Occasional Squeaking when peeing (possibly!)

[Jacob123]

Hello,

We have a 3 year old female Guinea pig who is occasionally squeaking when peeing. It’s not every time, we’ve been keeping an eye on her the last few days and there’s been times where she pees and doesn’t make a sound. But there are occasions where she is peeing and squeaking at the same time.

She’s perfectly healthy otherwise, eating lots of hay, veggies, pellets etc. she’s also drinking absolutely fine (she is the loudest drinker on the planet)

Around 2-3 months ago we found out she had a small herniated belly button (or Guinea pig equivalent), shortly after getting back from the vets we noticed squeaking while she peed. Back then we thought she had a UTI and took her to the vets. The Vet was lovely, but to check her temperature he used a thermometer that in my opinion was too big, it took him numerous attempts to get it in and she squealed horrendously throughout while me and my partner had to hold her down, the receptionist could hear it all the way out in reception,
a good 35 feet away behind a closed door. This has lead to a good amount of anxiety about taking her back for the same problem. At that time we were given antibiotics to give her orally, which stopped her squeaking while peeing within a few days. During that time she squeaked every time she peed. We finished the course of antibiotics - but we’re surprised at the possible reoccurrence within such a short period of time.

My main questions are:

1. As she’s only squeaking occasionally, could it be other factors rather than a UTI? She’s always had a tendancy to make a lot of noise so could it just be that she’s grumpy about her roommate (another female the same age) or that we’re being helicopter Guinea Pig parents and over analysing? The squeaking seems to be more in the evening, throughout the day she seems absolutely fine.

2. Am I allowed to ask the vet to use a smaller thermometer? This could be me being very British, but would it be rude to ask/provide my own thermometer (obviously not getting a pointy ended one and making sure it’s designed for small animals such as Guinea pigs)

Disclaimer: the vets we take her to are a small animal hospital and supposedly specialise on small animals such as Guinea pigs.

Additional: no redness in her wee, no stomach tenderness as we’ve poked and prodded and she’s been fine with us doing that.

Thanks,
Jacob

 

[Jacob123]

Hello,

We have a 3 year old female Guinea pig who is occasionally squeaking when peeing. It’s not every time, we’ve been keeping an eye on her the last few days and there’s been times where she pees and doesn’t make a sound. But there are occasions where she is peeing and squeaking at the same time.

She’s perfectly healthy otherwise, eating lots of hay, veggies, pellets etc. she’s also drinking absolutely fine (she is the loudest drinker on the planet)

Around 2-3 months ago we found out she had a small herniated belly button (or Guinea pig equivalent), shortly after getting back from the vets we noticed squeaking while she peed. Back then we thought she had a UTI and took her to the vets. The Vet was lovely, but to check her temperature he used a thermometer that in my opinion was too big, it took him numerous attempts to get it in and she squealed horrendously throughout while me and my partner had to hold her down, the receptionist could hear it all the way out in reception,
a good 35 feet away behind a closed door. This has lead to a good amount of anxiety about taking her back for the same problem. At that time we were given antibiotics to give her orally, which stopped her squeaking while peeing within a few days. During that time she squeaked every time she peed. We finished the course of antibiotics - but we’re surprised at the possible reoccurrence within such a short period of time.

My main questions are:

1. As she’s only squeaking occasionally, could it be other factors rather than a UTI? She’s always had a tendancy to make a lot of noise so could it just be that she’s grumpy about her roommate (another female the same age) or that we’re being helicopter Guinea Pig parents and over analysing? The squeaking seems to be more in the evening, throughout the day she seems absolutely fine.

2. Am I allowed to ask the vet to use a smaller thermometer? This could be me being very British, but would it be rude to ask/provide my own thermometer (obviously not getting a pointy ended one and making sure it’s designed for small animals such as Guinea pigs)

Disclaimer: the vets we take her to are a small animal hospital and supposedly specialise on small animals such as Guinea pigs.

Additional: no redness in her wee, no stomach tenderness as we’ve poked and prodded and she’s been fine with us doing that.

Thanks,
Jacob

Also going to add - I’ve checked around her bum/areas and they look normal, no redness or soreness either.

 

[Siikibam]

It is always best to get anything checked, however small. Vets are used to this and will encourage it - always better to err on the side of caution.

Hopefully it’s something simple.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Hi, in answer to your questions
1. Piggies with UTIs do not necessarily cry every time they wee, it will depend on the severity of what is going on but if left untreated will most likely become more frequent and louder. Also piggies can get other bladder issues which can cause inflamation and pain such as bladder stones, bladder sludge and non bacterial cystitis.
2. Yes, you are aloud to ask your vet to use a smaller thermometer, or to request that they don't use one at all, or to refuse any procedure you are not comfortable with.

In veterinary practice the term small animal usually refers to cats and dogs as opposed to farm animals so does not necessarily mean they have much guinea pig knowledge, although some do.
There is a vet locator under the health and illness section where vets recommended by forum members are listed. Perhaps there is one listed close to you as it sounds like she should be seen again and I too would have anxiety after the previous visit. Did your vet give any pain relief or just the antibiotics?

 

[Free Ranger]

Well that's a new one on me because in 10 years, 3 vet practices, over a dozen vets and 15 piggies, nobody has ever stuck a thermometer in anywhere! As mentioned above you can bet both you and she will now have anxiety about returning to the same vet practice... maybe venture further afield? If this problem started straight after the vet visit I'd be suspicious about the cause of the squeaking. I hope that thermometer was clean and hasn't introduced infection - or damaged your poor beauty I would definitely have her see another vet at a different practice -ideally one that you know is good with guineas - and tell them what happened and what the result has been since. I found my current vet by phoning round and asking about vets with guinea pig expertise - the receptionist said that a couple of their vets kept piggies themselves and I've found these to be the most knowledgeable and the most interested in my pigs. If you can provide your county or nearest town we might have a member close by with some good recommendations?

If you suspect Urinary Tract Infection any vet can provide you with a little bottle and pipette to take a sample. Sit her in a little plastic bowl (maybe cover one side so she feels safe) and wait. Then pipette up the pee into the bottle and it can be taken in for testing - for the presence of blood and bacteria. Or try having her sit on a white towel or sheet until she pees - can you see pinkish tints of blood? Of course, you can't have this tested though. Is her back end looking wet or dirty a lot of the time? This is common in UTI as inflammation and pain from peeing causes them to try and hold it in but it drips out onto the fur. Be aware that the dip test for blood is really sensitive so sometimes it can come up positive when there are no other symptoms and a vet might choose to dis-count this under those circumstances. Also be aware that piggy pee oxidises quite quickly so it might look sparkling at first but go an alarming shade of orange later - that is quite normal (but it does freak you out!)

My vet would likely treat for UTI first (antibiotics and painkiller called metacam or loxicom) but we would bear in mind that piggies can get stones and sludge in the urine. Girls at least have a chance to pass these things on their own - it doesn't immediately mean an operation! I have a piggy at the minute who is prone to bouts of gritty pee. She doesn't always drink enough and then her urine concentrates and you can sometimes hear a husky squeak as she pees - when you see the patch it looks white and feels 'gritty' to the touch. Piggy pee usually looks a bit 'milky' as they pee out all their excess calcium so this sort of thing can be a regular issue. If my vet suspects a stone they will confirm this by x-ray before deciding what to do next. Do you filter your water or use low calcium bottled water for the piggies? Try to reduce calcium intake as much as possible to try and avoid these stony problems! We manage Louise with occasional short courses of painkiller and a glucosamine supplement which helps battered bladders.

Good luck little girl, and I'm sorry for your horrible thermometer experience x