[Stones] Elvis' stones

[Monique Charlebois]

Tex,
  Thanks for the advice. As of last night and this morning's reports from the clinic, Elvis is eagerly reaching for the syringe of Critical Care, and feeds himself hay and any CC leftovers in a dish. Normal poops are being produced and the tummy is draining and wet (where the new opening is). This is very encouraging - that's my laid-back boy. I guess I'll be able to pick him up when he is feeding and drinking reasonably well on his own although I can continue to nurse him through the weekend.
   
  He is of course receiving the best pain killer drugs - not just metacam but a new one which they have found works well in bunnies, does not knock them out. I know he will be on baytril for the rest of his life, but the pain meds - I guess that remains to be seen. We certainly do not want him to suffer, we just wanted a bit more time if that was possible.
   
  As he is a solo pig, I can easily set him up on fleece blankets and keep the hay behind a grid for ease of reach, rather than a loose pile. I will have to speak to the vet about any additional swabbing or cleaning that might be required. Today is her day off and she was only popping in for a check. I expect to speak to her tomorrow and will report back. At this point I don't know how large this opening is, and the distance to the bladder - I know it's a skin fold - and if risks of blockage will continue and if shilington could be considered. I suspect that the urethra is not expected to become functional ever again, with two stones stuck there in an unreachable spot. 
   
  Monique
   
  

texg at cavyinfo.com wrote:
  Monique,

First - I'm not a vet, so please keep in mind that my reply is based 
on my personal experiences and knowledge from talking to vets and 
other piggie owners.

The process you describe - where the urethra is bypassed - may not 
work: a guinea pig is not a dog or cat. Piggies' urine is normally 
alkaline, and if Elvis' stones were caused by calcium crystals (almost 
all are), there is a good likelihood that the passage would become 
blocked or infected after a short period of time. Additionally, the 
fact that piggies are so low to the ground could make keeping the area 
clean difficult.

It depends on the amount of trauma that was caused to the urethra (and 
the location) as to whether it can heal. There is a possibility that 
scar tissue could form, making his problem worse.

So, that said, what can you do to give him his best chances? As your 
vet said, the marsupialization procedure has not been documented in 
guinea pigs. If you go this route and it works, it could give new hope 
to other people that have piggies with a similar problem. If it does 
not work, he will be in a lot of discomfort.

If you decide to try to let him heal, you should make sure you provide 
him with painkillers (usually metacam) for the pain, and be prepared 
to syringe feed him until he feels like eating.

If his urethra is still blocked, this is serious. It can cause the 
urine to back up in the bladder and damage it, as well as cause renal 
failure. Some people have used a Chinese herb called shilintong that 
stimulates the bladder to work more efficiently (expelling urine and 
crystals), and in some cases it has helped piggies pass stones. 
Unfortunately, female piggies have better anatomy for passing stones, 
and the shilintong has worked better for them.

Actigal (a human gallstone medicine) has been used in some cases to 
dissolve stones. The problem with actigal is that it does not work in 
every case (actually, it shouldn't work at all, as the composition of 
the bladderstones is different that gallstones). Also, in the cases 
where it has worked it has taken some time (days or weeks), and if he 
is blocked he does not have that luxury.

You do not face an easy choice. I hope things work out. Please e-mail 
me or the list if you have questions, etc.

Tex



       
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