Urine Crystals

Question
Hi, I have a female guinea pig who is about 5 years old and had been fine up until a month and 1/2 ago due to pain when going to the bathroom. She still eats and is pretty much acting fine otherwise. It seems mostly when she urinates, (visible blood in urine) but I've noticed it also when she strains to poo too. I know it's not constipation. I think it's more with her urinary side of things. Brought her to a vet that took x-rays and found no bladder stones, kidneys seemed fine, thought maybe a UTI and was on an antibiotic (chlormaphenicol) and metacam for pain and it did nothing. Then took her to another vet who put her on a different antibiotic (Baytril) and Metacam in case of infection. That isn't helping either. He did a urinalysis and found blood, puss, and crystals. Not sure what to do at this point. I've spent a lot of money, about $700 (vets are expensive in NJ)and they still don't really know what is wrong with her and can't seem to help her. I'm at my wits end. I feel so bad for her in that pain for so long. Something out there has got to work. What gets rid of crystals? Maybe they are cutting in to her and hurting her. Is there something that will dissolve them? I believe I've been feeding the right stuff. I also have been trying to get more water in her via syringe, etc. What can I do to alleviate her pain that will REALLY work?...and soon? Thanks for any advice you can give. I don't know where else to turn.
    Answer:    Typically those crystals are the building blocks of bladder or kidney stones. And yes, they can be very painful. The ureter (the tube leading from the bladder to the opening) is very small and a crystal cuts and digs into that soft tubing while trying to pass. It could be compared to a grain of sand in the eye. It may be tiny but it does considerable damage.

The Baytril is a much wiser choice than chloramphenicol, so I am glad they changed that medication. Other than pain control I don't think there's really an effective treatment at this point.

Five is a ripe age for guinea pigs and she may just be exhibiting signs of old age. Ask you vet what he recommends for pain control. In the meantime use only bottle water on her. Preferably distilled water. That may lessen the opportunity for the crystals to form. Stones are often a result of the water taken in by any animal.

Water is full of minerals and that's what those crystals are made of. But she certainly needs something for the obvious pain she's suffering. Your vet can tell what the best option would be.

Answer
okay it looks as if this has already been asnwered from what it says at the bottom, I suppose my advice would be to stay on the baytril, give her cranberry juice, give her purified waterand just stick at it. as the other answer said the best thing is to ask a vet.

alternatively if you look at peter gurney's guinea pig page there might be somethin in there which will help.

best of luck