• 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

Dental Gut stasis

C

cukrusircukrus

New Born Pup
Joined
Jan 30, 2025
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
25
Location
Lithuania
Hello everyone,

I need some advice and support regarding my 5-year-old male guinea pig (1kg).
It all started with bloat and gut stasis. Simethicone was prescribed, but his condition didn’t improve. Unfortunately, the vet went on vacation, so I had to find another doctor. One of the vets injected ivermectin, but soon after, he developed severe lethargy and watery diarrhea. Thankfully, he survived.

Later, another vet discovered overgrown teeth and trimmed them. His heart and lungs were checked and found to be fine. Also, enrofloxacin was prescribed. Now, he is still struggling with gut stasis, and it's the third day since his teeth were trimmed. He is not eating on his own yet, and I have been syringe-feeding him for almost four weeks now. He eat just lettuce, few straws of hay sometimes and dill.
I am looking for advice and support from anyone who has dealt with a similar situation.

How long does it usually take for a guinea pig to start eating on their own after a dental procedure?
Could gut stasis still be the reason for his lack of appetite, even though he is pooping?
Any tips to encourage him to eat hay again?

Any help or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
 
I'm afraid I have no advice but can send healing rumbles from my boys ❤️
 
I can’t advise as I have no experience.
You are in my thoughts as you deal with this difficult situation
 
I’m no expert on dental issues but in my experience piggies need plenty of plain relief after dental surgery - is he on pain relief? And support feeding with syringe feed until they are able to feed themselves. I’ll link the syringe feeding hope for you.

Wiebke

Thread 'Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre'

- Not eating and the need to eat fibre
- How much to feed a very ill guinea pig?
- Important advice for syringe feeding


Not eating and the need to eat fibre

If your guinea pig goes off any food or suddenly eats noticeably less, then it is seriously ill and needs to see a vet for a diagnosis and treatment for whatever problem is causing the loss of appetite. In many cases, it is either the need to breathe (which comes before the need to drink or the need to eat), the inability to eat or swallow (like problems with the teeth, especially those at the...
  • Like


Wiebke

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

Introduction
1 Choosing the right place to medicate/feed your piggy
2 Guinea pig whispering and asserting your authority
3 Recovery products and emergency improvisation
4 Syringe recommendations
5 Weight monitoring: your biggest ally
6 Weight loss guidelines and when to step in with feeding
7 Syringe feeding amounts/frequency advice
8 Practical medication and syringing tips
9 Medicating and feeding cooperative guinea pigs (videos)
10 Medicating and feeding uncooperative guinea pigs (hold pictures and tips)
11 The line between life and...
  • Like
  • Love
 
I’m sorry to hear this.

From the medication you list, he has never been given any gut stimulants or painkillers.
He definitely needs painkillers following dental treatment.

Simethicone won’t cut through acute bloat and isn’t actually recommended to be used.
Ivermectin is to treat parasites.
Enrofloxacin is an antibiotic. Antibiotics can contribute to them losing their appetite. We recommend a probiotic is given when a piggy js on antibiotics as it can help settle the gut and replace the friendly gut bacteria which is impacted by an Antibiotic.
He definitely needs a painkiller though.

I would recommend you ensure you weigh him every morning so you are certain he is getting enough syringe feed each day to maintain his weight.
I would also recommend you speak to the vet regarding pain relief
 
I’ve been syringe feeding him for about a month after he survived bloat (i didnt write all medications: simeticone and metaclopramid were prescribed for bloat). Painkillers and probiotics (bio-lapis) have been given almost continuously during this time. After an ultrasound, no abnormalities were found in his gastrointestinal tract, lungs, or heart. When his teeth were checked and trimmed, the vet confirmed there were no ulcers or wounds in his mouth, so painkillers were not prescribed afterward. I have Loxicom and know the correct dosage.. I am in doubt why he still not eating normally...
 
unfortunately we can only make guesses as to why he still isn’t eating - it could be that the dental hasn’t been done properly or that he is in pain (I would still expect painkillers to be prescribed following any dental work)
 
HUGS

I am very sorry about your gut problems. Please hang on in there and keep feeding as best as you can.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top