Bladder Stones, Calcium and Sunshine

[Meowlissa]

Greetings! I just moved my two boiz from Portland, OR to Glasgow, MT in April. I just noticed some red spots on their bedding, which I initially dismissed as dye+urine from their new little toys. However, a week later I noticed it while it was still wet. I’m be pretty certain which pig it’s from as I witnessed one pee clear that night. (They do typically have the white powdery looking dried urine tho.. pretty certain my free feeding of kibble is the reason)
I realize I’ve been over feeding them so I’m pretty certain this must be a stove situation. I’ve since cut bk their food accordingly.
There is a vet in town but they don’t have much experience w guinea pig bladder situations, so I’m gonna keep giving them low calcium fresh veggies and lots of bottled water (unlimited Timothy hay of course)..
My question: do vitamin d and uvb rays help a pig break down calcium greatly? I took them outside (it’s a nice day) today for about 45min partial sun, partial shade. They weren’t into it, but I have a hunch the sunshine might help. Thoughts?

 

[Hope4gem]

I've never heard of sunshine or vitamin d helping with calcium break down. If there's blood in their urine they need to see a vet, preferably one with experience with Guinea pigs. You may need to travel in order to find an appropriate vet.

 

[Meowlissa]

I’m in the prairie so the nearest Taco Bell (aka civilization) is several hours away..

 

[Piggies&buns]

If your piggy has blood in their urine then you must see a vet. There can be several things which cause blood in their urine but they all need investigating and treatment - anything from a course of antibiotics and pain medication to surgery. Only a vet can diagnose and treat any situation.

Too much calcium in the diet can lead to the formation of bladder stones. Excess calcium is excreted in the urine so seeing some white powdery pees is normal. However, if an owner see them a lot or if it feels gritty then action needs to be taken. Changing to a low calcium diet (keeping pellets limited and ensuring drinking water is filtered and high calcium veggies are kept to a minimum) is a long term plan. However, diet changes takes weeks to have an effect going forward but nothing will change the current situation. If a piggy does have a bladder stone, then it won't break down. Any piggy displaying such symptoms will need to be taken to a vet for checks to be carried out. A very small stone in a sow can sometimes be passed but its a call a vet needs to be make upon examinations. It can be very painful and pain medication will be needed. Larger stones in sows or any stones in boars need surgery. Boars have an awkward bend in their urethra which makes passing stones more unlikely and it can mean a stone can become stuck. If this happens it requires an emergency surgery as it can be fatal.

Please do make that journey to find a vet.

 

[PigglePuggle]

@Piggies&buns is correct of course, a low calcium diet and wetter diet may prevent future issues but certainly cannot reverse any calcium deposits already in the bladder. The vit D/sunshine idea is also rather a myth based roughly around a true fact- like the myth that carrots help you see in the dark. To build calcium into bones, vit D is needed, and vit D is made in the body in response to sunlight. BUT... no amount of vit D will affect or mop up excess calcium in any way, it just helps absorb a normal amount of calcium from the diet. Once excess calcium is in the pee and in the bladder as grit and stones and causing issues, this really needs veterinary investigations and possibly surgery- blood in pee may suggest a stone or maybe just an infection, but either way it will need veterinary care. I hope you find a vet soon...

 

[Meowlissa]

I see.. okay, noted. Thank you. I’m still keeping any eye out for any more reddish urine. I spoke to the vet and she said to call them/let them know if it gets worse.. (I feel like a lot of vets don’t act as if it’s urgent. This has happened before, they found nothing, gave me nothing. This is a new vet though.)

 

[Free Ranger]

Try searching the forum for something called sterile interstitial cystitis (SIC). I'm not saying you have this - I've never had it and I'm not a vet so I'm not trying to diagnose here. It is characterised by flare-ups. But piggies that have this unfortunate problem are often helped by a type of bladder 'supplement' called cystease (or feliway, I forget!) which is actually for cats but can be used for piggies too. It is not a medicine so it does not have to be prescribed but it is a type of food supplement that helps calm inflamed bladders. It apparently takes a couple of weeks to see good results. If you need ABs or a surgery this is no substitute but if you live in the middle of nowhere and piggy has a sensitive bladder for whatever reason it might help make him more comfortable. If you can find some posts and have a read of what other people have seen and whether it works for them it might give you something to discuss with your vet x

 

[Meowlissa]

Oooh! Good insight! Thank you. I’ll mention this stuff to the vet, too. I do live with a doctor (of humans) so he could help me source it if necessary..