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What Can I Expect In Terms Of Treatment For Bladder Stones?

Liane

Liane

Teenage Guinea Pig
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My piggy, Clara has been squeaking when peeing (and also pooping). She’s always had quite sludgey wee despite our efforts to limit the amount of calcium in her diet, and she’s previously had nasty cystitis that ultimately led to emergency surgery.

We went to see Simon two weeks ago and decided that we’d start her off on sulfatrim and metacam in case it was cystitis (urine test indicated positive for blood, but there were no palpable stones...possibly because Clara is a well built piggy!). Clara’s already had pretty major surgery last year so Simon didn’t want to rush into anything too drastic.

She’s back at the vets tomorrow as there’s been no improvement. I expect we’ll have an x ray.

If the x Ray shows bladder stones (which I suspect it will) what are her options? We’ve talked to Simon before about bladder stones and he says surgery isn’t always possible, especially if the stones are blocking the urethra.

I’ve lost a few much loved piggies lately, and I’m worried that I’m facing losing another :(
 
So sorry to hear you are going through this, hoping it isn't stones.

I am really unsure on the options available if operating isnt possible. You do however have one of the best vets in the country at your disposal so i hope that gives you comfort

Tagging in @furryfriends (TEAS) @helen105281 @Freela @Elwickcavies @Jaycey
 
If the pig is in major pain, surgery is going to be the best option. One of my past pigs, Sundae, had a stone that never seemed to cause her any problems except for on-and-off urinary tract infections. No squeaking, no symptoms at all except for UTIs. Because bladder stone surgery is not performed as often where I live, it is more risky and really expensive, so we decided to manage her medically and hope for the best. She was on chronic suppressive antibiotics to keep her bacteria load under control, to increase whenever she developed UTIs. She actually lived to be almost 7 that way, really never showing much in the way of symptoms other than UTIs/bloody urine at times. Hope you get some answers on the x-ray. It's probably the best next step to take.
 
Clara has been prescribe a new antibiotic, in tablet form, and a diuretic. The antibiotic I have managed quite easily, but I’m having a mare with the diuretic!

It is a tiny 5mg Bendrofluazide tablet that needs to be split into EIGHTHS! It isn’t soluble in water, so I can’t mix up a solution. Even cutting it into halves was difficult. I ended up with a fine power I had to ‘cut’ into eight roughly equal piles. I’m going to ask the pharmacist at boots for advice tomorrow, but does anyone have any tips for cutting a 5mm tablet into 8 lots of 0.625mg? :))
 
that is very difficult ! it does come in syrup form for humans,I'm not sure if this would be helpful!
 
eileen said:
that is very difficult ! it does come in syrup form for humans,I'm not sure if this would be helpful!
Click to expand...

I’m wondering if the syrup form is in alcohol, which would be why it’s in tablet form for animals. It isn’t soluble in water :hmm: And I don’t have a £2,000 balance to weigh it out :))
 
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