Bad Poops!

[Janey]

I'm trying to get to the bottom (no pun intended) of a dodgy poop issue that's been going on for months. Both piggies are fine in themselves, not losing weight and eating/drinking fine. I'm not worried that they're really ill, but I can't seem to get their poops looking normal and healthy. I've tried cutting out veggies, reducing veggies and adding Pro C to their water at the recommended rate - but nothing seems to make any difference. I've even mentioned it to the vet and she didn't seem overly concerned, but as it's been going on a while now, it's bothering me and I'd love to get them back to normal. The only thing I've noticed lately, is that they're not eating as much hay, but that's only in the last week or so - they usually have a bowl with pellets in, but I've taken that out today to try and encourage them to eat more hay - they get a variety too.

What do you do when your piggies have this problem?

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Can you explain the poops a bit more. What do they look like why are they not healthy? Can u possibly attach a picture?

 

[Janey]

Can you explain the poops a bit more. What do they look like why are they not healthy? Can u possibly attach a picture?

They are pointy, a bit rough looking,lighter in colour (sometimes) and different sizes! I’ll attach some pics

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Perfect! Only ask as depending on the shape/consistency, there are different things you could try.

firstly I’d love to introduce you to my poop chart (just google guinea pig poo chart and some helpful ones come up). Although, bare in mind that piggies poos do fluctuate every now and again.

When my boys go pointy and look sorta dry I give watery veg like cucumber in case they haven’t been getting as much hydration as normal.It can take a few days for them to go back to normal. I would stick with giving veg like cucumber, bell pepper tho dont overdo it as we don’t want diarrhoea. I would stop putting the vitamin C in water as this can make piggies not want to drink it (as it alters taste)which might be why the poos look sorta dry.

Hope this helps

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Poop chart

 

[Janey]

Perfect! Only ask as depending on the shape/consistency, there are different things you could try.

firstly I’d love to introduce you to my poop chart (just google guinea pig poo chart and some helpful ones come up). Although, bare in mind that piggies poos do fluctuate every now and again.

When my boys go pointy and look sorta dry I give watery veg like cucumber in case they haven’t been getting as much hydration as normal.It can take a few days for them to go back to normal. I would stick with giving veg like cucumber, bell pepper tho dont overdo it as we don’t want diarrhoea. I would stop putting the vitamin C in water as this can make piggies not want to drink it (as it alters taste)which might be why the poos look sorta dry.

Hope this helps

Thanks! The Pro C is actually designed to go in their water - it's palatable too - my piggies drink it really well, but I know in general we're not supposed to add Vit C to water

 

[Wiebke]

I'm trying to get to the bottom (no pun intended) of a dodgy poop issue that's been going on for months. Both piggies are fine in themselves, not losing weight and eating/drinking fine. I'm not worried that they're really ill, but I can't seem to get their poops looking normal and healthy. I've tried cutting out veggies, reducing veggies and adding Pro C to their water at the recommended rate - but nothing seems to make any difference. I've even mentioned it to the vet and she didn't seem overly concerned, but as it's been going on a while now, it's bothering me and I'd love to get them back to normal. The only thing I've noticed lately, is that they're not eating as much hay, but that's only in the last week or so - they usually have a bowl with pellets in, but I've taken that out today to try and encourage them to eat more hay - they get a variety too.

What do you do when your piggies have this problem?

Hi!

Please see your vet over an ongoing or persistent digestive problem. If yours are not eating enough hay, then there is a reason for it.
Are you monitoring their weight regularly so you can step in with fibrous syringe feeding support if necessary.

Perhaps your vet may want to do a lab test of the poos to see what is going on. @PigglePuggle
Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

PS: I am moving this thread to the specially monitored health/illness section where this thread belongs so more experienced members can cast their eye on it. Please keep the chat section for chat and the care section for any questions and concerns.

 

[Janey]

Hi!

Please see your vet over an ongoing or persistent digestive problem. If yours are not eating enough hay, then there is a reason for it.
Are you monitoring their weight regularly so you can step in with fibrous syringe feeding support if necessary.

Perhaps your vet may want to do a lab test of the poos to see what is going on. @PigglePuggle
Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

PS: I am moving this thread to the specially monitored health/illness section where this thread belongs so more experienced members can cast their eye on it. Please keep the chat section for chat and the care section for any questions and concerns.

Sorry Wiebke! I didn't think it was a serious enough issue to warrant being there, but thank you. I weigh weekly and they're holding their weight, they have access to unlimited hay (4 different sorts) daily too - limited pellets, fresh water daily. They seem happy enough in themselves too - moving around plenty, popcorning/zooming - it's really baffling.

 

[Wiebke]

Sorry Wiebke! I didn't think it was a serious enough issue to warrant being there, but thank you. I weigh weekly and they're holding their weight, they have access to unlimited hay (4 different sorts) daily too - limited pellets, fresh water daily. They seem happy enough in themselves too - moving around plenty, popcorning/zooming - it's really baffling.

This section is not here for just the 'serious' cases in your own estimate, it is here for any health concerns whatever. It is up to us to decide whether it is something harmless or something that should be taken up by a vet.

 

[Janey]

This section is not here for just the 'serious' cases in your own estimate, it is here for any health concerns whatever. It is up to us to decide whether it is something harmless or something that should be taken up by a vet.

I have spoken to my vet about it some time ago and she didn't seem overly concerned, but as it's not going away, I'll need to see her again.

 

[Wiebke]

I have spoken to my vet about it some time ago and she didn't seem overly concerned, but as it's not going away, I'll need to see her again.

Once it is impacting on the hay intake, it is definitely getting worse instead of better; so with Christmas approaching it would be better to address the problem before the holidays. Do you have healthy sows you could try very freshly made poo soup from?
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links (includes poo soup 'recipe' for best effectiveness)

 

[Janey]

Once it is impacting on the hay intake, it is definitely getting worse instead of better.

Agree - I've just ordered some Fibreplex, but will get an appt sorted out for them both.

 

[Wiebke]

Agree - I've just ordered some Fibreplex, but will get an appt sorted out for them both.

See my previous post re. 'poo soup'. How many piggies have you left now? I have lost count a bit after your recent sad loss.

 

[Janey]

See my previous post re. 'poo soup'. How many piggies have you left now? I have lost count a bit after your recent sad loss.

Just the two now - Fifi and Rosie, but whilst some of the poops are more normal looking than others, I'm reasonably sure they both have an issue.

 

[Wiebke]

Just the two now - Fifi and Rosie, but whilst some of the poops are more normal looking than others, I'm reasonably sure they both have an issue.

OK, thanks! No poo soup then, as you need a healthy piggy for that. Fibreplex will hopefully help. If necessary take them off any fresh food and top up with recovery food. If the poos are not firming up, then please see your vet before Christmas. It is always a bit of an awkward time for things to come up.

 

[Janey]

OK, thanks! No poo soup then, as you need a healthy piggy for that. Fibreplex will hopefully help. If necessary take them off any fresh food and top up with recovery food. If the poos are not firming up, then please see your vet before Christmas. It is always a bit of an awkward time for things to come up.

I'll call the vet tomorrow so we have time for a follow up appt if necessary. I can't believe all the people 'out there' who buy piggies on a whim for their children and think they're an easy 'pocket pet'! Fingers crossed the vet will be able to pinpoint what's causing this. Thanks for your help!

 

[Wiebke]

I'll call the vet tomorrow so we have time for a follow up appt if necessary. I can't believe all the people 'out there' who buy piggies on a whim for their children and think they're an easy 'pocket pet'! Fingers crossed the vet will be able to pinpoint what's causing this. Thanks for your help!

All the best for getting to the bottom of it.

PS: Don't get me started...

 

[Janey]

All the best for getting to the bottom of it.

PS: Don't get me started...

Just an update - we went to the vet last Wednesday and she gave them both a thorough examination and couldn't find anything clinically wrong with either of them. I'll add that she's an experienced exotic vet. The only thing she thought it might be is diet - so I've been experimenting with veggies and they actually seem better - darker in colour, smoother and a better shape too since they've been having more veggies.

 

[Wiebke]

Just an update - we went to the vet last Wednesday and she gave them both a thorough examination and couldn't find anything clinically wrong with either of them. I'll add that she's an experienced exotic vet. The only thing she thought it might be is diet - so I've been experimenting with veggies and they actually seem better - darker in colour, smoother and a better shape too since they've been having more veggies.

That is great news!

 

[Janey]

That is great news!

It feels so wrong to give more veggies when their poops aren't right though! It has definitely helped - although I'm still giving them Pro C as well.