Medications Oxbow Urinary Support Tablets-Thoughts?

[alphilip77]

Just wanted to know if anyone has used Oxbow Urinary Support tablets for their pigs and if they are effective? I know skinnypigs1 uses them (and approves) but I haven't been able to find many reviews. Thanks!

https://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=8431

 

[bpatters]

I've been using them since one of my pigs had stone surgery just before Christmas. I don't know if they help, but they don't seem to hurt. And a recent x-ray confirmed that she's still stone free.

 

[pinky]

Years ago, I spoke with a herbalist who had a store in my town. I suffered from kidney stones and had a male guinea pig who died from stones. She said hydrangea root (increases urine flow), mallow (astringent, diuretic, anti-inflammatory) and corn silk (reduces inflammation of the urinary tract) are all herbs that are recommended for people with stones but she didn't know the strengths to treat small animals.

 

[alphilip77]

@bpatters : Do you give each pig a whole tablet or half? The instructions say guinea pigs should get half a tablet daily, but I don't know of many adult guinea pigs weighing less than 1 lb. Also, are you supposed to feed it as a mush or just give them the dry tablet?

 

[bpatters]

I give mine a whole tablet each -- they take them out of my hand. They love them.

 

[alphilip77]

@Kelsie: How are the immune support tablets? Do you feel they're effective?

 

[RubyRain]

I also give these as a treat 2 or 3 times a week. I give each one a whole tablet and they love them.

i've been using them for about 6 mos and while I don't see them as a sure thing to prevent stones, I look at it as a possible boost to their urinary health. Just like most human herbal supplements, there are believers and non believers and not a lot of "proof" they work or don't work. But I figure it can't hurt.

 

[vegantreegirl]

I'm reviving this thread, because I was going to ask this question myself. I had a 6 year old female piggy who had blood in her urine almost exactly a year ago. My regular exotic vet was out on maternity leave, so I took her to the only other vet who treats exotics in my town. Without really examining her he declared a UTI and gave me antibiotics. I gave them to her just as prescribed, but she quickly went down hill and passed away. Her best piggy friend just recently came down with the exact same symptoms. I called and found out my old exotic vet never came back to the practice after her maternity leave. Thankfully, there are a couple more qualified piggy vets in my town now and I was impressed with the one I took Arya, my piggy, to. She's currently on antibiotics, but I bought the Oxbow tabs to hopefully prevent her and my other piggy, Perlita from ever going through this again. I especially don't want a repeat of last year. I asked the vet about them and she basically said the same as others "They may help and definitely won't do any harm, so might as well try."