Smelly urine

[Josie_lg]

Hiya all, any idea what can cause smelly urine in piggies if infection has been ruled out. She has a history of urinary crystals and had a stone removed last year. Sadly she’s always had problems with her bladder. Thank you

 

[piggieminder]

Bumping you up, hopefully a Health and Illness expert will be along soon. I hope you can find out what is causing the issue.

 

[VickiA]

In my experience smelly urine can usually mean urine infection or infection in the Genitourinary tract. I know smelly poop can be from what’s been fed (my lot rarely get partial or basil so when they do I can smell it in their poop) but I’m not sure of other causes for smelly urine.

 

[Josie_lg]

Thank you for your reply’s. I will speak to the vet tomorrow. They did do a culture test but they found no bacteria just lots and lots of crystals. We tried ab’s and in my opinion she wasn’t on them for long enough but the vet was very concerned that the potassium citrate wasn’t safe to give along side the ab’s due to both containing high calcium. So the potassium was stopped and this is what helps to stop the crystals settling-apparently. So she advised to stop the ab’s since no infection was found in the sample and continue on potassium. I’m wondering if we should try ab’s again. It’s so emotionally draining. She has a big hernia that ideally needs surgery, but we want her bladder to ideally be under control before we do that. I’d hate to put her through that and then straight after she has another stone it’s just awful. My poor girl. The vet reassures me I’m doing everything right but I still feel it’s not enough. I wonder if the stone has permanently damaged her bladder. Her bladder issues were never as bad or frequent before the stone occurred.

 

[Josie_lg]

Sorry I’ve just read my message the potassium citrate and the antibiotic (I believe was called co trimazole? It’s similar to sulfatrim since sulfatrim has been discontinued. But I may have got that drug name wrong my brain is scrambled!) contained potassium so weren’t safe to give together according to my vet.