Blood in urine won't go away

[piggycuddler_44]

Hi,

I noticed blood in my male guinea pig's urine a month ago, and bought him to a vet that specialises in Guinea Pigs. They put him on pain meds and antibiotics for a while (1.5 weeks), but nothing changed. Since then, they did an ultrasound, x ray,and checked his kidneys. He did have a lot of bits in his bladder. They had us continue the pain meds and did an ultrasound a week later. The blood in his urine was gone and so was the debris in his bladder. Another week later, tonight, we noticed more blood in his urine. I'm feeling a bit hopeless and annoyed that after upwards of $2000, we are back in the same situation.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Tory93]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your piggie.

When you say debris in the bladder, was is calcium sludge? Does he have any other symptoms? Does he squeak or hunch when he wees etc?

Sending healing vibes

 

[piggycuddler_44]

Thank you. The vet said they couldn't specify what was in his bladder, but it wasn't calcium sludge or crystals. He doesn't seem to be in any pain when urinating now, but he was when we first noticed the blood.

I have another appointment booked Wednesday.

 

[Tory93]

At least he doesn't seem to be in any discomfort.

Is there blood in every wee he does? Is it sheer blood red? Has the vet tested a urine sample? It could potentially be Sterile IC.

Hopefully his appointment on Wednesday may shed some light

 

[piggycuddler_44]

Hi, yes the vet has tested his urine, and confirmed there is blood. I saw yesterday he did a big, clear wee with just some brown in it, around the other red wees. The colour varies but it mostly is a pure red.

Do you think the vet will be able to put him on a different antibiotic and that would help? I'm so worried about my little guy

 

[fluffysal]

I have a bladder prone piggy. It's horrible isn't it
He has glucosamine in his pellets and gets topped up with a supplement of it on occasion. This seems to help keep him comfortable.

 

[Tory93]

Apart from testing for blood did the vet test for anything else? Like bacteria etc?

The main causes for blood in urine are:
- stones
- sludge
- UTI
- IC

From the list only a UTI can be fixed with antibiotics.

As he has had an xray and stones have been ruled out, then it only really leaves a UTI or IC. Was he only on antibiotics for 10 days? Has he had anything since? Your vet needs to confirm if there is any bacteria in your boys urine, if there is a high volume then he will need more antibiotics, I think these are usually for 14 days. If there is low amounts of bacteria it's more likely to be IC which can't be treated with antibiotics - there isn't really a cure for it per se and it can go on for months/years. Glucosamine and metacam are usually the go to for this.

I would recommended reading of the info in this link:

Wiebke's Guide to Pees and Stones

Hope little man feels better soon

 

[piggycuddler_44]

I think the antibiotics where only for 7 days. He was on pain meds (tramadol) during his antibiotics and for about 2 weeks after the antibiotics finished. I think the vets did test for bacteria, but I have forgotten what the results where. Thanks for the link!

I'll give an update after the vet tomorrow

 

[Piggies&buns]

I agree with what Tory has said.

IC is a possibility but only after everything else has been ruled out - ie stones and sludge etc.

I hope he is ok

 

[piggycuddler_44]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the help thus far. Unfortunately the vet really didn't go well today; this is our 8th appointment regarding this problem, and they did more and more testing and put him through so much stress doing unnecessary checks of things that have been considered at our last appointments. They are having him go back once a week for an injection, and the clinic is an hour away from us. They still haven't got to the bottom of it.

This is the only qualified exotics vet around us, and our pet insurance has nearly run out for him. Not sure what to do at this point sadly.

Suggestions are very welcomed, thank you in advance!

 

[PiggyintheMiddle]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the help thus far. Unfortunately the vet really didn't go well today; this is our 8th appointment regarding this problem, and they did more and more testing and put him through so much stress doing unnecessary checks of things that have been considered at our last appointments. They are having him go back once a week for an injection, and the clinic is an hour away from us. They still haven't got to the bottom of it.

This is the only qualified exotics vet around us, and our pet insurance has nearly run out for him. Not sure what to do at this point sadly.

Suggestions are very welcomed, thank you in advance!

I am not an expert, this is just my current experience. We saw blood with Bianca and it turned out that she has tumours. I assume your vet has checked for that?

 

[piggycuddler_44]

So sorry to hear that. He has had ultrasounds and x rays done, would this have found anything?

 

[Piggies&buns]

What is the injection?

Crystals or Sludge (tightly packed crystals) are the only thing I can think of as being debris….

You need to find out whether there is bacteria.

If there is, then antibiotics - he may need a different one or a longer course.
If there isn’t bacteria and there are no stones, sludge then look to IC which is management (daily glucosamine and painkiller).
IC is only diagnosed by eliminating everything else

 

[Baileysmypig]

I think the antibiotics where only for 7 days. He was on pain meds (tramadol) during his antibiotics and for about 2 weeks after the antibiotics finished. I think the vets did test for bacteria, but I have forgotten what the results where. Thanks for the link!

I'll give an update after the vet tomorrow

Can I ask what dose of tramadol your piggie was on? My Bailey was prescribed 0.16 and it's not enough. She has a large bladder stone that's going to be removed in two weeks via surgery. I'm hoping she'll be okay after the surgery, but very worried

 

[piggycuddler_44]

Hi All. The update is that by some miracle, my Piggy has cleared all the blood, and his urine has been clear for about a week! @Baileysmypig, he was on 0.15, I hope your piggle gets much better soon!