Cystitis/bladder stones in pigs?

[maxelly]

Evening everyone!

One of our 4 year old girls (sisters) has suffered with on-off cystitis - this is her third bout in 2 years after being clear for 6 months or so. Every time she has been fine in herself, eating, pooing etc, the only sign is some pink blood in her urine, and every time it seems to clear up fine with antibiotics. Our vet is now making noises about it maybe being bladder stones and wanting her to go in for an ultrasound and then possibly surgery if it is a stone. I am just a bit worried about the stress for her and aware that sedation etc. can be a big no-no for piggies and given she seems fine in between episodes wonder if it would be better to just wait and see?

If this most recent bout of cystitis clears up as the others have would you go for the scan, or leave it and see how she goes?

TIA!

hmmm difficult one.

I have two middle aged hogs (boar+sow now 4&half) so I;m considering what I'd do if it was my female.

She's had a few bouts and they've cleared but obviously something is going on.
Antibiotics are unsettling for guineas , you need to rebalance their guts after (probiotics )

If it was my pig (well she's my DD pig really) I think I'd go for the scan with the lightest sedation they can use . Then I'd know if it was sludge or a stone and decide from there. Could be nothing . But at least the information can help to plan.

Whether or not I'd go down the surgery route though ?

Thanks for your advice 70, much appreciated. The cystitis cleared up very quickly again as soon as she was on the antibiotics and she's currently a picture of contentment munching on a big pile of hay and chasing her sister around...

She saw a different vet yesterday (the one we saw last week was a locum and not sure how good she is on 'exotics') - regular vet is happy to leave her without the scan for the time being. I agree it's not so much the scan itself as she's pretty good about being held still so it would be minimal sedation, as the fact that if it is a stone the treatment option is really only surgery which seems a big risk with a piggie full stop, never mind a middle aged one. But if it comes back a third time I think we'll have no option as can't have her being repeatedly in pain