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Bladder Flush Via Catheterization For Stones

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Hi again,

It turned out that Spike had a bad UTI (culture grew bacteria) and he was prescribe Bactrim for 6-12weeks. Since his symptoms were so bad, she wants to have him on the antibiotics for at least 8 weeks. He is on 0.2ml twice a day. Recently, I noticed he started feeling lighter(esp compared to his brother, normally they felt the same). I got him weighed today and he is down from 1.2kg to 1.08kg.

Does anyone have any experience with weight loss in a guinea pig that is on antibiotics? He has fully recovered and is 110% after getting his stones removed and UTI that was presumably caused by the catheterization(it started right after), almost a whole new pig, except the weight loss. He seems to be eating the same. I have also tried probiotics, bene bac gel(), a very small amount... and it makes his poos really really soft/almost to the point of diarrhoea.

The vet suggested giving him some critical care oxbow supplementation to gain his weight back(Oxbow Animal Health | Critical Care Fine Grind®)!

Thoughts anyone?

Thanks!
 
I've never experienced any super soft poo with Bene-Bac, but maybe your boy is sensitive, it might be a good idea to just use poop-soup(mixing the poo from a healthy guinea pig with water, then syringing it to the pig needing probiotics)with your boy. I am sure others will have additional suggestions.
 
Has anything been done with his bladder stone yet? @Shannon R My boy lost weight when he had the stone, as it can be quite painful. Being in pain can put them off eating.

Critical Care is helpful when a pig isn't eating, but my vet is reluctant for me to use it when teeth problems aren't the cause of the issue. The reason is that the food is very soft, so if we're pumping them full of food they're less likely to eat hay and such.

One of my current boys has lost weight over the past month or so, and I'm investigating why with the vet. I've slightly increased the amount of pellets he has access to, and have also started feeding him grass. I've bought a few different hays too, so he has access to lots of variety.

Seeming to eat the same, yet losing weight means that they're not eating the same. If he's not having teeth problems, then there is a secondary problem. It could definitely be the pain caused by the stone. It could be the Bactrim, but I've never had an issue with it. It could be something else.

I would speak to your vet about what your plans are for the bladder stone.
 
Hi Jaycey,

The bladder stones have already been dealt with through the cath initially(2 small stones)..and then he got an infection from that which was treated with an antibiotic that he wasn't susceptible too..and now he is the Bactrim which has worked, no more sign of pain. But the vet wants him on it for AT LEAST 6 weeks, as I wasn't thinking about stopping it due to the weight loss.

I guess I was wondering if the antibiotics can cause malaborsportion and thats why he is losing weight..especially since I haven't been giving him pro biotic as I worry about the soft poos.

Was wondering if anyone else has had similar issues :) and any experience with critical care supplementation, you raise a good point about it!
 
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