Bloat - help!

[samji]

Hi all

So my little Jack has had bloat since before Christmas. It's been very unusual as it was happening over a 6-12 hour period of no poops, then lots of poops. He would still be eating during this and drinking. I took him to an out of hours emergency vet during the Christmas period which was the biggest waste of time as the vet said I need to wait until the exotic vet is back open! Nothing prescribed or done except giving me some critical care.

Yesterday evening Jack went to the exotic vet (first day she was back in after Christmas) and she was a bit perplexed, as he seems fine in himself except for visible bloat and hours between poops. An x ray showed there's slow movement in his small intestine and a gassy stomach. I feel like his bloat is in a vicious circle.

He's been prescribed Baytril, Zantac syrup and Metacam which was all given last night. Critical care (with a few drops of pineapple juice or he won't let me syringe it) is also being given twice daily. I've decided to only give him Zantac and less Metacam, as I don't think he took well to Baytril.

I'm trying all sorts, massage, no daily veg, hardly any pellets, I'm at a bit of a loss. I've ordered a vibrating pillow and may try some gripe later. Also bought a vibrating toothbrush.

The vet said to monitor him for five days, but mentioned surgery and squeezing his small intestine and the thought of this makes me want to collapse. Last resort but I hope we're not at that stage. I am wondering if he has chronic bloat now which I've read some piggies can get.

He lost his cage mate on Halloween (lymphoma) but has been largely fine, eating, usual self since then. Slightly quieter but mainly because he thought he was the boss with his rumble! I was looking to pair him up around now with a new boar (Jack hasn't been neutered) but I don't want the experience to stress him out further so I'm not sure what to do. There is a speed dating guinea pig sanctuary about 30 minutes drive from me, but he doesn't like car journeys and he's had a few lately.

Does anyone have any advice? I feel like we're stuck between a rock and a hard place! Jack is approximately 3 years old.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Metacam is a painkiller, not an antibiotic, I think you would be best to stick with what the vet has prescribed for him. Hope Jack gets well soon x

 

[PigglePuggle]

I would say pineapple juice in the critical care isnt a good idea in this case because it is very acidic, zantac works by blocking production of stomach acid so by then feeding pineapple juice you'll be counteracting the effects! Could you add carrot puree or sweet potato puree as something less acidic?

 

[samji]

He's had Metacam as a painkiller before but hasn't taken well to Baytril (sorry for the confusion).

Thank you x

 

[samji]

I would say pineapple juice in the critical care isnt a good idea in this case because it is very acidic, zantac works by blocking production of stomach acid so by then feeding pineapple juice you'll be counteracting the effects! Could you add carrot puree or sweet potato puree as something less acidic?

good idea! I might try giving him with just water although he really isn't keen! He has about 0.2 of pineapple which is mixed in with the water for the critical care.

Will look at carrot puree too.

 

[Adelle]

Hi, it sounds like poor Jack is having a rough time. I'm a bit confused as to why he's been given baytril. Baytril is an antibiotic and bloat alone is not a sign of infection. If his chest is clear, no discharge anywhere and no temperature then I honestly don't see a reason for an antibiotic. Particularly one that is an appetite killer and can actually cause gut stasis due to being hellish on their tummys. I can't advise you to go against veterinary advice but I would seriously question why he has been given this.

Surgery for a gut issue (unless completely obstructed by something) is total overkill. Handling of the guts during surgery actually causes adhesions which makes the situation 100 times worse.

Metacam can help with any discomfort.

Zantac is a prokinetic and will help to keep the guts moving. I would also request some metocloprimide- this works differently to zantac but can be given along side it and is my usual 2 pronged drug approach to bloat.

Keeping him moving is key to shift the gas. Let him roam around the floor or his usual exercise area- ofcourse only if he is willing, do not force him if he's too uncomfortable.

Messaging the tummy is a good idea too, and I have had Good results with vibrating pillows. I've also found vibrations from the car journey to the vet with a bloated pig has resulted in a poo explosion!

With the lack of poos then a burst of them, have you checked his bum to make sure he isn't impacted? This would look like a clump of poos in his anal sack that can fall out when it gets larger throughout the day.

He should be fine to eat his usual pellets if he wants them, personally I stop veg when there's bloat concerned but not everyone does. How is his appetite and weight? The key is fibre.. hay, hay and more hay. If u can get hold of hay he hasn't had before to spark an interest that will really help.

In case this is caused by an imbalance in the gut you could add in probiotics- pro-c from pets at home is a good one. It won't harm him even if it doesn't do any good. If u do carry on with the baytril however, it's vital u do give him probiotics 1-2 hours after each dose of baytril to minimise the gut side effects of the drug.

Ultimately I would either see another vet or question the current one regarding the antibiotics and request for metocloprimide. Eating little and often is key, syringe feeding critical care if he's not eating enough or simply removing veg and monitoring if his weight is stable. I really hope he rallies around soon.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all

So my little Jack has had bloat since before Christmas. It's been very unusual as it was happening over a 6-12 hour period of no poops, then lots of poops. He would still be eating during this and drinking. I took him to an out of hours emergency vet during the Christmas period which was the biggest waste of time as the vet said I need to wait until the exotic vet is back open! Nothing prescribed or done except giving me some critical care.

Yesterday evening Jack went to the exotic vet (first day she was back in after Christmas) and she was a bit perplexed, as he seems fine in himself except for visible bloat and hours between poops. An x ray showed there's slow movement in his small intestine and a gassy stomach. I feel like his bloat is in a vicious circle.

He's been prescribed Baytril, Zantac syrup and Metacam which was all given last night. Critical care (with a few drops of pineapple juice or he won't let me syringe it) is also being given twice daily. I've decided to only give him Zantac and less Metacam, as I don't think he took well to Baytril.

I'm trying all sorts, massage, no daily veg, hardly any pellets, I'm at a bit of a loss. I've ordered a vibrating pillow and may try some gripe later. Also bought a vibrating toothbrush.

The vet said to monitor him for five days, but mentioned surgery and squeezing his small intestine and the thought of this makes me want to collapse. Last resort but I hope we're not at that stage. I am wondering if he has chronic bloat now which I've read some piggies can get.

He lost his cage mate on Halloween (lymphoma) but has been largely fine, eating, usual self since then. Slightly quieter but mainly because he thought he was the boss with his rumble! I was looking to pair him up around now with a new boar (Jack hasn't been neutered) but I don't want the experience to stress him out further so I'm not sure what to do. There is a speed dating guinea pig sanctuary about 30 minutes drive from me, but he doesn't like car journeys and he's had a few lately.

Does anyone have any advice? I feel like we're stuck between a rock and a hard place! Jack is approximately 3 years old.

Hi!

I am very sorry; it can be very difficult to work out the cause when it is not a straight forward case.

A course of fibreplex may also help if his gut flora has gone out of kilter.
Metacam is for the discomfort; zantac for the bloating. I would consider asking for emeprid as it works on a different part of the gastro-intestinal tract. Metoclopramide is less ideal than emeprid unless you want to empty the guts as quickly as possible.
Gripe water is well worth trying with chronic/mild bloat. Give it ever 3-4 hours and see whether it is helping with dispersing the gas.
Please do not drop a medication without consulting your vet. There is usually a good reason why an experienced vet has prescribed it. You can always ring up the clinic and ask for that reason.

Here are our tips on bloat and diet tips for guinea pigs in with ongoing digestive problems:
Bloat, GI Stasis ( No Gut Movement) And Not Eating
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[Lady Kelly]

I wouldn't alter doses/meds that have been prescribed without consulting your vet again. There will always be reasons why the vet has prescribed the medication and in the stated dosage. You could end up lowering metacam to a point where it really isn't doing anything at all. If you feel that he hasn't reacted well to the baytril I would call the vet and discuss the signs that you have seen that are linked with giving baytril, if he needs an antibiotic the vet may be able to prescribe an alternative

 

[samji]

The vet said if he doesn't tolerate any of the meds to stop them. She didn't want to prescribe the other alternative to Baytril but to see how he was on it. I'll see how he is soon. Baytril was the med she said he could drop if needed. His chest/lungs etc are clear and he is otherwise healthy aside from the bloat (unless there is something which isn't obvious from examination/x ray). The vet didn't want to give Metoclopramide due to where the bloat is but considered it.

He's not impacted, I have tried to see if he is and the vet also tried this and he wasn't.

Metacam I've lowered due to when he's in a non-pooping phase, as I was warned that he needs to poo to be able to have it. Back to normal dose when he's pooping nicely.

I've bought some gripe water so will consider this too.

It is unusual as his weight is good for him (he fluctuates between 1.24 - 1.26) as he's 1.24 at the moment and he's eating periodically. Maybe not quite as much but not massively different, It's why I'm scratching my head!

Thanks for the advice fingers crossed for him, he's a fighter!

 

[Bill & Ted]

Fingers and toes crossed for a quick recovery x

 

[Adelle]

The vet said if he doesn't tolerate any of the meds to stop them. She didn't want to prescribe the other alternative to Baytril but to see how he was on it. I'll see how he is soon. Baytril was the med she said he could drop if needed. His chest/lungs etc are clear and he is otherwise healthy aside from the bloat (unless there is something which isn't obvious from examination/x ray). The vet didn't want to give Metoclopramide due to where the bloat is but considered it.

He's not impacted, I have tried to see if he is and the vet also tried this and he wasn't.

Metacam I've lowered due to when he's in a non-pooping phase, as I was warned that he needs to poo to be able to have it. Back to normal dose when he's pooping nicely.

I've bought some gripe water so will consider this too.

It is unusual as his weight is good for him (he fluctuates between 1.24 - 1.26) as he's 1.24 at the moment and he's eating periodically. Maybe not quite as much but not massively different, It's why I'm scratching my head!

Thanks for the advice fingers crossed for him, he's a fighter!

The fact the vet said an antibiotic can be dropped if needed, they clearly aren't concerned about an infection.. which brings me back to my original point of questioning it... as well as my statement of not advising you to go against veterinary advice ...

It sounds like you are doing all you can and little jack is lucky to have an owner that's on the ball! The fact he is maintaining his weight is a very positive sign. I really hope you can get him back on track x

 

[Wiebke]

The vet said if he doesn't tolerate any of the meds to stop them. She didn't want to prescribe the other alternative to Baytril but to see how he was on it. I'll see how he is soon. Baytril was the med she said he could drop if needed. His chest/lungs etc are clear and he is otherwise healthy aside from the bloat (unless there is something which isn't obvious from examination/x ray). The vet didn't want to give Metoclopramide due to where the bloat is but considered it.

He's not impacted, I have tried to see if he is and the vet also tried this and he wasn't.

Metacam I've lowered due to when he's in a non-pooping phase, as I was warned that he needs to poo to be able to have it. Back to normal dose when he's pooping nicely.

I've bought some gripe water so will consider this too.

It is unusual as his weight is good for him (he fluctuates between 1.24 - 1.26) as he's 1.24 at the moment and he's eating periodically. Maybe not quite as much but not massively different, It's why I'm scratching my head!

Thanks for the advice fingers crossed for him, he's a fighter!

Thank you for clarifying that point. Since we have to make our contributions, we can have to rely on your presentation without the benefit of scans or a hands-on examination, which means that we can only give any advice or question it based on your words and on our experiences, which may or may not be relevant for your specific case. If in any doubt or if you have any questions about medication, you can always contact the treating clinic.

 

[samji]

Thanks for your advice everyone. We've had a lot more normal poops so fingers crossed he's on the road to recovery. He coughed a tiny bit with critical care this morning, my reaction was to turn him so he faced the floor and he seemed fine after that.

He now weights 1.215 kg but I expected a drop due to very few pellets and no veg. Will monitor this closely. He also feels more squidgy rather than inflated/balloon like.

I'm going to call the vet for some advice today but I'm hoping he'll be back to normal shortly.