Gritty pee

[Mclayton]

Does anybody recommend these? I may change over from cystease to this. Advice needed please

 

[Piggies&buns]

It depends on the glucosamine content of them compared to the cytease dosage they are getting.
If they actually are diagnosed with IC you need to be sure they are getting enough glucosamine to manage their symptoms.

 

[Mclayton]

It depends on the glucosamine content of them compared to the cytease dosage they are getting.
If they actually are diagnosed with IC you need to be sure they are getting enough glucosamine to manage their symptoms.

There have been no squeaks at all these past 6 hours. Surely that's a good sign its not IC.. my piggies only 11 months old. I thought IC was more for older piggies

 

[Piggies&buns]

There have been no squeaks at all these past 6 hours. Surely that's a good sign it’s not IC.. my piggies only 11 months old. I thought IC was more for older piggies

This is why you need a diagnosis before treating anything - you don’t know they actually have it, they may not even need any glucosamine at all. IC is characterised by symptoms to that of a UTI but which repeated courses of antibiotics won’t cure and when bladder stones, cystitis etc have all been ruled out. It’s not what you are saying is happening - one had an infection which was dealt with by antibiotics.

 

[Mclayton]

This is why you need a diagnosis before treating anything - you don’t know they actually have it, they may not even need any glucosamine at all. IC is characterised by symptoms to that of a UTI but which repeated courses of antibiotics won’t cure and when bladder stones, cystitis etc have all been ruled out. It’s not what you are saying is happening - one had an infection which was dealt with by antibiotics.

I'm very confused. Yes, one had infection but now clear. The other not had infection. Like I said, I was advised by my vet to give the infection piggie a cystease capsule daily , & advised by a guinea pig rescue manager to give my other piggie a cystease capsule too as a prevention, as it won't do him any harm. The vet who treats my piggies is a Foster carer for the rescue. I'm confused, as I just don't know who to take notice of anymore

 

[Piggies&buns]

Ok, it probably won’t do any harm but there you shouldn’t need to give glucosamine long term for an infection which has been dealt with. A one off UTI is a standalone event, doesn’t need anything else after the infection is treated. Doesn’t man to say they wont get another but giving glucosamine won’t stop fecal bacteria from causing another bacterial infection. Prevention should also not be needed - I’ve never given a preventative any of my animals in 35 years of small animal keeping.
Glucosamine can be given in a piggy with known bladder problems. From everything youve said, your piggies have not been diagnosed with any bladder problems.

 

[Mclayton]

This is why you need a diagnosis before treating anything - you don’t know they actually have it, they may not even need any glucosamine at all. IC is characterised by symptoms to that of a UTI but which repeated courses of antibiotics won’t cure and when bladder stones, cystitis etc have all been ruled out. It’s not what you are saying is happening - one had an infection which was dealt with by

Ok, it probably won’t do any harm but there you shouldn’t need to give glucosamine long term for an infection which has been dealt with. A one off UTI is a standalone event, doesn’t need anything else after the infection is treated. Doesn’t man to say they wont get another but giving glucosamine won’t stop fecal bacteria from causing another bacterial infection. Prevention should also not be needed - I’ve never given a preventative any of my animals in 35 years of small animal keeping.
Glucosamine can be given in a piggy with known bladder problems. From everything youve said, your piggies have not been diagnosed with any bladder problems.

No they haven't. Shall I take them off the cystease then & see what happens?

 

[Mclayton]

I will still give Squeak his capsule, as my vet advised that, but with Bubble, will try half a day, instead of one

 

[Mclayton]

Ok, it probably won’t do any harm but there you shouldn’t need to give glucosamine long term for an infection which has been dealt with. A one off UTI is a standalone event, doesn’t need anything else after the infection is treated. Doesn’t man to say they wont get another but giving glucosamine won’t stop fecal bacteria from causing another bacterial infection. Prevention should also not be needed - I’ve never given a preventative any of my animals in 35 years of small animal keeping.
Glucosamine can be given in a piggy with known bladder problems. From everything youve said, your piggies have not been diagnosed with any bladder problems.

I'm wondering now,,, thats why Bubble has started squeaking a bit, as he has never really needed cystease, & few days ago, I upped it to 2 capsules a day for them few days. I'm getting it all wrong ☹

 

[Piggies&buns]

Regarding Squeak, it is of course right that you follow your vets advice but for a one off infection with no further complications or bladder issues wouldn’t necessarily warrant long term cytease.

You’re not getting it wrong, you are worried about your piggies. We are here to help

 

[Mclayton]

Regarding Squeak, it is of course right that you follow your vets advice but for a one off infection with no further complications or bladder issues wouldn’t necessarily warrant long term cytease.

You’re not getting it wrong, you are worried about your piggies. We are here to help

Thank you, & you ARE helping me, loads. All I know is, other than Squeaks infection, they have never had any problems, even at work, in the environment they were kept in. I just want to get it right for them, & have a few months to save up for future vets fees. I already have £300.

 

[Mclayton]

Regarding Squeak, it is of course right that you follow your vets advice but for a one off infection with no further complications or bladder issues wouldn’t necessarily warrant long term cytease.

You’re not getting it wrong, you are worried about your piggies. We are here to help

I can't even be sure that it is a pain sound. Its not a shriek, or squeal. Just a quiet wheek for a few seconds

 

[Piggies&buns]

Could they just be chatting while peeing?
One of my four boys is very talkative whenever I’m with him!

 

[Mclayton]

Thank you, & you ARE helping me, loads. All I know is, other than Squeaks infection, they have never had any problems, even at work, in the environment they were kept in. I just want to get it right for them, & have a few months to save up for future vets fees. I already have £300.

Could they just be chatting while peeing?
One of my four boys is very talkative whenever I’m with him!

Its quite possible, yes. Did you see my photo of them in their pen last week? Both picture of health. Well, today, they have gone since 5.30 this morning, without a sound, until just. Only Squeak. Maybe it is chatting, as there are absolutely no signs of illness. They were doing zoomies last night for a while

 

[Mclayton]

Its quite possible, yes. Did you see my photo of them in their pen last week? Both picture of health. Well, today, they have gone since 5.30 this morning, without a sound, until just. Only Squeak. Maybe it is chatting, as there are absolutely no signs of illness. They were doing zoomies last night for a while

I've reduced the cystease to half a day, & see what happens. Thank you so much for all your help. Its just hard when I'm on my own

 

[Mclayton]

Its quite possible, yes. Did you see my photo of them in their pen last week? Both picture of health. Well, today, they have gone since 5.30 this morning, without a sound, until just. Only Squeak. Maybe it is chatting, as there are absolutely no signs of illness. They were doing zoomies last night for a while

One final question please. Squeak had 3 thorough examinations, with the vet pressing all round his body. There wasn't a single sound from him. I do suffer anxiety, & with not been used to all guinea pig sounds yet, maybe it is just chatting, & my anxiety thinks otherwise now

 

[Piggies&buns]

One final question please. Squeak had 3 thorough examinations, with the vet pressing all round his body. There wasn't a single sound from him. I do suffer anxiety, & with not been used to all guinea pig sounds yet, maybe it is just chatting, & my anxiety thinks otherwise now

If you suffer with anxiety, it is possible you are (in nicest possible way, you understand) seeing things that are not there. I struggle with overthinking and anxiety so I know where you are coming from.

 

[Mclayton]

If you suffer with anxiety, it is possible you are (in nicest possible way, you understand) seeing things that are not there. I struggle with overthinking and anxiety so I know where you are coming from.

Its just I never heard this the first month of having them. Maybe they were just quiet, as were getting to know the new surroundings. & now, more chatty. They have never been poorly. Always active, eating always!

 

[Piggies&buns]

I think it would be wise to monitor but not watch if that makes sense. If they are in pain you should be able to tell the difference and you would likely be seeing pink pee, blood in urine (which dries differently so it does stand out).

 

[Mclayton]

I think it would be wise to monitor but not watch if that makes sense. If they are in pain you should be able to tell the difference and you would likely be seeing pink pee, blood in urine (which dries differently so it does stand out).

I've seen light brown/orangey pee, but not too often. Never seen proper blood

 

[Mclayton]

I've seen light brown/orangey pee, but not too often. Never seen proper blood

The pee i see most often, is normal i think. Milky, cream, & dried white

 

[Piggies&buns]

I've seen light brown/orangey pee, but not too often. Never seen proper blood

That is most likely oxidised urine. When urine hits the air it goes to a rusty brown/orangey colour. Totally normal and nothing to worry about.

 

[Mclayton]

That is most likely oxidised urine. When urine hits the air it goes to a rusty brown/orangey colour. Totally normal and nothing to worry about.

Yes. I've learnt that. I did LOADS of learning before bringing them home

 

[Free Ranger]

George has had arthritis for a couple of years and we have both the oxbow Joint Support (purple pack) and the Urinary Support (yellow pack in your picture)
JS has about 90mg glucosamine per 'biscuit' and US has about half of that - 45mg. Cystease - if I remember right - has about 120mg but that's if they eat all of it because it usually has to be hidden in cucumber or something. We did try George on Cystease at one point but surprisingly (and, I think, unusually) it gave him gut trouble and a squitty bum. And he also hated it!

George's arthritis improved noticeably after 2 weeks and significantly after 4 weeks on these biccies - otherwise I wouldn't bother buying them because I'm tight! But he also enjoys crunching them so it's handy. I got the others in because they have different bits and bobs in - they taste different - it rings the changes for him, sometimes he prefers one and sometimes the other. They're pretty easy to snap in half along the line so my 2 interested girls also get a bit (they don't actually 'need' them so I don't want to waste too much) It's the same glucosamine in both - it helps with both joints and bladders.

Your boys look well, and tbh they sound fine. George does quiet squeaks when he pees but he's got a(nother) bladder stone the size of a marble so it's not surprising. When he's not peeing he's a cheerful lad. The vet knew it was there because during the original exam they press on the bladder to see if it's tender or if it feels inflamed. Even a gentle poke makes him struggle and cry - a good feel around makes him wail and wail (so we don't do that, do we George). A piggie with a normal bladder can be poked without comment (although you can tell they're thinking 'How about not!') The people on here who describe IC piggies don't sound like your description of your boys. Their pigs cry loudly when they pee - they're in agony. Could it just be that the boys are a bit nervous to pee when watched? My girl Flora peed on me at the vet and quietly squeakled all the way through - not because it hurt (we went in for her breathing) but because she was worried about it. I'd have put her back in the box but I was too busy discussing her business - until I realised I was wearing it!

 

[Mclayton]

George has had arthritis for a couple of years and we have both the oxbow Joint Support (purple pack) and the Urinary Support (yellow pack in your picture)
JS has about 90mg glucosamine per 'biscuit' and US has about half of that - 45mg. Cystease - if I remember right - has about 120mg but that's if they eat all of it because it usually has to be hidden in cucumber or something. We did try George on Cystease at one point but surprisingly (and, I think, unusually) it gave him gut trouble and a squitty bum. And he also hated it!

George's arthritis improved noticeably after 2 weeks and significantly after 4 weeks on these biccies - otherwise I wouldn't bother buying them because I'm tight! But he also enjoys crunching them so it's handy. I got the others in because they have different bits and bobs in - they taste different - it rings the changes for him, sometimes he prefers one and sometimes the other. They're pretty easy to snap in half along the line so my 2 interested girls also get a bit (they don't actually 'need' them so I don't want to waste too much) It's the same glucosamine in both - it helps with both joints and bladders.

Your boys look well, and tbh they sound fine. George does quiet squeaks when he pees but he's got a(nother) bladder stone the size of a marble so it's not surprising. When he's not peeing he's a cheerful lad. The vet knew it was there because during the original exam they press on the bladder to see if it's tender or if it feels inflamed. Even a gentle poke makes him struggle and cry - a good feel around makes him wail and wail (so we don't do that, do we George). A piggie with a normal bladder can be poked without comment (although you can tell they're thinking 'How about not!') The people on here who describe IC piggies don't sound like your description of your boys. Their pigs cry loudly when they pee - they're in agony. Could it just be that the boys are a bit nervous to pee when watched? My girl Flora peed on me at the vet and quietly squeakled all the way through - not because it hurt (we went in for her breathing) but because she was worried about it. I'd have put her back in the box but I was too busy discussing her business - until I realised I was wearing it!

My boys enjoy the cystease on cucumber, but as of yesterday, they are only having half a capsule a day, to eventually none at all. I was just advised by a rescue, that giving it to them, will help support the bladder if future issues arise....or, in your opinion, do you think the urinary support biscuits are better?

 

[Free Ranger]

I don't really know... the biccies are designed for piggies, the cystease is designed for cats. I've no experience of giving the cystease long-term but the biccies don't seem to be doing any harm. You could try them with some and see how they like them?