cow pads/ diarrhoea

[Wizzy]

My 6.5 year old guinea pig Rexy had a horrible bloat episode almost 2 weeks ago, and seems to have recovered from that. she’ll softly squeak for food, drink lots of water and is keeping her weight.
i haven’t given her any veg in 2 weeks, she’s only had science selective recovery plus syringe food (i syringe her about 5-10mls a day to help her put weight back on, plus she loves the taste)
she has hay and pellets as well and a few pea flakes but no veg.
however today she has some very worrying poos that i’ve only just noticed. they are cow pat like, and some are runny like diarrhoea and only vaguely have a jellybean shape. it also sounds a bit like she does a fat when she poops, but this is only noticeable when i listen carefully. she is so much better in herself than a few weeks ago which confuses me. i think she is in a little pain when she poops however. what should i do?

 

[Wizzy]

i forgot to mention!:
she doesn’t feel bloated at all. 2 weeks ago there was a clear gas bubble in her stomach but her stomach feels fine now. i could also hear gurgling noises when i listened although they were a little less consistent than my other pigs.

 

[Wizzy]

I really don’t think this is bloat returning as her stomach is fine, but could she have some sort of gut infection? does that happen in guinea pigs? what could it be caused by?

 

[Wizzy]

is it possible that pea flakes could be causing the suddenness of this all?

 

[Piggies&buns]

We would normally say to take a piggy off of veg if they are having a digestive upset and see if that improves things, but given your piggy isn’t on veg then there is nothing for you to remove to see if the gut stabilises, so I would take her to the vet to be checked.

Are you giving her any probiotics? That may help
Is she eating well for herself and maintaining her weight?
I would stop giving the pea flakes, just in case

Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

 

[Wizzy]

i’m giving her the supreme science recovery plus food, but no probiotics. i’ve just ordered some fibreplex. what could be causing this if not veg?

 

[Wizzy]

she is pooping a lot, but they are still very soft. what should i ask the vet for?

 

[KathT]

I would contact the vet and get a consultation with them, then they will advise you what needs to be done.

 

[Wizzy]

I would contact the vet and get a consultation with them, then they will advise you what needs to be done.

thank you! her poos have hardened but are still rather soft. would i be okay in booking an appointment for tomorrow?

 

[Wizzy]

can guinea pigs get sort of gut infections? i’m about to ring the vet. what can i do until tomorrow?

 

[Wizzy]

- vet said to give probiotics and see how she is in the morning. off to pets at home to buy some. she also has a top up of ss recovery food and hasn’t lost any weight since last week. she was originally at 870g and is staying at 825g now.

 

[KathT]

Follow your vets advice and if she doesn’t improve then contact them again.

 

[Wizzy]

ive been tested positive (again!) so obviously i can’t leave my house or reach a vet. what should i do? what can i do?! this is the worst possible timing!

 

[Piggies&buns]

ive been tested positive (again!) so obviously i can’t leave my house or reach a vet. what should i do? what can i do?! this is the worst possible timing!

I’m sorry to hear that.
do you have a neighbour/friend/family member who can take her to the vet? You could call the vet in advance or write a letter to tell them the problem.

 

[Wizzy]

I’m sorry to hear that.
do you have a neighbour/friend/family member who can take her to the vet? You could call the vet in advance or write a letter to tell them the problem.

i’m at a loss honestly. i’ve been giving her probiotics but they aren’t particularly helping. my only comfort now is that she’s still eating. i seemed to have picked it up from my mother who’s also tested positive, and as my stepfather is essentially blind, no one else can drive. i’m calling around and will try my best. what can i do for her in the meantime?

 

[Wizzy]

these are from just now.

 

[Wizzy]

my dad has offered to drive an hour to pick up my guinea pig (must be where i get my animal loving genes from ) but he won’t be able to until tomorrow evening. unfortunately the guinea pig vet only works mornings and early afternoon, so we’ll have to see the general vet. still, that’s better than nothing. as the vet is less experienced with guinea pigs, what should i ask for? am i correct in thinking this is some sort of gut infection?

 

[Wizzy]

another update: he now can’t get here until tomorrow afternoon. what can i do until then? i’m carrying on with the probiotics.

 

[Piggies&buns]

There’s little you can do other than just feeding hay (no veg) and continuing with the probiotic. Have you spoken to the vet on the phone again?

 

[Wizzy]

There’s little you can do other than just feeding hay (no veg) and continuing with the probiotic. Have you spoken to the vet on the phone again?

yes i called the vet. we had a long conversation and she said as long as she keeps eating and stays hydrated. i’ve been giving rexy probiotics every two hours or so, she drinks it from the syringe happily. she said if she stops eating or moving to call the emergency number straight away for advice. no veg, lots of hay.

 

[Wizzy]

Hi again,
We took Rexy to the vet who just just gave us more syringe food and said to keep giving the probiotics and give fibre. my only problem now is that rexy has a day or two of normal poo and then back to diarrhoea. it’s never particularly watery but is definitely not normal. and there seems to be nothing triggering it, as i’m not feeding any veg. only probiotics and recovery food. the vet has just told us to keep giving fibre and pro c, but is there anything else i can do? should i be doing anything else?