Bladder treatment

[Mclayton]

Hi bit of a strange question. Can changing your guinea pigs hay, cause a bladder flare? Its just that, my Squeak is awaiting results from a urine culture from the lab. He's been on baytril & metacam for a month. I thought it was over, as last week, he went nearly 4 days without a single squeaky wee. But these past 2 days, he's been bad again, & only thing I've added to his diet, is a different type of hay to mix with his original hay. Its oat hay, & I believe its picked before the grain develops, as he needs to be on grain free pellets. I just don't have any answers anymore. Why would he go a fews days with nothing, then start up again. Something is starting him off, but havnt a clue what. I'm already following the I C. information, just incase it is that. But he's had filtered water, grain free pellets & the right fresh food for nearly 4 months now,, & a daily cystease capsule since December 27th

 

[Piggies&buns]

In a diagnosed IC piggy, changes to the diet can cause flares. Whether hay is one such trigger I can’t say for certain but it could well be possible - differing richness, nutrient content etc

The result of the urine culture is obviously going to be needed for some answers. What I find strange about this is that with everything you’ve done, if this was IC (remembering IC is characterised by little to no bacteria but in Squeak’s case bacteria has been found), the pain meds and cytease should be helping and you should be able to bring it to a manageable status. Doesn’t mean to say a flare won’t happen even with the meds, we of course know they do, but something isn’t quite right here for things to be happening as they are.

Wait for the urine culture, see what that says, speak to your vet.
Depending on what the urine tests show (could be that the bacteria isn’t responding to baytril and a different antibiotic may be best), the only thing I can think of is to strip the diet right back to just hay and slow reintroduce one veg item at a time and see if that sheds any light.

 

[Mclayton]

In a diagnosed IC piggy, changes to the diet can cause flares. Whether hay is one such trigger I can’t say for certain but it could well be possible - differing richness, nutrient content etc

The result of the urine culture is obviously going to be needed for some answers. What I find strange about this is that with everything you’ve done, if this was IC (remembering IC is characterised by little to no bacteria but in Squeak’s case bacteria has been found), the pain meds and cytease should be helping and you should be able to bring it to a manageable status. Doesn’t mean to say a flare won’t happen even with the meds, we of course know they do, but something isn’t quite right here for things to be happening as they are.

Wait for the urine culture, see what that says, speak to your vet.
Depending on what the urine tests show (could be that the bacteria isn’t responding to baytril and a different antibiotic may be best), the only thing I can think of is to strip the diet right back to just hay and slow reintroduce one veg item at a time and see if that sheds any light.

Thank you so much. Have to say though, throughout all this, he has never shown illness signs, & has remained absolutely normal behaviour

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you so much. Have to say though, throughout all this, he has never shown illness signs, & has remained absolutely normal behaviour

and this is what has always seemed odd throughout this. I know his metacam dose was low to begin with but i am right in thinking it was increased and that he was on dog metacam, arent I? You would think pain would have been managed after such a long time, and this is why I have asked on your other threads if you are certain it is pain and not just him chatting. It feels a bit strange that some days he’s ok, others he‘s not but nothing changes in between.

 

[Mclayton]

and this is what has always seemed odd throughout this. I know his metacam dose was low to begin with but i am right in thinking it was increased and that he was on dog metacam, arent I? You would think pain would have been managed after such a long time, and this is why I have asked on your other threads if you are certain it is pain and not just him chatting. It feels a bit strange that some days he’s ok, others he‘s not but nothing changes in between.

I am never certain it is pain, to be honest, but it seems as though when he's peeing. Bubble my other piggie has made the same sound on occasion, & that's what does make me question, if it is always pain, as Bubble is fine. It could well be behaviourable, as it seems to happen more in the playpen in the evening. Its like,, he feels uneasy doing a wee where u can see him. But he does some squeaky wees in his cage too, at night, but rarely during the day. It really is a mystery. He was not like this the first month I had him. He is the more skitty pig of the 2. & yes, he's still on dog metacam 0.3mls twice a day. I'm worried its going to do more harm than good, if it isn't pain.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I am never certain it is pain, to be honest, but it seems as though when he's peeing. Bubble my other piggie has made the same sound on occasion, & that's what does make me question, if it is always pain, as Bubble is fine. It could well be behaviourable, as it seems to happen more in the playpen in the evening. It’s like,, he feels uneasy doing a wee where u can see him. But he does some squeaky wees in his cage too, at night, but rarely during the day. It really is a mystery. He was not like this the first month I had him. He is the more skitty pig of the 2. & yes, he's still on dog metacam 0.3mls twice a day. I'm worried it’s going to do more harm than good, if it isn't pain.

Again, if he was in pain then he would be in pain all the time (if metacam wasn’t working ie dose too low) his dose of metacam is fine though - it doesn’t make sense that he doesn’t make these noises during the day. Entirely possible he feels insecure about being in playpen and is vocalising more.
We know he has bacteria in his urine so that is one thing, but see what the culture shows. If it cured, then I would discuss all this further with the vet - does he still need the metacam etc.

 

[Mclayton]

Again, if he was in pain then he would be in pain all the time (if metacam wasn’t working ie dose too low - his dose of metacam is fine though - it doesn’t make sense that he doesn’t make these noises during the day. Entirely possible he feels insecure about being in playpen and is vocalising more.
We know he has bacteria in his urine so that is one thing, but see what the culture shows. If it cured, then I would discuss all this further with the vet - does he still need the metacam etc.

Yes, will do. Since the cut down on the pellets, he's down to 1.3kg instead of 1.4. I did think the latter weight was a little high, so he's much fitter now. he is a big piggie anyway. Bubble is a little smaller. A crested, weighing 1.2kg

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes, will do. Since the cut down on the pellets, he's down to 1.3kg instead of 1.4. I did think the latter weight was a little high, so he's much fitter now. he is a big piggie anyway. Bubble is a little smaller. A crested, weighing 1.2kg

It’s not really weight that is a factor in determining what is healthy for an individual piggy, it is heft. However, cutting down the pellets will only make him healthier so it’s the right thing to have done.

Let me know what the urine culture says.

 

[Mclayton]

It’s not really weight that is a factor in determining what is healthy for an individual piggy, it is heft. However, cutting down the pellets will only make him healthier so it’s the right thing to have done.

Let me know what the urine culture says.

Oh he is hefty! The lady from guinea pig rescue calls him a bruiser! yes, I will let you know. Thank you

 

[Mclayton]

It’s not really weight that is a factor in determining what is healthy for an individual piggy, it is heft. However, cutting down the pellets will only make him healthier so it’s the right thing to have done.

Let me know what the urine culture says.

Another night of Squeak been fine. Busy playing, chewing his hay cube, & no squeaky wees. Past 2 days, I've stuck to his normal hay, normal fresh food, ( cucumber, pepper, coriander, little gem). & is fine tonight. I've also upped the cystease by half, since the flare. I've read that on here, that it brings a flare under control quicker, if upped for a few days. Anyway, he's absolutely fine again tonight

 

[Mclayton]

Sorry to start another thread. Just upset tonight. Swuesk having rough time with squeaky wees. He's doing it every few minutes. but again, been ok most of the day. I've uploaded a 10sec video on YouTube. I'm the cage. You can't see him, but I've picked up the sound. You need turn volume up though. I'm struggling cope now, as nothing I do, is working. I'm awaiting urine test from the lab

 

[Merab]

Just offering support

 

[Piggies&buns]

Sorry to start another thread. Just upset tonight. Swuesk having rough time with squeaky wees. He's doing it every few minutes. but again, been ok most of the day. I've uploaded a 10sec video on YouTube. I'm the cage. You can't see him, but I've picked up the sound. You need turn volume up though. I'm struggling cope now, as nothing I do, is working. I'm awaiting urine test from the lab

I’ve merged all your threads into one because we need all the background for anybody who hadn’t been following the threads up until now. Please do keep to the same thread about this one issue.

You will need to post a new link to the YouTube video for any of us to view it.

You say he is squeaking every few minutes but Is he actually peeing every few minutes though? If he was having painful pees then they would all be hurting, not just the ones in the evening.

 

[Mclayton]

I’ve merged all your threads into one because we need all the background for anybody who hadn’t been following the threads up until now. Please do keep to the same thread about this one issue.

You will need to post a new link to the YouTube video for any of us to view it.

You say he is squeaking every few minutes but Is he actually peeing every few minutes though? If he was having painful pees then they would all be hurting, not just the ones in the evening.

Don't know how to do stuff on YouTube. Just no clue with stuff like this. All I know is, he's having a terrible night. He had his metacam at 7.30. I just can't go bed until he settles. I wish the lab test would hurry up back. Its 6 days tomorrow

 

[Piggies&buns]

Don't know how to do stuff on YouTube. Just no clue with stuff like this. All I know is, he's having a terrible night. He had his metacam at 7.30. I just can't go bed until he settles. I wish the lab test would hurry up back. Its 6 days tomorrow

Copy the address bar in YouTube, come back to the forum and paste it into this thread.

I’ll go back through the whole thread and see if I can find the previous YouTube videos you’ve posted and hopefully find a link back into your pages.

 

[Mclayton]

Copy the address bar in YouTube, come back to the forum and paste it into this thread.

I’ll go back through the whole thread and see if I can find the previous YouTube videos you’ve posted and hopefully find a link back into your pages.

Don't know what address bar is, or paste. Sorry. I havnt a clue. The video tonight, is a bit clearer squeak. Something is jyst setting him off in the evening. I just haven't a clue what.

 

[Mclayton]

Copy the address bar in YouTube, come back to the forum and paste it into this thread.

I’ll go back through the whole thread and see if I can find the previous YouTube videos you’ve posted and hopefully find a link back into your pages.

All I know is, its on my channel, Melanie Clayton, whatever that is

 

[Piggies&buns]

The address bar is where you type the web address of whatever website you want to go.

I think youre going to need to take him back to the vet and have the vet to tell you whether he is in pain or not.
As there isn’t consistency - he only gets noisy on some evenings - and he is on a good dose of pain meds either he is in such pain the meds aren’t enough and he needs further investigations and other pain medications added or he has just become noisy/shouting at his cage mate sometimes.
It’s a difficult one because unless you can know he is definitely peeing every single time he makes an noise (which in itself is strange - it’s so odd only the pees during a few hours some evenings hurt him) and the results of the urine culture, then there not actually anything more you can do at this point.

 

[Mclayton]

The address bar is where you type the web address of whatever website you want to go.

I think youre going to need to take him back to the vet and have the vet to tell you whether he is in pain or not.
As there isn’t consistency - he only gets noisy on some evenings - and he is on a good dose of pain meds either he is in such pain the meds aren’t enough and he needs further investigations and other pain medications added or he has just become noisy/shouting at his cage mate sometimes.
It’s a difficult one because unless you can know he is definitely peeing every single time he makes an noise (which in itself is strange - it’s so odd only the pees during a few hours some evenings hurt him) and the results of the urine culture, then there not actually anything more you can do at this point.

I dont have an address bar, as I can only access YouTube & other Internet sites on my phone. I don't have a computer to access online

 

[Wheekallweek]

I hope he's feeling better soon, bladder problems in piggies are horrible. It's awful hearing them squealing in pain

 

[Deleted member 151640]

I dont have an address bar, as I can only access YouTube & other Internet sites on my phone. I don't have a computer to access online

If you are talking about through the youtube app, you can share the video. There should be a button that says share next to the like button and you can copy the link and paste it.
An address bar is where you put in what you are looking for,and will be either on the top or the bottom of your screen depending on the search engine you are using (on phone, tablet etc.)

It sounds like you need to speak to the vet again, and perhaps look into doing some more investigative work if the current test isn’t conclusive of anything.
Please take care of yourself and I am keeping you both in my thoughts. x

squeaky guinea pig wee?
I have attached the link for easier access.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I dont have an address bar, as I can only access YouTube & other Internet sites on my phone. I don't have a computer to access online

The address bar is where you have to type a web address, on any type of device - computer or phone, every time you want to go to a website or search for something on the internet. You would have had to type in it to be able to open this forum.
If you are using an app for YouTube then that is different way to access it ( you can still get to YouTube via the web).

Did he settle yesterday evening?
As I said, you’re going to need to speak to the vet, get the culture results and have them check for pain. Other than the infection, I know you’ve said they’ve not found anything else wrong so knowing whether the bacteria is still there is a key bit of information.

 

[Mclayton]

The address bar is where you have to type a web address, on any type of device - computer or phone, every time you want to go to a website or search for something on the internet. You would have had to type in it to be able to open this forum.
If you are using an app for YouTube then that is different way to access it ( you can still get to YouTube via the web).

Did he settle yesterday evening?
As I said, you’re going to need to speak to the vet, get the culture results and have them check for pain. Other than the infection, I know you’ve said they’ve not found anything else wrong so knowing whether the bacteria is still there is a key bit of information.

He did settle after 2& half hours after metacam. He's very excited this morning, popcorning for his fresh hay. Someone on here posted a link to my video, so easier to view, as you just click on it

 

[Piggies&buns]

He did settle after 2& half hours after metacam. He's very excited this morning, popcorning for his fresh hay. Someone on here posted a link to my video, so easier to view, as you just click on it

Yes I’ve seen the video. He does sound noisy in the video but whether it is linked to him actually peeing at that time only you can know.
(One of my piggies yells like that all the time without there being a medical issue - he’s just a very vocal boy and spends a lot of time calling to me and the other piggies!)

If he had his pain meds at 7.30 last night then he will need them again now, has he been making noises yet this morning since his pain meds have worn off? I would be expecting to see him in pain this morning as well.

 

[Mclayton]

Yes I’ve seen the video. He does sound noisy in the video but whether it is linked to him actually peeing at that time only you can know.
(One of my piggies yells like that all the time without there being a medical issue - he’s just a very vocal boy and spends a lot of time calling to me and the other piggies!)

If he had his pain meds at 7.30 last night then he will need them again now, has he been making noises yet this morning since his pain meds have worn off? I would be expecting to see him in pain this morning as well.

Yes he's had his metacam. 12 hours between each dose. No pain this morning at all. It always seems to kick in after 6pm, when in the pen, & sometimes couple hours after I put him in the cage. The night before last night, he did a lovely , long wee. No squeak at all, & before that, a squeak free day. Maybe you are right. He's just very vocal, but when in the pen, when I can see him, a little pee seems to follow the squeak. He's never been ill though. That's what does make me think too,,, its just him. No way can it be stones. He would be in agony everytime.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Give the vet a call and see if they’ve got the results yet and get their opinion on where you should go from here - are the noises too inconsistent to be able to say he is definitely in pain and his dose isn’t managing it etc (although if I remember rightly his dose is ok now).
Diagnosed IC piggies will have days where they squeak when peeing, days where they don’t and ts about finding a maintenance dose of pain meds and glucosamine to manage it, but it’s the fact in your case it’s only after 6pm and only when in the playpen which seems strange.

This may sound silly, but I wonder if you try not to put him in the playpen for a few days see what happens.

 

[Mclayton]

Give the vet a call and see if they’ve got the results yet and get their opinion on where you should go from here - are the noises too inconsistent to be able to say he is definitely in pain and his dose isn’t managing it etc (although if I remember rightly his dose is ok now).
Diagnosed IC piggies will have days where they squeak when peeing, days where they don’t and ts about finding a maintenance dose of pain meds and glucosamine to manage it, but it’s the fact in your case it’s only after 6pm and only when in the playpen which seems strange.

This may sound silly, but I wonder if you try not to put him in the playpen for a few days see what happens.

I've already rang the vets yesterday. Results still not back. Yes, I was thinking about leaving them in the cage for few days to see what happens. Problem is though, the cage isn't massive, ( but bigger than their original cage), so I like them out in the pen.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I've already rang the vets yesterday. Results still not back. Yes, I was thinking about leaving them in the cage for few days to see what happens. Problem is though, the cage isn't massive, ( but bigger than their original cage), so I like them out in the pen.

As long as it meets the space needs of a boar pair (150x60), then I wouldn’t worry about it for a few days.
(The cage always needs to be big enough regardless of whether they get playpen time)

I'm just wondering, if ongoing medical issues are ruled out, if it is the changing of territory which is causing him to become unsettled. Do you use the same hides/fleece from their cage in their playpen (it can help them feel more at home in a new environment)? (Of course none of this comes above medical issues though)

 

[Mclayton]

As long as it meets the space needs of a boar pair (150x60), then I wouldn’t worry about it for a few days.
(The cage always needs to be big enough regardless of whether they get playpen time)

I'm just wondering, if ongoing medical issues are ruled out, if it is the changing of territory which is causing him to become unsettled. Do you use the same hides/fleece from their cage in their playpen (it can help them feel more at home in a new environment)? (Of course none of this comes above medical issues though)

The cage is only 120cm. No room for anything bigger. I know its still too small, but believe me, they were both in a 90cm one. I needed to bring them home to give them a better life. They are happy. Popcorning alot. I use different items in the playpen, to give them variety. I use wood shavings in the cage, a fleece blanket in the pen. Can't afford fleeces for the cage, plus more wear & tear on a already old washing machine. Can hardly afford anything these days with the ongoing vets fees. I'm now unwell with the stress/worry. (Bad cold).

 

[Mclayton]

As long as it meets the space needs of a boar pair (150x60), then I wouldn’t worry about it for a few days.
(The cage always needs to be big enough regardless of whether they get playpen time)

I'm just wondering, if ongoing medical issues are ruled out, if it is the changing of territory which is causing him to become unsettled. Do you use the same hides/fleece from their cage in their playpen (it can help them feel more at home in a new environment)? (Of course none of this comes above medical issues though)

They do run in the cage. They have a wooden hide each, at the ends of the cage. With entrance/excit, & they run in & out of there. They have 2 different balls in there too. No food bowl, to add a bit more space, as I scatter feed