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Uti/possible Stones - Worried About Xray

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Adam27

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A few weeks ago our 5 1/2 year old guinea pig Dustin was squeaking and arching his back when he had a wee and soon after started having pinkish urine and doing more frequent smaller wees. The vet treated for a UTI but couldn’t rule out bladder stones - we had a weeks course of Septrin (2 x 0.5ml daily) and Loxicom (1 x 0.35ml daily). After the week he seemed more comfortable and was doing fewer bigger wees with no visible blood and often, but not always, without discomfort. After a week the pain seemed to return so I asked the vet for more antibiotics - another weeks course - which again seemed to have good results. Now it’s four days after his second course ended and tonight blood is appearing in his urine again.

I’m not sure what to do - as I know UTIs can be stubborn and i’m not sure whether the gaps in his treatment means we’re back to square one - or whether this is something more serious such as stones/sludge.

I’m quite worried about putting him in for an x-ray, not least the cost, but also factoring into his age and the possibility of a general anaesthetic as he’s had an operation when he was 3 under GA to remove a tumour - and has had a number of maladies previous including cysts and frequent impaction.

Now i’m not sure whether to try get more antibiotics from the vet or to go ahead with an x-ray to know one way or another (though we may have to wait a week to be able to get him seen).

It’s very difficult seeing him uncomfortable and in pain - but he is behaving otherwise well and eating and drinking as normal.

Would appreciate your advice. Thanks guys.
 
Hello, I am sorry to hear Dustin is poorly.

Have you still got some loxicom in? It would be wise to get him back on this for the pain and its anti inflammatory effects if the bladder wall is inflammed (it is another name for metacam for those that don't know)
I would speak to the vet over the phone and get some more septrin if your are unable to get an apt straight away as you seem to have had some success over the past few weeks - it may well be a really stubborn UTI that may be difficult to shift.

I would also speaking to the vet about the possibility of a X-ray performed with a whiff of gas not a full GA - we have had this done several times and piggies come round quickly as it is very light sedation. I think you could certainly do with checking for stones at this point as the symptoms are still prevalent. But obviously there is always a small risk involved.

Tagging in @Wiebke @Abi_nurse @Jaycey @Freela @furryfriends (TEAS) @Pound Shilling & Pig

What does he weigh?

Sending vibes to Dustin x
 
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Sorry your having a bad time. If your concerned about X-rays then I would probably go with a much longer course of septrin, a stubborn infection can take some weeks to clear. Unfortunately stopping may make you back at square one.

With regards to X-rays, at the age he is I wouldn't worry too much, obviously always some risk but a quick gas down with inhalant anaesthesia is quick and they recover quickly and is often the safest way and best to get a diagnostic X-ray. Only other idea is an ultrasound of his bladder. You may be able to see if there is sludge in there but a stone may be missed but it doesn't need an anaesthetic so worth discussing with your vet.

Hope he gets sorted.
 
Thanks @Abi_nurse lovely to see you on forum, always such knowledgable advice.
 
If he improved on the antibiotics, asking for a longer course is a good idea (stubborn UTIs can take awhile, and a longer course of antibiotics won't hurt him.) I would also consider doing the x-ray just to know if anything shows up. The amount of anesthesia given for an x-ray is very minimal. At least then you'll have a clearer idea of what you are dealing with (stones vs sludge vs just infection or inflammation.) Hope he feels better soon. Bladder problems are no fun!
 
Thanks for all your advice and good wishes everyone, it’s really appreciated.

We’ve decided to get Dustin checked out tomorrow after being reassured by the vet that they don’t use GA unless as a very last resort. They also have the option of an ultrasound which is good.

He’s quite a sensitive boy so not delighted at having him prodded and poked all morning, but hopefully will provide some answers. Will let you know how we get on.
 
Adam27 said:
Thanks for all your advice and good wishes everyone, it’s really appreciated.

We’ve decided to get Dustin checked out tomorrow after being reassured by the vet that they don’t use GA unless as a very last resort. They also have the option of an ultrasound which is good.

He’s quite a sensitive boy so not delighted at having him prodded and poked all morning, but hopefully will provide some answers. Will let you know how we get on.
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Hope all goes well and no stones found.... UTI's can be really stubborn at times
 
A Dustin update for those who wanted to know.

He went in for his Xray today and unfortunately the news came back of four fairly big bladder stones. We decided to opt for the surgery to remove them, as we couldn't bear the thought of having him put down over a few measly pebbles. The surgery was a success and he's home with us now, and he seems to be okay - the first thing he did coming back into his fresh cage was to munch on some pellets and hay so fingers crossed for a full recovery.

We have him on Septrin/Bactrim (the vet prescribed Baytril but I insisted otherwise) and the same Loxicom as before and prepped for hand feeding if need be. Although sadly this will mean no more of his absolute favourite foods - parsley and kale - as the calcium levels are too high.

Thanks again everybody for your support!

Ps. they have given us the stones to keep as a strange souvenir!
 
Adam27 said:
A Dustin update for those who wanted to know.

He went in for his Xray today and unfortunately the news came back of four fairly big bladder stones. We decided to opt for the surgery to remove them, as we couldn't bear the thought of having him put down over a few measly pebbles. The surgery was a success and he's home with us now, and he seems to be okay - the first thing he did coming back into his fresh cage was to munch on some pellets and hay so fingers crossed for a full recovery.

We have him on Septrin/Bactrim (the vet prescribed Baytril but I insisted otherwise) and the same Loxicom as before and prepped for hand feeding if need be. Although sadly this will mean no more of his absolute favourite foods - parsley and kale - as the calcium levels are too high.

Thanks again everybody for your support!

Ps. they have given us the stones to keep as a strange souvenir!
Click to expand...

I am glad that Dustin seems to be doing well and the stones are out.
We went through a similar thing recently with Ruby and before she even offered I asked the vet if we could keep the stones.
DD1 was beyond horrified, but I think it is quite interesting.
Plus if you work out how much those stones have cost you I think they are probably about as expensive as diamonds.
Not that I am planning on having them set into a ring anytime soon....
 
Swissgreys said:
I am glad that Dustin seems to be doing well and the stones are out.
We went through a similar thing recently with Ruby and before she even offered I asked the vet if we could keep the stones.
DD1 was beyond horrified, but I think it is quite interesting.
Plus if you work out how much those stones have cost you I think they are probably about as expensive as diamonds.
Not that I am planning on having them set into a ring anytime soon....
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Ha ha. I have quite a collection of bladder stones from various piggies. Perhaps a necklace or bracelet!
 
:lol!: One of our late piggies had a bladder stone removed too, and our vet gave it to us. It was the size of a pea - she said it just about filled his bladder, so no wonder it hurt, poor thing. And like yours, the first thing he did on his return was to go and eat loads of nuggets and drink lots of water. We kept the stone for a while but threw it away in the end. It didn't really fit with the other ornaments on our mantle piece!
Hope Dustin makes a swift recovery! :nod:
 
Adam27 said:
A Dustin update for those who wanted to know.

He went in for his Xray today and unfortunately the news came back of four fairly big bladder stones. We decided to opt for the surgery to remove them, as we couldn't bear the thought of having him put down over a few measly pebbles. The surgery was a success and he's home with us now, and he seems to be okay - the first thing he did coming back into his fresh cage was to munch on some pellets and hay so fingers crossed for a full recovery.

We have him on Septrin/Bactrim (the vet prescribed Baytril but I insisted otherwise) and the same Loxicom as before and prepped for hand feeding if need be. Although sadly this will mean no more of his absolute favourite foods - parsley and kale - as the calcium levels are too high.

Thanks again everybody for your support!

Ps. they have given us the stones to keep as a strange souvenir!
Click to expand...
Well done, sending lots of recovery vibes, please keep us updated and ask any questions you need to
 
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