Uti? Please Help!

[queenjade]

Hi everyone, if anyone could give me any thoughts/advice id greatly appreciate it.
About a month ago my 3 year old female pig wasnt acting herself, we took her to the vet who prescribed baytril and metacam. She finished her course and then suddenly starting getting a wet bottom, she was soaking. I took her back (tried a different vet as previous vet seemed clueless) the vet prescribed more baytril and within two weeks she was completely dry but I continued with the baytril for an extra few days to be sure. She was a tiny bit wet on her belly for a few days (still on baytril) so I took her back to the vet who wanted to give an X-ray but said she would have to give her an anaesthetic. I asked to switch to Bactrim for a week or two just to try that as I've researched that is better and treating UTI's, the vet hasn't heard of it and said she'd ring me back when she had time to research it. The next day she called telling me she would not prescribed Bactrim as its dangerous for pigs (but was more than happy to give aneasthic?).
She's only slightly wet underneath in the mornings and sometimes at night. I've continued with baytril and metacam and cut down on calcium. I also give her cranberry juice and vitamin c+ probiotics. I was recommended UTI natural oxbo tablets online which I just bought today so I've yet to see if they work.
What's worrying me is I just found a calcium deposit in her cage (she's never had any massively noticable ones before) it was creamy looking but it felt powdery, not gritty. Should I be concerned or is this not too concerning without grit? I've checked her urine with a sample and that looked clear, she has no blood and doesn't seem to be in any pain when urinating. Other than slightly wet underneath she has absolutely no other symptoms, she's eating and drinking as normal.
I'm going to take her to another vet to try to get Bactrim but the vets here are ridiculous and not knowledgable at all.
All I want to know is does this sound like possible bladder stones to anyone or does it sound like a persistent UTI? Obviously if this continues I will have to find a vet who can X-ray her (without aneasthic). Can anyone help?

 

[Jesse's pigs]

I've never experienced a UTI and I'm no vet but my piggy has done a few calcium deposits-his fleece is littered with them! Though he doesn't have any veg that is too rich. They too aren't gritty just sludgy /watery so I wouldn't worry about that it's possibly the meds just impacting on her. I know it can seem pointless but please do try another vet if worried or even an animal shelter that has piggies as more often then not they know a little bit about problems etc. I hope it sorts itself out soon and your piggy is 100% again!

 

[queenjade]

Thanks for your reply, I definitely will try another vet. I've just checked again and there's calcium deposits scattered around the cage and it looks different to normal, it's sitting on the fleece. It's unusual for her and with the UTI problem she's been having I'm so worried it could be a sign of stones

 

[Jesse's pigs]

I know it's hard but try to stay positive and fact you've acted on it quickly will definitely help!

 

[sport_billy]

Hey, whereabouts are you based?

Bactrim is septrim in the uk and is off licence but is safe for piggies. Guinea Lynx have it listed here Guinea Lynx :: Antibiotics

The calcium deposit is totally normal and yes you are correct it should feel powdery but not gritty. Try cutting out higher calcium veg for a little while.

Is she crying when seeing or pooing? If she isn't it points to it being positive to be honest with you, you expect crying and hunching with UTI's or stones. Another plus point is checking her urine and it being clear... Did you test it with a dipstick?

Is she long haired? Some piggies do have wetter bits than others.... Vimto is always soaking down there.... She is long haired so I keep her bum fur trimmed.

Without signs of pain when weeing or pooing, I wouldn't be panicking and seeking any X-rays yet. Especially if no one will do them conscious.

Welcome to the forum, will try and find al its of piggy vets near to you

Lee

 

[queenjade]

Thanks so much for the reply, I was freaking out when I saw the deposits. Like I said they are definitely powdery but they are sat on the fleece and there seem to be a hell of a lot more than usual, it's so out of the norm.
She's short haired and kept trim to avoid infection. I keep her clean when she does get wet and give her bum baths when necessary. She's not hunched or squeaking when peeing/pooing.
I've cut down on high calcium veg such as parcley.
I'm based in Cardiff, her regular vet is Pethatons (who refused to give me Bactrim) and we tried Valley vets as they are meant to be small animal specialists but they were hopeless.
I spoke to Vedra a few weeks back and she said to do a dipstick, everything came back normal, apart from a slight trace of protein, no blood was present and her ph was around 8 if I remember correctly which I looked online and everyone says is a normal level.
I'm going to retest tonight and get in touch with Vedra again but I'm really worried about the sudden appearance of these deposits.
Thanks again for replying ,it's nice to speak with people who actually listen and give good advice, the vets are totally clueless when it comes to piggies.

 

[sport_billy]

Bridges Veterinary Surgery
Mark Bridges
Pughs Garden Village
Tynant Nurseries
Morganstown, Cardiff CF15 8LB
02920 842017

 

[sport_billy]

The vet above is excellent and used by a rescue in South Wales. I would give them a ring.

 

[sport_billy]

Guinea Pig Vet Locator

 

[queenjade]

Thank you so much! I'll ring them first thing tomorrow

 

[Flutterby]

Sending healing vibes!