urgent advice on bleeding!

[Hannahb2804]

Hi! i’ve had my guinea pig dougal back and fourth at the vets over the past 4 months as she’s been having trouble with bladder sludge and crystals, she had a stone that was found on a scan but was small enough to pass and we think she’s now passed it, i took her to the vets on friday for a checkup and they said they can still feel sludge but no stone. however when i brought her home she’s started bleeding through her urethra (i think that’s the right name) and it’s just pure blood, i’ve taken her out and cleaned her up and checked her over, she seems fine in herself eating and moving about but the dark blood really worries me, i’ve just phoned my out of hours and they said this is normal when having bladder sludge/stones and the blood will be normal. any advice? i think she’s right that there will be blood when passing but it’s just so dark and there’s a fair amount. any advice please?
she’s on loxicom for reference and this photo shes just weed on a tissue so i could check colour x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! i’ve had my guinea pig dougal back and fourth at the vets over the past 4 months as she’s been having trouble with bladder sludge and crystals, she had a stone that was found on a scan but was small enough to pass and we think she’s now passed it, i took her to the vets on friday for a checkup and they said they can still feel sludge but no stone. however when i brought her home she’s started bleeding through her urethra (i think that’s the right name) and it’s just pure blood, i’ve taken her out and cleaned her up and checked her over, she seems fine in herself eating and moving about but the dark blood really worries me, i’ve just phoned my out of hours and they said this is normal when having bladder sludge/stones and the blood will be normal. any advice? i think she’s right that there will be blood when passing but it’s just so dark and there’s a fair amount. any advice please?
she’s on loxicom for reference x

Hi!

It is either from the trauma of passing a stone (in which case it should stop within a few hours if my own piggies are anything to go by - my Taffy was bleeding heavily after passing a stone and I had to rush her to the vet just at closing time; he stayed on specially for her; she was fine again by the next morning) or it marks the onset of bacterial cystitis (which is generally a result of stones/sludge scratching the walls of the bladder and/or urethra), in which case you will see symptoms of a urinary tract infection develop over the coming days. Very strong stale smelling urine can be connected with this type. An antibiotic will take care of it if you find that you are dealing with the latter in the coming days.

All the best!

 

[Hannahb2804]

Hi!

It is either from the trauma of passing a stone (in which case it should stop within a few hours if my own piggies are anything to go by - my Taffy was bleeding heavily after passing a stone and I had to rush her to the vet just at closing time; he stayed on specially for her; she was fine again by the next morning) or it marks the onset of bacterial cystitis (which is generally a result of stones/sludge scratching the walls of the bladder and/or urethra), in which case you will see symptoms of a urinary tract infection develop over the coming days. Very strong stale smelling urine can be connected with this type. An antibiotic will take care of it if you find that you are dealing with the latter in the coming days.

All the best!

Oh you’ve put my mind at rest thank you! yeah so we believe she did pass a stone so perhaps it’s the start of an infection or some sort? what would suggest if she’s getting worse and needs another vet trip? x

 

[Wiebke]

Oh you’ve put my mind at rest thank you! yeah so we believe she did pass a stone so perhaps it’s the start of an infection or some sort? what would suggest if she’s getting worse and needs another vet trip? x

Hi!

Please take a deep breath. It is much more likely bladder trauma and will be over by tomorrow. Give your girl a gentle bum wash with baby warm water if she hasn't cleaned her anus herself by then; but only after the bleeding has well ended. Until then, leave her in peace in her usual surroundings and on clean fleece.

You only need to see a vet for an antibiotic if you notice signs of a urinary tract infection over the course of this week. It will take several days to really get going. So don't hold your breath; you may turn blue long before that has a chance to happen.