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Uti Or Bladder Stones?

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Plumpiggy

Plumpiggy

New Born Pup
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Id welcome any advice on my poor piggy currently suffering from a UTI. I have visited the vets twice, the first time the infection was confirmed and was given baytril antibiotic to give to her twice a day (cranberry juice was also suggested). There was no difference in her condition a week later, still pinky bloody urine but she was eating fine and playing fine so when I took her to the vets the second time I had my hopes up she was getting better.

The vet checked her abdonmen for stones and gave me more baytril to clear the infection up. Ive given her the dose specified as well as cranberry juice, but the past few days I noticed her squeaking while passing urine (this she was also doing before but only very quietly) getting louder and her behind rising up while passing urine and her breathing becoming quite eratic. She looks slightly puffed up and sorry for herself and doesn't run around or play with my other guinea pig like usual, and she doesnt seem to be passing any actual urine, just smaller patched of redder blood and disformed poops. Today especially she has been really bad and I am worried that she might have a bladder stone thats causing her so much pain. She is still eating and drinking fine and I am still giving her anti biotics and also have another vet appointment on thursday.

I would apprectiate any advise on treatment or if your guinea pig has had a similar experience, as I have read up on the subject and it said it is potentially life threatening. Also I was curious how much does having an xray / removal of a stone cost? I am willing to do what it takes to make her better as it is upsetting to see her in distress but id also not like to be shocked when I get the next vet bill and would appreciate a for warning.

Thanks so much for any suggestions I am sure it will be useful
 
Hi! Where are you located? We have got a piggy savvy vet locator on the top bar. The cost of treatment can vary quite a lot between vet clinics, but a vet should be able to tell you beforehand and also whether they accept payment in instalments.

I would strongly suggest that you have a conscious or only very lightly sedated x-ray to see what is going on with the bladder; you cannot always just judge by feel. There is also a range of different issues lumped under "UTI". A bacterial urine infection is only one of them, but cystitis (an inflammation of the bladder walls) for instance does not react much to antibiotics and is better managed with an anti-inflammatory like metacam. Septrin/bactrim may be a more efficient antibiotic with urinary tract issues than baytril. If you are dealing with recurring bouts of cystitis, you are dealing with an interstitial cystitis.
http://www.guinealynx.info/uti.html
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...vitamin-c-overview-with-product-links.115404/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/low-calcium-diet-for-bladder-piggies.105930/
In case of an operation, you may find this thread here helpful: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/

Cranberry juice is a great source of vitamin C, but it is actually not that effective with a cystitis. I have never found that it made any difference with mine apart from giving them more fluid. However, if you are dealing with bladder issues, I would recommend to either look into vegetarian glucosamine or cystease/cystaid, which is a glucosamine based cat bladder supplement that is frequently used with bladder piggies and that helps to coat and rpotect the bladder walls.

PS: With members from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you added your country, state or (for the UK) your county/city so we can always tailor our advice to your part of the globe straight away. Please click on you your username on the top bar, go to personal details and scroll doen to location. Thanks!
 
Plumpiggy said:
Id welcome any advice on my poor piggy currently suffering from a UTI. I have visited the vets twice, the first time the infection was confirmed and was given baytril antibiotic to give to her twice a day (cranberry juice was also suggested). There was no difference in her condition a week later, still pinky bloody urine but she was eating fine and playing fine so when I took her to the vets the second time I had my hopes up she was getting better.

The vet checked her abdonmen for stones and gave me more baytril to clear the infection up. Ive given her the dose specified as well as cranberry juice, but the past few days I noticed her squeaking while passing urine (this she was also doing before but only very quietly) getting louder and her behind rising up while passing urine and her breathing becoming quite eratic. She looks slightly puffed up and sorry for herself and doesn't run around or play with my other guinea pig like usual, and she doesnt seem to be passing any actual urine, just smaller patched of redder blood and disformed poops. Today especially she has been really bad and I am worried that she might have a bladder stone thats causing her so much pain. She is still eating and drinking fine and I am still giving her anti biotics and also have another vet appointment on thursday.

I would apprectiate any advise on treatment or if your guinea pig has had a similar experience, as I have read up on the subject and it said it is potentially life threatening. Also I was curious how much does having an xray / removal of a stone cost? I am willing to do what it takes to make her better as it is upsetting to see her in distress but id also not like to be shocked when I get the next vet bill and would appreciate a for warning.

Thanks so much for any suggestions I am sure it will be useful
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i would take your piggy back in but to one of the recommended exotic/piggy savvy vets listed on here. baytril is not really a good choice for bladder issues, and you should have been given metacam for the pain and inflammation.
 
stumpy had a bladder stone removed removed 2 weeks ago cost £250. Initial consultation for examination,prescriptions, and x ray was £90. i think you defo need to have the x ray to see if it is a bladder stone or not . good luck and hope your piglet soon feels better. xx
 
Thankyou for the advice and links. I am from Durham UK (now also on profile thanks for the prompt :) ) and I took her to the White Lion veterinary practice at South Hetton. I rehomed my guinea pig and have had her since the end of September, and so I don't have any background on her I don't even know how old she is which isn't very useful when trying to help the vet out with questions. Since I have had her though I've had no other problems apart from this. Thanks again x
 
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