Bladder Stone study
I think that hiding in a shelter also correlates with cage size. In a small cage pigs might spend more time sitting in one spot since they have no room to move. All the more reason to promote C&C's.
I have to say I'm a little disappointed too.
I have to say I'm a little disappointed too.
Mmeadow, stones ARE linked to bladder infections but the direction of the cause/effect isn't known, just that the 2 are correlated. I'm not sure if I read it in relation to guinea pigs or humans but I believe bacteria can serve as a "nexus" or starting point to allow minerals to drop out of solution and begin forming a stone/crystal.
I hate stones, too.
I think the hard part of this study IS the variables. You could do a study of only stone pigs in Emporia, Kansas, and you would still have to contend with diet, water (bottled, tap, well), cage size, bedding, genetics, etc.
When I was expressing my frustrations to my local vet, who (until us) had never really dealt with stones in guinea pigs before, wondering what I was doing wrong, she said, "I don't think you're doing anything wrong. I am beginning to think that stones are extremely common. The difference is that you and Jim pay attention to your animals and recognize something is wrong."
I think the hard part of this study IS the variables. You could do a study of only stone pigs in Emporia, Kansas, and you would still have to contend with diet, water (bottled, tap, well), cage size, bedding, genetics, etc.
When I was expressing my frustrations to my local vet, who (until us) had never really dealt with stones in guinea pigs before, wondering what I was doing wrong, she said, "I don't think you're doing anything wrong. I am beginning to think that stones are extremely common. The difference is that you and Jim pay attention to your animals and recognize something is wrong."
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- Knee Deep
I've had three pigs with stones now, that I've noticed at least. I have mostly females and I wonder how many may pass one or two here or there without me ever noticing. Faith had small stones, just plentiful in numbers and she was able to pass a good deal of them. However, she was never a canidate for surgery so they eventually got the best of her. She had pain and blood, with the multiple small stones. I can't believe Bayleigh and Ruby with these honkers and NEVER a single cry or spot of blood from them. They just lodge at the end of their urethra's and stay, then I'm left with just feeling a hard knot there. Something I'd never notice if I didn't do their little once-over's to check for unusual lumps. Grrrrr.
The study was completed and published in JAVMA, Vol 234, No. 2, January 15, 2009. Results were "contrary to findings of other studies, urinary calculi were most commonly composed of 100% calcium carbonate......treatments including diet and husbandry practices should be developed to help prevent development of calcium carbonate calculi in guinea pigs."
I suspect that until they did this study, they didn't really appreciate how many variables there could be: genetics, water sources, vegetables, pellets, vets, antibiotics, etc.
Perhaps several more focused studies will come out of this.
Perhaps several more focused studies will come out of this.