Emergency vet visit :(

[Cait_lin]

Spent the whole morning at work worrying about my boys. They seem happy and are eating, drinking and pooping like normal but for the past day or so their litter box has been dry. They've both been spending more time in one of their plastic igloos, so I checked there instead thinking maybe they've been urinating in there but it's dry under there too. I've been checking everywhere and there's only one wet spot in the cage (other than the wet spots under the water bottles caused by water leaking) and I don't know how long it's been there for. I could just be worrying over nothing but I'd rather get them checked out anyway because I'd hate for them to be uncomfortable or in pain with a UTI or a kidney problem. It's my first time going to a vet's, and could be their first time at a vet's too (I'm not sure if their past owner ever took them or not). The woman I spoke to on the phone was very kind and helpful which was some comfort, but I just wish I had noticed sooner and spent less time deciding whether or not this counts as an emergency. Anyway, the little ones are happy which makes me feel a bit better but I have another hour to wait until their appointment and I just want them to be ok :c

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

They're probably fine, but a vet check is always a good idea if you're concerned, especially as they are quite new to you.
Guinea pigs wee anywhere mostly, so they are probably doing lots of wees in different places too little to notice. They are also more active in early morning and evening when you may not be observing them. Hopefully your vet will be happy to put your mind at rest.

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck at the vets. Hopefully they will get a clean bill of health and your mind will be put at ease.

 

[fluffysal]

Better to get them checked and find nothing wrong. A piggy MOT gives good peace of mind.

 

[Betsy]

A vet would rather see a pet with an anxious owner than an owner who has left it too late.

Hope the vet finds them in good health.

Let us know what the outcome is.

 

[Cait_lin]

They're probably fine, but a vet check is always a good idea if you're concerned, especially as they are quite new to you.
Guinea pigs wee anywhere mostly, so they are probably doing lots of wees in different places too little to notice. They are also more active in early morning and evening when you may not be observing them. Hopefully your vet will be happy to put your mind at rest.

Thank you That makes sense, that probably is the case!

 

[Cait_lin]

Good luck at the vets. Hopefully they will get a clean bill of health and your mind will be put at ease.

Thank you so much! The vet said Moss is fine, but Pumpkin has some blood in his urine so she prescribed a pain medication and an antibiotic. Even though it's not what I hoped, it's still a relief that it wasn't worse and that I decided to take them in before it got any worse

 

[Cait_lin]

Better to get them checked and find nothing wrong. A piggy MOT gives good peace of mind.

Definitely Aww a piggy MOT

 

[Cait_lin]

A vet would rather see a pet with an anxious owner than an owner who has left it too late.

Hope the vet finds them in good health.

Let us know what the outcome is.

Thank you
She checked the boys over and basically said that, since it didn't seem like there was a backup of urine with associated pain, I could either take them home and just keep and eye on them, or leave them at the vet's to have a urine sample taken. I chose to leave them there because I thought, if there's something wrong, I'd rather it gets discovered early on than leave it until they're in pain.
She took a urine sample from both boys and Moss' was fine but Pumpkin's had some blood in it, poor little one She's prescribed seprin co-trimoxazole to be given to both of them, and some loxicam (I think that's the name?) for Pumpkin. I think they're very glad to be home now. As soon as I put Pumpkin back in the cage, he went running for the hay box and jumped right into it

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you
She checked the boys over and basically said that, since it didn't seem like there was a backup of urine with associated pain, I could either take them home and just keep and eye on them, or leave them at the vet's to have a urine sample taken. I chose to leave them there because I thought, if there's something wrong, I'd rather it gets discovered early on than leave it until they're in pain.
She took a urine sample from both boys and Moss' was fine but Pumpkin's had some blood in it, poor little one She's prescribed seprin co-trimoxazole to be given to both of them, and some loxicam (I think that's the name?) for Pumpkin. I think they're very glad to be home now. As soon as I put Pumpkin back in the cage, he went running for the hay box and jumped right into it

Hi

Pumpkin is getting the standard treatment for a mild urinary tract infection.
Septrin/co-trimaxole (you can find more information under the brand name bactrim) is generally the preferred antibiotic for urinary tract infections.
Loxicom is the current UK brand name for licensed 0.5 mg/ml cat strength metacam. The - sadly not officially licensed - three times stronger dog strength 1.5 mg/ml current UK brand name is rheumocam. Metacam is both used as an anti-inflammatory and as a painkiller.

You can find more helpful information on urinary tract infections in this overview of the urinary tract here: Wiebke's Guide to Pees and Stones

Generally, as long as your boys are eating and drinking normally, they are not at risk of dehydration. The need to drink comes before the need to eat. A blocked or empty bottle can be a problem, as can be too hot water during a heatwave or heat spike; or frozen water in a hutch bottle. It is more likely that your boys are moving around more and they may pee/sleep in the hay corner more as they are making themselves at home.
This guide here tells you all bout drinking and what to look out for: All About Drinking And Bottles

Both guides are part of our very useful New Owners guide collection, which aims to help get up to a good start and help with learning what is normal and what not as well as settling in and understanding your piggies. Nearly 20 years of literally tens of thousands of questions have gone into our guides. We are trying to make them as clear and precise as we can, especially in view of the tricky little details that ca throw new owners. You may want to bookmark the link, browse, read and re-read at need (as you'll pick up on different things at different levels of experiences).
Getting Started - Essential Information for New Owners

 

[Merab]

Well done for being such a caring owner and getting them to the vet.
Glad that Moss is fine and hope that Pumpkin recovers quickly as you’ve caught the problem so early

 

[Cait_lin]

Hi

Pumpkin is getting the standard treatment for a mild urinary tract infection.
Septrin/co-trimaxole (you can find more information under the brand name bactrim) is generally the preferred antibiotic for urinary tract infections.
Loxicom is the current UK brand name for licensed 0.5 mg/ml cat strength metacam. The - sadly not licensed three times stronger dog strength 1.5 mg/ml current UK brand name is rheumocam. Metacam is both used an anti-inflammatory and as a painkiller.

You can find more helpful information on urinary tract infections in this overview of the urinary tract here: Wiebke's Guide to Pees and Stones

Generally, as long as your boys are eating and drinking normally, they are not at risk of dehydration. The need to drink comes before the need to eat. A blocked or empty bottle can be a problem, as can be too hot water in during a heatwave or heat spike; or frozen water in a hutch bottle. It is more likely that your boys are moving around more and they may pee/sleep in the hay corner more as they are making themselves at home.
This guide here tells you all bout drinking and what to look out for: All About Drinking And Bottles

Both guides are part of our very useful New Owners guide collection, which aims to help get up to a good start and help with learning what is normal and what not as well as settling in and understanding your piggies. Nearly 20 years of literally tens of thousands of questions have gone into our guides. We are trying to make them as clear and precise as we can, especially in view of the tricky little details that ca throw new owners. You may want to bookmark the link, browse, read and re-read at need (as you'll pick up on different things at different levels of experiences).
Getting Started - Essential Information for New Owners

Thank you!

 

[Cait_lin]

Well done for being such a caring owner and getting them to the vet.
Glad that Moss is fine and hope that Pumpkin recovers quickly as you’ve caught the problem so early

Thank you so much, that really means a lot Me too, and luckily both boys seem very upbeat and have been popcorning, and Pumpkin was even doing zoomies yesterday which he doesn't normally do! I think they're very happy to be home in their (newly cleaned and redecorated) cage

 

[fluffysal]

I didn't want to hijack someone else's thread so will talk to you on here. Re the boar care, I don't know how to link but if you go to the daily care section there is a lot of information on boar care. When Master Boris needed his first grease gland cleaning I thought he would be difficult but he was surprisingly good. I put coconut oil on, leave it overnight and give him a quick bum bath which he actually doesn't mind. Some people comb it out the next day instead.

 

[Cait_lin]

I didn't want to hijack someone else's thread so will talk to you on here. Re the boar care, I don't know how to link but if you go to the daily care section there is a lot of information on boar care. When Master Boris needed his first grease gland cleaning I thought he would be difficult but he was surprisingly good. I put coconut oil on, leave it overnight and give him a quick bum bath which he actually doesn't mind. Some people comb it out the next day instead.

That's very considerate of you, thank you! I have looked through the information I could find on boar care (there is so much useful information on here which is great ). I think I worded it wrong in the other thread, I meant that because boars tend to have more active grease glands than sows they may need cleaned a bit more often, but not on a super regular basis and it depends on the individual pig of course. Sorry, I often don't word things the best! Anyway, this is really helpful, thank you, and I'm glad Master Boris doesn't mind it!

 

[Wiebke]

Here is our boar care guide: Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

PS: I go to the guide, copy the url address at the top of the screen and then paste into my post. The forum software does the rest.

 

[Wiebke]

That's very considerate of you, thank you! I have looked through the information I could find on boar care (there is so much useful information on here which is great ). I think I worded it wrong in the other thread, I meant that because boars tend to have more active grease glands than sows they may need cleaned a bit more often, but not on a super regular basis and it depends on the individual pig of course. Sorry, I often don't word things the best! Anyway, this is really helpful, thank you, and I'm glad Master Boris doesn't mind it!

Instead of combing all sections for information, you can simply bookmark these these links here for quick access - you can also access them in thematical order via the info shortcut on the top bar.

Getting Started - Essential Information for New Owners (this is a collection of the most helpful guides)

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment (this is our one stop emergency guide)

Comprehensive Owners' Practical and Supportive Information Collection (This is our full information collection. It is certainly one of the most comprehensive ones around, if not the most extensive you'll find. The guides format allows us to update and add to the collection at need or as and when we have (rare) spare time next to looking after the forum for free in our own free time.

 

[Cait_lin]

Instead of combing all sections for information, you can simply bookmark these these links here for quick access - you can also access them in thematical order via the info shortcut on the top bar.

Getting Started - Essential Information for New Owners (this is a collection of the most helpful guides)

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment (this is our one stop emergency guide)

Comprehensive Owners' Practical and Supportive Information Collection (This is our full information collection. It is certainly one of the most comprehensive ones around, if not the most extensive you'll find. The guides format allows us to update and add to the collection at need or as and when we have (rare) spare time next to looking after the forum for free in our own free time.

That's so helpful, thank you!

 

[Cait_lin]

The boys finished their round of antibiotics yesterday After the first day or two I'd already noticed that their hay box had soiled hay in it and I was so glad. The antibiotics have affected their tummies though (soft, smelly droppings) so I stopped giving them fresh veg a couple of days ago and I'll reintroduce it slowly once their poops have become more normal. Other than that, they have been very happy. Especially now because I'd ordered some new fleece hides and things and they arrived yesterday so they've been exploring them

 

[CTWC]

Great news

 

[Cait_lin]

+ was actually a lot easier to give them the antibiotics than I expected, they seemed to really like the taste and drank it up no problem. Only issue was when they (mostly just Moss) would refuse to let go of the syringe and try to yank it out of my hand and run away with it like they normally do with their veggies. Moss just really enjoys stealing, he once tried to run off with one of the metal brackets that holds their water bottles to the cage so we may have a little kleptomaniac on our hands.

 

[LucyP]

glad they’re taking the meds well. I love a pig that steals and hoards, it’s somehow endearing

 

[Cait_lin]

glad they’re taking the meds well. I love a pig that steals and hoards, it’s somehow endearing

aww it really is! little mischief makers

 

[LucyP]

I do genuinely think pigs are just naturally funnier than other pets with their funny and charming little ways, but obviously we’re all biased on here!

 

[fluffysal]

It's great that they have been good with meds I did some syringe training with my boys. Dignified Sir George developed a taste for baytril which most hate. Mischievous Master Boris just wants anything from a syringe and will steal them. Both would be metacam junkies given the chance

 

[Cait_lin]

I do genuinely think pigs are just naturally funnier than other pets with their funny and charming little ways, but obviously we’re all biased on here!

That's so true They're little characters and they always find new ways to make you laugh