Guinea Pig UTI Support

[Piggies2023]

I have a 0.45ml of dog metacam twice a day but was told not to start this until the morning, I can however give her a dose of bupe if I feel I'm desperate. She's already very sleepy so I don't know if I want to go down the bupe route yet.

If i ever can't get the pigs out I pop their snuggle sack on and scoop them up but shes not interested in her snuggle sack at the moment.

She has just eaten a small bowl of fresh Timothy grass that I grow in a container in the garden (it was a GU pudding size bowl) and she ate 3 of the fluffy bits from the Timothy hay. I'm going to leave her until 10pm and then try and pick her up for some recovery food (I'm dreading it )

I herd them in if they don't want to come out just putting my hands where they would run to and they are like fine I will get in .

That's a good dose of metacam for the morning, hopefully that will help. I can understand why you are holding off on the bupe.

 

[Tory93]

I herd them in if they don't want to come out just putting my hands where they would run to and they are like fine I will get in .

That's a good dose of metacam for the morning, hopefully that will help. I can understand why you are holding off on the bupe.

herding them in. Such a cute vision.

I managed to carefully pick her up and got a little bit of recovery food in her, probably 1 maybe 2ml at a push (used the supreme science syringe) and about 2ml of probiotic water. Gave her a small pile of grass whilst she was on my lap too which she has gobbled down.

Still not much on the movement front but hopefully that will come with time. I did notice that she isn't squinting her eyes anymore which she kept doing all of last night so I'm hoping that's a sign that she's not in too much pain, perhaps just a bit sleepy still from the anesthesia.

Got my bed set up on the floor next to their cage and have a few alarms scheduled for during the night to check on her, and do some feeds.

We have a follow up appointment tomorrow at 9:30.

Is it just me or are nights always the scariest when you have a poorly baby.

Fingers crossed for an improvement in the morning .

Thank you again for all your responses, I feel like nobody in the real world understands piggies .

Hope Pumpkin is continuing to recover well x

 

[Piggies2023]

herding them in. Such a cute vision.

I managed to carefully pick her up and got a little bit of recovery food in her, probably 1 maybe 2ml at a push (used the supreme science syringe) and about 2ml of probiotic water. Gave her a small pile of grass whilst she was on my lap too which she has gobbled down.

Still not much on the movement front but hopefully that will come with time. I did notice that she isn't squinting her eyes anymore which she kept doing all of last night so I'm hoping that's a sign that she's not in too much pain, perhaps just a bit sleepy still from the anesthesia.

Got my bed set up on the floor next to their cage and have a few alarms scheduled for during the night to check on her, and do some feeds.

We have a follow up appointment tomorrow at 9:30.

Is it just me or are nights always the scariest when you have a poorly baby.

Fingers crossed for an improvement in the morning .

Thank you again for all your responses, I feel like nobody in the real world understands piggies .

Hope Pumpkin is continuing to recover well x

herding them in. Such a cute vision.

I managed to carefully pick her up and got a little bit of recovery food in her, probably 1 maybe 2ml at a push (used the supreme science syringe) and about 2ml of probiotic water. Gave her a small pile of grass whilst she was on my lap too which she has gobbled down.

Still not much on the movement front but hopefully that will come with time. I did notice that she isn't squinting her eyes anymore which she kept doing all of last night so I'm hoping that's a sign that she's not in too much pain, perhaps just a bit sleepy still from the anesthesia.

Got my bed set up on the floor next to their cage and have a few alarms scheduled for during the night to check on her, and do some feeds.

We have a follow up appointment tomorrow at 9:30.

Is it just me or are nights always the scariest when you have a poorly baby.

Fingers crossed for an improvement in the morning .

Thank you again for all your responses, I feel like nobody in the real world understands piggies .

Hope Pumpkin is continuing to recover well x

I find nights and weekends the most scary because my vet is not in. Metacam in the morning will hopefully help too.

Pumpkin is acting pretty normal which I'm very happy about. Got a check up on Tuesday morning as that's when my vets open again.

 

[Piggies2023]

How is your little one this morning?

 

[Tory93]

I find nights and weekends the most scary because my vet is not in. Metacam in the morning will hopefully help too.

Pumpkin is acting pretty normal which I'm very happy about. Got a check up on Tuesday morning as that's when my vets open again.

Aww I'm so glad she is acting pretty normal x

 

[Tory93]

How is your little one this morning?

Shes doing quite well considering thank you.

Had her first dose of metacam post surgery at 7am and a vet check in appt at 9:50. Vet was really pleased with how she was doing all things considering.

She did 4 squishy poops during the night. From 4:30am - 9am she did 12 better looking but still not right poops.

Since then she has done quite a few more, they're slightly soft and some of them are conjoined but I'm just glad she is passing something.

She was still pretty sleepy this morning but I got her out at 12pm for a feed, antibiotics etc and she ran off her blanket and up me for a cuddle, she has also given me some kisses. When I put her back she was more active (I had converted a large cardboard box into a house with a memory foam bottom, fleece & blankets and cut holes in the front and side for her to get in and out of it and she was running out one door and going back in the other and she did it about 4 or 5 times so that was good) I have also just spotted her at her water bottle so she has ventured out for that too.

I'm syringe feeding every 3 hours (even throughout the night) she is being syringe fed water and I'm also intermittently cutting fresh grass which she seems to be
enjoying. She hasn't wanted any hay or veg, although she did massacre most of a green bean.

I'm changing her mats and blankets every 5hrs or so, constantly got piggie washing going and have ordered some extra vet bed.

Things are looking up from yesterday so fingers crossed she continues to improve . The vet gave us the stone he removed and its HUGE (think I have attached a photo).

Hope Pumpkin is still doing well?

 

[CTWC]

Fantastic news

 

[Tory93]

**Little Update**

Our little girl continues to be recovering pretty well. She's been eating bowls of fresh grass throughout the day, not much interest in hay, but I'm sure we will get there. She drank from her water bottle herself for the first time this afternoon and has done it 1 more time since.

I made her veggie dinner at 5pm and she ate a whole green bean and I hand fed her some chard, wasn't interested in anything else. Then about 30 mins ago I watched her root around in her veggie bowl find some celery and run for cover with it so that was amazing to see.

Been syringe feeding recovery food and water every 3 hours.

Keeping up with the pain relief and antibiotics.

Her bedding is changed either every 5 hours or when needed if wet (whichever comes first).

Her poops also continue to improve In shape/consistency and also quantity - still not 100% but its only been about 30hrs so I'm not complaining.

Shes just had a recovery food feed and a small bowl of graas and is now curled up in her bed ready for some sleep.

Let's hope tomorrow brings even more improvememt

 

[Piggies2023]

**Little Update**

Our little girl continues to be recovering pretty well. She's been eating bowls of fresh grass throughout the day, not much interest in hay, but I'm sure we will get there. She drank from her water bottle herself for the first time this afternoon and has done it 1 more time since.

I made her veggie dinner at 5pm and she ate a whole green bean and I hand fed her some chard, wasn't interested in anything else. Then about 30 mins ago I watched her root around in her veggie bowl find some celery and run for cover with it so that was amazing to see.

Been syringe feeding recovery food and water every 3 hours.

Keeping up with the pain relief and antibiotics.

Her bedding is changed either every 5 hours or when needed if wet (whichever comes first).

Her poops also continue to improve In shape/consistency and also quantity - still not 100% but its only been about 30hrs so I'm not complaining.

Shes just had a recovery food feed and a small bowl of graas and is now curled up in her bed ready for some sleep.

Let's hope tomorrow brings even more improvememt

Aw I'm glad she is starting to do better. Antibiotics can sometimes effect appetite too.

Pumpkin is doing okay. She isn't on antibiotics so keeping an eye for infection. She seemed very happy this morning though. Haven't checked her wound today as I've had go to walk in centre as now I'm sick but gave meds and breakfast and she seemed well.

 

[Tory93]

Aw I'm glad she is starting to do better. Antibiotics can sometimes effect appetite too.

Pumpkin is doing okay. She isn't on antibiotics so keeping an eye for infection. She seemed very happy this morning though. Haven't checked her wound today as I've had go to walk in centre as now I'm sick but gave meds and breakfast and she seemed well.

Oh no, sorry you are now poorly - bloody typical! Hope you feel better soon! Glad Pumpkin is still doing okay x

 

[Tory93]

**Little Update**

Our baby was doing well throughout the night, lots of poops and they were begining to look more and more normal.

She must be feeling better as she is becoming the sass pig she has always been which is making it harder to syringe feed her which has meant the poops quantity has slowed down . I was previously doing a bigger feed every 3hours but am going to have to change to smaller feeds every 1-2 hours instead. Really hoping this is just a blip and she gets back on track soon. She keeps trying to dive in to her hay bowl - shes always been a burrower and I think she's trying to burrow in her bowl, our vet had told us not to let her lay in hay incase it poked her wound site. We have a check up tomorrow morning so am hoping we get the all clear to let her have some bedding hay.

Stressed!

 

[Piggies2023]

**Little Update**

Our baby was doing well throughout the night, lots of poops and they were begining to look more and more normal.

She must be feeling better as she is becoming the sass pig she has always been which is making it harder to syringe feed her which has meant the poops quantity has slowed down . I was previously doing a bigger feed every 3hours but am going to have to change to smaller feeds every 1-2 hours instead. Really hoping this is just a blip and she gets back on track soon. She keeps trying to dive in to her hay bowl - shes always been a burrower and I think she's trying to burrow in her bowl, our vet had told us not to let her lay in hay incase it poked her wound site. We have a check up tomorrow morning so am hoping we get the all clear to let her have some bedding hay.

Stressed!

Might be worth checking with the vet that it isn't the antibiotic that could be slowing down appetite.

I have hay down but not as much as usual and because it's less Pumpkin is mostly sleeping in her bed.

 

[Piggies2023]

Oh no, sorry you are now poorly - bloody typical! Hope you feel better soon! Glad Pumpkin is still doing okay x

Thank you. I have bad vertigo. Something wrong with my inner ear. Which is making picking up my guinea pigs difficult bad timing.

 

[Piggies&buns]

**Little Update**

Our baby was doing well throughout the night, lots of poops and they were begining to look more and more normal.

She must be feeling better as she is becoming the sass pig she has always been which is making it harder to syringe feed her which has meant the poops quantity has slowed down . I was previously doing a bigger feed every 3hours but am going to have to change to smaller feeds every 1-2 hours instead. Really hoping this is just a blip and she gets back on track soon. She keeps trying to dive in to her hay bowl - shes always been a burrower and I think she's trying to burrow in her bowl, our vet had told us not to let her lay in hay incase it poked her wound site. We have a check up tomorrow morning so am hoping we get the all clear to let her have some bedding hay.

Stressed!

Are you weighing her each morning?
Poop isn’t a reliable gauge of food intake. Poop output is up to 2 days behind food intake so fewer poops today could simply be indicative of her time in anaesthetic and recovery not necessarily that she isn’t eating enough now.

 

[Tory93]

Thank you. I have bad vertigo. Something wrong with my inner ear. Which is making picking up my guinea pigs difficult bad timing.

Oh no bless you, just what you need!

 

[Tory93]

Are you weighing her each morning?
Poop isn’t a reliable gauge of food intake. Poop output is up to 2 days behind food intake so fewer poops today could simply be indicative of her time in anaesthetic and recovery not necessarily that she isn’t eating enough now.

Oh blimey is it really 2 days behind? I didnt realise it was so delayed.

I havent been weighing her, only because the surgery was Friday, she had a check up Saturday and a check up again tomorrow so the only missed day will be this morning. Usually when we weigh them we put them in a plastic box and put them on the kitchen scales, I didnt feel comfortable doing that this time as I didnt want to cause discomfort post surgery. I have now ordered proper pet weighing scales which should hopefully be delivered tomorrow so I can monitor her better.

Thank you for replying

 

[Piggies2023]

Oh no bless you, just what you need!

What does your piggies wound look like? I'm a little concerned about infection because the swelling hasn't gone down. Got a check up on Tuesday but need to decide if it can wait until then. She is happy and everything. But she was happy last time and she had an awful infection that burst her wound open. But that surgery was very high risk for infection.

 

[Tory93]

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[Tory93]

What does your piggies wound look like? I'm a little concerned about infection because the swelling hasn't gone down. Got a check up on Tuesday but need to decide if it can wait until then. She is happy and everything. But she was happy last time and she had an awful infection that burst her wound open. But that surgery was very high risk for infection.

I think it looks okay. The incision line is a little bumpy but I thought that would be normal 2 days post op? A humans would be totally flat already?
Not had any piggies have this type of surgery before so not sure what to expect it to look like?

I've got a post op check tomorrow at 9:20 tomorrow so can let you know what he says and you can make a judgement call for Pumpkin?

 

[Piggies2023]

I think it looks okay. The incision line is a little bumpy but I thought that would be normal 2 days post op? A humans would be totally flat already?
Not had any piggies have this type of surgery before so not sure what to expect it to look like?

I've got a post op check tomorrow at 9:20 tomorrow so can let you know what he says and you can make a judgement call for Pumpkin?

Thank you. Yes, bumpy incision lines happen. It's round Pumpkins wound but I think it's going. I think it's fluid. Pumpkin's stone was small so the vet had to use a lot of water to flush it so maybe excess left over. She seems happy this morning and we have a check tomorrow morning so she will be fine till then

 

[Tory93]

Thank you. Yes, bumpy incision lines happen. It's round Pumpkins wound but I think it's going. I think it's fluid. Pumpkin's stone was small so the vet had to use a lot of water to flush it so maybe excess left over. She seems happy this morning and we have a check tomorrow morning so she will be fine till then

Ahh that makes sense, fingers crossed it continues to go down bless her. I hope everything goes okay for Pumpkin at the Vets tomorrow .

We had our 2nd post op check this morning and he was really pleased with how her wound was looking, the incision is nicely sealed, no redness, no inflammation, he has signed her off for being able to have bedding hay in her cage. We were also advised to keep her seperate from her sister for the first few days which I know was unadviseable on here but I would never have been able to forgive myself if something would have happened, so we put a partition up so they could still see/smell each other and they had supervised floor time together - the vet signed them off for being able to reunite which was also nice to hear.

Since being back in her cage with her hay and sister she is like a new piggie. She went straight over to her hay bowl and was munching, shes burrowed, been for a wonder and when we did their special whistle signalling it was grass time she squealed with excitement (something I hadn't heard in a few days) and both girls sat side by side tucking in - it was sooooooo nice to see.

Still keeping up with the syringe feeding but I feel like we are getting there

 

[Piggies2023]

Ahh that makes sense, fingers crossed it continues to go down bless her. I hope everything goes okay for Pumpkin at the Vets tomorrow .

We had our 2nd post op check this morning and he was really pleased with how her wound was looking, the incision is nicely sealed, no redness, no inflammation, he has signed her off for being able to have bedding hay in her cage. We were also advised to keep her seperate from her sister for the first few days which I know was unadviseable on here but I would never have been able to forgive myself if something would have happened, so we put a partition up so they could still see/smell each other and they had supervised floor time together - the vet signed them off for being able to reunite which was also nice to hear.

Since being back in her cage with her hay and sister she is like a new piggie. She went straight over to her hay bowl and was munching, shes burrowed, been for a wonder and when we did their special whistle signalling it was grass time she squealed with excitement (something I hadn't heard in a few days) and both girls sat side by side tucking in - it was sooooooo nice to see.

Still keeping up with the syringe feeding but I feel like we are getting there

That's fantastic she is doing much better . That's fabulous news. This all sounds great.

 

[Tory93]

That's fantastic she is doing much better . That's fabulous news. This all sounds great.

How did Pumpkin get on today?

 

[Piggies2023]

How did Pumpkin get on today?

Vet agrees with me that it's swollen. But she couldn't see any signs of infection. I am to keep her updated. She's back in work on Thursday so I will email then. I'm getting worried it's a hernia again. Her last hernia was partly in this surgical area. Vet had to cut through some of the scar tissue for the bladder op. I hope it's just swelling

 

[Tory93]

Vet agrees with me that it's swollen. But she couldn't see any signs of infection. I am to keep her updated. She's back in work on Thursday so I will email then. I'm getting worried it's a hernia again. Her last hernia was partly in this surgical area. Vet had to cut through some of the scar tissue for the bladder op. I hope it's just swelling

Glad there's no signs of an infection. I will keep my fingers crossed for little Pumpkin that it's some post op swelling and no hernia .

How is she in herself? Are you still giving recovery food or is she completely self sufficient food wise?

Hope you are also feeling better.

 

[Piggies2023]

Glad there's no signs of an infection. I will keep my fingers crossed for little Pumpkin that it's some post op swelling and no hernia .

How is she in herself? Are you still giving recovery food or is she completely self sufficient food wise?

Hope you are also feeling better.

Thank you. How is your little one? Still eating?

Pumpkin is very happy. She squeaks loudly for food and seems completely herself apart from the very odd pain squeak I had over the weekend. I think it was when she weed and pooed at the same time. Poor thing it's her third op of the year!

 

[Tory93]

Thank you. How is your little one? Still eating?

Pumpkin is very happy. She squeaks loudly for food and seems completely herself apart from the very odd pain squeak I had over the weekend. I think it was when she weed and pooed at the same time. Poor thing it's her third op of the year!

My piggie is recovering well but isn't back to her pre-op self yet. She comes out for her veggies but then only eats a few bits, she has been eating hay (not her normal amount but a fair bit) and she's scoffs down her fresh grass when it's given. Today was the first day where I heard an excitable food squeak. Still syringe feeding during the day and night but am trying to go longer in-between feeds to try and get her to eat more herself. Wound is all okay *touch wood*.

3rd op of the year!? Poor little girl.. they say things happen in threes so hopefully there won't be anymore. Glad to hear she is doing so well.

 

[Piggies2023]

My piggie is recovering well but isn't back to her pre-op self yet. She comes out for her veggies but then only eats a few bits, she has been eating hay (not her normal amount but a fair bit) and she's scoffs down her fresh grass when it's given. Today was the first day where I heard an excitable food squeak. Still syringe feeding during the day and night but am trying to go longer in-between feeds to try and get her to eat more herself. Wound is all okay *touch wood*.

3rd op of the year!? Poor little girl.. they say things happen in threes so hopefully there won't be anymore. Glad to hear she is doing so well.

She did have a really big stone so maybe takes a bit longer. Is she off the antibiotics yet? It's good she is excited about food.

Yes, Pumpkin had cancer op to remove uterus, then a hernia tried to kill her. Then her wound burst open from infection even though she was on antibiotics and had to wound flush for weeks . That was January. Then bladder stone op now.

My other pig also had an ovary out last month. Four surgeries in five months no wonder I'm stressed

 

[Tory93]

She did have a really big stone so maybe takes a bit longer. Is she off the antibiotics yet? It's good she is excited about food.

Yes, Pumpkin had cancer op to remove uterus, then a hernia tried to kill her. Then her wound burst open from infection even though she was on antibiotics and had to wound flush for weeks . That was January. Then bladder stone op now.

My other pig also had an ovary out last month. Four surgeries in five months no wonder I'm stressed

The logical person in me is like chill she had a huge surgery 4 days ago, but the Pig Mum in me just reads too much into everything and I just want her to be happy, pain free, warm and with a full tummy. Yeah she is still on the antibiotics I think I've got 2.5 days left (from memory) and she is still on the metacam twice daily.

I can see she is feeling better as she has started to fight me when it comes to the syringe feeding which is good for her and bad for me.

Oh blimey, Pumpkin really is a little trooper love her, I really hope for both your sakes it is 3rd and last. Blimey and he sister has been at it too with the surgeries. They clearly like to keep you on your toes little loves. I feel like there should be a law that after an evasive surgery on a pet the owner(s) get to have a spa day or something after recovery to recoup!

 

[Tory93]

It's now 6 days post op, wound site looks great.

My piggie guzzles down bowls of grass.

She munches on hay a little bit but not a huge huge amount.

She comes out to drink occasionally.

When she has her veggies her favourites used to be Celery, Celery leaves and chard - she now gravitates towards carrot tops and pak choi, and will eat her veg for about 3 mins before stopping and her sister pigging out the rest

I have been syringe feeding - I have been trying to long out between sessions to see if it encourages her to eat.

Poops are looking great but not as many as she would typically do pre-op.

She is still on 0.25ml dog metacam twice daily and antibiotics twice daily (last antibiotic is Saturday morning).

She seems comfortable up until and hour before and after her metacam.

Is this a cause for concern 6 days out? It's was a 1cm bladder stone so appreciate she isn't going to be 100% but should we be seeing more of an improvement and in which case a vet visit is needed. Or is this normal?

I have been weighing her and it flutates a bit but not a huge amount.
1204g
1199g
1218g
1197g

Any thoughts?