• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Gut stasis?

lauryn1289

lauryn1289

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 23, 2021
Messages
446
Reaction score
433
Points
380
Location
Ireland
I’ve posted about my pig Bobby and his bladder stone here Does anyone know what this noise means? (I didn’t wanna keep adding to this thread incase nobody sees this)

Today he’s not pooping normally, I’ve seen 2 poops in about 2 hours. Earlier there was maybe 5 huge poops in one go. He’s hunched over really badly and struggling and in really bad pain seemingly all day. He got his metacam .8mls, Septrin .43ml and Gabapentin .1ml this afternoon about 2pm. He keeps lying on his side and pushing his bum outwards. To add the poops he’s doing look really normal, ideal size and colour and everything just not enough of them

I spoke to his exotic vet which is unfortunately 2 hours away so getting him there this evening isn’t possible because they close at 7. She said his bladder stone may be causing a secondary problem with his bowels and to keep syringe feeding. They moved his bladder stone surgery up to tomorrow and will treat whatever bowel issues are there first, but in the meantime I’m wondering does anyone have any advice on what to do. My first ever piggy died of gut stasis in 2021 so I’m really worried.

He’s not touching hay, earlier he ate a little bit of timothy and a small bit of apple but otherwise not interested in food. He’s grunting and constantly squealing and hunched over and can’t get comfortable :( I’ve given him maybe 25mls of critical care in the past 2 hours and I have no idea if that’s way too much or what else to do. Any suggestions at all are welcome. :( He’s super uncomfortable and his tummy feels bloated
 
I’m sorry to hear this.
All you can do is continue to syringe feed. Give him as much as he will take at each sitting. It is your daily weight checks are your guide as to whether he is getting enough

Best wishes for his surgery tomorrow
 
Piggies&buns said:
I’m sorry to hear this.
All you can do is continue to syringe feed. Give him as much as he will take at each sitting. It is your daily weight checks are your guide as to whether he is getting enough

Best wishes for his surgery tomorrow
Click to expand...
He’s not wanting any so I’ve been struggling to decide if I’m overdoing it based on his reaction and was worried the water in critical care mix might bloat him further but thank you! I’ll keep going
 
Actually to add I’m concerned maybe I messed up his metacam dose. I’m absolutely certain the vet said up to 1.1mls twice daily (cat strength) and maybe I misunderstood and she meant 1.1ml divided up and I overdosed him, worried that’s what’s causing lack of bowel movement :( Last night he got about .6ml and today I gave him about .8 in increments when I saw it wasn’t having much effect. But I’m certain she said up to 1.1ml twice daily, because she commented on how my other vet was underdosing him by a lot at .25mls! Does anyone know if that could cause this or if it really is an overdose? I see so much conflicting info about metacam dosing. I feel terrible if this is my screw up
 
Another just to add but his weight has actually gone up by slightly over 100g if my scales is correct since he was last weighed a couple of days ago. Have no idea if this is normal weight or bloating/retention so I’m concerned about how much feeding he’s having with no pooping
 
lauryn1289 said:
I’ve posted about my pig Bobby and his bladder stone here Does anyone know what this noise means? (I didn’t wanna keep adding to this thread incase nobody sees this)

Today he’s not pooping normally, I’ve seen 2 poops in about 2 hours. Earlier there was maybe 5 huge poops in one go. He’s hunched over really badly and struggling and in really bad pain seemingly all day. He got his metacam .8mls, Septrin .43ml and Gabapentin .1ml this afternoon about 2pm. He keeps lying on his side and pushing his bum outwards. To add the poops he’s doing look really normal, ideal size and colour and everything just not enough of them

I spoke to his exotic vet which is unfortunately 2 hours away so getting him there this evening isn’t possible because they close at 7. She said his bladder stone may be causing a secondary problem with his bowels and to keep syringe feeding. They moved his bladder stone surgery up to tomorrow and will treat whatever bowel issues are there first, but in the meantime I’m wondering does anyone have any advice on what to do. My first ever piggy died of gut stasis in 2021 so I’m really worried.

He’s not touching hay, earlier he ate a little bit of timothy and a small bit of apple but otherwise not interested in food. He’s grunting and constantly squealing and hunched over and can’t get comfortable :( I’ve given him maybe 25mls of critical care in the past 2 hours and I have no idea if that’s way too much or what else to do. Any suggestions at all are welcome. :( He’s super uncomfortable and his tummy feels bloated
Click to expand...

Hi

BIG HUGS

It may be that his stone has gone into the urethra where boars have an awkward inglenook and where they can block the flow of urine. It is incredibly painful. Alternatively it could be a twisted gut or extreme bloat where the gut goes as hard as concrete. Grunting and twisting is a sign of extreme pain in the body.

Please see a vet as quickly as you can at any time of day.
 
lauryn1289 said:
Actually to add I’m concerned maybe I messed up his metacam dose. I’m absolutely certain the vet said up to 1.1mls twice daily (cat strength) and maybe I misunderstood and she meant 1.1ml divided up and I overdosed him, worried that’s what’s causing lack of bowel movement :( Last night he got about .6ml and today I gave him about .8 in increments when I saw it wasn’t having much effect. But I’m certain she said up to 1.1ml twice daily, because she commented on how my other vet was underdosing him by a lot at .25mls! Does anyone know if that could cause this or if it really is an overdose? I see so much conflicting info about metacam dosing. I feel terrible if this is my screw up
Click to expand...

Hi

You have not overdosed.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi

BIG HUGS

It may be that his stone has gone into the urethra where boars have an awkward inglenook and where they can block the flow of urine. It is incredibly painful. Alternatively it could be a twisted gut or extreme bloat where the gut goes as hard as concrete. Grunting and twisting is a sign of extreme pain in the body.

I am extremely sorry but a grunting guinea pig has always been one that I have raced to the out of hours vets for potential pts/eutanasia, and so far every vet who saw one of them has come to the same conclusion. I wish from the bottom of my heart I wouldn't have to write this.

Please see a vet as quickly as you can.
Click to expand...
The closest exotic vet is the one he’s going to tomorrow which is 2 hours away. His appointment is at 9:30am, so basically as soon as they open :( They’re not open out of hours unfortunately I wish they were I would bring him straight away tonight. He was like this the other night but it seemed to pass again the next day and he was more normal again. I’m praying he’ll make it to the appointment tomorrow and be okay, thank you for your honesty though :( I can feel small wet patches on his blanket with some tiny blood spots so he is actually peeing if that means anything at all. He’s just hunched over and crouching occasionally, idk if grunting is the best word but pretty consistent what sounds like wheeking. The “grunting” pretty much like what a rumblestrutting noise sounds like just louder. Idk if any of that makes a difference at all though
 
lauryn1289 said:
The closest exotic vet is the one he’s going to tomorrow which is 2 hours away. His appointment is at 9:30am, so basically as soon as they open :( They’re not open out of hours unfortunately I wish they were I would bring him straight away tonight. He was like this the other night but it seemed to pass again the next day and he was more normal again. I’m praying he’ll make it to the appointment tomorrow and be okay, thank you for your honesty though :(
Click to expand...

Please see the closest out of hours vet; it doesn't matter who but for your boy it very much matters how soon. Your boy is in absolute agony.
 
Wiebke said:
Please see the closest out of hours vet; it doesn't matter who but for your boy it very much matters how soon. Your boy is in absolute agony.
Click to expand...
Do you really think so? I spoke to the exotic vet earlier and explained everything and they didn’t seem that concerned, just about moving the surgery forward :( I also don’t think there even is any out of hours vets anywhere near, I live in such a rural area :(
 
lauryn1289 said:
Do you really think so? I spoke to the exotic vet earlier and explained everything and they didn’t seem that concerned, just about moving the surgery forward :( I also don’t think there even is any out of hours vets anywhere near, I live in such a rural area :(
Click to expand...

OK. If you can't get to a vet, just try to hang in there as best as you can. I am very sorry.
 
Wiebke said:
OK. If you can't get to a vet, just try to hang in there as best as you can. I am very sorry.
Click to expand...
I got speaking to a vet and their suggestion was to just leave him until the appointment and see what they think is best. I completely understand what you’re saying about euthanasia though, I’m just so worried about doing it prematurely if it’s something that can be solved. Just trying to think about his appointment is realistically a few hours away and we’ll be there is 12 hours which seems like a lifetime right now especially for him :( Thank you again
 
lauryn1289 said:
I’ve posted about my pig Bobby and his bladder stone here Does anyone know what this noise means? (I didn’t wanna keep adding to this thread incase nobody sees this)

Today he’s not pooping normally, I’ve seen 2 poops in about 2 hours. Earlier there was maybe 5 huge poops in one go. He’s hunched over really badly and struggling and in really bad pain seemingly all day. He got his metacam .8mls, Septrin .43ml and Gabapentin .1ml this afternoon about 2pm. He keeps lying on his side and pushing his bum outwards. To add the poops he’s doing look really normal, ideal size and colour and everything just not enough of them

I spoke to his exotic vet which is unfortunately 2 hours away so getting him there this evening isn’t possible because they close at 7. She said his bladder stone may be causing a secondary problem with his bowels and to keep syringe feeding. They moved his bladder stone surgery up to tomorrow and will treat whatever bowel issues are there first, but in the meantime I’m wondering does anyone have any advice on what to do. My first ever piggy died of gut stasis in 2021 so I’m really worried.

He’s not touching hay, earlier he ate a little bit of timothy and a small bit of apple but otherwise not interested in food. He’s grunting and constantly squealing and hunched over and can’t get comfortable :( I’ve given him maybe 25mls of critical care in the past 2 hours and I have no idea if that’s way too much or what else to do. Any suggestions at all are welcome. :( He’s super uncomfortable and his tummy feels bloated
Click to expand...

Hi, have you got any probiotics?
 
He’s just done 3 poops and a wee so hoping his everything is moving enough to tide him over til 9am for his appointment and still hoping it’s all operable :( Gonna get him his meds again at 9:30. Thanks again everyone, hope you all and your piggies are doing well x
 
w
Popcorns & Wheeks said:
My 🌈 Susie went into stasis early last year and I gave her probiotics. I believe this contributed to saving her life.
Click to expand...
I actually don’t, he’s just done 3 poops albeit weird shapes but I have two other piggies I could take some poop to make some “soup” from if you think it’s worthwhile! His antibiotic is due at around 9:30-10 so I could definitely syringe him some poop soup. Sorry to hear your Susie has passed by the way 💖
 
lauryn1289 said:
w

I actually don’t, but I have two other piggies I could take some poop to make some “soup” from if you think it’s worthwhile! His antibiotic is due at around 9:30-10 so I could definitely syringe him some poop soup
Click to expand...

Yes I think that's a good idea. It certainly won't do any harm and can only help. Poop soup and probiotics work hard at keeping the guts going and stable.
 
Wishing you and your piggy luck for tomorrow.

Could you check he isn’t impacted? My rainbow boy Gibson presented in the same almost all of a sudden agony and he was really bunged up.

You’d be able to feel quite quickly if he is xx
 
Two_Wheeks said:
Wishing you and your piggy luck for tomorrow.

Could you check he isn’t impacted? My rainbow boy Gibson presented in the same almost all of a sudden agony and he was really bunged up.

You’d be able to feel quite quickly if he is xx
Click to expand...
Thank you so much and I actually checked first thing and he wasn’t! But he has pooped (but who’s counting) around 6 times in the past little bit so at least there’s something x Sorry about your Gibson also :(
 
As long as there are some poops emerging I wouldn't be that worried about stasis at this point... but I would be upset about his pain too. The pain might actually be as the poops move through the gut and past the bladder. Does he feel bloated and tight like a drum on his sides? Bloat can be very uncomfortable. 1.1ml of cat is about 0.4ml of dog and that's what George has twice a day. You'll know if you overdo it because they'll look rough and hunched for a couple of hours after the dose but then pick up again as their system starts to burn through it. George would chirp when peeing then do a sudden strained 'grunt' at the end presumably as his empty bladder contracted around his massive stone. And he did start to poop very gingerly at times and make noise while he did it. It's not comfortable. it's good that they've brought your op forwards. Soft surfaces for him to lie on - anything you can to try and make him comfy. If you have a heat pad that's comforting. We also use hot water bottles on the outside of the cages pressed against the walls to warm them up (piggies nibble rubber so not inside the cages unless very securely wrapped). We used warmth to help Louise through her bloat, and for George with his stone. Louise laid on my lap on a fleece with a water bottle underneath her while I massaged her sides using the handle of an electric toothbrush. She stayed still for that, so it can't have been unpleasant. They don't burp - you can't burp them on your shoulder like a baby. All the gas has to go through. Make sure any warmth is not too hot, and that piggy can move away from the heat source if he needs to.
Good luck, we'll be praying for him tonight x
 
Free Ranger said:
As long as there are some poops emerging I wouldn't be that worried about stasis at this point... but I would be upset about his pain too. The pain might actually be as the poops move through the gut and past the bladder. Does he feel bloated and tight like a drum on his sides? Bloat can be very uncomfortable. 1.1ml of cat is about 0.4ml of dog and that's what George has twice a day. You'll know if you overdo it because they'll look rough and hunched for a couple of hours after the dose but then pick up again as their system starts to burn through it. George would chirp when peeing then do a sudden strained 'grunt' at the end presumably as his empty bladder contracted around his massive stone. And he did start to poop very gingerly at times and make noise while he did it. It's not comfortable. it's good that they've brought your op forwards. Soft surfaces for him to lie on - anything you can to try and make him comfy. If you have a heat pad that's comforting. We also use hot water bottles on the outside of the cages pressed against the walls to warm them up (piggies nibble rubber so not inside the cages unless very securely wrapped). We used warmth to help Louise through her bloat, and for George with his stone. Louise laid on my lap on a fleece with a water bottle underneath her while I massaged her sides using the handle of an electric toothbrush. She stayed still for that, so it can't have been unpleasant. They don't burp - you can't burp them on your shoulder like a baby. All the gas has to go through. Make sure any warmth is not too hot, and that piggy can move away from the heat source if he needs to.
Good luck, we'll be praying for him tonight x
Click to expand...
That’s almost exactly how he’s been acting! Lots of hunching and arching like a crescent moon and chirping and whining when pooping/peeing. Couldn’t get comfy at all and was stretching his legs out and sometimes even shaking. I assumed the stone was just causing some serious pain when peeing now because of its size but when I spoke to the vet they got me concerned about gut stasis and how little he had pooped so naturally I panicked. He feels heavier and his weight seems to have gone up over 100g if my scales isn’t totally inaccurate but I wouldn’t say tight, his tummy feels soft and “marshmallow”y if that’s any description at all

His pooping has increased and he’s a lot calmer now. He still seems absolutely miserable and isn’t really interested in food or hay but he’s putting up with the syringe feeding at least, still the occasional whine and uncomfy movement coming from inside his hidey. He’s only wanting to be alone inside his hidey, but he’s lying on a fleece blanket and the radiator was just on for him so his area is warm. Going to be leaving the for the vet in 6 hours so I’ll make sure he’s comfy inside his carrier and the car is nice and warm for him too, and get up every couple hours for a syringe feeding. Thanks so much x
 
Hi all, just on the way to the vet now and they’re scheduled to keep him at least one night for observation but I’m kinda in two minds about what to do. It’s not a veterinary hospital so there’s nobody there from closing until opening so 7pm-9am so I’m just really worried about him not eating for that amount of time. :( But I also would obviously prefer him to have proper supervision so I’m really stuck on what to do. Does anyone have any suggestion which might be the better option here?
 
No suggestions other than asking if you can bring him home overnight - he won't be under proper supervision if he is alone for that length of time. Perhaps they can observe him all day, make a clinical decision and send him home when they close with some pain meds for you to give him, plus an emergency 'what to do' list?
Keeping everything crossed for you and your little man
 
:agr: He’s not being observed if he is alone for 14 hours

I’d also be concerned about him being left for that amount of time after surgery without the ability to be syringe fed if needed.
 
He’s coming home after the surgery if all goes well! They completely understood about leaving him with no supervision. He’ll be coming home with pain meds and she said she’ll send instructions on what injections he’ll need to the vets closer to me so they can do it for him. He’s gone in for his surgery now. Hoping for the best! So nervewracking :(
 
Piggies&buns said:
:agr: He’s not being observed if he is alone for 14 hours

I’d also be concerned about him being left for that amount of time after surgery without the ability to be syringe fed if needed.
Click to expand...
My thoughts exactly, they’re doing his surgery first thing so he can come home tonight at closing if all goes well
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top