EMERGENCY! Wilbur not pooping

[Alyssaer]

Hi guys, I recently got a guinea pig Wilbur who contracted a virus from his brother from pet smart. I took him to the vet and he is on meds. Recently I’ve noticed a lack of poop in his cage. He is still eating— not as much as he used to but he still will eat some. The vet isn’t open til Monday. I have no idea what to do. Any thoughts? This is an emergency

 

[Alyssaer]

He is also not wanting to be held anymore— and is getting mad when I’m near his cage

 

[Neesy95]

You need to step in with syringe feeding if he's not eating. You should also try to find an out of hours emergency vet just in case things deteriorate further.

Is he on antibiotics by any chance? Antibiotics can kill the apetite, and maybe this is why he's not eating. If this is the case, maybe step in and give some probiotics (specific guinea pig probiotics that can be bought online or in a pet store). Or ideally even better, poop soup. This is where you get fresh poop from a healthy piggy (must be a healthy piggy and must be a fresh poop) and add the poop to some warm water and then syringe feed the water to Wilbur. This will transfer some of the good bacteria from the healthy poop into Wilbur system and hopefully get him wanting to eat again.

In order to make syringe food you should really buy (or ideally already have) critical care. It's a dry sort of kibble (or powder) that you mix with water and syringe feed to the piggy to ensure they are getting food in their system. If you don't have any critical care please do use whatever dry food you normally give them, and add to some warm water and mix until you have a paste that you can syringe feed.

You will need a 1ml syringe (nothing bigger as you won't be able to control the correct amount of food you will be giving at any one time). And you will need to feed about 0.3ml at a time, it's a slow process but a really vital one to ensure you piggy gets the best chances.

I will post some really useful links up in my next comment, all found on this forum created by the experts.

I myself am not a piggy expert but I can give you the basic advice needed until the experts do come online.

Its nearly 1am in the UK and the forum members are mainly from the UK so many may be asleep now.

I know that they will ask for you to keep any updates on Wilbur and his condition on this same thread so that they can help when needed as it's easier to track just one thread.
If there are any other significant chanhes or symptoms please do update on here so that the experts can help. Again sadly I'm not really an expert but these are the things I know should be done and hopefully can help in the meantime until someone with much more knowledge can help you.

I will get the links and post them for you now.

Take care and hope Wilbur is okay!

 

[Neesy95]

Emergency Resources and Critical Illness Care - Contents list and subforum link

Section 3 will be really useful. This will include bridging care information, and syringe feeding information.

The whole of the link I sent you has great information but if you don't have the time to go through the whole thing now, section 3 contains vital information that would be great use to you now. And then read the rest of the guide when you can. It's all really amazing information

Take care

 

[Hope4gem]

You've been given good advice above.

 

[weepweeps]

How’s Wilbur doing?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Reduced poop output is due to reduced hay intake. Please do step in and syringe feed a fibre rich recovery feed or mushed pellets to replace the hay he is not eating for himself. You must also switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him daily so you can monitor that he is getting enough syringe feed in each 24 hour period to keep his weight stable.

Let us know how you get on at the vets. I hope he is ok

The emergency guide and syringe feeding guide are linked below

Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Weight - Monitoring and Management

 

[Merab]

Hope the vet can give you an answer and the right treatment.
Holding you in my thoughts.

 

[Alyssaer]

You need to step in with syringe feeding if he's not eating. You should also try to find an out of hours emergency vet just in case things deteriorate further.

Is he on antibiotics by any chance? Antibiotics can kill the apetite, and maybe this is why he's not eating. If this is the case, maybe step in and give some probiotics (specific guinea pig probiotics that can be bought online or in a pet store). Or ideally even better, poop soup. This is where you get fresh poop from a healthy piggy (must be a healthy piggy and must be a fresh poop) and add the poop to some warm water and then syringe feed the water to Wilbur. This will transfer some of the good bacteria from the healthy poop into Wilbur system and hopefully get him wanting to eat again.

In order to make syringe food you should really buy (or ideally already have) critical care. It's a dry sort of kibble (or powder) that you mix with water and syringe feed to the piggy to ensure they are getting food in their system. If you don't have any critical care please do use whatever dry food you normally give them, and add to some warm water and mix until you have a paste that you can syringe feed.

You will need a 1ml syringe (nothing bigger as you won't be able to control the correct amount of food you will be giving at any one time). And you will need to feed about 0.3ml at a time, it's a slow process but a really vital one to ensure you piggy gets the best chances.

I will post some really useful links up in my next comment, all found on this forum created by the experts.

I myself am not a piggy expert but I can give you the basic advice needed until the experts do come online.

Its nearly 1am in the UK and the forum members are mainly from the UK so many may be asleep now.

I know that they will ask for you to keep any updates on Wilbur and his condition on this same thread so that they can help when needed as it's easier to track just one thread.
If there are any other significant chanhes or symptoms please do update on here so that the experts can help. Again sadly I'm not really an expert but these are the things I know should be done and hopefully can help in the meantime until someone with much more knowledge can help you.

I will get the links and post them for you now.

Take care and hope Wilbur is okay!

Thank you for getting back to me and for all the advice. He is on antibiotics currently so maybe that’s why he is not eating/pooping much. I’m going to syringe feed him today his oxbow pellets (is that ok?) and if nothing is moving I will feed him some poop soup.

 

[Neesy95]

Yeah I believe any nuggets/pellets will do in this situation in a pinch. You can buy something specific called critical care also made by oxbow which would be best to use in this situation.

And honestly if you just need to get his gut healthy flora back, then you could do both! Syringe feed to top him up and keep his weight and also give him poo soup too and that will hopefully get his apetite back!

Please do read the guides we have posted on the thread as it will really help and hopefully fill you with confidence that you are doing the correct steps to ensure he is okay.

Please do not delay on starting the syringe feeding, it will really help with his recovery.

 

[Piggies&buns]

What is taking antibiotics for?

You must syringe feed either mushed pellets or a recovery feed to replace his food intake. This will need to be done every two hours if he isn’t eating anything for himself. Feed as much as he will twke per sitting and as many sittings as is necessary to keep his weight stable. This is quite literally a life saving and essential step for a poorly piggy.

Antibiotics can affect the gut as they can also kill of the good gut bacteria as well as the bad illness causing bacteria. It’s recommended to give a probiotic, or use poop soup, a few times a day when a piggy is on antibiotics.
If you are going to use poop soup the the poops must be from a healthy companion and be only just use produced poops.
It is explained in this guide Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

 

[Wiebke]

What is taking antibiotics for?

You must syringe feed either mushed pellets or a recovery feed to replace his food intake. This will need to be done every two hours if he isn’t eating anything for himself. This is quite literally a life saving and essential step for a poorly piggy.

Antibiotics can affect the gut as they can also kill of the good gut bacteria as well as the bad illness causing bacteria. It’s recommended to give a probiotic, or use poop soup, a few times a day when a piggy is on antibiotics.
If you are going to use poop soup the the poops must be from a healthy companion and only just use produced poops.
It is explained in this guide Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry that your piggy is so poorly. Which antibiotic have you been prescribed?

Here is our newly updated very practical medicating and support feeding guide with videos and pictures and all the how-to tips, including how to improvise in a sudden crisis - with pictures.
It is absolutely vital that you keep the gut going; no medication can work if your piggy dies from lack of food.
Please click on the link: All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Some antibiotics can also impact on the digestive 'good' bacteria in the gut and cause loss of appetite.

 

[Alyssaer]

What is taking antibiotics for?

You must syringe feed either mushed pellets or a recovery feed to replace his food intake. This will need to be done every two hours if he isn’t eating anything for himself. Feed as much as he will twke per sitting and as many sittings as is necessary to keep his weight stable. This is quite literally a life saving and essential step for a poorly piggy.

Antibiotics can affect the gut as they can also kill of the good gut bacteria as well as the bad illness causing bacteria. It’s recommended to give a probiotic, or use poop soup, a few times a day when a piggy is on antibiotics.
If you are going to use poop soup the the poops must be from a healthy companion and be only just use produced poops.
It is explained in this guide Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

He is taking it for a sneeze and runny nose/watery eyes. They didn’t say exactly what for. What’s confusing is that he seems to be eating… maybe not as much hay but he is eating veggies and things. But thank you for your advice I will be taking good care of him.

 

[Piggies&buns]

He is taking it for a sneeze and runny nose/watery eyes. They didn’t say exactly what for. What’s confusing is that he seems to be eating… maybe not as much hay but he is eating veggies and things. But thank you for your advice I will be taking good care of him.

Sounds like it might be a respiratory infection.

Hay is 80% of the daily food intake; Veggies are only 15%. Any reduction in hay intake has a huge impact and must be replaced by regular syringe feeding for the duration of the illness or until piggy starts to be able to maintain their weight by eating sufficient hay. Eating veggies simply doesn’t provide enough food nor fibre to keep the gut functioning properly - as you have found by his reduced poops.
Please do make sure you weigh him once every day (at the same time everyday) so you can monitor that he is getting enough syringe feed to keep his weight stable.

 

[Wiebke]

He is taking it for a sneeze and runny nose/watery eyes. They didn’t say exactly what for. What’s confusing is that he seems to be eating… maybe not as much hay but he is eating veggies and things. But thank you for your advice I will be taking good care of him.

Your boy being treated for a bacterial respiratory infection (URI) which is rather common in new guinea pigs. It can be deadly or damage permanently if left untreated or under-treated, so every vet will treat if in the least doubt before looking at any other angles.

 

[Alyssaer]

Sounds like it might be a respiratory infection.

Hay is 80% of the daily food intake; Veggies are only 15%. Any reduction in hay intake has a huge impact and must be replaced by regular syringe feeding for the duration of the illness or until piggy starts to be able to maintain their weight by eating sufficient hay. Eating veggies simply doesn’t provide enough food nor fibre to keep the gut functioning properly - as you have found by his reduced poops.
Please do make sure you weigh him once every day (at the same time everyday) so you can monitor that he is getting enough syringe feed to keep his weight stable.

I’ve mashed up the pellets with lots of water and it’s not going in the syringe? I’m kind of freaking out. If I water it down more will he even be getting any food in his system?

 

[Neesy95]

Did you cut the tip of the syringe off? Like the thin tip bit? This makes it easier for the mix to get syringed up? Make sure you cut it off but that it's not sharp and that when you do get to feeding him, the part you press down doesn't go into his mouth. I doubt I'm explaining it properly, but this is also written in the guides we have posted for you to refer to. I'm sure it explains it better there, and there's pictures and stuff there for you to refer too aswell.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’ve mashed up the pellets with lots of water and it’s not going in the syringe? I’m kind of freaking out. If I water it down more will he even be getting any food in his system?

Are the pellets properly soft and mushy?
Make sure to cut the tapered end off the syringe.
I do find it is harder using mushed pellets than a proper recovery feed though

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[Alyssaer]

Did you cut the tip of the syringe off? Like the thin tip bit? This makes it easier for the mix to get syringed up? Make sure you cut it off but that it's not sharp and that when you do get to feeding him, the part you press down doesn't go into his mouth. I doubt I'm explaining it properly, but this is also written in the guides we have posted for you to refer to. I'm sure it explains it better there, and there's pictures and stuff there for you to refer too aswell.

I am trying my best it’s kind of going in. He’s very stressed out— I don’t want to force feed him but he really does not want it at all. I’m going to take him in first thing in the morning. Sorry to bother you all. Should I try poop soup now or continue to feed him even though it’s forced ?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I am trying my best it’s kind of going in. He’s very stressed out— I don’t want to force feed him but he really does not want it at all. I’m going to take him in first thing in the morning. Sorry to bother you all. Should I try poop soup now or continue to feed him even though it’s forced ?

Food is more important than poop soup.
Poop soup will just help replace bacteria and while it will help settle his digestive system, it isn’t food and won’t keep him going

 

[Neesy95]

I am trying my best it’s kind of going in. He’s very stressed out— I don’t want to force feed him but he really does not want it at all. I’m going to take him in first thing in the morning. Sorry to bother you all. Should I try poop soup now or continue to feed him even though it’s forced ?

I know its hard when they don't want to eat it, but you just have to try to keep him calm and feed him, he really really needs the food it's so important. Need to keep his guts going.

As the post before mine says, poop soup is only to help his digestive system get back on track, it won't be able to keep him fed or keep his weight up. It won't hurt to try giving him some to see if it brings his apetite back, but you will still need to syringe feed, until he's back to independently eating his usual amount and keeping his own weight up by himself.

It looks like you are doing well in terms of the syringe feed and actually getting it in the syringe.

Bless little Wilbur, hope he feels well soon, he's gorgeous, just got to keep getting the food down him, it's super important.

Its wonderful he has a vet appointment tomorrow.

 

[Alyssaer]

I know its hard when they don't want to eat it, but you just have to try to keep him calm and feed him, he really really needs the food it's so important. Need to keep his guts going.

As the post before mine says, poop soup is only to help his digestive system get back on track, it won't be able to keep him fed or keep his weight up.

It looks like you are doing well in terms of the syringe feed and actually getting it in the syringe.

Bless little Wilbur, hope he feels well soon, he's gorgeous, just got to keep getting the food down him, it's super important.

Its wonderful he has a vet appointment tomorrow.

Okay thank you so much. I’m going to do everything in my power to keep Wilbur healthy.

 

[Wiebke]

I’ve mashed up the pellets with lots of water and it’s not going in the syringe? I’m kind of freaking out. If I water it down more will he even be getting any food in his system?

Hi

Please follow the tips on how to prep the syringe tip (the link contains pictures) to allow the fibre to pass but still hold the plunger in. PLEASE take the time to read the guide links in this thread because they contain all the practical how-to tips that we cannot tell at length in every post - it will make things a lot easier for you and help you to avoid the kind of panics you are experiencing when stressed out. The guide also contains practical tips on how to deal with stressed and uncooperative piggies, from piggy whispering tips to help with holds - in pictures and videos that show you exactly how to handle things and how you can avoid rookie mistakes off all sorts.

Here is the how-to link again: All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[Alyssaer]

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry that your piggy is so poorly. Which antibiotic have you been prescribed?

Here is our newly updated very practical medicating and support feeding guide with videos and pictures and all the how-to tips, including how to improvise in a sudden crisis - with pictures.
It is absolutely vital that you keep the gut going; no medication can work if your piggy dies from lack of food.
Please click on the link: All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Some antibiotics can also impact on the digestive 'good' bacteria in the gut and cause loss of appetite.

Here’s what he’s been pescribed

 

[Wiebke]

Here’s what he’s been pescribed

Hi

Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim are the active in ingredients in the second most commonly used antibiotic for guinea pigs. It is better known under the brand names bactrim (USA) or sulfatrim/septrin in the UK if you want to google for information.

It depends in what it illness it has been prescribed for, the dosage and your piggy's weight.

Please be aware there is a difference between recovery/feeding products (like Critical Care formula and mushed up pellets which are for the diminished or total loss of appetite, mainly replacing the ca. 75-80% hay/grass fibre in the diet that a guinea pig schould eat in a day) and gut support products which help with supporting the affected gut microbiome (probiotics and 'poo soup') and that support the digestive process.
The syringe feeding and medicating guide contains more information on support products as well.

 

[Alyssaer]

Hi everyone, Wilbur is starting to poop again. It’s not much but it’s progress! I syringe fed him to the best of my ability. He wasn’t a fan at all but he made it through with some head scratches and whispering. I had to switch over to different pellets that were able to pass through the syringe easier. (only did this for emergency reasons, I am aware this should not be done in normal circumstances) I caught him by his food bowl a couple minutes ago, and it seems like he likes the pellets. I mixed it in with his regular pellets and gave him a choice of soft pellets or hard pellets. Really anything that can hold him over til I can get him to the vet will have to do. He’s drinking plenty of water now. I’ll keep you updated.

 

[Neesy95]

Well done, I'm glad little Wilbur has started to eat for himself again, please do not stop syringe feeding until he is back to eating his usual amount and holding his own weight. It's definitely great he's started eating again, just please do not stop topping him up with syringe feed. I have noticed with my own piggies they are great at looking well and eating on their own for a bit but very quickly they stop again. They are very good at hiding when they are not feeling well

Please let us know how you get on at the vets.

 

[Alyssaer]

Wilbur update: I brought him to the vet and she gave me some sort of laxative as well as some other med and critical care food. Vet was a little concerned when I mentioned that during his tummy problems he ate some of his bedding (this was after he stopped eating) but she says he seems to be doing good. Turns out he’s gained some weight since his last visit (which was a week ago) so that was good to hear… he is now on 5 different meds (poor baby) but he’s getting through it.I’m trying to go slow with Wilbur as he’s been under a lot of stress. The critical care food fits In the syringe so well so that’s a big relief. Thank you all for your help, this forum has been such a big help as a new Guineapig owner.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Keep at it!
I do find a recovery feed much easier than pellet mush.

Are you weighing him yourself every day at home?

 

[Alyssaer]

Keep at it!
I do find a recovery feed much easier than pellet mush.

Are you weighing him yourself every day at home?

Yes however, I was using a human scale because that’s all I had so on that scale it said he lost some weight but the one at the vet is actually made for animals so I trust that more!