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Uti Or Stones. Desperately Need Help.

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A&T

A&T

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hi guys.
So I suspected my guinea pig Trixie had a UTI about a week ago because she was getting very wet but then she seemed fine throught the week and the wetness got better. I went away for the weekend and she seemed fine, eating, drinking, squeeking for treats, normal things really. She was squeeking more than normal like every day and when people walked past, so we have them grass because we thought it was because she could smell it and wanted some and she would stop. Obviously now i'm thinking this was because she wanted attention and someone to help her.

Anyway yesterday when changing the hay I notice it was really bald and looking very soar, so I took her out and gave her a bath to sooth it and dried her ect, It was late so I thought id wait till today to get a vet appointment. So I did but it wasn't till 5. I monitored her all day and she basically just sat in one place.. didn't move pretty much all day, hasn't eaten, hasn't drunk, hasn't weed, pooed anything. So 5 came and I took her to the vet and he looked at her and said she could have a UTI or she could have stones. So hes treated her for UTI because she will have to be xrayed to look for stones and sedated ect.
Shes on Baytril 0.2ml twice a day and Metacam 0.2ml once a day.
Shes had a baytril today and a metacam but I cant give her her 2nd bayrtil because its pm already and shes already had one in pm.
He said that is she isn't any better by Saturday that I should take her back because she will probably have Stones if there's no signs of any change.

Now, the thing is, she hasn't wee'd or poo'd all day.. or eaten. I'm really worried about this because guinea pigs poo and wee a lot! so the build up cant be doing her any good can it?
Is there anything I can do to help her?

Other things I should mention is shes also started bleeding not heavily but like a glooby kinda light red/pink colour, not in her wee.. just on its own? Also I cant get her to sit anywhere else but the hay... and I just had her out to get rid of all the hay stuck to the bloody sticky bum :(!

If anyone has been through this and could share what they did it would be really useful and helpful to me. I'm really panicking at the moment... ive never seen her like this... so... dull...and not herself. Someone help :(

Cat x
 
I will say in the meantime if she isn't eating or drinking her gut could go into stasis. It is important that you hand feed her water and food. Please see the syringe feeding sticky helen has done. its featured at the top of the main page. Hopefully someone will be along soon. Are you ok?
 
Sorry to hear this.

The vet is correct in the way that it could be UTI or Stones or possibly something else.

Stones can only be diagnosed by xray so that would need to be done, often vets will treat for UTI then suggest an xray if it doesn't start to clear. I don't want to scare you but however I am concerned because of the lack of wee and also the bleeding on its own this is not right and could indicate a possible womb problems.

Could you get to this vet here in London

Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital
Vet: Nadene Stapleton
Royal College Street
Camden
London, London NW1 0TU
020 7387 8134
www.rvc.ac.uk/BAH/BSAH-vet-in-camden.cfm

They are exotic animal specialists. I really think she needs to see another vet as soon as possible.

Massive hugs, tagging in our health and illness experts
@helen105281
@Wiebke
@Pebble
@Abi_nurse
@Elwickcavies
@Pound Shilling & Pig
 
Try not to panic though I know it is easier said than done. I agree with Lee that it would be a good idea to go to the vets in Camden.

First of all if it is a UTI then Septrin is a much more effective antibiotic than Baytril. Also if she is on antibiotics she will also need probiotics.

The not eating and not pooing etc is most likely pain related so I am glad she is on Metacam. However, she is likely to also need a gut stimulant if she is not eating as her system could shut down very quickly. I think this is worrying in itself and she does need to see the vet again as soon as possible. Plenty of fluids would also help as she may also be dehydrated.

If an xray needs to be done the vet should ideally be able to do this conscious and this may be another reason to go to a different vet if your vet won't agree to this. My local vet have been persuaded to xray conscious even if they have to tape the pig to the table.

If it is stone it will depend where exactly it is for what your options are.
 
sport_billy said:
Sorry to hear this.

The vet is correct in the way that it could be UTI or Stones or possibly something else.

Stones can only be diagnosed by xray so that would need to be done, often vets will treat for UTI then suggest an xray if it doesn't start to clear. I don't want to scare you but however I am concerned because of the lack of wee and also the bleeding on its own this is not right and could indicate a possible womb problems.[/USER]
Click to expand...

Thank you! What sort of womb problem could it be?
I can get to that vet in london yes. However, my boyfriend (my driver) works nights and wouldn't be able to take me until Friday or Saturday.
The blood is seriously freaking me out.
 
helen105281 said:
Could you get her there on the tube?
Click to expand...

I would be able to but that would take a couple of hours. & I was advised before not to take my guinea pig on the northern line as it puts stress on their ears? and that's the way I would have to take.
She ate a bit of carrot earlier? is that a good sign? not a lot.. but a bit.
I was going to post a photo of her bum but I cant get a link, if i link you to my blog post you could have a look at her bum photo: http://tailsbehindthetales.blogspot.co.uk/
 
That looks very inflamed and sore which could be caused by the wee she is most likely to have been sitting in.

I too am worried about the blood which can be linked to a uterine infection (Pyometra) aswell as stones or UTI. Other options are ovarian cysts which can cause some of the symptoms you mention if they are large.

I think the priority is to get her to a vet who will prescribe gut stimulants and are also able to scan or xray conscious. If she is not pooing or peeing it is a medical emergency.

I just asked the OH about the Northern line and he said it is the deepest line but I think on this occasion it would be ok. We have taken pigs on the tube before and am sure it included the Northern line. In fact he has just said that when he collected Tim he would have gone through the deepest section of the northern line.
 
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I agree with what Helen has said. Please have her seen by a specialist as soon as you can! She will need an x-ray to see what is going on and there may likely be an operation. I am very sorry for you that it has blown up during your absence!

One of my girls has been through been through it all in the last two years, UTI/interstitial cystitis, a fast growing stone and repeated bladder sludge and an emergency spay due to a fluid filled, massively enlarged and borderline infected womb that also contained a likely cancerous lump. I am happy to say that despite her age and persistent low weight, one year on she is still with me. ;)

Weigh your girl daily at about the same time and hand feed to prevent the guts/body from closing down. The metacam should hopefully help, as will a gut stimulant. It is very important that you also keep her hydrated, if necessary use dioralyte. Your care can make the difference in her being able to make it through her illness and come out fighting on the other side!
Here is our hand feeding guide: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/
 
I do agree with Helen, Cat. If you can bite the bullet go on the tube as their little bodies shut down so quickly if they aren't drinking and eating. If it is something like Pyometra I have had experience of this with one of my chins amd it's imperative it gets treated quickly, as is any illness that knocks them off their feet. Thinking of you
 
helen105281 said:
That looks very inflamed and sore which could be caused by the wee she is most likely to have been sitting in.

I too am worried about the blood which can be linked to a uterine infection (Pyometra) aswell as stones or UTI. Other options are ovarian cysts which can cause some of the symptoms you mention if they are large.

I think the priority is to get her to a vet who will prescribe gut stiimulants and are also able to scan or xray conscious. If she is not pooing or peeing it is a medical emergency.

I just asked the OH about the Northern line and he said it is the deepest line but I think on this occasion it would be ok. We have taken pigs on the tube before and am sure it included the Northern line. In fact he has just said that when he collected Tim he would have gone through the deepest section of the northern line.
Click to expand...


Okay well I just spoke to my boyfriend and he said he will be able to get the night off and take me where I need to go.
Do you know of any places just as good as RVC? Like in Essex? Or Kent? or east london?
Also, do you know any rough prices? I'm jobless, I don't care how much it will cost I'll pay it to get her better. but I might need to borrow some money!

Will she be okay until the morning? If there anything I can do for her until then?
 
Wiebke said:
I agree with what Helen has said. Please have her seen by a specialist as soon as you can! She will need an x-ray to see what is going on and there may likely be an operation. I am very sorry for you that it has blown up during your absence!

One of my girls has been through been through it all in the last two years, UTI/interstitial cystitis, a fast growing stone and repeated bladder sludge and an emergency spay due to a fluid filled, massively enlarged and borderline infected womb that also contained a likely cancerous lump. I am happy to say that despite her age and persistent low weight, one year on she is still with me. ;)

Weigh your girl daily at about the same time and hand feed to prevent the guts/body from closing down. The metacam should hopefully help, as will a gut stimulant. It is very important that you also keep her hydrated, if necessary use dioralyte. Your care can make the difference in her being able to make it through her illness and come out fighting on the other side!
Here is our hand feeding guide: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/
Click to expand...


Thats amazing that your little one has gotten through all of that! That gives me a lot of hope! I'll do all I can for her. I don't think shes had any water all day so I'm about to syringe feed her some water as thats the thing thats really bugging me the fact thats its so hot in the UK as well at the moment!
Thank you for all your advice.
 

Also if I find a really healthy looking poo from my other guinea pig and mush it up and syringe feed her that with some water, that would be a good probiotic too wouldnt it? and it might stimulate her to eat right?
 
A&T said:
Okay well I just spoke to my boyfriend and he said he will be able to get the night off and take me where I need to go.
Do you know of any places just as good as RVC? Like in Essex? Or Kent? or east london?
Also, do you know any rough prices? I'm jobless, I don't care how much it will cost I'll pay it to get her better. but I might need to borrow some money!

Will she be okay until the morning? If there anything I can do for her until then?
Click to expand...

If you can get to Vets and Pets in Broxbourne to see Amir Kashiv he is a wonderful surgeon and has dealt with lots of bladder issues, and ovarian cysts etc. He is just on the Essex border into Nazeing. I would also recommend the vets in Camden though and Abinurse (from here) works there.

Until the morning it is crucial that you get as much food into her as you can, and fluids too as Wiebke has said. Where abouts in London are you?
 
A&T said:
Also if I find a really healthy looking poo from my other guinea pig and mush it up and syringe feed her that with some water, that would be a good probiotic too wouldnt it? and it might stimulate her to eat right?
Click to expand...
Yes that would help, if it is was one of her special poos it would be even better.
 
helen105281 said:
If you can get to Vets and Pets in Broxbourne to see Amir Kashiv he is a wonderful surgeon and has dealt with lots of bladder issues, and ovarian cysts etc. He is just on the Essex border into Nazeing. I would also recommend the vets in Camden though and Abinurse (from here) works there.

Until the morning it is crucial that you get as much food into her as you can, and fluids too as Wiebke has said. Where abouts in London are you?
Click to expand...

I'm in Newham, near Beckton, Barking, Dagenham, that side of London.
I'll have a look at those two and do some ringing around tomorrow morning! First thing.
I'm about to try and feed her some kale see if i can stimulate anything there if not then poo and water it is. I'll let you know if she eats kale.
 
A&T said:
I'm in Newham, near Beckton, Barking, Dagenham, that side of London.
I'll have a look at those two and do some ringing around tomorrow morning! First thing.
I'm about to try and feed her some kale see if i can stimulate anything there if not then poo and water it is. I'll let you know if she eats kale.
Click to expand...
if you can leave a bit of extra water on the kale and she eats it that will give her extra water too
 
Okay so she had a tiny bit of cucumber and thats it... like literally the tinyest amount. I'm going to syringe her some water with some mushed up poo. Its really rare she'll ever turn down parsley and kale... shes got me even more worried now. @GloriousGuineaGirl @helen105281
 
Please hand feed her with mushed up pellets before you go to bed. If you can, get up at least once during the night to hand feed and water her again - how often depends on how much you can get into her in one go! A piggy that is not eating and drinking and facing to the wall is a VERY ill piggy indeed!
You can for a very short time double the metacam dose you have been prescribed.
 
It is a awful situation to be in and I am no expert. She clearly is very poorly. The only advice I can give you is get her to the vets tonight as an emergency if you cannot manage to get any food or water down her by hand.I am just going by what I would do, as I said I am not experienced enough to tell you anymore but I am thinking of you both x
 
I agree with the advice above, she sounds very ill bless her.
 
@GloriousGuineaGirl @helen105281

Alright so, i just managed to get down her 100ml of diluted but strong poo flavoured water. and then another 100ml of water. She seemed to like it too, she struggled at first but didnt pull away as i squirted some in there stopped to let her swallow and then some more. She looked as if she was going to drink from the water bottle to but didnt, I think because she had to sit back on her soar bum, so i have lowered it for her a bit so its easier for her if she tries again. Shes not gone back into the house where she was before.
 
Do you mean 1ml? 100ml is a lot in one go.

That's good she took it though. Be careful when syringing fluids as it is very easy to aspirate them if you shoot it straight into the mouth from the front.
 
@helen105281 Oh no sorry I meant 1ml, so in total 2ml of fluid. I gave her abit and then let her breath and then some more and carried on like that she didnt wriggle away until i was finished like once she had swallowed she nuzzled it like it was a water bottle? if that makes sence?
 
@helen105281 I went to give her some more but she didn't want it. I haven't tried that, I'm not sure what sort of food I should use. Just normal guinea pig nuggets? but softened in water?
The blood has stopped... it seems clearer..and not as soar and red as it was before. There's no trace of there even being blood there anymore.
 
Yes, whatever pellets you usually use, soak in warm water and leave to cool then feed with a 1ml syringe that is cut off at the tip. Have a read of the thread that Wiebke linked to and it should help.

Depending what the issue is the blood could be intermittent.
 
@helen105281 I'm just giving it a read now, thank you so much for all your help by the way!
I'm going to keep an eye on her tonight get up and make sure shes okay around 4-5ish give her some water and try to give her some more vegetables. If not I will put some nuggets in to soak. I've also changed all the hay again as she was sitting on it earlier and i didn't want her to have left any blood on it, I thought the smell of fresh hay might attracted her too. Ive also left the bowl of muesli and nuggets on the lower level where she is because shes not jumping up onto the platform.
 
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