stones in my guinea pig

Question
I have a female guinea pig linda who is about 4 years old. She lives indoors in a big cage with her partner max (about 3 1/2 years old). Max has been desexed.  Linda had 3 babies at about 1 and 1/2 years old and had another pregnancy shortly after that (2nd pregnancy was lost due to extreme heat((we did not know the consequence but we do everything for her now including air conditioning)).  We have taken her to the vet and she has a stone in her uterus and on a second ultrasound the vet found a kidney stone. We a forcing liquid down her (Ural, orange juice and other sweetish drinks to try and flush the stones (vets advice).  It seems this is all our vet can offer (we are in Australia and have gone through 5 vets in which this one is the best(at least he found the reason for the pain and blood in her urine and poo).  We want to try everything possible and i just came across a herb called chanca piedra. Do you know anything about it (is it safe to give her, doses for a pig.Linda is 725grams. (she has lost about 40 grams but eats food she enjoys (got really fussy on food items) only symptoms are squeals when poo or urinating and seems to be a bit quieter but is fine if we play with her)) Can you suggest anything else to try.
Thanking you

Answer
Hello Anthony,

I've seen chanca piedra listed as an ingredient in some Guinea Pig treats and supplements that are safe so I assume it would be safe. I'm sorry, I am not sure about dosage though. It sounds like you are doing what you can for her and I really can't think of anything else to suggest, although I do advise giving her plain diluted unsweetened cranberry juice.I'm also wondering if you have discussed her possibly having surgery to remove the stones. That is usually the treatment for stones especially if they aren't passing. If not, I would ask the vet about it. I hope Linda will be ok and pass the stones or that she can safely have surgery to remove them. Maybe your vet could help with the proper dosage of that herb as well. Good luck.

-kkat
www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs