Boar Much Blood in Urine

piggywriggly · Post » Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:31 pm

6 year old boar history of UTI but none in past two years. No warning. Had mild anorexia/weight loss three weeks ago which he appeared fully recovered from with no idea why. He was in a separate cage because of possible allergy issues (nasal congestion) thus new puppy pad which was covered in blood soaked urine (approx 8 by 12 inch area) when I saw him after 7-9 hours. Fairly concentrated, not pink. Not in pain. Did not see passed stones. No squeaking. All appearing normal with drinking, eating, pooping, alertness. Was going to rush to ER vet, but wondering if I should just wait for specialist vet in 4 hours to save stress on both him and I. As far as I can tell, could be stones or UTI, blood loss is worrying.

Post » Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:47 pm

You don't give your location.

I would guess stones - might be UTI but so often it is stones. If there is a urinary blockage, this is an emergency. I hope you can see a vet asap for an xray to identify or rule out stones.
Does your boar live alone?

ItsaZoo · Post » Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:52 pm

If you can get an exotics vet soon, that would be what I would do. The emergency clinic may not have X-ray and ultrasound equipment for an animal this small, but the exotic vet should. I would try to offer wet foods like lettuce or veggies soaked in water. Liquid might help move a stone or bacteria out of his system. But keep a close eye on him that he is able to urinate. A blockage is an emergency and can be deadly. Best of luck at the vet.

piggywriggly · Post » Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:58 pm

There is no blockage. In fact he seemed to be peeing a lot. I tried to replenish fluids just in case there was extra peeing. No sign of squeaking. He doesn't live alone. He lives with others, but sometimes I keep in a seperate little cage next to the big one because he eats slower with dental problems, and sometimes he has some kind of nasal congestion issue, just in case the big cage needs cleaning (he seems very sensitive). I suppose I am worried about a stone somewhere else but he has absolutely no blockage so far as peeing.

I have put him on extra vitamin C and also chanca piedra. I was reading something about other pigs having the same problem with interstitial cystitis or a urinary tract infection, that pee sooo much blood. I haven't had the experience myself with his previous UTIs, but just wondering if there is a chance. The vet should be open in about 3 1/2 hours now. Hesitating with ER because previous bad experiences, and they're often busy with dogs and cats, but I will go if needed, though just watching him closely right now.

piggywriggly · Post » Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:26 pm

I may have figured out why he was at the vet three weeks ago with anorexia - cheek abscess. His urine was checked then, clear and no blood on test strip. Checked for kidney stones via palpation and none found. He did have a hard lump on the side of his cheek next to area between incisors and molars. It was biopsied in house. No tumour or abscess as far as the vet could tell. Back home, I found a small lump by his spine. It was there and we were going back to the vet eventually, but it's gone right now. Cheek lump did not seem to enlarge at first, but after not checking the past week, it is now HUGE, so it probably was an abscess or perhaps the biopsy introduced bacteria. We will be heading to the our vet soon, who though has specialist equipment and very good cavy knowledge, isn't exactly an exotic though I prefer him over some exotics I've seen, and has been careful to avoid surgery given my guinea pig's age and history. Any advice in that regard for an older piggy who may have trouble with anesthesia? Thank you for all your replies already given!

piggywriggly · Post » Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:33 am

Quick update. It became clear from the smell it was a UTI. He was given baytril. Cheek was not abscessed. Previous lump had apparently not changed in size. Despite me previously being made aware of the lump, supplementary handfeeding him for almost three weeks, and checking both his incisors and molars all the time, I had no idea of the size of the lump from the inside until I check it earlier today! Outside, it seemed slightly bigger than it was before. Back lump was rediscovered and diagnosed as sebaceous cyst. No x-ray as only mild pain from UTI, and no lump felt. Bladder was expressed to help rid it of bacteria quickly. Revisit if not better from baytril in a few days.

Does this all seem okay?

I am concerned about the blood loss, although the vet checked his eyes and they seem red enough so far. Is there any supplement or food I can give him to help him with that? I normally don't give wheatgrass powder because from memory it is high in iron. Could that help now?

Post » Thu Mar 11, 2021 7:28 am

Mentioning here that Bactrim (trimethoprim sulfamethoxizole) seems more effective and better tolerated for UTIs.

I am unfamiliar with wheat grass powder. According to a simple search, it is claimed dark leafy greens are a good source of one form of iron. You might be able to find other suggestions doing a search online.

piggywriggly · Post » Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:27 pm

One of my first guinea pigs underwent an ultrasound for stones which found none and had frequent UTIs on and off and that went on for months. He was given baytril from a vet recommended as cavy savvy. I was clueless. I can't remember why we had to go to someone else, but he recovered within days on Bactrim. I asked for Bactrim this time too, and the vet was willing to write a script but he said try baytril first and if it doesn't improve in a few days (quite quickly) he will send me a script for Bactrim. Even having not long come home from the vet, after giving him a dose of baytril before making our return trip, I was quite relieved to notice that his pee had become significantly less red. Though I have lingering concerns about his lump...

I think I should be okay to give him wheatgrass powder for a few days from a quick search. I don't have fresh wheatgrass which would probably be a better choice.

Thanks for your help!

piggywriggly · Post » Sun Mar 14, 2021 5:10 pm

The UTI is clearing up nicely - I give as much credit to the food-based vitamin C he is on as the baytril which is much better than my synthetic ascorbic acid! But the lump between his incisors and molars has grown larger in spite of this. We're headed back to the vet today - I'm too busy but I don't think it can wait. Once again I thought he was reluctant to eat because of the baytril and didn't monitor the lump daily as I thought it was just an unexplained lump that's not fast growing or cancerous. It's on the side of his cheek but the majority has spread across his palate. It must be so uncomfortable! He has grown multiple front teeth from a fall years ago. It doesn't affect his eating and he is able to chew with his molars needing a trim only once at the vet but they can get a bit overgrown (which wears down with more grass etc). A local exotics vet wanted to trim them under general anaesthesia a month ago when he had a bout of weight loss (100g in a few days from last weighed, then up to 200g despite feeding). I was too afraid to lose him because of age and weight loss, and the teeth had not seemed that bad to me. Our regular vet decided on conservative treatment, after critical care to regain weight and later without my help, he was able to eat and maintain slightly below his previous weight.

My plan is to ask for x-rays and blood tests (previously recommended by local vet because of his age), and I assume the abscess would be punctured and drained with at-home flushing. I saw some webpage recommendation for a marsupial pouch surgery but he might not be a good candidate for surgery. Would you (anyone) know how likely is there tooth involvement from the position? He wasn't given x-rays previously, but the vet felt along his toothline and didn't think there were elongated roots. If there is anything else I should do or be aware of, please let me know.

He has been on a worrying trend of weight loss for the past two years without answers. I'm not sure that is normal.

Post » Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:58 pm

Glad to hear the UTI is clearing up. If you find it recurs and has not totally been eliminated, the Bactrim (sulfatrimethoprim methoxizole) may still help.

I wish I could answer your other questions but can't really comment. I know you are doing the best you can for him. I am unfamiliar with marsupial pouch surgery.

ItsaZoo · Post » Mon Mar 15, 2021 1:19 am

I'm glad to hear the UTI is responding to treatment. I hope your vet can get the lump in his mouth under control. It's so good that you're on top of this and have access to a vet that can help you out.