Please help: my guinea pig has blood coming from either her bottom or her privates this has been going on for some time now we did take her to the vets the vets said to have an x-ray would cost £300 or we could try her on some antibiotics.We tried the antibiotics and it cleared up for a few weeks but it is now back and she also seems to be uncomfortable when she is going to toilet and the blood comes out....any ideas?
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Guinea Pig Bleeding From Private Parts
- Thread starter Livi
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Gem789
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I had this with one of my boars Sam.He was squeaking when urinating and had blood in his pee.He started off on antibiotics and had a bladder flush which helped.I would ask the vet to start the antibiotics and see how she goes.Is she still eating and is she on any pain relief?
Please take your piggy back to see the vet as soon as possible. There is nothing we can offer but support to you as your piggy clearly needs to see a vet.
I am very sorry; but a vet trip is your only option.
There are several urinary tract problems that can present with the same symptoms:
- UTI, urine infection that is caused by faecal bacteria getting into the urinary tract
- bladder or kidney stones and sludge - hence the scan, which is the next step
- cystitis, a non-bacterial inflammation of the bladder walls. Cystitis can be caused from the irritation of a stone, sludge or sharp crystals in the bladder.
- interstitial (i.e. recrurring) cystitis, IC, has become a lot more common over the last decade; so far it cannot be healed and can only be diagnosed once you have excluded all other problems. We do not yet know what is causing it and can therefore only treat the symptoms. Antibiotics can only temporarily suppress it at the best; the acute phases every few weeks are usually treated with an analgesic (anti-inflammatory cum painkiller like metacam) and extra glucosamine to help protect the natural glucosamine coat of the bladder walls.
The good news is that IC doesn't cause stones, doesn't kill and eventually goes away on its own, never to return. But it is more a matter of years than months. I have however had several piggies that have lived to a good old age despite suffering from IC for 2-3 years.
Your vet also needs to check whether there are problems with the reproductive system in a sow (womb or ovarian cysts). Again, a scan/x-ray will bring clarity.
We have got diet recommendations for guinea pigs with chronic/recurring urinary tract issues. These DO NOT replace a vet visit; they only help to minimise the formation of stones and remove food groups that are not good for IC piggies while still providing a balanced long term diet. Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diet
Here is our recommended vets locator. An exotics vet will always be more expensive than a general vet; but by far not all general vets are conversant with guinea pigs/rodents and their specific problems. No frills vet chains can be reluctant to prescribe medication that is not licensed for guinea pigs.
Guinea Pig Vet Locator
There are several urinary tract problems that can present with the same symptoms:
- UTI, urine infection that is caused by faecal bacteria getting into the urinary tract
- bladder or kidney stones and sludge - hence the scan, which is the next step
- cystitis, a non-bacterial inflammation of the bladder walls. Cystitis can be caused from the irritation of a stone, sludge or sharp crystals in the bladder.
- interstitial (i.e. recrurring) cystitis, IC, has become a lot more common over the last decade; so far it cannot be healed and can only be diagnosed once you have excluded all other problems. We do not yet know what is causing it and can therefore only treat the symptoms. Antibiotics can only temporarily suppress it at the best; the acute phases every few weeks are usually treated with an analgesic (anti-inflammatory cum painkiller like metacam) and extra glucosamine to help protect the natural glucosamine coat of the bladder walls.
The good news is that IC doesn't cause stones, doesn't kill and eventually goes away on its own, never to return. But it is more a matter of years than months. I have however had several piggies that have lived to a good old age despite suffering from IC for 2-3 years.
Your vet also needs to check whether there are problems with the reproductive system in a sow (womb or ovarian cysts). Again, a scan/x-ray will bring clarity.
We have got diet recommendations for guinea pigs with chronic/recurring urinary tract issues. These DO NOT replace a vet visit; they only help to minimise the formation of stones and remove food groups that are not good for IC piggies while still providing a balanced long term diet. Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diet
Here is our recommended vets locator. An exotics vet will always be more expensive than a general vet; but by far not all general vets are conversant with guinea pigs/rodents and their specific problems. No frills vet chains can be reluctant to prescribe medication that is not licensed for guinea pigs.
Guinea Pig Vet Locator
Sorry to hear your Guinea is not well, please take her back to the vets, if you're not confident with the one you have already been to - try the vet locator on the forum toolbar, you may find a more savvy or cheaper alternative vet on there (if you're UK based?)
As wiebke says it could be a number of things & they need to be ruled out/diagnosed properly.
i have had 2x girls with (bloody) bleeding from their genital areas, the first was my first ever guinea pig a few years ago & she had a prolapse, i think this was brought on by having a very large baby from an unexpected pregnancy after i had got my two girls home.
the other was a couple of years ago with Ellie, it turned out to be ovarian cysts & was diagnosed by a conscious ultrasound, which was of a minimal charge or included in the consultation, i cant remember which now. she just had her belly shaved & i held her whilst the vet put the jelly on & ultrasound'ed her, but this was a far cheaper option& invasive than .Xrays etc.
it may just be a urinary tract infection (UTI) which are usually quite quick to respond to antibiotics - so she'll need to be started on them sooner rather than later if that's the case.
have read through these & discuss with your vet your options, when she's been diagnosed. fingers & toes crossed for a full & speedy recovery.
xx
Ellie- Ovarian Cyst,maybe Stones, Suggestions Please.
Ellie's not herself :(
As wiebke says it could be a number of things & they need to be ruled out/diagnosed properly.
i have had 2x girls with (bloody) bleeding from their genital areas, the first was my first ever guinea pig a few years ago & she had a prolapse, i think this was brought on by having a very large baby from an unexpected pregnancy after i had got my two girls home.
the other was a couple of years ago with Ellie, it turned out to be ovarian cysts & was diagnosed by a conscious ultrasound, which was of a minimal charge or included in the consultation, i cant remember which now. she just had her belly shaved & i held her whilst the vet put the jelly on & ultrasound'ed her, but this was a far cheaper option& invasive than .Xrays etc.
it may just be a urinary tract infection (UTI) which are usually quite quick to respond to antibiotics - so she'll need to be started on them sooner rather than later if that's the case.
have read through these & discuss with your vet your options, when she's been diagnosed. fingers & toes crossed for a full & speedy recovery.
xx
Ellie- Ovarian Cyst,maybe Stones, Suggestions Please.
Ellie's not herself :(
Thanks, I will go to the vets with her as soon as I can and she is still eating but she is not on any pain relief.
Gem789
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Good luck at the vets, be sure to ask for pain relief x
hopefully you can get an appt tomorrow? as Gem789 mentions, pain relief is a definite consideration &the sooner she can get it (if needed) the better - complications such as not eating due to pain can arise, then gut & digestive problems are increased, leading to dental problems & bloat etc if severe enough.
UTI's, Stones, cysts, gynaecological problems can all be very painful (for us humans &guineas) please see a vet for diagnosis as soon as possible.
Good luck at the vets & keep us updated.
Healing vibes being sent for your little one xx
Thanks, and yes hopefully I will be able to go to the vets with her tomorrow and get the antibiotics for her
Merab
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Hope you get the appointment.
Keep us posted
Keep us posted
Betsy
Anniversary Herd
Have you seen the vet yet? What was the outcome?
no, I haven't been able to go to the vet yet because there has been lots of rain where I live and if I were to go to the vets I would have to walk (as my parents do not have a car) and i cant walk because of the rain :'( I think I will be able to go tomorrow or later on today if it stops raining.
ok thanks i will
ok, i went to the vets yesterday and they have given me some antibiotics and pain relief for her. One of them I have to give her once a day, and the other one twice a day. Also, the vet said that she cannot feel any swelling or stones which is good. I am going to be checking how she is doing over the next few days and I hope she will get better soon. Thanks again for all the support in helping my guinea pig Lottie.
Betsy
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That is what we are here for. Help and support when times are tough. Fun and games when a bit of light relief is needed.