Advice required - Possible UTI in male Guinea Pig

[MandyOCR]

Hi everyone,
I am hoping to gain some advice please, my Piggy started to cry when peeing on Sunday 16th May, I took him to the vets on Monday 17th May, the vet tested his urine and no blood was present, she prescribed Loxicam 0.5ml twice a day, this did not clear up and on Wednesday 18th, I took him back to the vets, he was prescribed Baytril 0.5ml twice a day plus the Loxicam of 0.5ml twice a day for a full week, his crying was not as bad and did the occasional cry, but did not appear to be in as much pain. Thursday 27th May after his antibiotics and Loxicam ended he started to cry once again while peeing, just as bad as when it first started, I took him back to the vets and the put him under GA and took x-rays, no bladder stones (Phew) BUT he is still crying while peeing! I can't bear to see him in pain, I have been giving him unsweetened cranberry juice diluted a few times a day. I am not sure what else to do as the vets said that he could not have anymore antibiotics or Loxicam as they were obviously not working and he could not have them for more than a week. Not sure if I could ask for a different antibiotic, but when I mentioned it before the vet said they would only give Baytril. My Piggy is Male, approx 2 years old and weights 1.3kg. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear your piggy is unwell.
I would suggest you see a different vet. Some times a longer course of antibiotics is needed or a different antibiotic and there are other antibiotic options that can be tried if baytril hasn’t worked.
There is a form of cystitis (interstitial cystitis) which isn’t bacterial and therefore cannot be treated with antibiotics, it’s a condition which can only be managed, but it’s only diagnosed via process of elimination when all other avenues have been exhausted. It requires longer term pain meds.
I would also suggest you stop giving cranberry juice. It doesn’t help with guinea pigs like it does with people, and even an unsweetened version will be introducing too much sugar into his system.

 

[Veggies Galore]

I agree with the advice above .
If you do decide to go to another vet , I highly recommend. The Guinea Pig Vet (Ellie Whitehead) in Matlock .

She is based at Derwent Valley Vets

Derwent Valley Vets – Welcome to Derwent Valley Vets in Matlock.

 

[MandyOCR]

Hi, thanks for the replies. I have taken him to two different vets already. I took him to Ellie at the boathouse first, who just gave him Loxicam, I then took him to my local vet who gave him Baytril, Loxicam and an x-ray, he has no swelling or abnormalities. Really not sure what to do for him. He is eating normal just crying when peeing.

 

[Veggies Galore]

@MandyOCR

I advise you have a look at some some older threads that have been posted on the forum . Here are some links to some

Squealing whilst peeing

Blood In Urine

Possible interstitial cystitis... Looking for answers...

Urine tests and antibiotics

As you can see , bladder issues are not uncommon in guinea pigs. The information I these older threads may help you make a decision on what to do .


My personal advice to you would be to request a telephone consultation with Ellie so you can explain your guinea is still in discomfort on the medication prescribed.


.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, thanks for the replies. I have taken him to two different vets already. I took him to Ellie at the boathouse first, who just gave him Loxicam, I then took him to my local vet who gave him Baytril, Loxicam and an x-ray, he has no swelling or abnormalities. Really not sure what to do for him. He is eating normal just crying when peeing.

Hi

As mentioned before, he may need a longer course of antibiotics for a bacterial urinary tract infection or he may have sterile (i.e. non-bacterial) interstitial cystitis, which is an infection that affects the natural glucosamine layer of the urinary tract that prevents the corrosive urine from coming into contact with raw tissue (hence the squeaking) and that can only be managed but not healed. Antibiotics can temporarily suppress a milder case but it is not effective against a non-bacterial infection.
Sterile IC has become increasingly common over the last decade but is not well known outside vet circles that see piggies on a regular basis.

Please book an appointment for after the bank holiday and continue giving him loxicom - how much is he on (cat or dog metacam strength)? As he has had an x-ray, you don't have to worry about a bladder stone being stuck in the urethra, which is the one big life-and-death scenario with bladder problems, so while it is not pleasant for your boy, it is not an emergency, either.