Peppa’s Possible Pyometra

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lisam

Post   » Tue Oct 02, 2018 3:28 pm


Doesn't sludge cause bleeding in some cases? Did any show up on his X-ray?

JJGiebz
Make Good Choices

Post   » Tue Oct 02, 2018 7:51 pm


Lynx I keep a close eye out for that but he is still bleeding as of this morning, so I don’t think he’s passed anything.

Lisa I thought the same thing about the sludge - he has always had gritty urine and sometimes he passes this thick, white pasty looking substance. The vet proclaimed his X-rays perfectly normal, though, and she said the sludge I’ve shown her isn’t concerning.

(Of course when they pee at the vet it’s perfectly clear - She has to use the microscope to see the red blood cells.)

Peppa has lost some weight (which could be related to my having switched their oxbow pellets to the garden variety) but other than that they are both perfectly normal. Chasing each other around my living room, peeing blood.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Tue Oct 02, 2018 7:54 pm


I think you are onto the cause if there is gritty urine. It will scrape the walls of a vulnerable urethra.

Weight loss can be caused by pain, too.

JJGiebz
Make Good Choices

Post   » Tue Oct 02, 2018 8:37 pm


I’m hoping that’s all it is and am open to any and all sludge reduction tips!

My vet was just at/somewhat in charge of a huge exotics conference where she noticed the Sherwood vendor. I asked her opinion with regard to the sludge-busting properties. She’s going to look into it and get back to me. She did note - and I had missed - that they have banana spelled wrong on the back of urinary supplement packaging. That gave me a chuckle.

Thank you all for the ears and shoulders. I think my co-workers are sick of hearing about guinea pig pee...

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lisam

Post   » Wed Oct 03, 2018 3:49 pm


"Chasing each other around my living room, peeing blood"

I'm sorry, but this gave me a chuckle.

I've tried Sherwood, but my pigs didn't eat it. Lots of people do swear by it, though.

JJGiebz
Make Good Choices

Post   » Wed Oct 03, 2018 9:20 pm


@lisam I’m glad!! I have to laugh, or I’ll go crazy.

Based on this oxbow garden variety experiment, I have a feeling Sherwood pellets will not be popular around here, either.

JJGiebz
Make Good Choices

Post   » Fri Oct 19, 2018 10:50 pm


After extensive reading on this site and others, I decided that perhaps Peppa has a condition akin to IC. I’m not aware of any obvious signs from her ultrasound or X-rays, but I just don’t know what else it could be.

Two days after I suggested that to my vet, another vet responded to her VIN post and suggested IC.

After weighing all of the commonly discussed therapies, I started both Gus and Peppa on shilintong 6 days ago. The results were fast (and my apartment smells like an apothecary).

Gus has had no visible blood in his urine since the day we started twice a day “cocktails” (they won’t take it plain, but would cut you for it mixed with the smallest amount of critical care). Peppa stopped crying when both peeing and pooping, and she was dry nearly every time I picked her up.

Until today. After 3 or 4 days during which I thought we’d been saved, she has started crying again, primarily while peeing. Before moving on to my next possible therapy with her, I want to rule out a UTI.

Does anyone have any particular brand of at home urine test strip that they recommend? I foresee a lot of urinalyses in my future.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Fri Oct 19, 2018 11:48 pm


I take it you have increased fluids? I am sorry she is crying again. It is also possible grit or a stone is trying to pass. The shillintong is supposed to make passing grit and stones easier.

JJGiebz
Make Good Choices

Post   » Sat Oct 20, 2018 10:31 pm


They are pretty good drinkers. I’ve added a few more water bottles around the cage and started giving them more cucumber. They won’t take water via syringe, though. I’m hesitant to force it because they are so good taking things they do like from the syringe. I don’t want them to develop negative syringe feelings.

I’ve tried diluted herbal teas at the recommendation of a vet, carrot juice, they don’t like any of it.

JJGiebz
Make Good Choices

Post   » Sat Dec 15, 2018 12:47 pm


I just wanted to post a good news update here - Peppa has been “episode” free since we started the shilintong cocktails two months ago! She only rarely cries when she pees, is blood free, and has gained most of her weight back!

Gus still has blood, but he had an ultrasound this week which confirmed it is most likely sludge related so we are on to our next experiment - cosequin.

Thank you all for your tips, and for all of the stories on this board. This community is such an amazing resource!!

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Sat Dec 15, 2018 7:57 pm


Thanks for the update. Encouraging news about Peppa! I hope the cosequin helps Gus.

JJGiebz
Make Good Choices

Post   » Sun May 12, 2019 10:26 pm


Hi, everyone!

Peppa is still loving the shilintong life, but I have a new question related to her spay a few months back.

In early February of this year my (very experienced exotics) vet was looking for healthy pigs to spay in order to practice the flank ovariohystorectomy (I’m sure I’ve spelled that wrong) in collaboration with another vet who performs the procedure regularly and was in town for a conference. I of course volunteered Peppa.

They were able to remove Peppa’s uterus and one ovary through a small incision on her side, but they weren’t able to locate the other ovary. My vet was worried about leaving it in there, but the other vet assured her it wouldn’t be an issue. And she assured ME that if there ever is an issue, she will take care of it free of charge.

Peppa recovered well from the surgery, and her personality has changed somewhat. She chases Gus around now and stands up for herself when she did not before. Last month I saw him try to chase her away from the food bowl (typical) and she actually put her paw up in his face. I have been enjoying the new Peppa. Now, however, I noticed the hair on her sides toward her rear is coarse and thin.

Does anyone know whether one rogue ovary can cause hormonal changes just by being a rogue ovary? Or is it more likely that it has developed a cyst.

Thanks!

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