UTI/Urinary Tract Infection Marilyn(5-6 year old female)with UTI?

[PiggieLove13]

Hi all, I now have three Guinea pigs, one which had a urinary problem, and was treated with azithromycin. I put gold bond in her bottom because it helps stop the bleeding. She was squeaking when she urinated, but no blood in it. My other pig(Essy), has a bare bottom, but doesn't squeak when she pees. What should I do? I don't have a ton of money(like a hundred bucks), and my parents won't pay, I can maybe do a vet visit soon. Any ideas what it could be?

 

[bpatters]

Wash the Gold Bond off immediately -- it's not suitable for guinea pigs.

Given the location of it, I would assume that it's a bacterial infection. Get some triple antibiotic cream (any brand, any pharmacy) and apply it twice a day with a q-tip, rubbing it in well.

If it doesn't start to improve in a couple of days, stop the antibiotic and switch to an anti-fungal cream (anything with clotrimazole or miconazole in it, preferably clotrimazole) and treat it the same way.

But, squeaking while peeing/pooping is a classic sign of a bladder stone, and she needs to see a vet for a diagnosis and treatment. A stone can fall into the urethra and block the flow of urine, and that's a full-on, painful, expensive medical emergency and your pig will die without prompt treatment.

A hundred dollars isn't nearly enough of a vet fund for a guinea pig. Many pigs will go all their lives without needing treatment, but when they do, they have to see exotic vets, and that's expensive. But it's not fair to an animal to keep it for a pet and not be able to get it the medical attention it needs. That's as much a part of responsible pet care as food and water.

 

[PiggieLove13]

Ok, I didn't know, the lady that used to have them gave me it. I'll put the cream on. It looks a little worse today. Ok, I'll see if I can schedule an appointment soon. The vet the former owner went to is Avian & Exotic Animal Medical Center. Thanks for the advice. The Gold Bond is now off them in in the medicine closet for me to use when I need it. I'll make sure to do more research before I use something on my pigs.
~PiggieLove13 )