Bladder Sludge

[3piggles]

Ucky topic, I know. Some pigs suffer from bladder sludge, when they have too much calcium in their systems, and it basically slows the regular flow of bodily fluids (no, that's not a medical description).
www.cavymadness.com/AtoZ/bladder-stones.html

However, recently Cavymadness had a guinea girl who kept losing weight, had stones, got sludge and generally was having all the problems, and no solutions. A blood test showed she had kidney problems. The blood test showed calcium and phosporous levels three times the norm, which is indicative of kidney problems.
craftscaviescontras.blogspot.pe/2017/09/kidney-issues.html

I just wanted to post about this, as at least in the US, most guinea pig vets have little to no experience with guinea pigs, and it's up to us to ask them to check certain things they might not think to check. Also, as tests can be expensive, some vets don't suggest tests, figuring the people would rather just get another guinea pig. I hope none of you ever needs this information, but just in case, at least you have it.

[mcbrooke1]

It's interesting that you say that.. that some may assume you would just buy new ones. After I rescued Zelda & Tizzle, I asked for a FULL physical from the vet... blood work and all to check everything. I know pigs can get Kidney stones so I wanted to rule everything possible out. After the physical they came back in the room with the pigs where I was waiting and I asked when I would get the results from the blood work. I wanted to make sure everything was ok. The vet said they only do basic blood work, they don't do tests on all the organs. Hmmmm. That struck me as weird. I asked if they were ABLE to do more than basic blood work and she said yes, but it's a lot of stress for the pigs trying to get enough blood to test for multiple things. I thought that was a bit odd too and I was distressed because if something were wrong, I would have them treated. Have you heard of that - that doing a full work up of blood tests requires too much blood from the piggies? Or do you think maybe they were busy that day or she didn't think the results would matter to me? They also only checked the poop of Zelda since Tizzle didn't go when she was there. The vet said if one piggie comes up fine, majority of the time the other one is fine too. In hindsight, had I not been 12 hours into unexpectedly owning piggies for the 1st time, I would have been more assertive.

[3piggles]

Yes, I've heard that, and there is some truth to it. Pigs have very tiny veins, and they are very easily stressed, so some vets choose not to put them through the stress, as really stressing them can cause health problems that weren't there before.

If they have a health problem, then the vet should do a full panel of blood tests, which might require the pig be anesthetized long enough to do a number of tests. There have been issues with vets anesthetizing pigs just to clip their nails or to draw blood. Since anesthesia causes a pigs heart to slow enough for the pig to become hypothermic if not kept warm and brought out of the anethesia within about 30 minutes, the vets really have to weigh the use of anesthesia. For a well-pig visit, it's probably not considered necessary to either stress or anesthetized the pig.

You did an excellent job just getting the well-pig checkup. I totally applaud that. So don't beat up on yourself for not pushing for tests that may have done the pigs more harm than good, just don't back down if you think it's necessary.

[mcbrooke1]

Wow thank you, that is really good to know. My heart is a little lighter knowing I didn't put them through unnecessary stress and that the vet was being honest with me. I don't know this vet at all - I found only two places in Chicago that work with Guinea Pigs and since that's it, I had to pick one and trust them! 

[Bean]

My vets only do blood work when there's cause for concern too. Getting blood from guinea pigs is not easy, so if they seem to be in good health then most vets won't see a need to take it. I think there are certain basic tests for which a small amount of blood is needed, where they can get a few drops by cutting the nail a little short.

Sounds like they had a pretty thorough health check anyway, and I'm sure an attentive owner like yourself will be the first to notice if there ever is a problem with their health, and make sure it's seen to immediately. They're in great hands!

[3piggles]

I have sent a message to my friend in Chicago, and asked her for the names of guinea pig vets, as she has guinea pigs. I'll let you know, if she has any good suggestions.