Guinea waking when peeing

[Strify]

I've had guineas for about a week now and it's best decision ever
However one of them (Bones) I've noticed starts making noises sometimes when they go toilet I don't think it's every single time but it's enough for me to have noticed, I'm still unfamiliar with their different sounds and to me they all sound pretty similar at the moment, there's no blood showing as of yet and I'm not sure if it's a possible UTI, maybe stomach discomfort? And recently they've been acting quite grumpily when it comes to handling but otherwise they're acting quite normal with eating and drinking... I've cut down on their vegs as I accidentally spoilt him a bit too much in the first few days of having him so I'm hoping it could just be down to that. The vets in my area are pretty useless and expect me to go to another city on the train in the middle of winter as I don't drive
Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated it could be just me worrying as they're new and I'm very anxious that I'm going wrong with them

 

[Piggies&buns]

It would not be possible for us to speculate on what might or might not be happening. Any potential health issue does require a knowledgable vet.
Its always a good idea to have any new piggies checked by a vet in any event if they did not come from a reputable rescue centre.

Make sure you weigh then weekly so you can monitor their hay intake and ensure they are indeed eating enough.

New Owners' Essential Information and Practical Tips Starter Collection

 

[Strify]

It would not be possible for us to speculate on what might or might not be happening. Any potential health issue does require a knowledgable vet.
Its always a good idea to have any new piggies checked by a vet in any event if they did not come from a reputable rescue centre.

Make sure you weigh then weekly so you can monitor their hay intake and ensure they are indeed eating enough.

New Owners' Essential Information and Practical Tips Starter Collection

Hey, thanks I'm definitely taking him in the morning, they did come from a reputable pet center however it was under adoption rather than buying one from the store/center itself

 

[Swissgreys]

Hey, thanks I'm definitely taking him in the morning, they did come from a reputable pet center however it was under adoption rather than buying one from the store/center itself

If they came form a pet shop like Pets at Home then even if they were in the 'adoption' section they will still be covered, and you would be eligible to take them back to a PAH vet for a check up if you have any concerns. This should be free of charge if you have had them for less than a couple of weeks.
If they came from a reputable rescue then they would definetly help you out too.

 

[Strify]

If they came form a pet shop like Pets at Home then even if they were in the 'adoption' section they will still be covered, and you would be eligible to take them back to a PAH vet for a check up if you have any concerns. This should be free of charge if you have had them for less than a couple of weeks.
If they came from a reputable rescue then they would definetly help you out too.

Oh thank you for telling me this I was so worried about costs too! Yes they're from pets at home this was so helpful thank you!

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
Hope your piggies are ok and vet check goes well.

 

[Swissgreys]

Oh thank you for telling me this I was so worried about costs too! Yes they're from pets at home this was so helpful thank you!

All you need to do is call the branch that you bought them from, explain you have some health concerns and ask if you can bring them in for a check up.
You may need to bring the original purchase receipt, but it should all be free of charge.

Just be prepared that if a problem is identified they may ask to buy the piggies back, keep them onsite and treat them there, and then offer to sell them back to you once they are well.

 

[Swissgreys]

Please have a look at this guide so you are aware of your rights before you take them to the pet shop.

New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights

 

[Strify]

All you need to do is call the branch that you bought them from, explain you have some health concerns and ask if you can bring them in for a check up.
You may need to bring the original purchase receipt, but it should all be free of charge.

Just be prepared that if a problem is identified they may ask to buy the piggies back, keep them onsite and treat them there, and then offer to sell them back to you once they are well.

Wait can they do this? Why could they not just treat them rather than selling back and forth
Thank you xox

 

[Swissgreys]

Wait can they do this? Why could they not just treat them rather than selling back and forth
Thank you xox

Please read the guide I linked to above, which strongly advises you not to sell your guinea pigs back to the pet shop.
I just wanted to make you aware that this could happen, as we have seen owners on here caught off guard before, and ended up regretting their decision later on.

You need to remember that at the end of the day your beloved pet guinea pigs are simply money makers to large chain pet stores, and if they are ill they are viewed as 'faulty goods'.
It is often easier and cheaper for the store to take them back and treat them themselves, and it also removes your rights to complain.

 

[Strify]

Please read the guide I linked to above, which strongly advises you not to sell your guinea pigs back to the pet shop.
I just wanted to make you aware that this could happen, as we have seen owners on here caught off guard before, and ended up regretting their decision later on.

You need to remember that at the end of the day your beloved pet guinea pigs are simply money makers to large chain pet stores, and if they are ill they are viewed as 'faulty goods'.
It is often easier and cheaper for the store to take them back and treat them themselves, and it also removes your rights to complain.

Thank you for this I'll be sure not to sell them back to them

 

[Strify]

Update: the vets told me the worst unfortunately, they suspect its stones or at very least a UTI and gave me pain meds but no antibiotics(they want me to come back in two days I swear they're just tryna choke money out of me now) and told me they'll need surgery if it is stones and I can't afford 1000 pounds for it and the vet suggested I give him back for them to treat him I'm absolutely devastated when I told them it was them who sold me the pigs they kept tryna deflect blame, I'm sorry but 2 days after having them they don't tend to show symptoms till weeks later and I told them this and they just said "give him back and get a new one" as if they're just broken items that I can replace I'm so upset beyond words I ha e absolutely no choice but to give him up... Rather than give me antibiotics there and then they'd rather drag my poor boys pain out just for an extra 100 quid I'm absolutely heartbroken

 

[Swissgreys]

Update: the vets told me the worst unfortunately, they suspect its stones or at very least a UTI and gave me pain meds but no antibiotics(they want me to come back in two days I swear they're just tryna choke money out of me now) and told me they'll need surgery if it is stones and I can't afford 1000 pounds for it and the vet suggested I give him back for them to treat him I'm absolutely devastated when I told them it was them who sold me the pigs they kept tryna deflect blame, I'm sorry but 2 days after having them they don't tend to show symptoms till weeks later and I told them this and they just said "give him back and get a new one" as if they're just broken items that I can replace I'm so upset beyond words I ha e absolutely no choice but to give him up... Rather than give me antibiotics there and then they'd rather drag my poor boys pain out just for an extra 100 quid I'm absolutely heartbroken

I am so sorry, but I do have a few questions.

Firstly how did they diagnose stones or a uti?
Did they do an x-ray or ultra sound or urine test?

If it's an uti then antibiotics should clear it up pretty quickly - it's not a complex illness and is pretty common in piggies.
Asking you to come back seems a bit pointless as painkillers won't really do much, but if the pet store are paying then they aren't doing it to you to make money. It's just a shame they are delaying offering the obvious treatment in the first place. But even if you go back it still shouldn't cost you anything.

And if it is stones then it should still be paid for by the pet shop - and honestly 1000 pounds is a ridiculous over estimation of surgery costs, but once again it should not be you paying the bill. But this would also require proper diagnosis with an x-ray.

The first step is to treat for the more obvious and simpler problem which is a UTI.
I know it's easier said than done, but try not to panic, get him onto antibiotics and take it from there.

I really hope you get to keep your boys and he does get better.

 

[Strify]

Well I mentioned what you guys said and how pets at home should be paying for it but they looked at me kinda confused and said I'd have to pay for it as the vet is separate to pets at home(joint building they explained this in text that I'll have to go to them to get money back) they didn't do any urine tests so I was quite annoyed at that as well hence I feel I'm being mugged off for money atm

They didn't do xrays at all but had a feel around and couldn't even hold him still he was hurting that much, I'm going back with my mom on Thursday (unfortunately I'm a bit too timid to stand my ground but my mom would definitely set them striaght and get reimbursement from pets at home) I'll have them get some antibiotics Thursday and if that doesn't work then idk... I'm giving him pain relief/anti inflammation but even the vet said it's like a plaster on a tumour, unfortunately I've decided if the other one gets sick soon(god forbid but I'm anxious about it) as well I'll have to give them up as they clearly sold them under false pretence they were at the adoption center for a year before I took them and now I'm wondering why...

 

[Strify]

Ps thank you all for the support I'm so glad I joined this forum xoxox

Well I mentioned what you guys said and how pets at home should be paying for it but they looked at me kinda confused and said I'd have to pay for it as the vet is separate to pets at home(joint building they explained this in text that I'll have to go to them to get money back) they didn't do any urine tests so I was quite annoyed at that as well hence I feel I'm being mugged off for money atm

They didn't do xrays at all but had a feel around and couldn't even hold him still he was hurting that much, I'm going back with my mom on Thursday (unfortunately I'm a bit too timid to stand my ground but my mom would definitely set them striaght and get reimbursement from pets at home) I'll have them get some antibiotics Thursday and if that doesn't work then idk... I'm giving him pain relief/anti inflammation but even the vet said it's like a plaster on a tumour, unfortunately I've decided if the other one gets sick soon(god forbid but I'm anxious about it) as well I'll have to give them up as they clearly sold them under false pretence they were at the adoption center for a year before I took them and now I'm wondering why...

 

[Strify]

Back again with new update, I'm absolutely devastated at the moment both boys are now sick one has been sneezing and coughing all night and his eyes seem quite glassy along with lethargy and drinking a lot more than usual and obviously bones has their UTI/or stones and to top off they have some sort of mite... I tried to give him his medicine by different means and he just went buckwild on me and bit me once again and went into a bit of a frenzy and I've just had an absolute meltdown over it I feel so helpless... Unfortunately I've decided it's best to send them both back today and explain that they've given me two sick boys... I really cannot cope with it at this time due to other personal reasons. but I genuinely am so heartbroken I'd grown attached in the short time we have had but I can't cope with hearing them in pain and distress all the time on top of knowing how useless (and expensive) the vet is

Thank you all for the advice perhaps when this has settled down I'll maybe look into either getting them back or having new ones but as I said in an above comment; individuallyanimals are all irreplaceable

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Sorry that both your new piggies have health problems. And that the vet doesn't seem very good.

If you do take them back to the shop, and want to look again at having piggies when things are less stressful for you, we would always recommend adopting from a recommended rescue
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/guinea-pig-forum-recommended-rescues.196734/
going this route ensures that any pigs you take on are in good health and correctly sexed, and they can also give advice if there are any problems after adoption.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry to hear this. Sending you huge hugs

 

[Claire W]

I have just seen your thread and I am so sorry for the bad time you have had Sadly, vets bills are expensive. I’m getting on for £1000 since July on my rainbow bridge piggy Edward and now my current piggy Elizabeth.

Sorry that Pets at home won’t cover the vets bills. I thought that if they sold you poorly pigs they had to cover the cost as essentially they have sold you faulty goods. Such a shame that you are having to give them back but perfectly understandable. Having one poorly pig is stressful enough never mind two

I hope you can have piggies again one day x

 

[Free Ranger]

I've just found your thread and I'm so sorry. I've had piggies before from the P@H adoption centre and honestly things have been fine. If you end up having to return them then that's understandable. Your vet hasn't done you any favours. I'd go to a different vet. If you can let us know where you are in the UK someone might have a recommendation - or there's the vet list on the green bar at the top.

Pigs do get UTI quite regularly but some vets seem to think only of stones because they are a feature of piggy metabolism and some just seem to focus only on that! My vet always treats for UTI first and we've certainly had more UTI than stones. When we had a stone op for one boy it was about £500. it can vary massively vet to vet. But Suspected UTI has always been treated the same - 5 days of antibiotics and decent painkiller and see how you go. Usually piggy is looking better within a day or two. Any complications are considered after this first step.

Mites and lice are also pretty common with piggies as these are 'catching' so any pig that's ever been near another one will stand a decent chance of passengers. These are generally treated very effectively with a spot-on product called Xeno-450 in the UK (baby piggies it's something different). You do 3 treatments 2 weeks apart for each pig at the same time. Job done - and btw the critters don't go onto people.

Itching/scratching and shedding hair can also be caused by fungal infections so it is important that piggy gets a vet diagnosis as treatment for this is different.

Upper respiratory infection (URI) is a risk for pigs. If they've changed environments, or gone from an indoor environment in the pet shop to an outdoor cage (esp at this time of year), that might have triggered it but it might just be bad luck. Pig don't get 'colds' like we do so any cold symptoms should always be promptly treated with antibiotics by a vet as it is most commonly a URI.

I don't think the P@H vets treat for free but the P@H shop should foot the bill. If you are an anxious type them having someone help with the discussion can be very useful. My mum would just lose her temper and end up having a go so it's nice if you've got a solid type of mum to back you up! Good luck x