Experience with cystitis, sludge, and stones?

[skipperdoo]

Anyone had any experience with cystitis or stones in female pigs (I think I've found stuff on sludge but not the other)? Emmy had a follow-up x-ray yesterday and she has dispersed sludge and Izzy, who were were treating for a UTI since I could hear her sqeaking when she urinated, has either concentrated sludge (in one area) or a stone forming ... or possibly cystitus. She makes a lot of noise and I'm to continue giving her the TMS for another two weeks. Izzy is the one who has been treated for ringworm for awhile and Emmy is the one who had to be spayed and who also has sludge. The second and most recent ringworm culture for Izzy came back as "probably negative" in that there was a reaction but it came after the time period for growth so they thought is was a contaminant.

They all get Kleenmama's bluegrass hay and Oxbow's Cavy Cuisine (timothy-based pellets). I'll switch to orchard grass since the calcium is lower and limit what veggies they get (when they get it) to cilanto, a bit of carrot, and maybe bell pepper although the vet asked if I was giving any extra vitamin C (which I'm not) so I may skip it since I think it is a source vitamin C.

[Bean]

I haven't, so can't help much but I hope they're both okay.

I've not heard of limiting veggies before, for either cystitis or sludge - aside from ones high in calcium of course. I'd have thought any with very little calcium in (so avoiding all most of the leafy greens) would be okay. They won't irritate the waterworks and I'd have thought that having more water rich foods in their bodies would help keep things moving along and flushed out.

Are they generally good drinkers?

[skipperdoo]

Yes, they both love water! As for the vitamin C, I need to check with her on it ... I thought she refered to supplemental vitamin c ... I have GNC's liquid Vitamin C but have not used it for a while.

[Clover]

Oh I'm sorry Emmy and Izzy are having problems. My Sweetpea is prone to cystitis. When she was very bad and even produced abit of blood in her urine, she had almost 4 weeks of antibiotic to clear it up. Like Treen has mentioned I keep her off rich calcium foods and tend to give her an extra piece of green or red bell pepper as they don't effect her. Sweetpea is also a good drinker which must help.

Can I ask skipperdoo what TMS is.

Aww I really hope your girls are better very soon, its awful hearing them crying out isn't it .

[skipperdoo]

Clover said:

Can I ask skipperdoo what TMS is.

Bactrim

[Clover]

Thanks skipperdoo, I'll keep my fingers crossed it works.

[mildred]

Hi there! I just wanted to mention an experience we had with our Texel piggy, Wilma, regarding kidney stones.

She was having a real problem with passing water and the vet simply kept on treating her for an infection . . . even a urine test didn't show anything abnormal. The vet wanted to operate to see what was happening without even knowing what he was looking for! Then I remembered the Cabridge Cavy Trust! They had been wonderful in the past for advice over the telephone. We took Wilma along and a diagnosis was made within minutes of our arrival with the aid of an xray (without anaesthetic) - she had a bladder stone! She was quickly operated on and with their skill and care she was soon coming round and looking for her food!

I have lost 2 piggies in the past when the vets in my area have operated for the very same thing, but now I know the treatment CAN be succesful I won't hesitate to visit the CCT and rely on their experience and dedication. I know it isn't always possible to travel long distances to go directly to the trust - we are over 2 hours away and it was a long day! - but even for good advice by telephone or email they are worth their weight in piggies!

Here's wishing good health for piggies everywhere!

Very best wishes, Mildred.

[skipperdoo]

Thanks, and glad to hear that Wilma is up to speed and back at her post at the Manufactory. Unfortunately, I live in the USA (California) so it's a bit of a trek to head on over to the CCT. Perhaps they might start an outpost over here ... but probably not too soon. [BTW, hope your daughters are feeling better now.]

[Clover]

Thanks Mildred for being so helpful and telling us about Wilma I'm so pleased everything worked out well for Wilma. They are great at CCT arn't they, a few times I've been on the phone to them and they've been so helpful!