UTI question

[Lilly]

I know many of you have had piggies with UTIs. This is my first time now that Peanut Butter has finally been diagnosed with it. I asked this question on another PB thread but did no get any response, so perhaps those with UTI experience didn't see it.

I am wondering how when 2 piggies share the exact same environment, only one comes down with a UTI? Is this common or should I see about getting Hazelnut tested?

 

[kidspiggies4]

Its pretty much the same as humans. I could have a uti but others in my household wouldn't. Its not to do with environment more the amount of fluids taken. In this hot weather its more likely especially if Peanut Butter is not drinking as much as Hazelnut.

 

[Lilly]

Its pretty much the same as humans. I could have a uti but others in my household wouldn't. Its not to do with environment more the amount of fluids taken. In this hot weather its more likely especially if Peanut Butter is not drinking as much as Hazelnut.

Thanks for that. That could be it because I rarely see PB drinking from his water bottle, whereas I catch Hazelnut at least twice a day. I think once PB is cured I will start syringing him with diluted cranberry juice to try and prevent a re-currence.

 

[Pigjes]

I have had plenty of UTI's in my life, caused by the fact that I am prone to it, caused by my illness.

UTI's can be caused by what was stated by kidspiggies4. Besides that, a pig can also be prone due to several reasons: too much calcium rich veggies /hay / water, a genetic kidney dysfunction, etc.

 

[Jerrybelly]

Unfortunately, some pigs seem more prone to it. I've had one pig in a pair with recurrent UTIs, but the other has been absolutely fine. The same has also happened with a different pair and URIs.

I hope peanut butter is feeling better soon.

 

[Wiebke]

It depends on what is causing the UTI. I have had piggies catching it from others when it was a straight forward bacterial urine infection after they were on the lawn just a bit too long or too early in the spring and would recommend to frequently change the bedding throughout the acute phase and to wash any fabric at a higher temperature. I haven't had any incidents of that since I have become a lot more careful about putting any indoors piggies out on the lawn.

Because guinea pigs have naturally highly alcaline pee, they are as a species more prone to problems with the urinary tract, including stones and infections, some more so than others.

If the cause of a cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder walls, then other piggies are not likely to get it.

All the best for poor Peanut Butter!

 

[Lilly]

I have had plenty of UTI's in my life, caused by the fact that I am prone to it, caused by my illness.

UTI's can be caused by what was stated by kidspiggies4. Besides that, a pig can also be prone due to several reasons: too much calcium rich veggies /hay / water, a genetic kidney dysfunction, etc.

PBs urine sample contained blood, protein and bacteria but no crystals so I think his calcium intake is OK. Genetic pre-disposition I can believe since he has one nasty overbite resulting in the need for monthly dental work.

Unfortunately, some pigs seem more prone to it. I've had one pig in a pair with recurrent UTIs, but the other has been absolutely fine. The same has also happened with a different pair and URIs.

I hope peanut butter is feeling better soon.

Good to know it can happen just to the one. I won't put Hazelnut through the stress of tests then. I do recall Hazelnut had one short bout of a URI, cured by 4 days of Baytril, that PB never seemed to come down with.

It depends on what is causing the UTI. I have had piggies catching it from others when it was a straight forward bacterial urine infection after they were on the lawn just a bit too long or too early in the spring and would recommend to frequently change the bedding throughout the acute phase and to wash any fabric at a higher temperature. I haven't had any incidents of that since I have become a lot more careful about putting any indoors piggies out on the lawn.

Because guinea pigs have naturally highly alcaline pee, they are as a species more prone to problems with the urinary tract, including stones and infections, some more so than others.

If the cause of a cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder walls, then other piggies are not likely to get it.

All the best for poor Peanut Butter!

Finding the cause of PB's UTI seems impossible at the moment. It has taken a month just to discover what he is ailing from. Because there were no crystals in his urine sample, just blood, proteins and bacteria, it does seem like a straightforward bacterial infection, which is why I was surprised Hazelnut didn't get it. They are on vetbed which I normally wash on warm with detergent and napisan, and then tumble dry at warm. Since your suggestion I have checked with the supplier who said vetbed can be washed at a higher temp so I will switch to hot (I only have cold, warm and hot choices on my machine). Since we have had so much rain here for months they have not been out on the lawn for a long time as the ground is very wet. I am out there cutting it with scissors and bringing it in for them.