Cystitis. What antibiotics to use?

[Djaget]

Hello. My guinea pig has cystitis, she squeaks when she goes to the toilet and there is blood in her urine. The doctor took a urine culture and it was found out that the infection is caused by the bacterium “enterobacter cloacae”. The results of the culture showed that the bacterium is sensitive to antibiotics: amikacin and meropenem. The doctor says that none of these antibiotics can not be used for guinea pigs, they cause enterotoxemia. Is this true? I have read that amikacin is still used to treat guinea pigs. I live in a big city but only one clinic treats rodents, unfortunately in my country there are few places that treat rodents at all. Perhaps among you there are doctors or owners of guinea pigs who have faced a similar problem. Please tell me more about the antibiotics mentioned above, all the risks and whether I have any chance to cure my baby.

[Lynx]

That does sound like it may be a dangerous antibiotic. Also, this may be stones, along with an infection (if this was identified via culture).

You might want to review these pages:
https://www.guinealynx.info/stones.html
https://www.guinealynx.info/uti.html
https://www.guinealynx.info/dangerous_medications.html

[Djaget]

Lynx, thank you for your reply. The doctor suspected stones during the ultrasound, so we took x-rays. Later the doctor took 2 more x-rays when the pig was under sedation and when we took urine for analysis. Stones were ruled out

[Lynx]

I am happy to hear stones were considered and ruled out.

This page linking to member experiences with interstitial cystitis is old but may help.
https://www.guinealynx.info/records/viewtopic.php?t=21

Shilintong (I believe), used to relax the urethra (?) and help small stones pass, may be soothing. It is discussed on the stones page linked to above.

[Sef]

I would ask your vet about Bactrim. It is safe for guinea pigs and generally well-tolerated for the treatment of urinary tract infections.

[Djaget]

Sef, thanks for the advice, I'll ask the vet about it