My 1 and a half year old Seymour has been crying while peeing for a few weeks now, and now I noticed today that he is also peeing blood, he doesn’t wee very much or drink very much lately but he is still his usual self. I hope no one thinks it’s cruel that I haven’t yet taken him to the vets but I’m very worried about it as most people say it is stones, my local vets will sedate for X-rays and I lost a pig last year during sedation so honestly I don’t think I’d like to risk it again. If anyone has any suggestions (I know it could uti or stones) or advice I’d be grateful. Also his pee is very small and almost gritty in feeling, before it had blood in it.
P.S I have checked the vet locator but couldn’t see one in or near central Liverpool (I don’t drive but am willing to get taxis) that won’t use sedation for X-rays
Hi!
I am very sorry, but you really need to see a vet!
They will feel the bladder. If it is still soft and relaxed, then it is most likely urinary tract infection or cystitis. If the bladder feels hard or small, then it is often an indicator of bladder sludge or stones, and in this case, an x-ray under no or minimal sedation is indicated. Please respect that in order to locate any stones or sludge spacially in the body, your vet needs to scan from two different angles and that a minimal degree of sedation (but not necessarily a full GA) is necessary in order to arrange the piggy in a for it unnatural pose and have it lying still for a clear x-ray to be taken.
I would strongly recommend to discuss your concerns with your vet during the examination, but please also take into account that stones and sludge do not disappear by themselves or by medication only. There is no magic wand. If you refuse any treatment/operation under full GA you may also refuse your piggy any potentially life saving treatment.
If the pee is feeling gritty, then there is a good likelihood of sludge or stones.
Sometimes there is unfortunately no easy way out and you have to face your fears head-on when you are presented with a repeat scenario.
I know from my own piggies after failed treatment or ops how hard that is when you come up against the same issue again and how jittery you are; but I also know from my own experiences that piggies very rarely die in the same procedure twice. The good thing is that once you have come through well through the same procedure, you will feel a lot better about it.
You may find our diet tips for guinea pigs with urinary tract problems helpful. Please note that they won't make any existing problems disappear and that they are no instant fix, but a a well balanced low calcium diet that looks at all food intake areas (with water and pellets often the greater calcium contributors than too much high calcium veg) can help to minimise the issue of recurring stones or sludge in the longer term.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
All the best in facing your fears for the sake of your poorly piggy that needs to see a vet at the beginning of next week unless it is starting to go downhill very quickly if grit or stones go on the march and block the urine flow - in this case, you are dealing with an emergency.
