Cystitis - any advice or good news stories or tips?!

[Piggie_fan]

Hi,

I just wondered if anyone has a good news story about a piggie with cystitis?

Most things I've read have a long and painful (and expensive..) end. My boar seems to have picked this infection up while recovering from his neutering op. He saw the vet again today and is with them overnight for some serious pain relief and feeding, which is amazing, but I'm worried sick, especially as our other boar died a few weeks ago (unrelated cause). I've been syringe feeding him over the past few days but not convinced he was getting enough, despite my best efforts. He wasn't keen on that process; would perk up and try to eat hay when back in the cage, but soon hunch over again. I'm hoping if he can get good pain relief he'll want to start eating again.

Does anyone have any advice about aftercare if/when he comes home? I've read about giving a little unsweetened cranberry juice and obviously whatever meds they give us. If appreciate any advice, and to know that they do sometimes get better? Hoping they don't want to keep him in for another night because we've already got through the vet fund we had, for his little cage friend.

Thanks very much, the information and advice on here is amazing!

 

[Piggie_fan]

Obviously should read "I'd appreciate any advice.."

 

[Veggies Galore]

Hopefully a health and illness guru will answer your thread soon . Would it be possible for a bit more information . You mention the vet suspects this is an infection .... is he on antibiotics? Also, has the vet prescribed pain relief for you to give ?

 

[squigpopwinchoc]

i don’t know if this is entirely the same but my 5 year old sow was diagnosed with ovarian cystitis in september 2020. She had the surgery and the aftercare was tough but I got through it on my own. She is a piggie who HATES being syringe fed, she even fights it when she is so weak! I had to syringe feed her critical care every three or four hours and i always syringe fed her water around every hour just in case, and of course fed her the meds the vets prescribed. Despite being quite old she managed to make a full recovery in 2 weeks. I hope this makes you feel better.

 

[Swissgreys]

I am sorry your boy is unwell but it does sound like you are getting him the absolute best possible care.

The good news is that if it is cystitis (not a UTI) then he may just need more time.
Cystitis can take several weeks to settle down and it can be treated. Pain relief and a low calcium diet are two key factors in the early stages.
I will link to our diet guide below as a starting place for special needs diets.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
When our Lucy was first diagnosed, in addition to pain relief, filtered water, a low calcium diet and glucosamine supplements, we also cut out all veg for a few weeks.
Then we slowly reintroduced things one at a time to try and work out if any triggered her cystitis. Maybe going for a vey basic diet when he gets home - hay, limited pellets and filtered water would be a good start until his current flare up is under control.

 

[Piggie_fan]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for your replies - I really appreciate them! I was so worried about him and it does seem that he just needed more time, has turned a corner over the past couple of days He hid under a fleece constantly for a while - I had to put some veggie treats underneath it to get him eating! He's still a skinny little thing but I love seeing him out and about and interested in things again, can't stop watching him! He's on antibiotics and gut motility meds so hoping that will sort him out. Thanks for the info on diets, that'll be helpful - he only seems to like the high calcium veg and doesn't have his full appetite back so he's having extra grass as well as a top up.

It's great having this forum - so many people think they're 'just' guinea pigs but they are part of the family.