by searching the forum, am hoping someone near you may be able to suggest one. Did the vet give your little one any pain killers? If she is in pain that may stop her eating.
 
The vet gave her an injection of metacam and baytril while I was there.

I read on Guinea Lynx that another healthy pig's poos can be dissolved in water and given as a probiotic. Is this a good idea? I also read that you should give probiotics an hour or two after the antibiotic. Is this right?
 
Yes, poo soup is a good probiotic, use the poo of a healthy piggie. Mix it with a tiny bit of water into a paste and syringe it slowly. I have yet to meet a pig that doesn't like poo soup..

She really needs to see another vet in case it's stones as she is not improving with antibiotics. The injection of metacam may be wearing off by now also, please try to get her to another vet.
 
I'm not aware of any really expereinced guinea pig vets in the Sheffield or Rotherham area. Most owners of exotics (including reptiles) tend to make the trek to either Holly House in Leeds or International Zoo Group in Keighley.

Anita at Hunters Bar vets and Evolution vets in Thorne seem to be praised by bunny owners - might try these first if you can;t make the trek to Holly house?

Your piggie definitely needs an Xray/scan and urine analysis and if she is not eating then you really need to get her back to a cavy savvy vet without further delay who can also help get the gut moving again.

HTH
x
 
Heather died this morning. I'm so sad. She lost her friend Honey in December. They had lived together for the last 3 years. Maybe her illness was down to grief. Who knows. She will be buried next to Honey under the hawthorn tree in our garden where they spent most of their time eating the grass.

I'll post on Rainbow Bridge this evening when I've sorted out some photos of Heather.
 
I am so sorry to hear that! The stress of her loss may have played a roll. You must feel so gutted after losing both girls so soon after each other!
 
So very sorry to hear about Heather. Hope you are ok. x

RIP Heather
x x
 
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