Bladder stones

[Vicvac28]

Hi all. My boy Rex is a 4 year old non-neutered male who this morning was diagnosed with bladder stones. The quote from the vet for surgery was surprisingly high and the outlook of surgery fairly bleak from what he was saying. I just don’t don’t know what to do as he is clearly in discomfort when he wees, but also has days where he is bright and scrambling up the bars of the cage for his veggies! For now we have brought him home and are going to try a low calcium diet and some medication, keeping fluids up and trying to flush the stones out (he did pass a couple of tiny ones earlier in the week before I knew that’s what they were). Is there anything we can do to make him more comfortable and what would you do/have you done in the situation? I’m afraid if he doesn’t show any improvement over the next few days we may have to say goodbye as I don’t want him continuing in pain

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this

What medication have you been given?

Sadly any changes in diet will not have any effect to the existing stones. Diet changes can have an effect on the formation of any future stones (although some piggies have a genetic predisposition to stones which of course nobody can do anything about), but the changes in diet will take several weeks to have an effect on the body.
Small stones may pass but boars have an angle in their urethra where stones can get stuck so passing them is harder if the stones are bigger.

Is there another vet you can try for a quote? Where are you located? If you are in the UK, you may be able to find a different vet in our locator

Ultimately though, you need to be guided by the vet as to the prognosis in your particular situation and do the best thing for Rex

 

[Claire W]

I am so sorry for the diagnosis

Sadly, the only way to remove bigger stones is through surgery. As mentioned above, large stones are more difficult for a boar to pass as they can become stuck in the urethra which is a medical emergency.

Is there another vet you could try who may be able to do the surgery cheaper than what you have been quoted? Have a look at our vet locator if you are based in the UK

 

[Vicvac28]

I am in the UK, my vet is already in the recommended list so I trust they are good with guinea pigs. What would you say is a typical price for bladder stone removal in a guinea pig as I’m not sure whether their quote was realistic and just seems high to me because I’ve not had to deal with anything of this magnitude before?

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s great you’re already seeing a recommended vet.
Vets have different charging structures so there is always going to be a variation in cost, plus you’re paying for their expertise with anaesthetic being one of the biggest costs of surgery. Ive seen some on here mention anything from a few hundred to thousands of pounds for surgery and post op care for bladder surgery.
Plus, the cost will change depending on the actual situation for your piggy - location of stone etc

 

[Claire W]

It's good that you have a vet who you trust. The cost really does vary from vet to vet so it's sadly impossible for us to say. The last surgery I had on a guinea pig was an eye removal which was between the £100-£150 mark but that was back in 2013. I was however quoted £800 to unblock my cats bladder in 2019 at the same vets who are reasonably priced for my area

 

[Vicvac28]

I was quoted £1000 just for the procedure and possibly more if post op care was needed for a few days so not sure if that’s normal or not really. I just don’t know whether he’d pull through it’s such a gamble and I want to do right by Rex but also be realistic

 

[Swissgreys]

I am sorry you are going through this.
What medication has he been given?
And how were the stones diagnosed?
I am assuming x-ray?

 

[Swissgreys]

Sorry - posted too soon.

I also wanted to add that it is ok to be realistic and honest with yourself about finances, prognosis, etc.
When Ruby had bladder problems a few years ago it ended up costing well over 1000 Swiss Francs, and took several months for her to return to normal.
There was a point mid treatment when the vet did question how far I was willing to go to try and save her, as there were times where the outlook was fairly bleak.
With Ruby I always knew deep down that it was the right thing to keep going, and in hindsight it was a good decision.
However I have also had pigs where treatment was offered with a similar prognosis and I have turned it down.
What is right for 1 pig is not always right for another.

Remember - you know your boy best and whatever you decide will be the right decision for him.

 

[Vicvac28]

I am sorry you are going through this.
What medication has he been given?
And how were the stones diagnosed?
I am assuming x-ray?

He was initially put on antibiotics Enrocare and Loxicom to bring down inflammation and help with pain relief. Since the diagnosis this morning he is on the same but higher dosage and I think we will just have to play it by ear

 

[Swissgreys]

He was initially put on antibiotics Enrocare and Loxicom to bring down inflammation and help with pain relief. Since the diagnosis this morning he is on the same but higher dosage and I think we will just have to play it by ear

How was he diagnosed - x-ray?
I only ask because when Ruby was diagnosed based on an examination, the x-ray did actually give a clearer picture of the whole problem, which wasn't as bad as initially thought.

 

[Vicvac28]

How was he diagnosed - x-ray?
I only ask because when Ruby was diagnosed based on an examination, the x-ray did actually give a clearer picture of the whole problem, which wasn't as bad as initially thought.

He had an ultrasound, but apparently it wasn’t clear whether it was actual stones or gritty material. Just there was something in the bladder that shouldn’t be there

 

[Sue and Smartie]

Panda had two bladder surgeries, both times stones. After the first I changed his diet to low calcium but it made no difference to him I'm afraid. So he had a stone removed in 2015, then another in 2016, but when the third stone appeared early 2017, and it had adhered to the wall of his bladder the vet said they couldn't remove it so he was pts. IIRC I paid c.£350 for each of his surgeries so your quote does seem a bit high but then the cost of everything has gone up so much recently.
Panda's stones were large but singular. If your boy has multiple small stones I can see it being a longer operation, maybe that's why it would be expensive.

 

[Swissgreys]

He had an ultrasound, but apparently it wasn’t clear whether it was actual stones or gritty material. Just there was something in the bladder that shouldn’t be there

I have to start by saying I have only had one pig go through this so am in no way an expert.
Your vet is always the first and best person to advise.
But I had the exact same experience with Ruby.
She was rushed to the out of hours vet with what turned out to be a full urinary blockage which had happened within hours.
A quick physical exam followed by ultrasound came back with a diagnosis of stones/sludge and surgery was suggested.
But thankfully the specialist guinea pig vet was onsite and the more general vet consulted with her first and she recommend a quick x-ray (as well as offering to perform the surgery if needed).
The x-ray clearly showed sludge with a few very small (passable) stones, so we decided to switch to a bladder flush instead.
Ruby had the bladder flush and this was enough to resolve the issue for her - no surgery required.
Her recovery was still long and fraught with issues, but at least she was spared a surgery which may have gone ahead if we hadn't opted for an x-ray first.
Ironically the x-ray ended up being the cheapest part of the whole process, so was well worth it!
However I am also aware that boys 'plumbing' is different so none of this may actually apply to your piggy.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[eileen]

Maybe get a quote from another recommended vet on the list.i know my local exotic vet charges about this for stone removal,2 days hospital care.i know a good general vet with a passion for guinea pigs that charges £350.00 for stone removal.whatever decision you make will be right.you are in a difficult situation.i wish you all the best.xx

 

[piggieminder]

Bracken's stones cost us almost £5,000 in all but that included xrays twice as first was done by inexperienced vet who got position wrong, CT scan, surgery lots of visits and incidentals. Bracken did well after surgery but sadly went on to have inoperable very painful kidney stones, he was PTS 4 months after surgery.
Ruty's treatment was £2,000 in all. He did well and is still with us 2 years later. I wasn't going to have surgery done this time but was persuaded by the vet to give him one chance at it, I was so glad I did.
I wish you and your boy well. There is no right or wrong in this but an awful lot to consider.

 

[Vicvac28]

Unfortunately we made the decision to have Rex put to sleep this morning. He had lost so much weight, wasn’t weeing or pooing at all and really in pain when trying to do so. He was the best boy, so friendly and obsessed with his food so we knew when he was off even his favourite veggies that he didn’t want to go on thank you all so much for your kind words and advice, it means a lot. RIP handsome man

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Such a hard decision for you to make. Popcorn high at the bridge gorgeous Rex.

 

[Claire W]

I’m so sorry for your loss It’s never an easy decision to make (((hugs))) Sleep tight Rex xx

 

[EJMA82]

So sorry for your loss, big hugs xx

 

[My Piggies]

I'm so sorry for your loss
Sleep tight gorgeous boy