Uroliths are also commonly referred to as bladder stones. Bladder stones in guinea pigs can be big or small and can stay in the bladder or get stuck in the urethra. Sometimes stones are so small that they can be passed when your guinea pig urinates but sometimes they can get stuck in the urethra or cause irritation to the bladder tissue.
How do you get rid of bladder stones in guinea pigs?
Feed your guinea pig a low or reduced calcium diet. The majority of guinea pig bladder stones are calcium-based (calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate). If the guinea pig is fed a high calcium diet, its body becomes saturated with calcium and is more likely to form deposits in its urine.
What are the best vegetables for guinea pigs with bladder stones?
The best vegetables for guinea pigs with calcium deposits or bladder stones/sludge are veggies low in calcium, high in water, and ideally high in Vitamin C. I have some of these listed below. You can also check out our list of 21 low calcium foods for guinea pigs for more ideas.
What are urinary stones in guinea pigs made of?
Recent studies have shown that the composition of the majority (90%>) of urinary stones in guinea pigs is 100% calcium carbonate. A certain percentage also contain traces of calcium phosphate, oxalate or struvite (1).
What can I Feed my guinea pig?
Feed your guinea pig well-balanced pellet foods that are calcium controlled. Good food options include the Oxbow range of herbivore foods, as well as Cavy cuisine and Bunny Basics. Avoid foods high in calcium like alfalfa hay, spinach, celery, parsley, and strawberries. Exclude these items from your pig’s diet or limit them as a once a week treat.
What should I do if my guinea pig has bladder stones?
Bladder Stones: Guinea PigsProvide daily vitamin C by a pill such as Oxbow's Daily C or a liquid supplement for humans. ... Provide moist produce that is high in vitamin C (bell pepper, parsley, cilantro, and limited amounts of oranges). ... Offer no more than 1/8 of a cup of guinea pig pellets a day.More items...
Can guinea pigs live with bladder stones?
Regardless of your specific bladder stone situation, guinea pigs that have stones should be kept as comfortable and as stress-free as possible. If your guinea pig lives with another pig, bring that pig along to the vet and ask your vet for guinea pig specific pain medications and/or anti-inflammatories.
What foods cause stones in guinea pigs?
There are several factors that influence the creation of a bladder stone. A sudden change in the urine's acidity level (measured as pH) appears to play a significant role. Too much calcium oxalate in the diet (a common component of spinach, parsley, and strawberries) may contribute to the buildup of crystals.
How do you get rid of bladder sludge in guinea pigs?
What can I do to prevent/treat bladder sludge?Increase water intake. ... More exercise. ... Improve sanitary conditions and enclosure. ... Eliminate packaged treats. ... Offer a variety of grass hays and eliminate alfalfa from the diet. ... Offer a grass hay-based pellet at recommended daily feeding amounts.More items...•
Can I give my guinea pig cranberry juice?
Can I Give My Guinea Pig Cranberry Juice? Yes, you can give your little furry cranberry juice but it needs to be diluted with water and (preferably) an organic brand that doesn't have a bunch of added sugar.
What foods are low in calcium for guinea pigs?
21 Low Calcium Foods for Guinea Pigs21 Best Low Calcium Veggies for Guinea Pigs. Without further ado, here is a list of the best low calcium veggies you can feed your guinea pig.Sweet Bell Peppers. ... Lettuce. ... Fresh Grass. ... Cucumber. ... Tomatoes. ... Carrots. ... Radicchio.More items...
How do I give my guinea pig calcium?
High Calcium VegetablesSpinach: Spinach has a lot of calcium and oxalate. ... Turnip Greens: Turnip greens are a good source of calcium. ... Beetroot: Beetroot is a good food for guinea pigs. ... Parsley: As an herb with a high calcium concentration, it should be fed once or twice a week to your guinea pigs.More items...
Why is my guinea pigs pee white?
Guinea pig urine is normally thick, cloudy and white in color due to the presence of calcium carbonate and ammonium phosphate crystals. Urolithiasis is common in middle-aged to older guinea pigs.
How long can guinea pigs go without peeing?
The average guinea pig will need to urinate every 15 minutes or so. This time will vary depending on your piggie's age and health status. Your little piggies don't know the meaning of “hold it”.
Can female guinea pigs pass bladder stones?
Treatment. Most guinea pigs cannot pass bladder stones on their own and require surgery to remove them. Bladder stones in the urethra can sometimes be plucked from the urethra if close to the opening.
Why does my guinea pig squeak when he poops?
squeaking when pooing is a sign of bladder pain, passing poos can cause pain in the bladder due to the path they take through the pelvis.
What causes sludge in the bladder?
The problem is indicative of a diet too high in calcium, and/or poor hydration, and it is often a pre-disposing factor of cystitis, which may be a cause of urolithiasis. If the problem is causing clinical signs (the same as those which may be shown with calculi), then it is possible to surgically flush the bladder.
What causes bladder sludge in guinea pigs?
The development of uroliths (urinary stones) and urinary sludge is a common health problem seen in guinea pigs and rabbits. These conditions often develop when there is a collection of excess calcium which builds up in the urinary tract.
How long can guinea pigs go without peeing?
The average guinea pig will need to urinate every 15 minutes or so. This time will vary depending on your piggie's age and health status. Your little piggies don't know the meaning of “hold it”.
What is the best supplement for bladder stones?
If bladder stones are Calcium Oxalate then reducing dietary oxalate sources can also benefit. Oxalate content is high in things such as spinach, parsley, celery and strawberries. Vitamin C can contribute to urinary oxalate levels. Vitamin C is important in the diet of guinea pigs as they cannot produce their own however high levels should be ...
Why is vitamin C important for guinea pigs?
Vitamin C is important in the diet of guinea pigs as they cannot produce their own however high levels should be avoided in guinea pigs prone to calcium oxalate stones. Other factors can contribute to stone formation for example infections, inflammation and bleeding in the bladder, very concentrated urine, and stress.
Do guinea pigs have bladder stones?
Unfortunately, bladder stones (urolithiasis) are very common in the guinea pig. Stones in guinea pigs appear to universally be calcium containing salts; these can include calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate or calcium carbonate. In my experience calcium oxalate seems to be the most prevalent.
How to prevent bladder stones in guinea pigs?
Since we don't know what exactly causes bladder stones, it is difficult to say how to prevent them. You can start by making sure your guinea pig diet is the best it can be. Offer clean water and make sure your cavy is drinking it. 1 More dilute urine has a less likely chance of forming stones. You can also get your guinea pig spayed or neutered to reduce the risk.
What to do if a pig has stones?
If the stones are really small, your vet may have you increase your pig's water intake to help flush them out of his body before they are too big that he can't.
How to tell if a guinea pig has a urolith?
If your cavy is urinating blood, has a painful abdomen, or is not urinating normally or at all, your pig may have a urolith. An exotics vet will be able to positively diagnose your guinea pig with bladder stones after doing a physical examination and possibly a urinalysis and/or radiographs (x-rays). 3 If a stone is present, it should show up on the radiograph, and a urinalysis will tell the vet if there is an infection in the bladder, blood, or crystals that need to be treated. Never ignore anything strange that your guinea pig does. If you think something just isn't right, even if you can't put your finger on it, it is best to have your pig checked out by a vet. They are trained to find things you don't.
How do guinea pigs get stones?
The pH of urine can change, and when it does, it can form crystals inside the bladder by using minerals and proteins within the urine. These crystals can eventually accumulate and form one or many stones, or uroliths. Diet and water intake may play a role in bladder stone formation, but just like in people, we don't know 100% of the time what causes guinea pig bladder stones to form.
What happens if a cavy has a bladder stone?
2 Even if he doesn't have an issue when the stones are discovered, he will sooner or later and is probably living in constant pain.
What is the problem with guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs are prone to several health problems, and getting bladder stones are one of them. 1 Guinea pig bladder stones are a painful problem that can be life-threatening.
Can guinea pigs get stuck in their bladder?
Bladder stones in guinea pigs can be big or small and can stay in the bladder or get stuck in the urethra. Sometimes stones are so small that they can be passed when your guinea pig urinates but sometimes they can get stuck in the urethra or cause irritation to the bladder tissue.
What to feed guinea pigs to get rid of bladder stones?
Feed your guinea pig a low or reduced calcium diet. The majority of guinea pig bladder stones are calcium-based (calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate). If the guinea pig is fed a high calcium diet, its body becomes saturated with calcium and is more likely to form deposits in its urine. Feed your guinea pig well-balanced pellet foods that are calcium controlled.
How to keep guinea pigs from urinating?
Keep your guinea pig on clean, dry bedding. Wet bedding discourages the guinea pig from emptying its bladder, which causes it to hold its urine longer. Additionally, dirty bedding is a breeding ground for bacteria. These bacteria can then go up the urethra and into the bladder, causing an infection.
Why does my guinea pig have blood in his urine?
Blood in his urine is caused by the bladder stones rubbing the bladder lining and causing inflammation.
Why does my guinea pig squeal?
Notice if your pig squeals when he tries to pee or spends a lot of time squatting. If the stone moves from the bladder into the urethra , then the condition can become more serious and more painful for your pig. Unable to pass water, your guinea pig will become distressed, and may be vocal or squeal, as well as squat.
How to get guinea pig to drink water?
Encourage your guinea pig to drink plenty of water. Place multiple water bottles in your guinea pig's run and hutch so it will drink more water. This will help to keep his urinary tract flushed through and healthy.
What to do if guinea pig isn't eating?
If your guinea pig isn't eating, take it to the vet immediately. Even 24 hours without eating can cause serious complications for your pet, so this is an emergency situation.
What is the best pellet for guinea pigs?
Select a timothy hay-based pellet brand, such as oxbow adult guinea pig pellets. Always check the labels at the back of the box, as most pellet brands are alfalfa hay-based, which is higher in calcium.
What happens if a guinea pig can't pass urine?
If your guinea pig cannot pass any urine, then he may be faced with the painful diagnosis of a bladder stone.
When to weigh guinea pig after surgery?
Oxbow critical is recommended during the first week or two after surgery as your pig may go off eating. It’s important to weigh daily after any guinea pig surgery.
How to tell if a dog has stones?
The vet will feel your pet’s abdomen in an attempt to tell if stones are present. Often they cannot be felt on palpation, and only an x-ray can tell for certain. If they are stones, the x-ray will reveal just how close they are to the urethral opening.
Why do vets do a urinalysis?
Your vet will want to perform urinalysis to check the amount of calcium in his urine, and follow-up x-rays will also put your mind at rest.
What to do if your dog is crying and squeaking?
If he is crying or squeaking when he passes urine or if you see blood in his urine, you should take him to an exotic vet to have him checked.
What is the best supplement for calcium in dogs?
Vitamin D has proved to be an effective way to aid in your pet’s complete absorption of calcium. Vitamin D is an additive in many pellets, but ask your vet if you are not certain what your pet needs.
Can you eliminate calcium in a dog?
You cannot eliminate calcium, because your pet needs it for his bones and teeth. It’s easiest to reduce calcium by making sure that most of your pet’s vegetables come from the leafy parts and not stems or seeds.
What is a bladder stone in guinea pigs?
A bladder stone, also known as uroliths, is a very serious and painful condition that occurs in many animals, including guinea pigs. The “stone” itself is really just a buildup of tiny crystals that becomes lodged in the bladder (which stores the urine) or even the urethra (where the urine is dispensed from the body). Since this condition can result in pain, bleeding, psychological distress, and even death, your pig should receive a full evaluation from the vet as soon as possible once you suspect it might have bladder stones. Unfortunately, once the stone has developed, the actual treatment options are limited, and guinea pigs appear to be particularly susceptible to them. This article will cover almost everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of bladder stones in guinea pigs.
How to feed a guinea pig?
One of the most important is your guinea pig’s diet. Try to limit its intake of calcium and/or oxalate from food items such as spinach or strawberries. You don’t have to completely eliminate these foods from its diet, but limit them to one or two servings per week. A well-balanced diet with plenty of different foods in which nothing particularly dominates should be sufficient. Lettuce is usually a very good all-around healthy choice for a basic dietary staple and doesn’t contain very much calcium. Make sure the pellets you buy do not contain any extra calcium either; dietary supplements are also completely unnecessary unless recommended by your vet. The nutrients obtained from a normal diet should be good enough in almost all cases to satisfy your pig without resulting in any excessive intake.
What Are the Symptoms of a Bladder Stone?
Your guinea pig may begin to experience pain in the abdomen (which is sensitive to the touch) or changes in the frequency of urination (to the point where it might not urinate at all). This can result in the pig neglecting other aspects of its life if it’s trying to urinate often. Blood in the urine is also a very common symptom as well. The pig may squat down or even squeal in pain when it’s attempting to urinate. A urinary tract infection is often associated with a bladder stone and is sometimes diagnosed at the same time.
What causes a bladder stone in pigs?
A sudden change in the urine’s acidity level (measured as pH) appears to play a significant role. Too much calcium oxalate in the diet (a common component of spinach, parsley, and strawberries) may contribute to the buildup of crystals. Genetic factors also appear to significantly increase the risk of a bladder stone, meaning some pigs are just more predisposed to it than others. Another mechanism that may increase the odds is poor urinary health, including the presence of a urinary tract infection.
How to remove a stone from the bladder?
The surgeon will attempt to create an incision and remove the stone by hand. However, this procedure can become much more complicated once the stone has passed out of the bladder and into the trigone (the path leading to the urethra) or the urethra itself. In the worst-case scenario, the stone can tear a hole in the urethra wall, causing urine to back up into the abdomen instead of exiting the body. If the damage is severe enough, then euthanasia is sometimes the only option remaining.
Can guinea pigs be euthanized?
It should be mentioned that euthanasia is only necessary in a small minority of cases. As long as you are taking all the necessary precautions to avoid a bladder stone, the condition rarely becomes that severe. Unfortunately, some guinea pigs have a natural predisposition to the frequent development of bladder stones, and despite all your best efforts, the problem may keep reoccurring. In those cases, the vet will help you make the best decision as to whether further treatment is warranted. If the drop in its quality of life is just too severe, then euthanasia may again be the best course of action.
Can guinea pigs have bladder stones?
Since genetics is thought to play an important role in the formation of bladder stones, you may be able to decrease the odds by choosing a guinea pig without a family history of the condition. Trusted, high-quality breeders will always keep a careful health profile of their guinea pig breeding stock by performing frequent tests and evaluations. Never trust a breeder or store that cannot verify the source of their pigs.
What is the best diet for guinea pigs?
Poor diets consisting primarily of alfalfa pellets but low in hay and vegetables may contribute to stone formation. "Guinea pigs should be fed hay and fresh greens to minimize the risk of urolith formation...with the benefit of preventing [obesity]" [R. Jolankai, et al.; Urolithiasis in Guinea Pigs--Nutritional Aspects; 2006]
What is the most common type of stone in guinea pigs?
Calcium carbonate is the most common type of stone. Recent studies have shown that the composition of the majority (90%>) of urinary stones in guinea pigs is 100% calcium carbonate. A certain percentage also contain traces of calcium phosphate, oxalate or struvite (1). Pure calcium phosphate or struvite stones are extremely rare.
How much water do you put in a guinea pig pill?
GP Lover, a forum member, dissolved 1 pill in about 2.0 cc water and syringed 1.0 cc to her guinea pig Angel twice/day. Since the pills are coated and very hard, soak first for several minutes in water and then crush. Shilintong can be purchased from www.fareastginseng.com.
What is the digestive system of guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs are herbivores. Their digestive system is designed to extract nutrients from a variety of grasses and greens. Wet, leafy greens are a good choice. Fruits, generally high in sucrose and other sugars, can be added as treats. Forages are a good supplement to your guinea pig's diet. See the information on the Calcium:Phosophorus ratio below.
How to keep guinea pigs from forming sediment?
Increased exercise may encourage more fluid intake and help keep sediment from forming in the bladder. In addition, exercise helps keep weight under control and can improve overall guinea pig health and happiness!
How long does it take for a pet to recover from a stone removal?
Some pet owners report the recurrence of stones 2-3 weeks post surgery . An x-ray of AliceMcmallis' guinea pig showed it stone-free, but the following week an x-ray showed 3 stones.
Can you use timothy pellets on guinea pigs?
Use a lower calcium timothy pellet and consider limiting or using no pellets at all. Some timothy guinea pig pellets have added calcium. Some owners report better management of bladder sludge by feeding KMS Hayloft pellets, which are lower in calcium and sodium than most commercial brands. If you severely limit or remove pellets, extra care must be paid diet by offering a wide variety of appropriate vegetables (with a few fruits) for their added vitamin and mineral content.
