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UTI’s.

Cavy Kung-Fu

Cavy Kung-Fu

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hey guys, sorry it’s been a while since I’ve been on. I’m back, scrounging advice!

As some of you may know Iggy has struggled with urinary issues for... well ever basically. He’s now stopped responding to his usual antibiotics so we’re back to the vet tomorrow. I’ve been reading a lot about alternative management, I was wondering what you all thought about it. I really would rather he didn’t live on ABs and I just know my vet is going to wanna try baytil again...

The two things I have just got are d-mannose and vegan glucosamine. I’ve started the d-mannose (just a few days) but not the glucosamine yet. I don’t know for certain that it’s e-coli in his bladder but trying to squeeze urine out of him for a test is apparently impossible. I figured it was worth a try!

I’m also trying to make life a bit easier for myself, although I will make time to syringe him various supplements if it helps him I was wondering if there was an easier way to get various potions in him without the daily battle? He’s the only pig that refuses to take his medicines willingly from the comfort of his cage, typical!

I’ve also noticed Tonks has started hooting tonight so it looks like I’m taking 2 pigs to drain my bank account tomorrow! :))
 
Sorry to hear this buddy, have you tried cystease? Is he also on metacam? Has he had an X-ray done t rule out stones?
 
sport_billy said:
Sorry to hear this buddy, have you tried cystease? Is he also on metacam? Has he had an X-ray done t rule out stones?
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I agree👍. Been through alot of these troubles with my sow. Although her turned out to be some sort of tumour, but xrays were done to rule out stones first
 
Thanks for the replies! He has had scans before but not recently so I’ll ask if we can do that today. I doubt that it is stones but as you say it’s better to be safe than sorry! He is on metacam yea, getting some more today as well. I need it on tap really!

We haven’t used cystease before, I’ll look into that and ask the vet about it. We got on top of it well for a while but it’s so saddening that it keeps creeping back. I wish there was something I could do to get rid of it completely! I’m sure it’s not good for him to be on meds so often.
 
Poor Iggy.
Has his urine been cultured for antibiotic sensitivity?
 
Lovely to see you back although it's a shame it's under these circumstances. Poor Iggy and poor you. Both my older boys are on cystease now as they have bladder issues, it's about the third of the price of the vets on vetuk. If your vet will give you a prescription metacam is a lot cheaper there as well. Good luck at the vets.
 
VickiA said:
Poor Iggy.
Has his urine been cultured for antibiotic sensitivity?
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We’re now doing that, I have 2 tubes to fill with his urine somehow... God knows how I’m going to do that! That’s our task for Wednesday :eek:

So we’re getting all that tested and going from there, I also have an appointment for Tuesday with the homeopathic vet to look at options on both fronts... Hopefully get a few more answers there but not sure what to expect.

This is gunna be a big hit for me this month! I’ve got Tonks going for an operation this week now too so I’ll be starting another thread for her new lumps... Anyone wanna buy a kidney? :))
 
piggieminder said:
Lovely to see you back although it's a shame it's under these circumstances. Poor Iggy and poor you. Both my older boys are on cystease now as they have bladder issues, it's about the third of the price of the vets on vetuk. If your vet will give you a prescription metacam is a lot cheaper there as well. Good luck at the vets.
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Thank you! It’s lovely to be back to be honest, where everyone is wonderful and understand all of this!

Thanks that’s really helpful, I didn’t realise cystease was a prescription med. I’ll definitely check that on Tues and see about getting a prescription. I really hope he isn’t immune to the ABs because he does not do well on baytril... He’s a nightmare! :))
 
piggieminder said:
@Cavy Kung-Fu cystease isn't a prescription med, my vets suggested I gave it to Spike and Peanut, I bought it from them first then discovered vetuk was a third of the price! Sorry I confused you.
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Ooh thanks haha oh no it’s me, I’m easily confused :)) Yea I’m spending a lot in the next week on vet bills so if I can cut the cost a little I will! £76 on 2 bottles of metacam phew!
 
Thanks! Even better if it’s cheaper! I have a feeling we may need a lot of it.

Can anyone advise on the best way to get a large amount of urine from him for samples? It’s my task for tomorrow and I’m baffled about getting enough out of him!
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
Thanks! Even better if it’s cheaper! I have a feeling we may need a lot of it.

Can anyone advise on the best way to get a large amount of urine from him for samples? It’s my task for tomorrow and I’m baffled about getting enough out of him!
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I tend to plan ahead by feeding watery veg. Then syringe feed them a 1 ml syringe of water (with a bit of pro c or something to make it taste nice). Then put them alone in a box on an upturned puppy pad (plastic side up). And then feed a bit more cucumber and a bit of hay and watch like a hawk for any sign of a potential wee, so I can whip them out before they poo or sit in it. Hope this helps. I have had to get very many urine samples in the last year so am well acquainted with the issue of getting them!
 
Thanks guys that helps a lot! Think we’ll be at it all day as we need a lot for the tests haha. I hope both Iggy and myself have the patience for it! :))
 
I finally found something that Iggy is good at, giving urine samples! Considering that he’s awkward with all medical stuff I’m very excited (the things we get excited about :))) Not to make anyone jealous, but we’ve been at it about 15mins and we’ve almost filled a sample bottle! :yahoo:

After reading everyone’s posts about how hard it can be I had resigned myself to an entire day of excruciating urine extraction but it looks like we’ll be there soon!

Thank you so much for the tips! He is hating being in the bucket though as he seems to think he’s being punished, poor little lad. Here he is :))

D3960EF6-6620-458A-939A-ADD0338E1881.webp
 
Hehe thank you! Trouble is he knows it too :)) He has now provided all the urine he needs ready for the vets in the morning! Never thought I’d have this much urine in my fridge... XD
 
Had Iggy’s appointment today with the holistic vet. I’m really out of my depth here! :)) His urine cultures came back completely clear, a small amount of red blood cells which indicates inflammation but it’s not an infection of any kind so it looks like it’s his sterile cystitis creeping back again.

She recommended a holistic treatment which I’ll be getting on Thursday but I don’t remember what she called it. I just don’t understand what’s causing it...

Would the cystease help with something like this?
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
Had Iggy’s appointment today with the holistic vet. I’m really out of my depth here! :)) His urine cultures came back completely clear, a small amount of red blood cells which indicates inflammation but it’s not an infection of any kind so it looks like it’s his sterile cystitis creeping back again.

She recommended a holistic treatment which I’ll be getting on Thursday but I don’t remember what she called it. I just don’t understand what’s causing it...

Would the cystease help with something like this?
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Just bumping this as the holistic treatment seems to be a nightmare, have to put the tablet in water bottles and they don’t like it :doh:

I want to get a cystease type treatment but just wanted to check it would work for his issue :)

Thanks guys!
 
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