Cystitis
This is a very common ailment in sows and is occasionally
seen in boars. It is caused when the inner lining of the bladder
becomes infected with bacteria.
Sows are more prone to this condition because they have a
shorter urethra than boar's have. Any kind of obstruction
of the urethra such as a stone can also cause Cystitis for
stagnant urine can build up in the bladder or urethra. Personally,
I believe that a contributing cause to this condition is too
much protein in the diet, see 'Dietry matters.'
The symptoms are varied and a sow can show all or just some
of them depending on how bad the infection is. If the sow
is handled a lot, an early diagnosis is more likely for it
will be noticed that she is constantly wet underneath. Either
because she is passing more urine or she is constantly dribbling
urine, if there is a urethral stone, or one is beginning to
form. Another symptom is if the sow lifts herself high on
her back legs in an exaggerated fashion just has she finishes
urinating. High squeaks as she passes urine is another, one
more likely in advances cases but they can occur early on,
and usually she'll spend more time with her head between her
legs, licking herself. The vulva can be swollen, and sores
can appear around the whole of the genitalia. For the latter
I use calendula oil ointment but many of the non toxic desloughing
oinments such as Aserbine to be applied twice daily.
In boars, it is invariably just a high pitched squeaking
as they pass urine and when the penis is extruded the tip
is red and slightly inflamed. Be Aware that the high pitched
squeaking is more often the sign of a bladder stone and this
must be investigated first.
The first line of attack is the one of the oldest therapies
of all and used in human medicine for this condition, Barley
water. However I am not talking about the stuff you buy in
prettily labelled bottle. I'm talking about the viscous stuff
you make up yourself. It is the slimy viscosity which does
the trick and you don't get this in the brands you buy off
the super market shelves.
Home made barley water is made by cooking pearl barley at
the ratio of ten parts of water to one part of pearl barley.
Barley varies, some makes soaking up the water more than others
so it can be up to fifteen to so monitor while cooking and
add a little extra water if necessary. Make small amounts
for it will not keep for more than twenty four hours.
The resulting water is is one of the best demulcents there
is, being very viscous. Leave until cold and the syringe little
and often to the patient.
Liquidize the cooked barley with cucumber or the animal's
favourite vegetable and syringe this in too. This is usually
more acceptable than the water and as this too is very viscous
it will have the same effect of soothing the inflamed tissue.
Though you are doing nothing more that treating the symptom
this can have the still be very effective. By soothing the
tissues the body's immune system can have a better chance
of knocking out the bacteria especially if you back this up
with several other therapies.
Cranberry juice is always recommended which should be administered
by syringe frequently. You cannot over do this and most guinea
pigs like the taste of it so let them drink their fill. The
herbs recommended for this condition are as follows. Couch
grass, first and foremost for you can simply pick this for
much of the year and the guinea pigs will simply eat it in
the way they do any grass. Bearberry, Juniper and Echinacea
are all helpful. I use all three in a tincture at the dose
rate of a ml night and morning.
Sometimes antibiotics are the only answer and combinations
of Trimethroprim and Sulphadiazine are very effective given
at the dose rate of 0.5 orally
