[Gpdd] [HEALTH] Update on sow with a urethral stone

[Ann Evans]

Kinjaroo has a 15mm long by 10mm wide stone in her urethra. It was 
confirmed by x-ray today. My vet Dr. Bonsack is conferring with Dr. 
Griffin of http://www.griffinexotics.com and Vedra Stanley Spatcher of 
the Cambridge Cavy Trust and Guinea Pig Hospital 
http://rodentology.co.uk/ as to surgical techniques that they recommend 
for removal of the stone. His main concern is what type of suture 
pattern should be used. Also, He wants to keep the surgical time to a 
minimum. He has performed many successful operations on my cavies.
I have operated a private cavy rescue home for over 24 years and this is 
my first case of a urinary stone. It seems like every week someone is 
writing about stones and I thought for some reason I was lucky that none 
of the rescued piggys ever had one. And then presto overnight one drops 
down from Kinjaroo's bladder into her urethra and it is huge yet she is 
acting totally normal except if I push on the stone. The x-ray even 
shows the stone has some spiny crystals on it yet she does not have 
blood in her urine or any problem urinating. This shows how each case is 
unique.
Thank you to everyone who has written me with information about urinary 
tract stones. This is one of the strengths of our group that we share 
information with others. Most vets do not have one tenth the information 
about cavies as we do. By sharing our experiences and educating each 
other and our veterinarians we benefit cavies worldwide.

Cheers, Ann and the rescued piggys of piggyville Tampa Florida USA.