Blood in Pee

[AandG]

Hi, I hope everyone is well.

Yesterday we noticed some red patches in the girls cage and quickly worked out which Piggy had blood in her urine. She seems, touch wood, absolutely fine in herself eating, drinking annoying her sister. She has had a UTI before and was prescribed Baytril, however, we took her off this after her third dose as she reacted extremely badly and we nearly lost her.

We took her to the vets this morning as there was still blood in her Urine, to get her checked out. The vet was very thorough and even done an ultrasound that confirmed there was some inflammation but no sludge etc which was a relief. Her weight also hasn’t reduced.

Her and her sister have both suffered with sludge in the past but since using Sherwood Pet Health Urinary Support tablets, it seems to have subsided massively.

We were prescribed an anti inflammatory Rheumocam to give her as was told inflammation can in itself cause blood in urine. However, I just feel after reading all the forums that perhaps she should have been given an antibiotic as well?

 

[Piggies2023]

Hi, I hope everyone is well.

Yesterday we noticed some red patches in the girls cage and quickly worked out which Piggy had blood in her urine. She seems, touch wood, absolutely fine in herself eating, drinking annoying her sister. She has had a UTI before and was prescribed Baytril, however, we took her off this after her third dose as she reacted extremely badly and we nearly lost her.

We took her to the vets this morning as there was still blood in her Urine, to get her checked out. The vet was very thorough and even done an ultrasound that confirmed there was some inflammation but no sludge etc which was a relief. Her weight also hasn’t reduced.

Her and her sister have both suffered with sludge in the past but since using Sherwood Pet Health Urinary Support tablets, it seems to have subsided massively.

We were prescribed an anti inflammatory Rheumocam to give her as was told inflammation can in itself cause blood in urine. However, I just feel after reading all the forums that perhaps she should have been given an antibiotic as well?

She only needs an antibiotic if she has bacteria in her urine. It sounds like possibly the vet is thinking sterile cysistis which is no bacteria. Glucosamine and antiinflammatories is normally the first line of treatment for that.

 

[Piggies&buns]

As above antibiotics would only be needed if a bacterial infection was suspected.

Sterile cystitis is a non-bacterial issue which affects the lining of the bladder. It causes pain and bleeding when urine comes into contact with raw tissue. It cannot be cured, only managed and it is managed by glucosamine and painkillers.

The best way to reduce sludge is through reducing pellets, filtering drinking water and increasing water intake through encouraging drinking and feeding veggies.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I hope everyone is well.

Yesterday we noticed some red patches in the girls cage and quickly worked out which Piggy had blood in her urine. She seems, touch wood, absolutely fine in herself eating, drinking annoying her sister. She has had a UTI before and was prescribed Baytril, however, we took her off this after her third dose as she reacted extremely badly and we nearly lost her.

We took her to the vets this morning as there was still blood in her Urine, to get her checked out. The vet was very thorough and even done an ultrasound that confirmed there was some inflammation but no sludge etc which was a relief. Her weight also hasn’t reduced.

Her and her sister have both suffered with sludge in the past but since using Sherwood Pet Health Urinary Support tablets, it seems to have subsided massively.

We were prescribed an anti inflammatory Rheumocam to give her as was told inflammation can in itself cause blood in urine. However, I just feel after reading all the forums that perhaps she should have been given an antibiotic as well?

Hi and welcome

There is a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI), which is caused by faecal bacteria getting into the urinary tract (usually via scent marking and present in small quantities in most piggies) and there is a sterile interstitial cystitis (sterile IC; i.e. a non-bacterial reccurring infection/inflammation of the walls of the urinary tract).

The former can be cured by an antibiotic but is actually comparatively rare in indoors guinea pigs that live in a stable temperature environment.

The second is still not much known outside vet circles that do not deal frequently with guinea pigs but has become a lot more common over the last 15 years as commercial mass breeding has taken off. Affected are typically guinea pigs with a nervous disposition; confident piggies can usually fend it off with their own stronger immune system. Sterile IC seems to affect mainly the natural glucosamine lining of the urinary tract which prevents the hightly corrosive urine coming into direct and very painful contact with raw tissue.
Treatment is mainly with glucosamine (which is classed as a food supplement and not as a medication) and with an analgesic (i.e. anti-inflammatory and painkiller) in mild to medium cases; with cartrophen now being used for medium to stronger cases. Sterile IC cannot be cured and only managed although in mild to medium cases it can eventually disappear on its own.

Your vet has taken into account your piggy's sensitivity of baytril and seen no indication for the use of another antibiotic.
I would recommend that you start with glucosamine (which is widely available online) as it needs time to build up in the body. It is not a quick fix but crucial in the treatment of sterile IC and helpful with any urinary tract problems for the comfort it brings.
On here, we recommend Feliway Cat Cystease capsules because they are comparatively easy to give. Mix the powdery contents into 2 or 4 ml of water until absorbed and shake well before use. Then either give the lot once daily or give half of solution twice daily. You can sprinkle it on veg if your piggy will eat it but be aware that some will munch around the powder and that you do not have quite control re. intake that you have with syringing any medication.

Be aware that it takes around 5 days for symptoms in urinary tract infections of any sort to consolidate (including the typical squeaking when peeing) and that the red colour in the urine is actually not blood (although it can be present) but a natural dye called porphyrine that is characteristic for the onset and that often freaks out owners who haven't come up against it before. It is ever so slightly duller and darker than fresh sheer blood but you need to have seen both to be able to spot the difference. Seemingly clear urine can test high for blood.

PS: Rheumocam is the currently used UK vet brand name for dog strength (1.5 mg/ml) metacam (active ingredient meloxicam).

I hope that this helps you and clarifies things?

 

[AandG]

She only needs an antibiotic if she has bacteria in her urine. It sounds like possibly the vet is thinking sterile cysistis which is no bacteria. Glucosamine and antiinflammatories is normally the first line of treatment for that.

Thank you for the comment I really appreciate it

 

[AandG]

As above antibiotics would only be needed if a bacterial infection was suspected.

Sterile cystitis is a non-bacterial issue which affects the lining of the bladder. It causes pain and bleeding when urine comes into contact with raw tissue. It cannot be cured, only managed and it is managed by glucosamine and painkillers.

The best way to reduce sludge is through reducing pellets, filtering drinking water and increasing water intake through encouraging drinking and feeding veggies.

Thank you for the comment I really appreciate it, will look into Glucosamine straight away

 

[AandG]

Hi and welcome

There is a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI), which is caused by faecal bacteria getting into the urinary tract (usually via scent marking and present in small quantities in most piggies) and there is a sterile interstitial cystitis (sterile IC; i.e. a non-bacterial reccurring infection/inflammation of the walls of the urinary tract).

The former can be cured by an antibiotic but is actually comparatively rare in indoors guinea pigs that live in a stable temperature environment.

The second is still not much known outside vet circles that do not deal frequently with guinea pigs but has become a lot more common over the last 15 years as commercial mass breeding has taken off. Affected are typically guinea pigs with a nervous disposition; confident piggies can usually fend it off with their own stronger immune system. Sterile IC seems to affect mainly the natural glucosamine lining of the urinary tract which prevents the hightly corrosive urine coming into direct and very painful contact with raw tissue.
Treatment is mainly with glucosamine (which is classed as a food supplement and not as a medication) and with an analgesic (i.e. anti-inflammatory and painkiller) in mild to medium cases; with cartrophen now being used for medium to stronger cases. Sterile IC cannot be cured and only managed although in mild to medium cases it can eventually disappear on its own.

Your vet has taken into account your piggy's sensitivity of baytril and seen no indication for the use of another antibiotic.
I would recommend that you start with glucosamine (which is widely available online) as it needs time to build up in the body. It is not a quick fix but crucial in the treatment of sterile IC and helpful with any urinary tract problems for the comfort it brings.
On here, we recommend Feliway Cat Cystease capsules because they are comparatively easy to give. Mix the powdery contents into 2 or 4 ml of water until absorbed and shake well before use. Then either give the lot once daily or give half of solution twice daily. You can sprinkle it on veg if your piggy will eat it but be aware that some will munch around the powder and that you do not have quite control re. intake that you have with syringing any medication.

Be aware that it takes around 5 days for symptoms in urinary tract infections of any sort to consolidate (including the typical squeaking when peeing) and that the red colour in the urine is actually not blood (although it can be present) but a natural dye called porphyrine that is characteristic for the onset and that often freaks out owners who haven't come up against it before. It is ever so slightly duller and darker than fresh sheer blood but you need to have seen both to be able to spot the difference. Seemingly clear urine can test high for blood.

PS: Rheumocam is the currently used UK vet brand name for dog strength (1.5 mg/ml) metacam (active ingredient meloxicam).

I hope that this helps you and clarifies things?

Hi Wiebke,

Thank you for the welcome and thank you for the detailed reply, it is greatly appreciated

If you don't mind me asking should we carry on with the Sherwood tablets, link to them is here - Sherwood Pet Health - Urinary Support Supplement- Just4Rabbits and then the Cystease on top? We are currently giving them two tablets a day each of the Sherwood tablets

Sorry are these the Glucosamine tablets to get? - https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/cystease

Thank you and the others for all the advice and help

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Wiebke,

Thank you for the welcome and thank you for the detailed reply, it is greatly appreciated

If you don't mind me asking should we carry on with the Sherwood tablets, link to them is here - Sherwood Pet Health - Urinary Support Supplement- Just4Rabbits and then the Cystease on top? We are currently giving them two tablets a day each of the Sherwood tablets

Sorry are these the Glucosamine tablets to get? - https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/cystease

Thank you and the others for all the advice and help

I can't see an ingredients list on their website but doesn't sound like Sherwood supplement contains glucosamine. Other members with practical experience with the supplement may be able to advise you. I haven't used it myself.

Yes, those are the cystease capsules I have been talking about. If your issue turns out to be sterile IC (at the moment it is far too early to tell), I would recommend to switch to a larger pack as it is considerably cheaper.

For more information on sterile IC: Links - Interstitial Cystitis - Guinea Lynx Records
It is usually either diagnosed by default after all other issues have been excluded or by a zero or very low bacterial count but ongoing infection symptoms that can be at the best temporarily suppressed with an antibiotic but not cured.

It sounds like you have a good vet who is very thorough and has good instincts.

 

[AandG]

I can't see an ingredients list on their website but doesn't sound like Sherwood supplement contains glucosamine. Other members with practical experience with the supplement may be able to advise you. I haven't used it myself.

Yes, those are the cystease capsules I have been talking about. If your issue turns out to be sterile IC (at the moment it is far too early to tell), I would recommend to switch to a larger pack as it is considerably cheaper.

For more information on sterile IC: Links - Interstitial Cystitis - Guinea Lynx Records
It is usually either diagnosed by default after all other issues have been excluded or by a zero or very low bacterial count but ongoing infection symptoms that can be at the best temporarily suppressed with an antibiotic but not cured.

It sounds like you have a good vet who is very thorough and has good instincts.

Thank you so much for the help tonight, I really do appreciate it. I have just ordered the Cystease capsules for pick up tomorrow morning (will look for alternative retailers to buy a larger amount if turns out to be sterile IC, but just wanted to get them going as quickly as possible so ordered those from Pets at Home for the time being)

Have a lovely evening

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much for the help tonight, I really do appreciate it. I have just ordered the Cystease capsules for pick up tomorrow morning (will look for alternative retailers to buy a larger amount if turns out to be sterile IC, but just wanted to get them going as quickly as possible so ordered those from Pets at Home for the time being)

Have a lovely evening

All the best. I hope that it is just a mild inflammation but the glucosamine won't do any harm.