Urine sample

[Piggies2023]

Hi

Does anyone know how quickly a guinea pig tends to wee after they've had veggies please? I need to provide a urine sample for the vet but I'm trying to work out timings and have no idea how long after they would normally wee.

Nancy has had some symptoms of a UTI and is on antibiotics and her previous urine sample showed high glucose so she needs another test.

 

[Free Ranger]

First thing is to make a cup of tea.

Then I sit my George in a rectangular cake tub. I have a bit of folded towel in the front end so his front paws don't 'scrabble' and I tilt it very slightly backwards. I drape a little bit of fleece blanket over his head and he thinks he's hiding. Then I sit down in the front room with a cuppa and put the telly on. I feed him bits of veggie under the blankie and give him a tickle here and there. He's usually peed before I've finished the brew.

NB: I got some 10-test urine dipsticks for my pigs off amazon. They are sent in a dark tub. If you leave them exposed to light it makes some of the tests go funny - we thought George suddenly had high sugar but actually it was because the test had been in the light for too long. But I'm sure your vet does thing properly!

 

[Piggies2023]

Thank you. Does George have health problems too?

 

[Free Ranger]

Recurrent stone former - but he's doing OK. He's 6 and quite the character!
We've seen some urinary issues over the years (don't get me started!) so if you've got a nice simple UTI you're doing OK
Keep us updated on how you get on x

 

[Piggies2023]

Recurrent stone former - but he's doing OK. He's 6 and quite the character!
We've seen some urinary issues over the years (don't get me started!) so if you've got a nice simple UTI you're doing OK
Keep us updated on how you get on x

I had to give up on Wednesday when I tried because after an hour building work in the flat downstairs was too much. On Thursday we did get a sample but it took and hour and a half. She gets scared being away from Pumpkin, her sister, and didn't want to wee, didn't help that it was also loud downstairs again ( I live in a badly soundproofed council flat and building work is currently happening downstairs)

The vet rang me to say that there is glucose again in her urine but she wants another sample later. As I did raise whether the high sugar from the antibiotics she was on could also cause it. So we shall see. I am hoping she doesn't have diabetes and I am now questioning their diet.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I had to give up on Wednesday when I tried because after an hour building work in the flat downstairs was too much. On Thursday we did get a sample but it took and hour and a half. She gets scared being away from Pumpkin, her sister, and didn't want to wee, didn't help that it was also loud downstairs again ( I live in a badly soundproofed council flat and building work is currently happening downstairs)

The vet rang me to say that there is glucose again in her urine but she wants another sample later. As I did raise whether the high sugar from the antibiotics she was on could also cause it. So we shall see. I am hoping she doesn't have diabetes and I am now questioning their diet.

What is their diet?

I have seen Wiebke mentions that piggies naturally have high glucose in their urine without there being a problem, and that because I’d that diagnosing diabetes needs to be done by blood test.

 

[Free Ranger]

Diabetic guinea pigs tend to have symptoms - which is why they get tested in the first place. Here are some of the symptoms as described on the Guinea Lynx site
Guinea Pigs with Diabetes - General Information - Patricia's Guinea Pigs
Warning symptoms of diabetes in Guinea Pigs
[HEADING=3]The most common symptoms noticed by guinea pig owners are:[/HEADING]

• rapid formation of cataracts
• chronic wet bottom
• frequent urinary tract infections (UTI)

Other symptoms may include:

• excessive thirst
• excessive urination
• weight loss in spite of healthy appetite

Note that an individual guinea pig may only display one or two of the warning signs. If you notice any of these symptoms, have the piggie checked by a vet.

Did she have any of these? Is that why she's being tested?

 

[Piggies2023]

What is their diet?

I have seen Wiebke mentions that piggies naturally have high glucose in their urine without there being a problem, and that because I’d that diagnosing diabetes needs to be done by blood test.

They have green pepper and round lettuce in the morning. In the evening they have romaine lettuce, red pepper and then something different. I am wondering if Nancy may have eaten too much mini corn as pumpkin isn't as bothered.
Yes, I saw some glucose is normal. But the vet I am seeing is well recommended so I'm sure she knows what she is doing.

 

[Piggies2023]

Diabetic guinea pigs tend to have symptoms - which is why they get tested in the first place. Here are some of the symptoms as described on the Guinea Lynx site
Guinea Pigs with Diabetes - General Information - Patricia's Guinea Pigs
Warning symptoms of diabetes in Guinea Pigs
[HEADING=3]The most common symptoms noticed by guinea pig owners are:[/HEADING]

• rapid formation of cataracts
• chronic wet bottom
• frequent urinary tract infections (UTI)

Other symptoms may include:

• excessive thirst
• excessive urination
• weight loss in spite of healthy appetite

Note that an individual guinea pig may only display one or two of the warning signs. If you notice any of these symptoms, have the piggie checked by a vet.

Did she have any of these? Is that why she's being tested?

She's had two probable UTIs. Her symptoms was fishy smell and discharge, but no bacteria showed up on the urine sample. Vets in January, showed no high glucose, vets in march did and then the sample I did this month also showed it but not sure how high. They've asked me for a third sample this week. She had lost a little bit of weight but the vet said nothing concerning.

 

[Free Ranger]

My old George is currently on antibiotics again for dripping pee and this time there is a fishy odour... he really dislikes the smell of himself!