Bladder Stone study
I don't know if this will help, but I have a theory on a possible cause. It may not cause all stones, but it may help decrease the number of stones. I had two cats from the same litter with cystitis. They had recurrent episodes, multiple stone removals, and one had major surgery. I know cats are different than piggies but bear with me on this one and read it all.
Even on the special diets they had some stones. After all the special diets, and documenting the time of the year of most episodes, I realized most of them occurred when the temperature was higher. The only thing in their world that changed was the water they were drinking. The treatment plant adds more chlorine and probably other chemicals too when the temperature is higher to kill bacteria. After thinking about this, I bought a water purifier and started giving them only filtered water. Knock on wood, but one of the cats is still with me six years later and has not had a single episode. (The other died at the age of ten-cause unknown) I hope this helps in some way. Since talking about this with my vet he agrees it could be a possibility.
Even on the special diets they had some stones. After all the special diets, and documenting the time of the year of most episodes, I realized most of them occurred when the temperature was higher. The only thing in their world that changed was the water they were drinking. The treatment plant adds more chlorine and probably other chemicals too when the temperature is higher to kill bacteria. After thinking about this, I bought a water purifier and started giving them only filtered water. Knock on wood, but one of the cats is still with me six years later and has not had a single episode. (The other died at the age of ten-cause unknown) I hope this helps in some way. Since talking about this with my vet he agrees it could be a possibility.
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- My home, ruled by pigs!
That was always my theory too. I installed a water filter in my home too and so far so good. I have a 3.5yr old and 1.5yr old guinea pig. If they make it to the end of their life without stones than I'll be convinced. All my other pigs got tap water and all but 1 out of 4 had stones. The 1 that didn't suffered from Interstitial Cystitis for 2yrs.
- PinkRufus
- Contributor in 2020
I would like to add that I have always used Arrowhead bottled spring water for my pigs. I had switched to Sparkletts and that is when Rupert got his stone. I have never used Sparkletts again to err on the side of caution and have always wondered if that had anything to do with it.
My mom was talking to Piggy's vet at a local animal fundraiser (my mom gossiping with my vet is one of the reasons I hate small towns, but whatever) and he said he'd just gotten back from a "conference about stones in guinea pigs." Makes me wonder if the UC Davis / Oxbow study is finally ready to be released.
My mom doesn't relay information very well so I couldn't ask questions. All she knew of the results was "it's mostly diet, most people aren't as careful as Rachael." Well that's not exactly news to us.
I'll have to ask for more info the next time I'm in. I will say it's not unusual for data to be discussed and presented at a scientific conference months before it's even submitted for publication.
My mom doesn't relay information very well so I couldn't ask questions. All she knew of the results was "it's mostly diet, most people aren't as careful as Rachael." Well that's not exactly news to us.
I'll have to ask for more info the next time I'm in. I will say it's not unusual for data to be discussed and presented at a scientific conference months before it's even submitted for publication.
- Sef
- I dissent.
From what I've heard, the UC Davis study was inconclusive. "Too many variables," according to a member here whose boss is a colleague of Dr. Hawkins. I'm hoping to get more details from her; she hadn't actually read the report, but was under the impression that it didn't reveal anything too earth-shattering.
When our Zachary was first diagnosed with stones, we switched to filtered water. In his case, it made absolutely no difference whatsoever. His stones were aggressive, fast-forming and (being in both ureters) inoperable.
I truly hope we can find some answers to this devastating problem.
When our Zachary was first diagnosed with stones, we switched to filtered water. In his case, it made absolutely no difference whatsoever. His stones were aggressive, fast-forming and (being in both ureters) inoperable.
I truly hope we can find some answers to this devastating problem.