What to Do? Bladder Stones in Male.

[GDavis603]

Hello All,

Saw our vet yesterday, very experienced with GP's. Had an x-ray. The iagnosis is Bumble (4-year old bore) has three bladder stones. One must be removed surgically because of it's size. She was neutral on surgery, because of the likelihood of recurrence. What I have been reading on the web is worrisome, saying this can come back in month or so. I don't think it's ethical to subject the little guy to repeated surgery.

Has any one had a pig go six months to a year or more before a recurrence?

By the way, he is on painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotic now. seem to be resting comfortably.

Thanks for your advice.

G

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Harley, my boar had a huge stone removed surgically last July and no further issues since :...
I understand your worries totally but stones can move and lodge into the ureter disabling your piggy to wee and then it becomes even more of an emergency. You would certainly end up with a very poorly boy in lots of pain
I'd opt for the surgery if Bumble is otherwise healthy, not a light decision to elect them for any surgical procedure but would have a long chat with your vet regards prognosis.
There are precautions you can take to help prevent stones reforming but nothing is guaranteed - Harley has unsweetened Cranberry juice daily and a quarter capsule of Cystease which lines the bladder and helps stop bacteria sticking around. A low calcium diet is also advised. Good bedding and husbandry is paramount as well, I swear by vet bed as it wicks wee away which prevents infections presenting themselves.
Can only speak for myself but Harley has never had so much as a UTI since and whether that is just pure luck or the measures we take with his daily care...
Please keep us informed about Bumble - these bloody stones are a nightmare pow-pow and empathise so much with you.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Hi. this is really great advise from guinea pig slave. i too had a boar with a bladder stone a few years ago and he was also aged 4. it was causing him a lot of pain and i decided to have it removed. he bounced back from the op really well and went on for nearly an other two years before one reoccured. again he had an op but sadly this time another stone formed within a couple of weeks at which point i decided the kindest thing was to have him pts.
i understand how hard it is knowing what to do for the best and sadly there are no guarantees but i think going for the op is well worth it. my piggy, Harvey, had a really good length and quality of life following his first op.

 

[flintstones]

My P, 4 or 5 year old male has stones removed from his uretre. It was the best decision I ever made, he went on to live for another 6 months before the stones re-appeared. I was prepared to have them removed again but sadly the 2nd time round his kidney's where compromised so i made the painful decision to let him go, as guinea pig slave has said there are precautions you can take to help stop them re-forming.

6 months is a long time to a guinea pig, I would say give him the chance my P certainly enjoyed his extra 6 months.

x

 

[GDavis603]

Thank you. Sorry for not replying sooner. Some strange web thing going on. Bumble had surgery Tuesday. He is getting increasingly cranky, which I take to mean he feels stronger. Looking to change diet.

Guinea Pig Slave, how much cranberry juice and how do you thanks again for your kind responses.

G