Guinea Pig Spay and Bladder Stone Surgery for Brooklyn Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic

Shachar Malka
6 days ago
4 min read

Guinea pigs are unique little animals with complex hormonal and urinary systems. Female guinea pigs, or sows, are particularly prone to reproductive diseases such as ovarian cysts, which can wreak havoc on their overall health. When combined with urinary tract issues, the situation becomes critical.

Recently, the patient, a 4-year-old female guinea pig from Brooklyn, NY, presented to Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic with a mix of symptoms. The patient was urinating blood, losing hair, and acting aggressively toward its cage mate. This case highlights the interconnected nature of exotic animal health and why a comprehensive diagnostic approach is vital for patients in the New York Metro area.

The Patient: Hormonal Behavior and Pain

The patient's owners brought her in because she "just wasn't herself." The sweet, docile guinea pig had become irritable and aggressive. Physically, she was showing two distinct warning signs:

Hematuria: Visible blood in the urine, often accompanied by squeaking while urinating (stranguria).
Alopecia: Bilateral hair loss on her flanks (sides), which is a classic sign of hormonal imbalance in guinea pigs.

The Diagnosis: The "Triple Threat"

Due to the combination of behavioral changes, urinary pain, and hormone related hair loss, all of which can have multiple underlying causes, we recommended advanced imaging to fully evaluate the patient's abdomen and urinary tract. To get a clear picture of the patient's abdomen, we performed an ultrasound and a CT Scan. The imaging revealed a "triple threat" of conditions that explained all her symptoms:

Ovarian Cysts: The ultrasound revealed a 2 cm cyst on her left ovary and endometrial thickening in her uterus. These cysts produce excess hormones (estrogen), causing hair loss and aggressive "mood swings."
Urolithiasis (Bladder Stone): The CT scan identified a small calculus (stone) lodged in the distal urethra. This was the cause of the bloody urine and pain.
Pneumonia: As an incidental but critical finding, the CT scan showed partial consolidation in her left lung—early-stage pneumonia.

This comprehensive diagnosis changed the game. We couldn't just perform surgery immediately; we had to stabilize her lungs first. Putting a guinea pig with pneumonia under anesthesia is extremely risky.

The Treatment: Stabilization followed by Surgery

Our treatment plan was conducted in phases to ensure the patient's safety.

Phase 1: Respiratory Stabilization

The patient was hospitalized and started on aggressive medical management for her pneumonia. We utilized injectable antibiotics to clear the lung infection.

Phase 2: The Surgical Procedure

Once her lungs were clear and she was deemed stable for anesthesia, we proceeded with surgery.

Ovariohysterectomy (Spay): We surgically removed both ovaries and the uterus. Removing the cystic ovaries cured the hormonal imbalance immediately. This procedure also prevents the deadly condition of uterine cancer, which is common in unspayed older female Guinea Pigs.
Stone Removal: During the same anesthesia, we manually assisted the removal of the urolith (stone) from the urethra.
Safety First: Throughout the surgery, our dedicated anesthesia nurse monitored the patient's vitals, given her history of pneumonia.

Recovery: A New Pig

Post-operatively, the patient remained hospitalized for two days. Guinea pigs require intensive nursing care after surgery to prevent GI Stasis. Our team syringe-fed her "Critical Care" formula until she began eating hay on her own.

The patient returned to her home in Brooklyn as a changed guinea pig. With the painful stone gone and the cysts removed, her aggression vanished. Her hair grew back, and she returned to being a healthy happy pig.

Why Specialized Care Matters

This case highlights how common guinea pig conditions such as hormonal disease and urinary stones can present with overlapping, nonspecific symptoms. Without a full diagnostic workup, focusing on a single suspected problem could have missed other serious and potentially life threatening conditions.

At Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic, our ability to image the entire body via CT scan allowed us to connect the dots and treat the whole patient safely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the signs of ovarian cysts in guinea pigs?

The most common signs are hair loss on the sides of the body (flanks), crusty nipples, weight loss despite a good appetite, and behavioral changes like aggression or mounting other pigs.

Why do guinea pigs get bladder stones?

Guinea pigs metabolize calcium differently than other animals. They excrete excess calcium in their urine. If their diet is too high in calcium (e.g., alfalfa hay for adults, spinach, kale), this sludge can form hard stones. Genetics also play a role.

Is spaying a guinea pig dangerous?

It is a major abdominal surgery, but in the hands of exotic specialists, it is very safe. The benefits (preventing cysts, pyometra, and cancer) far outweigh the risks for most healthy females. We use advanced pain management and anesthesia protocols to minimize risk.

My guinea pig has pneumonia but acts fine. How is that possible?

Prey animals hide illness until they literally cannot anymore. By the time a guinea pig has trouble breathing, they are often in critical condition. This is why we rely on CT scans, they show us lung disease long before the stethoscope can hear it.

Do you treat guinea pigs from NYC?

Yes! We see guinea pigs from all five boroughs. We are one of the few clinics with the equipment to perform complex soft-tissue surgeries and dentistry on small mammals.

Does your guinea pig have hair loss or urinary issues?

Contact Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic: