[Gpdd] [HEALTH] Blood in urine

[Dr Kay Dudman]

Dear Lisa

So sorry to hear that little Keely is having problems.  Yes, I agree that
the symptoms are those of cystitis, but there could also be something else
going on.

1. It could be that she is having crystals form rather than stones; ask
your Vet to check the urine for this, not just for infection.  The
crystals can irritate the bladder and allow bacteria to grow, so if there
is an infection it could return.  Things to check for are calcium,
oxalates and struvite.  If it turns out to be oxalate crystals you'll want
to reduce Keely's intake of foods rich in oxalates (such as parsley,
spinach and kale).  You already know about getting the calcium/phosphorus
ratio right (too little calcium and it can demineralise the bones).

2. Another possibility is that it isn't in the urine, but coming from the
uterus instead.  Can you see blood in her little feminine area?  Is there
blood other than when she pees? Maybe hold a tissue against her if her
coat is too dark to see.  This could be caused by ovarian cysts or a
pyometrium (like an abscess inside).  The solution here would be for her
to have an ovariohysterectomy (spay).  How far apart are the times when
you have noticed blood?  If it is about every 12 - 14 days or so it could
be when she comes into season, and that triggers the blood.  This wouldn't
show on an X-ray unless the pubic bones had started to part (as if she
were to give birth, the body trying to eject any pus); this would indicate
urgent treatment.  Ultrasound should be able to detect soft tissue
problems which X-rays can't.

Hope this is useful.  Good luck, little Keely.

Kay

> Message: 6
> Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 22:33:34 -0800
> From: "Folly Farm" <lfolly at sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: [Gpdd] Health-Blood in Urine
> To: <gpdd at gpdd.org>
> Message-ID: <000e01c71512$a0fbf550$0101a8c0 at homeii226ynl7t>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Please help!
>
> In the 8 months that I've had my 10 month old pig, Keely, I've seen
blood down by her privates and heard her squeaking when she pees 3
separate times.  She also seems to be 'leaky' down there like she's
always dribbling small amounts of urine.  The first 2 times the vet
palpated her bladder and felt nothing unusual, then did a  urinalysis
that was normal (no white cells, no blood, normal ph).  So he treated her
those 2 times times for a urinary infection sending her home with
Enrofloxacin (baytril) and wipes urine scald.  She got better those 2
times.  Then on this past Sunday night blood in the urine again and
squeaking when peeing..  So first thing Monday we took her in and he did
2 x-rays and we didn't see any stones, so he sent off a urine culture
this time, and it came back comletely normal with no bacteria.  Does
anyone know what's going on or had any similar situations?  We're
perplexed.  I'm very careful about the calcium and protein levels the
pigs get, and none of my other 6 have ever had a problem.  We also keep
the cage really clean and I clean her privates once a day. Our vet
suggests another urine culture and perhaps an ultrasound.   I appreciate
anyone's input.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Lisa Stanley & The San Diego Herd
> Brody, Keely, Shayla, Genevyeve, Bronwyn, Delaney & Shayla
>