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UTI or old age?

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zez

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I've had Tikka 3 years, but he was beleived to be at least 3 when i got him from rescue.

The last few days i have noticed his scrotum and area under his grease gland is bald. I don't think its mites or fungal as it is growing back rather than getting worse.
He seems to have lost weight as well.

On examination his feet are looking a little red (even though his cage is always clean).

Today i saw some red woodshavings (i could have nicked a nail when cutting yesterday, but now I'm worried its urine). I tried to extrude his penis and when i did urine came out...is this normal? Or sign of UTI?

Obviosly I'm thinking vets, but i don't want to spend a lot of money if this is likely to be old age. So, signs of old age and face the fact that he may not have long, or rush to the vet today in case of UTI. I've jsut compeltely cleaned his cage and will watch for signs of red.
 
Even if it is old age, I would think there are enough symptoms to warrant a visit to the vet, if only to rule out some of the thing you mention.

Sore feet and wood shavings can go together, you can get Perfect Paws or Happy Soles ointment from Gorgeous Guineas (online) which really help, but red feet can also be a sign of other things e.g heart disease / poor circulation.

Keep an eye on his weight by regular weighing, if you don't already

Hope he's ok

Sophie
x
 
The symptoms you describe can sometimes all tie in with a UTI, albeit a more severe UTI for which you would notice more specific cystitis type symptoms. Many of the symptoms can also tie in with old age.

Is he a fairly active pig or does he tend to sit in one place a lot? If he is sitting in his urine a lot, getting a wet bottom, it can lead to many of his symptoms, but I would imagine you'd have said if he'd been doing this.

What has he eaten in the past day or two? I ask as some foods can lead to red/pink/orange urine, completely normal. Carrots, red pepper and beetroot are the usual ones.
 
He's a sit in one place kind of piggy, no change there - always has been. I think he is slowing down a little, but its been gradual and just what I'd expect from his age...his fur is greying etc. That's what i was suspecting re the red feet. He sits in his hidy hole, so maybe i need to change the bedding under there a couple of times a day.

He's otherwise well....eating and drinking enthusicastically. He's currently eating carrot, and has had that this week, so that could explain the darker urine. As a said before, the red patch could be his nail as i did nick one (sorry Tikka) so I'm watching for signs of more.

What are the specific cystitis signs. He's an outside piggy, so although I check him many times a day I don't think i've ever actually seen or heard him wee. He's happy to be touched though, and no pain upon palpating his bits.
 
The inactivity could explain the red feet and hair loss. The slight incontinence may be old age.

Cystitis/UTI symptoms usually include:

- Squeaking/crying when urinating or when pooping;
- Lifting the rear end up high when urinating;
- Shifting restlessly from foot to foot when passing urine;
- Strong smelling urine;
- Blood in the urine (usually presents as pink tinged or red urine)
- A wet bottom (due to increased urine output).

Other symtoms can also be linked to cystitis, such as incontinence, reddened feet and urine scald and hair loss (the skin problems are brought on by the urine on the skin).

It helps, if you suspect a UTI, to collect a urine sample just before the vet appointment; to do this, pop the pig into a clean plastic box, wait for him to pee, then collect some urine in a sterile 1ml syringe. If your appointment isn't for a few hours, then pop the syringe into the fridge.
 
The leak that came out when i squeezed was normal urine colour. His bottom isn't wet. Cage smells normal....doesn't smell extra strong or anything.

Right, will watch him like a hawk today, watch the bedding for any sign of blood in urine. Then call the vet tomorrow if i suspect UTI.

So it could also be inactivity/old age then. I'm not sure which i'd rather.

Thank you so much for your help x
 
Just checked him again. Wee where he sits so he has been....its his hidy hole and his cage mate doesn't go in there. Wee is completely normal in colour and smell. Check of bum reveals stubble, so hair growing back ( i gave the whole area a good wash at the weekend). I think its wait it out for a day or so and then review. This place is a God send.
 
I think your plan is a good one. It does sound tricky to figure out if it is just old age, or if there is something else starting there; a checkup with the vet may be worthwhile if any of his symptoms worsen. :)
 
Will do. My vet is ok, but not really a GP expert - and there really aren't any where I live, so I'm lothe to spend £50 for him to not make an exact diagnosis if i can watch for a day or so more. Will update once I know more.
 
Ok...mini update. Just checked again. Lots of normal wees. No pain on prodding his bits, nor urine leaking this time, no unusual smell. Found some orange ish shavings, but they have just had carrot ....its definately not red.

Fingers crossed my poor man is just getting older and he can live out what time he has in peace.
 
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