2 year old boar with uti

[Guineasmama]

Hi all. My male boar Theo has has cystitis and weeing blood. He first has back in November and was treated with baytril and metacam. This sorted the issue and he had one more incidence in December. Treated with baytril and metacam again. Past week he has blood in wee again so I asked the vet to do an X-ray and no stones found and also done a 2nd urine analysis (he had one in December too) and both times, only blood found and no protein. First time she checked for crystals too and this came back with no crystals.
Last Wednesday he has baytril given again and a cartrophen injection so he can’t have metacam now until Wednesday but he’s seeing small amount of blood now and then. He squeaks when pooping but is otherwise eating hay etc.
I have asked for septrin but the vet says she can’t split the pill small enough to give to a guinea.
Does this not come in a liquid form? I don’t think the baytril is working to be honest. Metacam has always helped in past. It’s almost instant help for him. No more blood in wee and no more squeaking when pooping it weeing.

 

[Claire W]

I’m sorry to hear that your boy is unwell.

Septrin (or Sulfatrim which is the tasteless animal version and twice the strength) both come in liquid form.

If your boy is still having issues that antibiotics aren’t clearing, your vet may look at diagnosing interstitial cystitis or IC for short which can’t be cured, only managed with metacam and cystease. Antibiotics do not work for IC.

My late Emma end Ellen both had the condition and were diagnosed after infection, bladder stones and reproductive problems were all ruled out. Neither of them had protein in their urine, just blood

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all. My male boar Theo has has cystitis and weeing blood. He first has back in November and was treated with baytril and metacam. This sorted the issue and he had one more incidence in December. Treated with baytril and metacam again. Past week he has blood in wee again so I asked the vet to do an X-ray and no stones found and also done a 2nd urine analysis (he had one in December too) and both times, only blood found and no protein. First time she checked for crystals too and this came back with no crystals.
Last Wednesday he has baytril given again and a cartrophen injection so he can’t have metacam now until Wednesday but he’s seeing small amount of blood now and then. He squeaks when pooping but is otherwise eating hay etc.
I have asked for septrim but the vet says she can’t split the pill small enough to give to a guinea.
Does this not come in a liquid form? I don’t think the baytril is working to be honest. Metacam has always helped in past. It’s almost instant help for him. No more blood in wee and no more squeaking when pooping it weeing.

Hi!

The licensed UK brand of septrin for small exotics pets (which includes guinea pigs) is called sulfatrim. It comes in fluid form. Your vet should be able to order it for you.

Please be aware that you may be dealing with a non-bacterial recurring bladder infection (i.e. a sterile interstitial cystitis or sterile IC) that cannot be healed by antibiotics. It is an issue that has become increasingly common over the last decade but that is not much known outside vet circles that see guinea pigs on a regular basis.

Management of IC is mainly with glucosamine in order to support the natural glucosamine lining of of the urinary tract which prevents corrosive urine from coming into direct contact with raw tissue. This coating seems to be rather affected by sterile IC. We recommend to give 1 capsule of Feliway cystease for cats daily (the other species with a sterile cystitis problem, called FSC) by mixing the contents of the capsule with 2 ml of water and then syringing either all once a day or 1 ml twice a day; this is the easiest way re. dosage and convenience of giving as you don't have to grind down any tablets, having to compute how many doses you get out of them and mixing them with the appropriate amount of water.
For severe cases of sterile IC, cartrofen injections are currently coming into use on an individual basis after recent research has shown that they are also effective for guinea pigs with sterile cystitis; but this is still in the early stages and there is not yet a consensus of what is the best dosage and interval. Cartrofen is a high glucamine based arthritis medication.
PS: Glucosamine is classed as a food supplement in the same category as vitamins or probiotics and not as a prescription-only medication (POM) but cartrofen is prescription-only and not officially licensed for guinea pigs. You want to first trial the capsules and see whether they have a noticable impact over the course of several weeks as they need a bit of time to build up. I

The other medication used is metacam/meloxicam (which comes under a range of different brand names these days); it is an analgesic (i.e. painkiller cum anti-inflammatory). You adjust the maintenance dosage to a higher one during acute flares.

Red porphyrine coloured pees, which may or may not test for blood, are characteristic for the onset of an acute flare, which usually happens every few weeks. Sterile IC can usually only be diagnosed by eliminating all the other possible urinary tract problems (which in your case has now happened). It cannot be healed, only management until it hopefully goes away on its own eventually - more likely in a matter of years rather than months. The good news is that it is generally not life-shortening and that is also doesn't cause any bladder stones.
The big teddy in my avatar, Nerys, had sterile IC for 3 years and then another 3 years free of any bladder problems until her death, aged 8 years, if you find that helpful. My current IC piggy is Breila.

IC can be transmitted via sitting in a pee puddle or via scent marking (the tiny scent gland is located just in front of the genitalia) but healthy piggies will fully working immune system can usually fend it off without ever showing acute symptoms. If you have more than a pair of piggies, please make sure that you wash any bedding and cosies separately and that you disinfect your hand and any other surface in contact with an IC before you put other piggies on it; including the lawn unless it has been raining in the meantime.

Like with cats, sterile IC seems to typically affect guinea pigs with high stress levels as their 'normal' default setting; since this happens while still in the womb of a highly stressed mother, there is nothing you can do to influence this unfortunately. The current indiscriminate mass breeding of all pet species whether via commercial pet shop suppliers or for-sale breeders sadly does have consequences. Sterile IC in cats and guinea pigs is unfortunately one these.

Some more information on IC via this link: Links - Interstitial Cystitis - Guinea Lynx Records

I hope that this helps you?

 

[Guineasmama]

Hi!

The licensed UK brand of septrin for small exotics pets (which includes guinea pigs) is called sulfatrim. It comes in fluid form. Your vet should be able to order it for you.

Please be aware that you may be dealing with a non-bacterial recurring bladder infection (i.e. a sterile interstitial cystitis or sterile IC) that cannot be healed by antibiotics. It is an issue that has become increasingly common over the last decade but that is not much known outside vet circles that see guinea pigs on a regular basis.

Management of IC is mainly with glucosamine in order to support the natural glucosamine lining of of the urinary tract which prevents corrosive urine from coming into direct contact with raw tissue. This coating seems to be rather affected by sterile IC. We recommend to give 1 capsule of Feliway cystease for cats daily (the other species with a sterile cystitis problem, called FSC) by mixing the contents of the capsule with 2 ml of water and then syringing either all once a day or 1 ml twice a day; this is the easiest way re. dosage and convenience of giving as you don't have to grind down any tablets, having to compute how many doses you get out of them and mixing them with the appropriate amount of water.
For severe cases of sterile IC, cartrofen injections are currently coming into use on an individual basis after recent research has shown that they are also effective for guinea pigs with sterile cystitis; but this is still in the early stages and there is not yet a consensus of what is the best dosage and interval. Cartrofen is a high glucamine based arthritis medication.
PS: Glucosamine is classed as a food supplement in the same category as vitamins or probiotics and not as a prescription-only medication (POM) but cartrofen is prescription-only and not officially licensed for guinea pigs. You want to first trial the capsules and see whether they have a noticable impact over the course of several weeks as they need a bit of time to build up. I

The other medication used is metacam/meloxicam (which comes under a range of different brand names these days); it is an analgesic (i.e. painkiller cum anti-inflammatory). You adjust the maintenance dosage to a higher one during acute flares.

Red porphyrine coloured pees, which may or may not test for blood, are characteristic for the onset of an acute flare, which usually happens every few weeks. Sterile IC can usually only be diagnosed by eliminating all the other possible urinary tract problems (which in your case has now happened). It cannot be healed, only management until it hopefully goes away on its own eventually - more likely in a matter of years rather than months. The good news is that it is generally not life-shortening and that is also doesn't cause any bladder stones.
The big teddy in my avatar, Nerys, had sterile IC for 3 years and then another 3 years free of any bladder problems until her death, aged 8 years, if you find that helpful. My current IC piggy is Breila.

IC can be transmitted via sitting in a pee puddle or via scent marking (the tiny scent gland is located just in front of the genitalia) but healthy piggies will fully working immune system can usually fend it off without ever showing acute symptoms. If you have more than a pair of piggies, please make sure that you wash any bedding and cosies separately and that you disinfect your hand and any other surface in contact with an IC before you put other piggies on it; including the lawn unless it has been raining in the meantime.

Like with cats, sterile IC seems to typically affect guinea pigs with high stress levels as their 'normal' default setting; since this happens while still in the womb of a highly stressed mother, there is nothing you can do to influence this unfortunately. The current indiscriminate mass breeding of all pet species whether via commercial pet shop suppliers or for-sale breeders sadly does have consequences. Sterile IC in cats and guinea pigs is unfortunately one these.

Some more information on IC via this link: Links - Interstitial Cystitis - Guinea Lynx Records

I hope that this helps you?

Thank you so much for your detailed reply.
Do I get the Feliway cystease for cats from a vets prescription?
The vet has called me back and he’s seeing vet on Wednesday but she said I can give metacam now which I’ve done.

 

[Guineasmama]

Hi!

The licensed UK brand of septrin for small exotics pets (which includes guinea pigs) is called sulfatrim. It comes in fluid form. Your vet should be able to order it for you.

Please be aware that you may be dealing with a non-bacterial recurring bladder infection (i.e. a sterile interstitial cystitis or sterile IC) that cannot be healed by antibiotics. It is an issue that has become increasingly common over the last decade but that is not much known outside vet circles that see guinea pigs on a regular basis.

Management of IC is mainly with glucosamine in order to support the natural glucosamine lining of of the urinary tract which prevents corrosive urine from coming into direct contact with raw tissue. This coating seems to be rather affected by sterile IC. We recommend to give 1 capsule of Feliway cystease for cats daily (the other species with a sterile cystitis problem, called FSC) by mixing the contents of the capsule with 2 ml of water and then syringing either all once a day or 1 ml twice a day; this is the easiest way re. dosage and convenience of giving as you don't have to grind down any tablets, having to compute how many doses you get out of them and mixing them with the appropriate amount of water.
For severe cases of sterile IC, cartrofen injections are currently coming into use on an individual basis after recent research has shown that they are also effective for guinea pigs with sterile cystitis; but this is still in the early stages and there is not yet a consensus of what is the best dosage and interval. Cartrofen is a high glucamine based arthritis medication.
PS: Glucosamine is classed as a food supplement in the same category as vitamins or probiotics and not as a prescription-only medication (POM) but cartrofen is prescription-only and not officially licensed for guinea pigs. You want to first trial the capsules and see whether they have a noticable impact over the course of several weeks as they need a bit of time to build up. I

The other medication used is metacam/meloxicam (which comes under a range of different brand names these days); it is an analgesic (i.e. painkiller cum anti-inflammatory). You adjust the maintenance dosage to a higher one during acute flares.

Red porphyrine coloured pees, which may or may not test for blood, are characteristic for the onset of an acute flare, which usually happens every few weeks. Sterile IC can usually only be diagnosed by eliminating all the other possible urinary tract problems (which in your case has now happened). It cannot be healed, only management until it hopefully goes away on its own eventually - more likely in a matter of years rather than months. The good news is that it is generally not life-shortening and that is also doesn't cause any bladder stones.
The big teddy in my avatar, Nerys, had sterile IC for 3 years and then another 3 years free of any bladder problems until her death, aged 8 years, if you find that helpful. My current IC piggy is Breila.

IC can be transmitted via sitting in a pee puddle or via scent marking (the tiny scent gland is located just in front of the genitalia) but healthy piggies will fully working immune system can usually fend it off without ever showing acute symptoms. If you have more than a pair of piggies, please make sure that you wash any bedding and cosies separately and that you disinfect your hand and any other surface in contact with an IC before you put other piggies on it; including the lawn unless it has been raining in the meantime.

Like with cats, sterile IC seems to typically affect guinea pigs with high stress levels as their 'normal' default setting; since this happens while still in the womb of a highly stressed mother, there is nothing you can do to influence this unfortunately. The current indiscriminate mass breeding of all pet species whether via commercial pet shop suppliers or for-sale breeders sadly does have consequences. Sterile IC in cats and guinea pigs is unfortunately one these.

Some more information on IC via this link: Links - Interstitial Cystitis - Guinea Lynx Records

I hope that this helps you?

We have 2 other boars and all 3 are in separate c&c cages as they don’t get on. But they stand and all have a little natter through the cages.
He’s several poops now and is in discomfort but done a clear wee just now. Changing his bedding again to keep it optimum hygienic. He’s a long haired Guinea so wondering if I should cut back the hair so he’s not wet with wee from underneath?

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much for your detailed reply.
Do I get the Feliway cystease for cats from a vets prescription?
The vet has called me back and he’s seeing vet on Wednesday but she said I can give metacam now which I’ve done.

Cystease is widely available online when you google. As said, it is not even classed as a medication and is on the same level as you ordering vitamins. I would however recommend to discuss it with your vet. It has shown that glucosamine is key for the management of a sterile IC.

Has your vet prescribed cat or dog strength metacam and in which dosage? For an IC piggy, you'd rather switch to dog metacam as it is three times stronger and comes in larger bottles because you will be going through quite a bit but in smaller dosages; dog metacam is also cheaper in the longer term. Cat metacam is unfortunately the one that has been licensed for guinea pigs, despite the fact that guinea pigs have a much faster metabolism and tolerate it in much higher dosages without developing kidney problems, unlike other pet species.

 

[Guineasmama]

I’m sorry to hear that your boy is unwell.

Septrin (or Sulfatrim which is the tasteless animal version and twice the strength) both come in liquid form.

If your boy is still having issues that antibiotics aren’t clearing, your vet may look at diagnosing interstitial cystitis or IC for short which can’t be cured, only managed with metacam and cystease. Antibiotics do not work for IC.

My late Emma end Ellen both had the condition and were diagnosed after infection, bladder stones and reproductive problems were all ruled out. Neither of them had protein in their urine, just blood

I think it is IC too. I’ve suffered from it for 20 years myself!
I’ll talk to vet on Wednesday afternoon, I’m going to take another wee sample for her to test and I’ll ask about the other options given by yourself and @Wiebke . Very grateful for both your advice. Thank you xx

 

[Guineasmama]

Cystease is widely available online when you google. As said, it is not even classed as a medication and is on the same level as you ordering vitamins. I would however recommend to discuss it with your vet. It has shown that glucosamine is key for the management of a sterile IC.

Has your vet prescribed cat or dog strength metacam and in which dosage? For an IC piggy, you'd rather switch to dog metacam as it is three times stronger and comes in larger bottles because you will be going through quite a bit but in smaller dosages; dog metacam is also cheaper in the longer term. Cat metacam is unfortunately the one that has been licensed for guinea pigs, despite the fact that guinea pigs have a much faster metabolism and tolerate it in much higher dosages without developing kidney problems, unlike other pet species.

It’s the dog one. Theo weighs 1260g and he’s on a dose of 0.2ml once a day. He’s just done a 2nd clear wee. Hopefully metacam has started to work xx

 

[Wiebke]

We have 2 other boars and all 3 are in separate c&c cages as they don’t get on. But they stand and all have a little natter through the cages.
He’s several poops now and is in discomfort but done a clear wee just now. Changing his bedding again to keep it optimum hygienic. He’s a long haired Guinea so wondering if I should cut back the hair so he’s not wet with wee from underneath?

Hi!

As long as you don't wash his stuff on a low setting together with your other boars and ideally groom and cuddle your IC boy last of all three, have a separate towel for your lap when medicating and handle and wash your hands between piggies; and as long as they don't share any roaming space that doesn't have a washable surface, then there is no risk of transmission. They cannot pass it on through the bars but via anything your IC boy's butt has been in direct contact with before another boy's butt touches the same spot.

These are relatively easy changes to make. Good general handwashing hygiene and not mixing fabrics or putting the other two boys on surfaces your IC piggy has just been on is all that is needed.

IC is scoring high on the frustration level but it is not deadly or life-shortening unless in its most severest forms.

 

[Guineasmama]

Hi!

As long as you don't wash his stuff on a low setting together with your other boars and ideally groom and cuddle your IC boy last of all three, have a separate towel for your lap when medicating and handle and wash your hands between piggies; and as long as they don't share any roaming space that doesn't have a washable surface, then there is no risk of transmission. They cannot pass it on through the bars but via anything your IC boy's butt has been in direct contact with before another boy's butt touches the same spot.

These are relatively easy changes to make. Good general handwashing hygiene and not mixing fabrics or putting the other two boys on surfaces your IC piggy has just been on is all that is needed.

IC is scoring high on the frustration level but it is not deadly or life-shortening unless in its most severest forms.

That’s good to hear. We handle them all different days. I have 2 daughters and we pick each one up different days at same time so each guinea gets cuddles once a day from one of us. Also, I always wash hands after handling as me and my eldest get a rash from handling them. Bedding is always washed separately too so already winning at this.
I’ve been cutting back on calcium rich foods for Theo Incase it was stones so is there any harm in reintroducing these back now? Mainly dill?

 

[Wiebke]

It’s the dog one. Theo weighs 1260g and he’s on a dose of 0.2ml once a day. He’s just done a 2nd clear wee. Hopefully metacam has started to work xx

Hi!

In acute phase you can go safely up to 0.4 ml twice a day for a few days until you have got the screaming under control again. I would recommend to split the metacam into two doses that you give about every 12 hours for best long term effect. Even at the lower dosage it will build up but you may be relieved to hear that you can go 4 times higher if needed to bring the worst of the discomfort down as quickly as possible. You can also safely double the dosage of glucosamine (i.e. giving 1 capsule twice daily) for the same purpose during an acute flare up.

 

[Wiebke]

That’s good to hear. We handle them all different days. I have 2 daughters and we pick each one up different days at same time so each guinea gets cuddles once a day from one of us. Also, I always wash hands after handling as me and my eldest get a rash from handling them. Bedding is always washed separately too so already winning at this.
I’ve been cutting back on calcium rich foods for Theo Incase it was stones so is there any harm in reintroducing these back now? Mainly dill?

Hi

Here our food recommendations for IC piggies (see special diets): Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

We recommend a diet that is free of high sugar/starch foods like root veg (carrots), sweetcorn, fruits and grain (the latter mostly in pellets) in combination with filtered water and reduced pellets.

Dill is very high in calcium and should be more of a treat or 'seasoning' in small quantities rather than as a regular part of the diet; but you can still feed it if done circumspectly; it's not done any difference with my own IC piggies if they get a very little every now and then in summer.

What we have noticed with IC piggies on this forum over the years that some can react with a flare to foods that they are not getting as part of their regular daily diet or that are new, so you will have to be very careful with introducing him to fresh grass in small and gradually increasing quantities before he can go outside for instance.
Unlike older information, in our collective experience on here, it seems to be less a matter of certain foods acting as a trigger but of a sensitive reaction to what their gut is not accustomed to in some piggies.

 

[Guineasmama]

Hi

Here our food recommendations for IC piggies (see special diets): Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

We recommend a diet that is free of high sugar/starch foods like root veg (carrots), sweetcorn, fruits and grain (the latter mostly in pellets) in combination with filtered water and reduced pellets.

Dill is very high in calcium and should be more of a treat or 'seasoning' in small quantities rather than as a regular part of the diet; but you can still feed it if done circumspectly; it's not done any difference with my own IC piggies if they get a very little every now and then in summer.

What we have noticed with IC piggies on this forum over the years that some can react with a flare to foods that they are not getting as part of their regular daily diet or that are new, so you will have to be very careful with introducing him to fresh grass in small and gradually increasing quantities before he can go outside for instance.
Unlike older information, in our collective experience on here, it seems to be less a matter of certain foods acting as a trigger but of a sensitive reaction to what their gut is not accustomed to in some piggies.

Thank you so much. Yes dill is given once a fortnight as treat but we’ve not given it since November. I got him the oxbow nuggets for UTI prone Guineas (less grain)... all Guineas get Timothy hay from haybox, they all turn their noses up at any other hay so I’m hoping that’s a good one. All are also on filtered water (we use brita water filter). They only get grass from end March until mid October when they spend 2-4 hours outride in a covered run. We have 2 as I always has 2 Guineas but we have 3 now as one is a rescue that was found abandoned in a field.

 

[Guineasmama]

Update on Theo. After the 4pm 0.2ml dose of metacam, he had lots of wee with blood between 8pm and midnight. So I gave him another 0.2ml of metacam at 1.30am as he was crying in pain (so he’s has 0.4 under 10 hours).
Think I need to ask vet to see him a day earlier? He has appointment booked at 4pm Wednesday.
I’m wondering if maybe he has a stone and X-ray missed it back in December? She did say because of his hips, the X-ray can’t show if there are stones where hips hide. They took X-ray while he was awake so he was in sitting position.
He was feeling sorry for himself. It’s now 4.30am and I’m keeping an eye (I’m trying to sleep on sofa) but can hear him moving around eating hay). I’ve given him critical care and 5mls of water to keep him hydrated. Also cucumber for same reason.

 

[Claire W]

Poor boy It will do no harm to bring his appointment forward and ask for another X-ray just to be sure x

 

[Guineasmama]

Poor boy It will do no harm to bring his appointment forward and ask for another X-ray just to be sure x

Vet can’t see him today and won’t rescan him tomorrow as she doesn’t have a large enough slot to do it. She’s dispensing more baytril and metacam and I’ve given a wee sample to be analysed for blood, protein and crystals. She’s saying if there is no crystals in blood then an X-ray isn’t needed. Is this correct?
Also @Wiebke , he’s on 0.2ml dose of dog metacam once every 24 hours. I’ve given 0.2ml every 12 hours and this isn’t cutting it. What can I adjust this to? Thank you

 

[Guineasmama]

Hi!

In acute phase you can go safely up to 0.4 ml twice a day for a few days until you have got the screaming under control again. I would recommend to split the metacam into two doses that you give about every 12 hours for best long term effect. Even at the lower dosage it will build up but you may be relieved to hear that you can go 4 times higher if needed to bring the worst of the discomfort down as quickly as possible. You can also safely double the dosage of glucosamine (i.e. giving 1 capsule twice daily) for the same purpose during an acute flare up.

Also @Wiebke , he’s on 0.2ml dose of dog metacam once every 24 hours. I’ve given 0.2ml every 12 hours and this isn’t cutting it. What can I adjust this to? Thank you

 

[Guineasmama]

Hi

Here our food recommendations for IC piggies (see special diets): Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

We recommend a diet that is free of high sugar/starch foods like root veg (carrots), sweetcorn, fruits and grain (the latter mostly in pellets) in combination with filtered water and reduced pellets.

Dill is very high in calcium and should be more of a treat or 'seasoning' in small quantities rather than as a regular part of the diet; but you can still feed it if done circumspectly; it's not done any difference with my own IC piggies if they get a very little every now and then in summer.

What we have noticed with IC piggies on this forum over the years that some can react with a flare to foods that they are not getting as part of their regular daily diet or that are new, so you will have to be very careful with introducing him to fresh grass in small and gradually increasing quantities before he can go outside for instance.
Unlike older information, in our collective experience on here, it seems to be less a matter of certain foods acting as a trigger but of a sensitive reaction to what their gut is not accustomed to in some piggies.

Hello again. Urine analysis has come back with lots of calcium and crystals. Vet doesn’t know if they are causing an infection or if the infection has caused them but she has agreed an X-ray again. If he need an operation, she will refer him to another vet in Aylesbury, U.K. I will know more tomorrow.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello again. Urine analysis has come back with lots of calcium and crystals. Vet doesn’t know if they are causing an infection or if the infection has caused them but she has agreed an X-ray again. If he need an operation, she will refer him to another vet in Aylesbury, U.K. I will know more tomorrow.

All the best!

The Cat&Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton is very experienced with guinea pig operations as they only see cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.
They are also very experienced with bladder flushes for crystals and calcium, which can be done without GA during a normal consultation but needs experience because when done wrongly the urine can back up into the kidneys with fatal consequences, so it may be worth travelling a bit further up the M1 for this.
Any medical appointment (including specialist vet care) is permitted travel.
Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic | Northlands Vets

 

[Guineasmama]

All the best!

The Cat&Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton is very experienced with guinea pig operations as they only see cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.
They are also very experienced with bladder flushes for crystals and calcium, which can be done without GA during a normal consultation but needs experience because when done wrongly the urine can back up into the kidneys with fatal consequences, so it may be worth travelling a bit further up the M1 for this.
Any medical appointment (including specialist vet care) is permitted travel.
Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic | Northlands Vets

Thank you. I’ll see what the vet says in morning and make an appointment with the clinic you are suggesting. Are crystals and calcium the same as bladder/kidney stones?

 

[Guineasmama]

Also @Wiebke , he’s on 0.2ml dose of dog metacam once every 24 hours. I’ve given 0.2ml every 12 hours and this isn’t cutting it. What can I adjust this to? Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

Also @Wiebke , he’s on 0.2ml dose of dog metacam once every 24 hours. I’ve given 0.2ml every 12 hours and this isn’t cutting it. What can I adjust this to? Thank you

A 1 kilo piggy can have up to 0.4 ml every 12 hours.

 

[Guineasmama]

A 1 kilo piggy can have up to 0.4 ml every 12 hours.

Thank you so much. I’ll up it on his next dose at midnight xx

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much. I’ll up it on his next dose at midnight xx

It all depends on how badly packed the bladder is whether you need an operation or not. You are more likely looking at a potential bladder sludge problem.

Unfortunately the calcium absorption process is very complex. A lot can go wrong or something can suddenly flip that is beyond your dietary control. Diet is just the only instrument that we have to minimise the risk as much as possible. While it can be very effective is not a perfect instrument.

 

[Guineasmama]

Have contacted the Cat and Rabbit clinic in Northampton, waiting for a reply back as they are only accepting queries by email and none on phone. Been to vets again and she’s given septrin as she is saying he’s definitely got an infection. I’ve just given him 0.3ml of metacam and he’s gone to sleep; he’s in pain all morning and I had to wait until 1pm to give it. He saw vet this morning too who said she won’t sedate him to do the X-ray yet as he’s highly stressed and doing one while awake won’t be much use since the X-ray month ago was clear. So giving it a week and until he finishes his courses of antibiotics and will take it from there.