Squealing whilst peeing

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Our very experienced exotics vet does not use a GA for an ultrasound. Mavis has had two now, all they do us shave her tummy. I think most piggies will stay relatively still if held firmly.

I am pretty sure Simon doesn't use GA for an ultrasound, but always does for an X-ray.

 

[Little Ones]

I am pretty sure Simon doesn't use GA for an ultrasound, but always does for an X-ray.

That’s interesting then. My vet didn’t use GA or a sedative for an X-ray, she just took him back and did it in 10 minutes, but then for an ultrasound it’s required. Obviously I know a lot of practices will do it differently, since the commenter is in a country where exotic vets are few and far between, the only reason I queried it was to ensure her pig was receiving the correct care because of this. If it can be done without GA then that’s good news, makes me wonder why I couldn’t opt for that with Peanut given how badly he reacts to it

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

That’s interesting then. My vet didn’t use GA or a sedative for an X-ray, she just took him back and did it in 10 minutes, but then for an ultrasound it’s required. Obviously I know a lot of practices will do it differently, since the commenter is in a country where exotic vets are few and far between, the only reason I queried it was to ensure her pig was receiving the correct care because of this. If it can be done without GA then that’s good news, makes me wonder why I couldn’t opt for that with Peanut given how badly he reacts to it

If you don't get the guinea pig into the correct position, for X-ray, you can miss stones, due to bones obscuring the view of the bladder. You would never be able to get the guinea pig into the right position, to get a really good image, while they're awake.

 

[Little Ones]

If you don't get the guinea pig into the correct position, for X-ray, you can miss stones, due to bones obscuring the view of the bladder. You would never be able to get the guinea pig into the right position, to get a really good image, while they're awake.

Okay, now I’m worried Peanut may still have stones I had originally thought what you have just said, but my exotic vet said she was able to do it conscious and I already paid £86 for the conscious X-ray given on the day, which excludes consultation fees, not to mention the £250 I was quoted for the ultrasound and blood test with GA. I honestly can’t afford to throw another X-ray into the mix I really don’t know what to do

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Okay, now I’m worried Peanut may still have stones I had originally thought what you have just said, but my exotic vet said she was able to do it conscious and I already paid £86 for the conscious X-ray given on the day, which excludes consultation fees, not to mention the £250 I was quoted for the ultrasound and blood test with GA. I honestly can’t afford to throw another X-ray into the mix I really don’t know what to do

Let's go completely back to the beginning. What are the symptoms? What treatment/medication has been given? How long has this been going on? You've probably mentioned all this before, but trying to do coursework at the same time, so need to sort of stay focussed! ha ha

 

[ChristineLT]

I have one question, are your piggy is squeaking everytime, when peeing?

 

[HeatherW]

Just following your thread as my Pickle has had virtually the exact same symptoms as yours since December, although it was much more infrequent and seems to have stopped for now.

Unfortunately I still don't know the cause either. No calcium deposits (or at least only tiny ones), drinks a lot of water (not filtered), no blood or calcium when peeing, some poos covered in the creamy mucus, no initial signs of stones when feeling the bladder, etc. She was also given a 10-day course of Sulfatrim and Loxicom.

We've since discovered during an ultrasound (without GA) that she has a tiny cyst on her left ovary, but based on your experiences with Peanut (and that he's male!), it sounds like Pickle may have (or had) two separate health issues.

I can't offer any more help at this point, but please be reassured you're not alone!

 

[Little Ones]

Let's go completely back to the beginning. What are the symptoms? What treatment/medication has been given? How long has this been going on? You've probably mentioned all this before, but trying to do coursework at the same time, so need to sort of stay focussed! ha ha

Oh it’s fine, I’m the same with university work too! Thank you for trying to help out despite being so busy yourself with everything.

The only symptom is that sometimes he squeals whilst peeing. That’s it. It’s not every time but it’s sometimes - around five times a day on most days.
There’s been no blood, I can’t see anything in his pee when I syringe it up either.

I feel like the squeaking only happens with a calcium pee, I could be wrong but from what I’ve seen (I’ve not observed every pee nor syringed up a calcium pee to see the difference), squealing pees leave behind a calcium deposit whilst alright pees don’t.

He’s eating fine, drinking fine, not losing weight and overall is doing okay.

He was on baytril (0.3ml) just over a week but then was changed to sulfatrim (0.4ml), cystease (1 tablet mixed with 2.5ml water and given 0.5 twice a day) and loxicom (0.3ml twice a day). He was on sulfatrim for a week but then we stopped it. He’s still on with loxicom and cystease and has been for between 1-2 weeks (can’t remember exact date without looking back through the forum). I’ve also been feeding the wetter diet as recommended. I’ve seen no change in the symptoms.

The first time he squealed was a few times in early December but then it stopped and then started again at the end of January.

 

[Little Ones]

Just following your thread as my Pickle has had virtually the exact same symptoms as yours since December, although it was much more infrequent and seems to have stopped for now.

Unfortunately I still don't know the cause either. No calcium deposits (or at least only tiny ones), drinks a lot of water (not filtered), no blood or calcium when peeing, some poos covered in the creamy mucus, no initial signs of stones when feeling the bladder, etc. She was also given a 10-day course of Sulfatrim and Loxicom.

We've since discovered during an ultrasound (without GA) that she has a tiny cyst on her left ovary, but based on your experiences with Peanut (and that he's male!), it sounds like Pickle may have (or had) two separate health issues.

I can't offer any more help at this point, but please be reassured you're not alone!

Thank you for sharing, it’s worrying when you don’t know whats going on, if there was blood then it would make more sense but there isn’t any so it makes it a little more complicated. The only difference is that peanut does sometimes leave behind calcium spots, I’m thinking this happens when he has painful person but I can’t be sure.
Peanut was also on sulfatrim and is still on loxicom but nothing seems to make a difference, the pain relief doesn’t seem to be helping at all!

 

[Little Ones]

I have one question, are your piggy is squeaking everytime, when peeing?

Not every time, no, and there are no other symptoms beside this. Hope everything is going okay with your pig!

 

[DMS260820]

Has intertestial cystitis been mentioned?

Dot has flare up of squealing when peeing, then nothing for months and then it comes back again, I'm doing the wetter diet and it seems to be helping

 

[Claire W]

My pigs have never had a GA for ultrasounds Just a slight whiff of gas for X-ray

 

[Little Ones]

Has intertestial cystitis been mentioned?

Dot has flare up of squealing when peeing, then nothing for months and then it comes back again, I'm doing the wetter diet and it seems to be helping

That was my thought too, that’s why we got him on the cystease. It being intertestial cystitis is the only thing that really makes sense really. My exotic vet didn’t really speak about what it possibly may be, rather I just told her all the medications that had been tried as given by the regular vet, and she just got straight on with the tests.
Do you give Dot pain relief when this happens and does it help? I’m thinking of upping the dosage of loxicom as it isn’t making any difference at all but I’ve already been giving him 0.3 twice a day which seems a fair amount, he’s 1.4kg so maybe it’s a bit low? The prescribed dose was 0.28ml once a day but that seemed very low to me, when he was 900kg and dealing with dental problems we gave him 0.3 twice a day which is why I decided to start on that dose, but not sure if it needs altering.

My pigs have never had a GA for ultrasounds Just a slight whiff of gas for X-ray

She wanted to do GA for an ultrasound alone but I was the one who mentioned a blood test to check kidneys whilst he would already be under. If I can avoid GA then I really want to. Maybe it would be worth ringing a different exotic vet and asking if they’d be able to do a conscious ultrasound, even better if they’d be able to do it the same time as the consultation like what happened with the X-ray but I doubt it. I wouldn’t be too worried if he didn’t have a blood test, it just made sense to have it done at the same time, he hasn’t been losing weight or anything that points to a kidney issue and I’m not sure what else a blood test would reveal

 

[DMS260820]

I used to give dot pain relief for it, but I ran out and tried her without it, and she doesn't sqeusl anymore since I used Cystease, but this wet diet I think is helping alot aswell.

 

[ChristineLT]

Not every time, no, and there are no other symptoms beside this. Hope everything is going okay with your pig!

My pig has ultrasound today. No stones in the bladder. It is good new. But i dont understand, why she squeaking sometimes. What the exact reason

 

[ChristineLT]

P.S ultrasound was done without anesthetics. She was quite calm

 

[Claire W]

That was my thought too, that’s why we got him on the cystease. It being intertestial cystitis is the only thing that really makes sense really. My exotic vet didn’t really speak about what it possibly may be, rather I just told her all the medications that had been tried as given by the regular vet, and she just got straight on with the tests.
Do you give Dot pain relief when this happens and does it help? I’m thinking of upping the dosage of loxicom as it isn’t making any difference at all but I’ve already been giving him 0.3 twice a day which seems a fair amount, he’s 1.4kg so maybe it’s a bit low? The prescribed dose was 0.28ml once a day but that seemed very low to me, when he was 900kg and dealing with dental problems we gave him 0.3 twice a day which is why I decided to start on that dose, but not sure if it needs altering.


She wanted to do GA for an ultrasound alone but I was the one who mentioned a blood test to check kidneys whilst he would already be under. If I can avoid GA then I really want to. Maybe it would be worth ringing a different exotic vet and asking if they’d be able to do a conscious ultrasound, even better if they’d be able to do it the same time as the consultation like what happened with the X-ray but I doubt it. I wouldn’t be too worried if he didn’t have a blood test, it just made sense to have it done at the same time, he hasn’t been losing weight or anything that points to a kidney issue and I’m not sure what else a blood test would reveal

If you want bloods done then it makes sense to have them done whilst your piggy is already under a GA but if not, I’d look for a vet who can do conscious ultrasounds if it were my pig

 

[Little Ones]

My pig has ultrasound today. No stones in the bladder. It is good new. But i dont understand, why she squeaking sometimes. What the exact reason

That’s good news, I’m glad it all went to plan! It could be interstitial cystitis as someone has mentioned to me, good luck with everything

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Oh it’s fine, I’m the same with university work too! Thank you for trying to help out despite being so busy yourself with everything.

The only symptom is that sometimes he squeals whilst peeing. That’s it. It’s not every time but it’s sometimes - around five times a day on most days.
There’s been no blood, I can’t see anything in his pee when I syringe it up either.

I feel like the squeaking only happens with a calcium pee, I could be wrong but from what I’ve seen (I’ve not observed every pee nor syringed up a calcium pee to see the difference), squealing pees leave behind a calcium deposit whilst alright pees don’t.

He’s eating fine, drinking fine, not losing weight and overall is doing okay.

He was on baytril (0.3ml) just over a week but then was changed to sulfatrim (0.4ml), cystease (1 tablet mixed with 2.5ml water and given 0.5 twice a day) and loxicom (0.3ml twice a day). He was on sulfatrim for a week but then we stopped it. He’s still on with loxicom and cystease and has been for between 1-2 weeks (can’t remember exact date without looking back through the forum). I’ve also been feeding the wetter diet as recommended. I’ve seen no change in the symptoms.

The first time he squealed was a few times in early December but then it stopped and then started again at the end of January.

This certainly doesn't sound like a stone. Both the baytril and sulfatrim antibiotic courses have been very short, but I am not convinced this is an infection. When you say you've fed the wetter diet, are you giving quite a lot? Do you feed nuggets? Have you tried putting a bowl of water, as well as having a bottle on the cage? I find most piggies love drinking from a bowl. Just out of interest has the vet checked for a urethral stone. If you feel around the vulva area, you can normally feel if there is a stone near the opening.

 

[Little Ones]

This certainly doesn't sound like a stone. Both the baytril and sulfatrim antibiotic courses have been very short, but I am not convinced this is an infection. When you say you've fed the wetter diet, are you giving quite a lot? Do you feed nuggets? Have you tried putting a bowl of water, as well as having a bottle on the cage? I find most piggies love drinking from a bowl. Just out of interest has the vet checked for a urethral stone. If you feel around the vulva area, you can normally feel if there is a stone near the opening.

The antibiotics were stopped because it didn’t seem like URI and having lots of medicine syringed was stressing him out quite a bit. With the diet, I’m feeding almost exactly how you advised, though I have been giving it in quantities a little more than the forum recommends. I did feed nuggets, however I’ve switched to porridge oats in case it might help. We don’t have a bowl in the cage but I can add one, my other piggy has recently developed a cataract in one eye and so is quite cautious and jumpy (and also exhibiting a lot of dominance behaviour) at the minute, will he be okay understanding the bowl has water in it as it’s something he will have never seen before?
The regular vet felt around and said she couldn’t feel any abnormalities, my exotic vet felt around but didn’t say if she did or didn’t feel anything. I would assume she didn’t feel one as I think she would’ve said something if there was something there. If it is a urethral stone, will this pass on its own or will it need to be surgically removed?

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

The antibiotics were stopped because it didn’t seem like URI and having lots of medicine syringed was stressing him out quite a bit. With the diet, I’m feeding almost exactly how you advised, though I have been giving it in quantities a little more than the forum recommends. I did feed nuggets, however I’ve switched to porridge oats in case it might help. We don’t have a bowl in the cage but I can add one, my other piggy has recently developed a cataract in one eye and so is quite cautious and jumpy (and also exhibiting a lot of dominance behaviour) at the minute, will he be okay understanding the bowl has water in it as it’s something he will have never seen before?
The regular vet felt around and said she couldn’t feel any abnormalities, my exotic vet felt around but didn’t say if she did or didn’t feel anything. I would assume she didn’t feel one as I think she would’ve said something if there was something there. If it is a urethral stone, will this pass on its own or will it need to be surgically removed?

Our blind and deaf girls have a bowl and a bottle and haven’t had a problem with it. I use a fairly shallow one. I feed about four times the amount of veg/salad than the forum suggests. In fact probably more than that. I also feed a lot of grass. I’ve just realised your piggy is a boy (I really should just give up and go to sleep) so a urethral stone would be more of a problem. Right another thought, has anyone checked his penis for a sperm rod? I once had a piggy who sometimes cried when urinating and he had dried semen causing an issue. As soon as I removed that, all was fine.

 

[DMS260820]

The antibiotics were stopped because it didn’t seem like URI and having lots of medicine syringed was stressing him out quite a bit. With the diet, I’m feeding almost exactly how you advised, though I have been giving it in quantities a little more than the forum recommends. I did feed nuggets, however I’ve switched to porridge oats in case it might help. We don’t have a bowl in the cage but I can add one, my other piggy has recently developed a cataract in one eye and so is quite cautious and jumpy (and also exhibiting a lot of dominance behaviour) at the minute, will he be okay understanding the bowl has water in it as it’s something he will have never seen before?
The regular vet felt around and said she couldn’t feel any abnormalities, my exotic vet felt around but didn’t say if she did or didn’t feel anything. I would assume she didn’t feel one as I think she would’ve said something if there was something there. If it is a urethral stone, will this pass on its own or will it need to be surgically removed?

Did you mean to put uti and not uri?

 

[Little Ones]

Our blind and deaf girls have a bowl and a bottle and haven’t had a problem with it. I use a fairly shallow one. I feed about four times the amount of veg/salad than the forum suggests. In fact probably more than that. I also feed a lot of grass. I’ve just realised your piggy is a boy (I really should just give up and go to sleep) so a urethral stone would be more of a problem. Right another thought, has anyone checked his penis for a sperm rod? I once had a piggy who sometimes cried when urinating and he had dried semen causing an issue. As soon as I removed that, all was fine.

I inspected his penis when the squealing began but there was nothing there. I’ll have another check tomorrow though. I suppose it’s likely to be interstitial cystitis which was my original thinking, I’m going to ring round other vets and enquire about a conscious ultrasound. Not sure how long I should leave it or if I should get it done as soon as, if it is IC, it could perhaps be a flare up and hopefully with the cystease it calms down? He’s been having pain since the end of January and we’re nearing the end of February so it’s been going on quite a long time now.

Did you mean to put uti and not uri?

Yes! I did, thank you! I didn’t even realise I did that, I suppose I shouldn’t be forum-ing so late

 

[DMS260820]

I inspected his penis when the squealing began but there was nothing there. I’ll have another check tomorrow though. I suppose it’s likely to be interstitial cystitis which was my original thinking, I’m going to ring round other vets and enquire about a conscious ultrasound. Not sure how long I should leave it or if I should get it done as soon as, if it is IC, it could perhaps be a flare up and hopefully with the cystease it calms down? He’s been having pain since the end of January and we’re nearing the end of February so it’s been going on quite a long time now.


Yes! I did, thank you! I didn’t even realise I did that, I suppose I shouldn’t be forum-ing so late

If it is I. C then eveyrhinf else need to be ruled out first by a vet. Might be worth getting the penis area checked ove rid you can by a vet

 

[VickiA]

I agree. IC is diagnosed by elimination of all other possible causes. As this has been going on so long I would get him seen by the vet again and examined to rule out other causes.

 

[Little Ones]

I agree. IC is diagnosed by elimination of all other possible causes. As this has been going on so long I would get him seen by the vet again and examined to rule out other causes.

He was examined by the vet & had an X-ray last week and is waiting on his ultrasound/blood test which is next week by which I’m trying to find another vet who will do an ultrasound conscious as he doesn’t cope well with GA at all - he stops moving/eating/drinking and so I want to avoid it if possible, even if this means not having a blood test as I can’t see it being a kidney issue. I know this has been going on a while, as I’ve said myself, but I have been and am trying my best. A UTI has been ruled out, stones have been ruled out and there’s nothing stuck in his penis. And as I’ve said, he’s waiting on an ultrasound, which, really, is the last step. Over this process he’s been examined by three vets and I have spent over £200 already on medication, consultations and an X-ray. If I don’t find another vet to do the scan, I’m looking at another £250 for the GA ultrasound/blood test. I’m sorry but I can’t afford to take him to the vet for a fourth time for a fourth examination when he’s been checked over and nothing has been found as it seems unnecessary. I know IC is diagnosed by elimination, he really only has an ultrasound left before we can say it’s that. If there’s something else that needs to be ruled out that I’m unaware of then let me know, I’m on here because I don’t know everything, but I’m worried sick for him and I am doing my best - especially on what is already an extremely tight budget.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

IC is similar to Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC). Stress plays a big part in FIC and the vet visits and examinations are going to be stressful. I’d be inclined to leave him to his own devices for a while, try and stop stressing yourself, as he’ll pick up on your anxiety, up the wet diet a little more and watch and wait!

 

[DMS260820]

He was examined by the vet & had an X-ray last week and is waiting on his ultrasound/blood test which is next week by which I’m trying to find another vet who will do an ultrasound conscious as he doesn’t cope well with GA at all - he stops moving/eating/drinking and so I want to avoid it if possible, even if this means not having a blood test as I can’t see it being a kidney issue. I know this has been going on a while, as I’ve said myself, but I have been and am trying my best. A UTI has been ruled out, stones have been ruled out and there’s nothing stuck in his penis. And as I’ve said, he’s waiting on an ultrasound, which, really, is the last step. Over this process he’s been examined by three vets and I have spent over £200 already on medication, consultations and an X-ray. If I don’t find another vet to do the scan, I’m looking at another £250 for the GA ultrasound/blood test. I’m sorry but I can’t afford to take him to the vet for a fourth time for a fourth examination when he’s been checked over and nothing has been found as it seems unnecessary. I know IC is diagnosed by elimination, he really only has an ultrasound left before we can say it’s that. If there’s something else that needs to be ruled out that I’m unaware of then let me know, I’m on here because I don’t know everything, but I’m worried sick for him and I am doing my best - especially on what is already an extremely tight budget.

If you tried all that and you get that ultrasound done and still no clue, I agree with furryfriendsteas

 

[LucyP]

You’re doing brilliantly and being really thorough. I know how stressful it is. We are in a similar situation with Betty (minus the question about penis issues!) She’s had the tests and all were negative. The vet wondered about her discomfort and squeaks being colitis/digestive related (based on possible mucus seen on the poo), and we discussed starting her on meds for that, but lately her squeaking has gone right down so we’ve all agreed to watch and wait for now. IC is another possible diagnosIs. Food wise we’ve noticed she seems to squeak after nuggets or spinach - this could be a total coincidence and/or just the intermittent nature of IC, but there seemed to be a pattern so we’re holding off those for now (she gets plenty of other good stuff) and have heard no squeaks for several days.. much too early to make a judgement on what’s happening but we’ll see what happens next. She’s not on any meds right now and metacam didn’t seem to make much (any?) difference to the squeaking in her particular case.

I’m not suggesting any of this is relevant to you or advising you to cut out certain foods because I really wouldn’t know, but since we’ve been comparing notes I thought I would mention where we’re up to. Keep us posted!

 

[HeatherW]

You’re doing brilliantly and being really thorough. I know how stressful it is. We are in a similar situation with Betty (minus the question about penis issues!) She’s had the tests and all were negative. The vet wondered about her discomfort and squeaks being colitis/digestive related (based on possible mucus seen on the poo), and we discussed starting her on meds for that, but lately her squeaking has gone right down so we’ve all agreed to watch and wait for now. IC is another possible diagnosIs. Food wise we’ve noticed she seems to squeak after nuggets or spinach - this could be a total coincidence and/or just the intermittent nature of IC, but there seemed to be a pattern so we’re holding off those for now (she gets plenty of other good stuff) and have heard no squeaks for several days.. much too early to make a judgement on what’s happening but we’ll see what happens next. She’s not on any meds right now and metacam didn’t seem to make much (any?) difference to the squeaking in her particular case.

I’m not suggesting any of this is relevant to you or advising you to cut out certain foods because I really wouldn’t know, but since we’ve been comparing notes I thought I would mention where we’re up to. Keep us posted!

I also noticed Pickle was similar with spinach, so have almost entirely cut it out of her diet. I'm not sure whether the course of Sulfatrim had any effect or whether it's just calmed down for now.