Sick Wet bottom

Generally it's caused by a bladder stone, but could be caused by a bladder infection.

First, what kind of "scan" for stones? They're usually diagnosed with an x-ray, which is far cheaper than a scan, and finds the stones nearly every time. I've heard of using ultrasound for stones, which isn't completely useful and is highly dependent on the skill of the sonographer. But I've never heard of anyone using a scan of any kind for stones.

Second, Bactrim is usually more effective against bladder infections than Baytril. Baytril works better against aerobic bacteria (the kind that needs oxygen), and Bactrim does better against anerobic (such as would live in the bladder.

So if it were my pig and if the vet is an exotic vet and I trusted him/her, I'd be talking to them about x-rays and possibly trying Bactrim. If it's not an exotic vet, I'd be looking one up.

You can help the situation a little by rinsing her butt to get the urine off her skin. Dry it well and apply a thin coat of Desitin or Desinex or other diaper cream. A miconazole cream may also work. Rub it in well so she can't lick it off.

hello, so we had an ultra sound but the vet isn't an exotic vet, but she said she couldn't see any stones regardless.. maybe ill go back and ask for a different antibiotic and see if that helps... There was a bit of discharge as well and it doesn't look like the type from having too much calcium... she had been losing weight way before the wet bottom started though...

I've been wondering about diabetes as well as shes been drinking alot more water and she's literally always eating bit still losing weight.. I will try and dip stick the urine again... I couldn't get enough last time which is bizarre as shes always wet.

The dip sticks aren't totally accurate for guinea pigs. Some things just react differently with their urine, which is basic, compared to human urine, which is acidic. But it should give you a fairly close approximation on sugar. And you're right, if she's drinking a lot, diabetes is a possibility.

But if I were you, I'd go to some pretty considerable lengths to get her to an exotic vet. Small animal vets are trained in the treatment of dogs and cats, not pocket pets. Their education about exotics is very sketchy, and covers everything from gerbils to giraffes. You'll save time and money (in the long run) by finding a good exotic vet.

Hey yeh I know a few exotic vets, its just difficult at the time to get in, I only need the glucose bit of the strip so might be an indication, all the signs can all point to different issues its really frustrating. I think the initial vet visit was about 2 and a half months ago due to hair and weight loss, the vet prescribed some really good mite treatment but we still couldn't figure out weight loss. It then didn't get any better re weight loss so she went in again to have teeth checked and was given loxicom... then here we are with urine issues. poor thing has urine scolds now. if it were stones wouldn't it have been more severe by now?

Not necessarily. Sometimes they get really bad really quickly, other times they can go along for months without things getting worse.

So we've taken another trip but to a exotic specialist and they want to try on baytril twice a day and continue with loxicom.. She doesn't think it's stones or diabetes and thinks it's some form of bladder infection.. I did try and push for the bactrim but she doesn't think it would be a better option.. We will see in a week if its done any good
, I've got probiotocs so will giving this as well. He urine stinks soo strong.. They've taken a stool sample to test as well.. Will do further investigations if the antibiotics don't help.

If his urine has an odor, that's a good indicator that he has a bladder infection. Just make sure he keeps eating.

I'm still none the wiser, we've been on baytril and a anti inflammatory for the last week and she's still wet from urine...

No x-ray for stones? I'd insist on one. Nothing else has helped.

bpatters said:

No x-ray for stones? I'd insist on one. Nothing else has helped.

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Last time I went, I was given antibiotics to try as physical exam and ultra sound didn't show anything.. Maybe xray will be the next step... The thing is, if it was a bladder stone surely it wouldn't stop you weeing??

Most of the time it doesn’t. It can make it very uncomfortable to pee though.

Absolute a stone can prevent urination. If it falls into the urethra (the tube between the bladder and the outside of the body) and blocks it, that's a full-on medical emergency that requires immediate surgery. That surgery is unlikely to be successful, and the pig usually winds up being euthanized.

Females are more likely to pass stones because their urethra is much shorter, and a stone can sometimes be manipulated out. The urethra in males is much longer, and once a stone is lodged there, the pig usually dies or is euthanized.

bpatters said:

Absolute a stone can prevent urination. If it falls into the urethra (the tube between the bladder and the outside of the body) and blocks it, that's a full-on medical emergency that requires immediate surgery. That surgery is unlikely to be successful, and the pig usually winds up being euthanized.

Females are more likely to pass stones because their urethra is much shorter, and a stone can sometimes be manipulated out. The urethra in males is much longer, and once a stone is lodged there, the pig usually dies or is euthanized.

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Sorry my bad, post nights and not writing properly .. I meant surely if it was a stone it would stop you weeing.. She weeks for England which is why she's always wet.

Thunder said:

Most of the time it doesn’t. It can make it very uncomfortable to pee though.

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She has actually put on weight since the meds though so that's good, she was 790 and now 840... I've just taken all the bits out of the cage when she was probably sitting in her own wee... They have vet bed in most of thier cage... They have hanging hay baskets but I used to put in hay boxes.. She would just lay there alot of the time..

You still may want to x ray. If she does have a stone it could be in the bladder and not be stuck yet. It may not show anything though. I had my pig x rayed for stones and none showed. She was declining so the vet put her under and felt her abdomen and there was a mass. I lost her a few days later.

Thunder said:

This isn’t about rugs.

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Not sure I understand what rugs mean??

I've took away all the things in the cage that she can sit in soak in wee and she's woke up dry, the wee is still quite strong so I'm guessing she still has an infection brewing... I've been using vaseline for the scolds.. She has actually put on weight for a change. My vet is due to contact me actually. Will see what the next step is... I've been giving anti inflammatories so probably need to continue with meds.. They did do a physical exam and a scan, they were confident it wasn't a stone... I'm sure an xray will be imminent... I'm glad she's improving actually... Maybe she's just been weeing more and sitting in it for long periods.. That probably didn't help...

Thunder said:

This isn’t about rugs.

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Think I've realised what you meant, it actualy is about rugs because she has urine scolds so anything to stop her being wet all the time will actually help ease her discomfort...

Sorry I had responded to a spam person.