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Worried about Athena

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anjelise - I've had her to the vets and had her x-rayed, she was on metacam, though that course has now finished and is on septrin so I have had her for a check up? I'm taking her back just before the course of septrin finishes for a further check up to see if there's been any improvement in her bladder

flips - she's still looking much better and is back to pottering round the house ( she now runs out of the cage and behind the sofa to get away from us when we try to give her her medication! ) Though she has lost a little weight and is down to 970g. I'm not sure whether this is because she's no longer on metacam so I'm going to weigh her again tonight and if she's lost any more weight I'll ring the vets and ask for some more metacam. Bleeding seems to have pretty much stopped though which is a good sign as well.

doglovinpiggylover - thanks :) we're still getting lots of piggie kisses from her so she mustn't hate us too much for syringing her medication ( she HATES having her meds! )
 
Another update for you all

Athena is still on the septrin but we're pretty sure she's not been bleeding at all for about a week now. There's no trace of blood on her bits when we get her out and we've not spotted any in the cage either. She's up to just over 1000g now. We're seriously confused as to whats actually wrong with her. She's had this problem for almost a year now, we don't know whether she's had an infection thats never fully cleared up and keeps flaring up, whether she has a tumor that triggers infections or if it's something else.
 
Just read your thread through, so glad to hear Athena is making good progress.

We had a sow with similar problems several years ago - Roxy's bladder became so thickened after a severe infection that it never really returned to "normal". We managed her condition with Septrin/Metacam when she had a flair up, avoided foods that were high in calcium and she lived a long and happy life.

Keep up the good work.
 
Thanks all

Roxys situation sounds just like Athenas. We were also told that the xray showed she had a very thickened bladder. We've changed her diet to the ratewatchers diet a few months ago which seems to have helped and get her the hay with dandilions in as thats also supposed to be good for bladder health. It's so hard though because I don't want to get my hopes up too much that she's going to be ok, but looking at her now you wouldn't think there's a thing wrong with her.
 
Have you tried something like Cystease?

I'm no expert but I'm just wondering if Cystease would be beneficial - it's a glucosamine food supplement which helps protect the lining of the bladder and can ease inflammation. It's marketed for use in cats but seems to be becoming increasingly popular for treating pigs with urinary / bladder problems. It should only be used when stones have definitely been ruled out though ( I was a bit confused about whether or not you thought Athena had stones )

I'd definitely ask your Vet if they think it's worth trying:
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/digestive-su...cystitis-glucosamine-sprinkle-capsules-p-1146

Just a tip....My Vet had never heard of Cystease until I mentioned it, as she always uses an alternative called Cystaid, which is probably more well known and more widely used in cats ( you must use the feline version, not the dog one ) ....so it's worth mentioning both products, in case your Vet is more familiar with only one. Both Cystaid and Cystease contain the same ingredient ( also same grade and quantity of ) but Cystease is much cheaper!

From what you've said, it could be that there's still something nasty lurking and actually causing Athena's problems ( although I really hope not! ) but I just wonder if Cystease would at least help to ease any symptoms and maybe even keep them at bay, while you continue to try and find out what's behind it all. Just a thought. Hope she continues to be happy and well x
 
Gems, has the vet tested Athena's urine at any stage? Sorry if you've already mentioned this and I've missed it. I am just wondering if any bacteria have been identified in the urine, and if any crystals have been found as a result of spinning the urine down.

I know you have alreayd adjusted the diet according to the Ca: Ph ratio but any foods containing notable levels of sugars could also be eliminated as a trial i.e. all fruits and some foods like carrot. Sugars can aggravate some conditions.
 
Missy - no never tried Cystease. We have to take her back for a checkup in a week so I'll mention it when we go

Laura - The vets examined her urine twice and both times there were crystals present, they didn't have to spin down or anything, you could just seem them which is why we always thought it was bladder stones but none showed up on the xray. I don't know whether she's passed any stones or whether the crystals are still present. I can't remember whether he has tested for bacteria or not, I'll ask Steven to see if he can remember. She doesn't really like fruit and to be honest they very rarely get fruit in any case ( maybe a bit of apple once a month ). Carrot they maybe get once or twice a week, so I could cut this out?
 
It may be worth trying to cut the carrot out. It's just something else that came to mind regarding the diet of pigs with bladder problems, thought it worth mentioning.

Is she still getting plenty of water - 20ml minimum a day (ideally 40ml)?

One of my girls was diagnosed with bladder grit, and has been on various treatments to prevent it from developing into stones; as with cystitis or stones, plenty of fluids is a main part of her treatment. (Unfortunately she will not take any by mouth, for herself or by syringe, so it's the less 'pleasant' option for her. rolleyes)

I do agree that Cystease could be worth a try, it can be helpful for some piggies with chronic bladder problems. (You can buy it online without prescription, it is a natural remedy as opposed to medication.)
 
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