Bloat advice

[Lisanjake]

I don't believe Infacol is recommended as it gathers gas into a bubble to generally be burped up, but piggies can not burp, so will likely just cause more distress. In some severe cases of bloat it has been used but I have never used it personally.
It contains Simethicone which is a anti-flatulence medication, things like gripe water are more preferred.

Her weight fluctuation is normal, you may find this guide helpful -
Weight - Monitoring and Management

A vibrating toothbrush can be good to help break up gas, aswell as bloat massages every 2 hours. Are you still support feeding, even in an eating guinea pig keeping the guts moving via support feed can be very helpful. - Massage Technique for Guinea Pig with Gas - Guinea Lynx Records

Thank you for your reply, I was hesitant so glad I didn’t. Don’t want to make her any worse. Maybe I’ll try gripe water then.

She seems totally normal in herself - eating drinking and squeaking for veg.
When she’s gone a little quieter I do give syringe food. I’ve also left some in the cage for her
I might give a little in the evening but she sometimes just eats it from the spoon lol

I am a little on edge as her sister (not sure if biological as I rescued them) died from what I thought was bloat, but the vets did a ultrasound and said it looked like cancer as she had this big belly for months but never seen anything like it, then died a week after.

I was meant to ask for a scan on Monday but I was rushed out the door,

How much support feed would you recommend? Her poops are looking alot better, not 100% but they are much better.

Does bloat usually last this long do you know?
I’m worried as I’m going back into work part time soon, that I won’t be able to keep a close eye on her or top up with as much syringe food

 

[Piggies&buns]

Her weight gain may be normal or it might be because of the bloat or fluid - weight gain above 50g should be investigated. It may be worth discussing with your vet if she is a lot above her normal.

Only massage if she is accepting. I would also discuss it with your vet

Infacol is not recommended.

The amount of syringe feed you give is dependent upon in her daily weight checks.

 

[Lisanjake]

Her weight gain may be normal or it might be because of the bloat or fluid - weight gain above 50g should be investigated. It may be worth discussing with your vet if she is a lot above her normal.

Only massage if she is accepting. I would also discuss it with your vet

Infacol is not recommended.

The amount of syringe feed you give is dependent upon in her daily weight checks.

She’s gone down to 1081 yesterday, I haven’t weighed her today as I was in a rush to go out earlier and completely forgot
I’ll defo send an email if she keeps increasing. It’s so hard for me to go back and forth Willy nilly as it’s 1.30hr to Northampton, I’ve been thinking about going to my local vets again to see what they say. I just don’t have anyone I fully trust with piggies around here and can’t afford wasted visits with no real outcome.

Simon never mentioned massaging or wether to give veg or anything, just said try ranitidine. I’m not sure wether to give it a week to see how that goes (well I started it Monday evening) I’ve got an appointment booked for 4 weeks as he suggested, maybe I’ll have to bring that forward if things don’t improve..

Weight seems to be pretty good but again, not sure if that’s just the bloat or actual food! She seems to be tucking into the hay happily though.

 

[Deleted member 151640]

I had just assumed her weight went up with the bloat and this was something you and your vet would be aware of, so I would like to make it clear generally 50g increase/decrease is not always “normal”, as said in the guide I linked previously.

Persistent bloat isn’t unusual and there are quite a few cases of ongoing bloat seen on this forum for example, especially if it is led by another ailment in the body.
If you haven’t seen a decent amount of progress after over a week of the increased medications then I would likely speak to your vet again.

 

[Lisanjake]

Here’s a strange thing.. her weight over the last few days has gone back to her ‘normal’ weight.

5/4 - 1081
6/4 - 1049

I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not! She still looks a bit round, acting the same eating / pooping

 

[Lisanjake]

Sorry just me again, Erin went through another bloat episode over the weekend.
I’ve unfortunately ran out of emeprid and am waiting for the delivery.
I do have ranitidine left and loxicom so I’m still giving those.

She’s a little more down this evening.
Gave her a gentle massage earlier and her tummy felt supple.
She fell asleep on me too which is rare when she is feeling well.

my question is would you recommend / How much gripe water can I give in the meantime? And how often?
I’m worried I’ve still got a good few more days until I should get the emeprid
I stupidly left it over the weekend so could only place the order today.