[Stones] Elvis' blocked urethra

[Monique Charlebois]

Elvis is an almost 5 yr old intact boar who was diagnosed 4 days ago with a fairly large stone in his urethra, plus some small ones, and another fair sized one in the bladder. He had been squeaking at odd times - that was his only symptom. Surgery was this morning. The stone in the urethra could not be flushed out or removed; it was in such a position in the pelvis that it could not be reached by either end. The other one got flushed into the urethra. Some of the urethra tore in the process.
   
  I was unwilling to let him go quite yet in the middle of surgery. I wanted to give the urethera a chance to heal ...? And my kids would have been very upset. This is one tough but beloved pig.
   
  The vet performed a marsupialization - essentially creating a new opening in the abdomen from the bladder to bypass the urethra all together. It has been done in cats and dogs and ferrets but not documented in cavies. At a minimum he'll be on antibiotics for the rest of his life, whatever that may be - maybe long enough for us to come to terms with the inevitable, and with a scrupulously clean pen. I'm thinking those puppy trainer pads.
   
  I'd appreciate feedback from anyone who had this experience. 
   
  Monique

       
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