any advice on how to help a possibly guinea pig who has a bladder stone ?

[Gilburt11]

Hello everyone who's reading this hope you are having a great day. I wanted to hop up here to see what advice you can give me about 2 weeks ago I noticed that my 4 year old male guinea pig squeaks when he poops and his poop is smaller . I believe he might be in pain , he drinks and eat perfectly I stopped giving him vegetables and treats . He has an appointment in 6 days what do you guys consider I should do . I forget to let you know I recently bought him digestive support treats by the company oxbow and it seems like its helping a bit. Thank you for reading this .

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

Hi!
to the forum!
This is a UK-based forum, so most members are still asleep.
Although my knowledge of bladder stones is minimal, someone will be along shortly to help.
Sending hugs and healing vibes to you and your piglet. xx

 

[Gilburt11]

OK thank you !

 

[Lady Kelly]

Hi, there is no need to stop veggies unless his poop is soft/runny. Poop output is a day behind so smaller poops indicate not enough is going in. Is he squealing when pooping or weeing?
You need to step in with syringe feeding to ensure he is getting enough food to keep his guts going and then see a vet to find out why he isn't eating enough. Can you bring the vet appointment forward?

 

[Lady Kelly]

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Gilburt11]

I believe he either has a urinary infection or bladder stone

 

[Lady Kelly]

I believe he either has a urinary infection or bladder stone

Either way he is not eating enough. He needs syringe feeding to keep his guts working and prevent him losing too much weight. He also needs prompt vet care, sooner than 6 days time.

 

[Gilburt11]

He is eating and drinking
perfectly fine

 

[Gilburt11]

The only thing I'm worried is that's he might be in pain when pooping

 

[Siikibam]

How is his weight and how are his poos? If they’re still small then he’s not eating enough.

 

[Lady Kelly]

He is eating and drinking
perfectly fine

If his poops are much smaller than normal then he is not eating enough. I had a boar with stones. He ran to his food and started eating with enthusiasm but was losing weight because he would stop quickly and wasn't eating enough. Have you been weighing him daily to keep an eye on his weight?

 

[PigglePuggle]

I would agree that a urinary infection or bladder stone or indeed any sign of pain requires a vet appointment within 24 hours, our vet considers any sign of pain an emergency and would offer a same day appointment- Piggle got her urinary infection causing squeaky sore pee treated on Christmas eve, the vet didnt want to wait until the 27th so saw her as an emergency on 24th!

 

[Eriathwen]

Hey One of my boars is prone to UTI and bladder stones, one of the first signs I see from him are smaller poops, this is because pain is an appetite suppressant and while he is still visually eating normally, he really isnt. Being prey animals they really, really hide when they're not feeling well to avoid attracting a predator, this is quite often why piggies will present a symptom and then stop as soon as they get to the vet..they feel at risk so hide it even more.
The longer urinary issues are left, the more irritated and thickened the bladder wall becomes which takes longer (and more medication and money) to fix. If it is a stone it risks falling into the urethra causing a back up of urine to the kidneys which is fatal. If he does need surgery for a stone he will need to be in as tip top health as possible, which when they start slowing their eating and develop smaller poops, they're already started to weaken a little. If at all possible, I would urge your vet to try and squeeze you in a little earlier if possible to avoid complications down the line I hope your piggy is feeling better soon!

 

[Gilburt11]

I've tried finding a an appointment that's closer but there's none in where I live some of his poops are and some are tiny here's a photo

 

[Siikibam]

Whereabouts do you live?

 

[Gilburt11]

Here a photo of his tiny poop

 

[Gilburt11]

I live in napa valley

 

[Gilburt11]

Is there any chance you guys can help me find a sooner appointment?

 

[Siikibam]

Try and see if you can get him an earlier appointment with another vet.
Vet Locator

 

[Piggies&buns]

Is there any chance you guys can help me find a sooner appointment?

We are a UK based forum but this link should take you to the vet list by US state

Guinea Lynx :: GL's Vet List

 

[Gilburt11]

Good news I have a new appointment at Monday at 2

 

[Gilburt11]

Hello, I found an appointment for Monday but the one on I scheduled before is on Thursday my sister thinks I should wait until Thursday because she thinks it's a better vet what's should I do?

 

[Siikibam]

Cancel the Thursday one so someone else can use it.
have both vets got experience with guinea pigs?