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cystitis or stones?

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alexr

alexr

Teenage Guinea Pig
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About 3 weeks ago my Mum came to visit so I had use of her car and was able to take Boris to my preferred vet when Boris showed signs of cystitis. At the time he had blood in his wee and was squeaking when going to the toilet. Ken, the vet, prescribed Baytril but this hasn't seemed to work.

Anyway, this weekend Boris has been really raising himself up on all fours and making horrible straining noises when urinating. He's also only able to pass tiny drops. I wondered if he might have a bladder stone as the symptoms seem to be similar to when Babs had one. As I have no transport to take Boris to my other vet, I took him to the local one who I've not been to before. He said Boris had blood in his wee and we should try him on different antibiotics and painkiller. I'm really worried as I'm convinced Boris may well have a stone. What should I do?
 
I guess the new antibiotic is Septrin?.This is better for cystitis than Baytril.For some reason or other I found found in a few minstances of stubborn cystitis that 10 daays of Septrin followed by 10 days of Baytril has worked.As your piggie is not passing blood there may not be a stone,but of course this cannot be ruled out.Cystitis is very painful and sometimes the piggies will deliberately not pee because of the pain.Is the painkiller the vet gave you Metacam?.The dose of this is one drop per day but if the pain is bad you could increase to 2 drops per day for up to 3 days.Make sure you leave at least 6 -8 hours between each dose.
Have a look at

www.petergurney.com

there is a very good recipe on there for pearl barley which will coat and soothe the bladder.Another helpful product is Cystaid.

Is there any chance you can get to the other vet in the near future?,.If the infection does not clear within a week,or there is any bleeding a scan would be a good idea.

I do hope your piggie will feel better soon.
 
If he was mine and only passing small drops containing blood I would want him x-rayed for possible stones. I use Septrin, Cystopurin and Rimadyl (10mg) as a painkiller.
 
Thank you so much for your advice. Yes, pretty sure the stuff was Septrim the vet gave him. Got to take him back tomorrow so the vet can see how he's doing. Poor Boris is still miserable today so I think I shall really push for a scan when I go to the vet. Just trying to work out if there's any way I could get Boris to the other vet as the one I saw yesterday said they do x-rays under sedation and my usual vet (Ken) was taught by Gina (CCT) how to do them without.
 
I do hope you can get to Ken,he sounds a very good vet.You really do not want to put your piggy through unnecessary sedation.Do you think your local vet would be willling to speak to Ken and find out how to x ray without.It is easy enough, my vets never sedate for x rays.
 
I might try as this other vet said he went to vet school with Ken and knows him so might see if he'll give him a call
 
Just been for appointment no.2

Vet has been using Amoxycyllin antibiotics - must say I've never heard of the use of this in guineas. Is this standard?

He wants to see him again on Friday and then he's going to refer Boris on to another vet in Manchester who supposedly specialises in 'exotics'

Hmmm
 
Amoxyicillin is a dereditive of ampicillin have a known toxicity in gps and are not recommended.I certainly have not heard of it being given to a gp before.
 
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