Guinepig Diarrhea

[Killeroc]

Hi,

Our little Pan, a crested guineapig, has had diarrhea since he was about 1. He's now 3. We have been to multiple vets, have had all tests done but nothing has shown up and we continue the same routine of taking him off greens. The vets at this stage have said we know our guineapig better than they do because nothing shows up on their tests. We've changed hay, pellets, added fibre pellets, yet nothing seems to work.

Has anyone had the same issue. They have said it might be irritable bowel syndrome, and just to monitor it ourselves. He's still happy enough, runs around, has snuggles, but wanted to know if there are any other methods people have tried apart from just bringing their guineapig to the vet and giving them fibreplex and critical care

 

[Siikibam]

Is it runny diarrhoea or soft stools? Is it at all related to the veg he is eating, if any at all?

 

[Killeroc]

Thanks for the reply. He gets both. At the moment its soft stools. But there is no logical reason for it. We give him a small amount of veg, because since it started happening we are aware of not overfeeding him. When it starts we take him off it, but it doesn't seem to have an impact. We try to keep him as clean as possible to ensure that he doesn't eat the bad poo in case it is irritable bowel syndrome or gut related. Our other guineapig, an American guineapig, is the complete opposite and has never had a health issue.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the reply. He gets both. At the moment its soft stools. But there is no logical reason for it. We give him a small amount of veg, because since it started happening we are aware of not overfeeding him. When it starts we take him off it, but it doesn't seem to have an impact. We try to keep him as clean as possible to ensure that he doesn't eat the bad poo in case it is irritable bowel syndrome or gut related. Our other guineapig, an American guineapig, is the complete opposite and has never had a health issue.

Hi!

Has he been seen and diagnosed by a vet? We can't tell you what is wrong sight unseen. Home research - especially if you are suffering from anxiety - can be very counterproductive because you are naturally attracted to th worst things but you do not have the training to put things in a medical context. Diagnosing is a lot more complex than just adding up symptoms, as most people assume.
We can also not tell you whether the problem is primary or secondary (i.e. caused by another underlying problem).

Please don't prevent him from eating poos; it is important for guinea pigs.

Please take him off any vet completely until the poos have firmed up again for at least 48 hours. Consider a course of Bene Bac as you seem to come from outside the UK. You may also want to consider trying 'poo soup' i.e. live healthy gut microbiome transfer from his mate to help reinoculate the gut with exactly the tailor-made 'right stuff'. it is a bit gross but it actually works since mimics natural behaviour.
When re-introducing fresh food, you need to take it slowly with a little fresh herbs at first and then gradually adding a new veg to every meal but be prepared to stop asap if the poos are not fine.
Stay off any root veg, grains and fresh fruit; they are the biggest cause for dybiosis (overgrowth of the wrong bacteria in the gut).

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets (see chapter special diets)
Guinea Lynx :: Diarrhea
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
Weight - Monitoring and Management (your kitchen scales are your best and most reliable health monitoring tool).

 

[Killeroc]

Thanks Wiebke, yeah we have been to multiple vets in two years, who have done every test that can be done apart from surgery - one suggested surgery but because it's a guineapig they said there are a lot of complications that can go with surgery. None of them, despite all the tests know what the issue is. So the last time they said instead of coming to them and them not knowing the issue, we might know best how to deal with it.

We do use probiotic. Should we allow him eat his diarrhea / soft poo? We haven't tried the poo soup, so will give that a go.

Thank you for your help

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks Wiebke, yeah we have been to multiple vets in two years, who have done every test that can be done apart from surgery - one suggested surgery but because it's a guineapig they said there are a lot of complications that can go with surgery. None of them, despite all the tests know what the issue is. So the last time they said instead of coming to them and them not knowing the issue, we might know best how to deal with it.

We do use probiotic. Should we allow him eat his diarrhea / soft poo? We haven't tried the poo soup, so will give that a go.

Thank you for your help

Most piggies won't eat poos that are not smelling right.

All the best. It is difficult when you can't get at the bottom of what is causing the problem.

 

[Killeroc]

Pan feels much better today. It's odd because even a check up visit to the vet can give him dodgy poo. It's so strange. But he has no dodgy poo today and is back to his pain in the ass self. We didn't manage to give him the poo soup because he is better today but thank you for your support. It's good to have a community when required.