Diarrhoea and possible UTI/Cystitis

[Clover]

Early yesterday evening Clover started with diarrhoea and a little later she started crying while weeing. I've of course cut her veggies out of her diet. She's is eating some hay, but not her pellets, so I've been syringe feeding her, plus keeping her fluid intake up with added probiotics.

Her wee is pink, so there's blood in it to. I'll let you know how she gets on at the vets this morning. Just as Squeekie has recovered from his ordeal, now its poor Clover, sometimes it never rains, but pours.

[skipperdoo]

The color of the urine varies and also there can be an infection without seeing blood. As for keeping the fluid up with probiotics, how are you doing that? The probiotic that I use is simply a half twist or so from a tube and follows a dose of antibiotics by a couple of hours (if and when I give it). Is she housed with Squeekie ... not sure who is where at this point? So far I haven't had to deal with diarrhea in a pig so I'm not help there. However, Peter G. has some info for you: www.oginet.com/pgurney/diarrhoea.htm

EDIT: Looks like she's housed with Sqeekie? Maybe he actually has an infection or something? Is he still getting antibiotics?

[Clover]

Its definatly blood!, yes the urine varies, but having experience of this kind of thing with my Sweetpea, I know the signs. Hopefully I can catch a urine sample before we go. The probiotic is from the vets, coming in a sachet that you mix with water. I give it at times like this to stabilise the gut flora. Squeekie is no longer taking antibiotics and he didn't have Diarrhoea so she's unlikly to have caught anything from him, plus Peachy is fine to.

[Bean]

Aww I'm so sorry Clover isn't well. You must be worn out with worry.

Good luck at the vets - you always notice any changes so quickly, and get them straight off to the vet, so fingers crossed whatever the problem is, it'll soon be being resolved. I'll be thinking of you both - give Clover a cuddle from me.

[Clover]

Thanks Treen. I'm afraid the vet thinks Clover has a uterus infection and the Diarrhoea is secondary condition. She has quite a bit of fluid built up on both sides, which isn't that easy to spot as Clover is quite chubby in that area. Shes now on antibiotics,
so I really hope the infection clears.The vet even mentioned her being spayed, but only as a last resort because the added infection can make the op even more risky. She said its good that the infection is coming out, so all I can do at the moment is syringe feed her, with plenty of fluids to. Its just waiting now to see how she does which is awful as shes gone down hill so quickly.

I'll ring CCT tomorow and see what Vedra says.

[skipperdoo]

Emmy had some uterine problems that I thought I posted about in an ongoing thread that you had on CC/CS or maybe it was someone else who had the thread?

Anyway, they tried her on TMS for awhile and Baytril and eventually spayed her when she was 5 months old. Initially she had frank (real, not dilute) blood and I posted photos and still have them. The reason that I noticed the blood was because I had her in a cage where I used fleece and had litter-boxes with Carefresh for litter.

The surgery went well although there was a HUGE estimate that I was asked to sign that was nearly 10 times the fee quoted to me. I refused to sign it and told them the amount that I could go up to and to do a DNR or PTS if it came to that. We did antibiotics leading into the surgery and coming out.

I housed her on towels in a small recovery cage for a while after the surgery and at one point put her small cage into the 2 x 5 C 'n C cage that I had at the time. She was on antibiotics and pain meds for a bit. Her uterus was mishapen and she now has constant ongoing sludge that I need to keep track of and remove so that it doesn't create urine scald. Otherwise, she's fine. I have all of her medical records here and can reference them for you. What I posted is what I recall at the moment.

[Bean]

Oh no, I'm so sorry it looks like it's a uterine infection. I'll keep everything crossed there's a positive reaction to the antibiotics. How long are they giving Clover to improve before they seriously consider a spay? It must be such a worry having that to think about.

I'll keep everything corssed for little Clover - I really hope the little lady is okay. It's been so sudden hasn't it.

I hope the CCT can give you some good advice - I'll be rooting for you both here.

[skipperdoo]

With Emmy, it seems like they used various antibiotics for a couple of months but he important thing that they didn't do was do any x-rays. She's the one with the sludge problem and the spay didn't cure the bleeding since it continued afterwards. Her uterus was mishapened and she supposedly had pyometra but I'm not really sure since I wasn't there during the spay nor did I see the uterus although a tech did and he told me what it looked like.

[Alix]

Aww poor you, and poor Clover! Just after everything you've gone through with Squeakie. I hope the outlook is better for Clover soon. I hope she doesn't have to go through surgery - she's not a young pig is she?

Good luck anyway

[Bean]

I know you probably won't feel like posting at the moment Jackie, but just to let you know I'm thinking of you and Clover and am really hoping there's been some improvement. Lots of love to you both.

[skipperdoo]

Treen said:

I know you probably won't feel like posting at the moment Jackie

But a suggestion is to post since that may be how you can info and support that might be of help to you.

[Clover]

Yes Treen, I've not felt up to posting as know, but thank you all for your support which has been lovely.

I've just popped on to say Clover isn't as bad as she was on monday, but her diarrhoea has returned, but its not runny, just abit too soft. She's still occasionally muching on her own poops. Clover's been finding it awkward ducking her head under, so when she produces some while I'm feeding her, I offer them to her and she happily takes them off me. She is no longer bleeding, but shes still very sore, shes been on soft towels, so I'm sure thats more comfortable for her.

Gina a rodentologist I know suspects it is a urinary tract infection like I thought, so hopefully we are right and the antibiotic will really kick in. At least shes no longer bleeding, I'll be taking her back to the vets in a couple of days.

[Bean]

I'm pleased to hear she has perked up a bit, and that she's no longer passing blood. Of course there's a way to go before you'll get close to relaxing, but any improvement must be good to see. I really hope it is a UTI rather than a uterine infection.

You're doing a great job with her Jackie, hope you're holding up okay. I'm thinking of you both.

[Clover]

Aww thanks Treen. Clovers still sore, but shes not crying out as much since giving her some Cranberry juice.

My brother Steve is taking me to see Gina a rodentologist tommorow. Hopefully Clover will manage the journey alright, its roughly about 40 miles away, but shouldn't take too long in a car. I'll let you know how she gets on.

Thanks so much aL for my gorgeous avatar, Clover has her special orange spot on her nose to

[Alix]

I'm so happy that things look like they are improving for dear little Clover. I honestly thought she was a bit older than Hillary, more like Lucy's age.

It must be a relief to have her improve. It must have been a horrible feeling thinking something really serious may be wrong with her.

Good luck, I hope she improves...

[Bean]

I'm glad Clover seems to be moving in the right direction and doesn't seem to be in as much pain. Good luck with Gina today - it'll be good to have another expert opinion won't it. Everything is still crossed here for a full recovery.

The avatar of Clover is lovely!

[Clover]

Thanks aL and Treen. Yes Clover was 4 this month aL, she was 16 weeks old when I brought her home, time seems to have gone so quickly. But then I was looking at some old footage the other day of my passed piggy Molly with Clover and it seems a long time ago. Its the only footage I have of Clover Wheeking, as shes normally a very quiet piggy.

Well I have abit to tell you all from my visit to Gina's. Shes a lovely lady and it was so nice to meet her after many conversations on the phone.

Gina gave Clover what she called the 'water bottle' test and moved her gently up and down and she really did sound like a water bottle, so had quite abit of fluid in her. After examining Clover, Gina suspects Clover has a kidney infection and not a uterine infection. She certainly wants my vets to rule it out. She reccomends that diurectics be used to shift the fluid and to continue with another week of antibiotics to clear her cystitis/uti.

I'm going to find out today when the vet I really trust will be working. Hopefully he will be open to Gina's suggestions and not just dismiss them. My husband said, when you go for the next visit, tell them 'I've just seen an expert' and.... I can see that going down well lol But in my opinion, Gina is excellent and I have alot of confidence in her. She even said she will hold her hands up if shes wronge. So fingers crossed the diurectic treatment will work and hopefully with a few more days of antibiotic, the Cystitis will clear up.

I'm still having to handfeed her as shes not eating enough on her own, but shes certainly managing to runaround alot more.With every feed, I let her have some exercise, for the past two days shes actually wanted to run, so I don't think shes in as much pain and just occasionally crys while weeing. Her Diarrhoea hasn't returned again, so shes definatly on the up. I'll let you know how she gets on at the vets.

[Alix]

Aww Jackie how pleasing that Gina was so confident that she knew what was wrong... and that you're closer to sorting the whole thing out. I hope Clover is still ok and continues to improve.. that trip to see Gina must have put a bit of relief to you I can imagine..

Good luck

[Bean]

Oh it does sound as if Clover has picked up a lot since last week which is such a good sign isn't it. I'm glad the visit with Gina went well. It must have been really reassuring to get another opinion from someone so experienced with piggers - just make sure you duck afterwards if you mention the 'expert' bit to your vet lol.

Good luck at the vets - I hope the one you trust is in today and that they're happy to try Gina's suggestion for the meds. Have they done a wee test at all as a simple dip stick test would show up protein in the urine with an infection wouldn't it? Or maybe I just made that up!

Give Clover a cuddle and a bit of cucumber from me. I'm so pleased she's on the mend and will keep everything crossed.

[Clover]

Well even though I saw the vet I wanted to see, he didn't give Clover any diurectics or extra pain relief to take home, he just wanted to see if another course of antibiotics would help, as there has been improvements. He's still not ruling out a uterine infection. Clover didn't cry out yesterday after having pain relief, so if she starts crying today, I'll ask them for some oral painkiller. Anyway if Clovers goes down hill again, I'll get in touch with Gina, unless of course its life threatening, then I'll go back to the vets.

I wish more vets would work along aside people that don't have the so called veterinary qualifications but who have alot of experience with Guinea Pig health problems.