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Impaction - Please Help. Am I Doing The Right Thing?

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PebblePig

PebblePig

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Hello everyone,

This is my first time posting on this forum so please correct me if I make any mistakes!

We have a 5 year old boar named Pebble (PB as a nickname). He now lives alone after we lost our other piggy two years ago. He has always been fit and well, other than once having a UTI which was treated with antibiotics.
Recently, we found a huge lump of poo in his cage - around the size of a ping pong ball. We were worried and took him straight to our local vet who informed us that he was previously impacted. She looked at him, showed us how to remove the blockage and sent us on our way. We check PB every night and squeeze out the blockage.

This had been going well until last night. We had not felt it necessary to remove the blockage the night before as he seemed to be doing it quite well himself as we couldn't feel anything when we checked him - or so we thought. He began drinking and eating less, such as wheeking for fresh food but not showing any interest when he actually got it. We both leave the house at different times in the morning when we change his water bottle and both assumed the other had done it as it was still full - we didn't realise until we came home that he had only drank around 30ml of water in around 36 hours, so naturally we were very worried. When we tried to get him to drink through his bottle by offering it to him, he would run away from it as if he was scared of it. The only thing we could get him to eat was celery, so I gave him as much as he would eat with it being quite watery. We checked him again and he had a huge impaction again - all I can think is that we totally missed it the previous night and it had built up significantly, maybe collecting other bits we had missed along the way making it so huge? And perhaps, as he hadn't been drinking as much, it was harder?

We tried to remove it for him but he seemed much more uncomfortable and really tried to wriggle away. He was very vocal and felt like he was close to biting at one point. We gave him a few minutes break now and then but really struggled to get anything out because of how much pain he appeared to be in; it felt like we were doing more harm than good. We tried one last time and managed to get a very small amount out, and despite being so wiggly and reluctant he bent down instantly and was desperate to eat it. He even caught himself with his teeth trying to get more out.

After this we thought we would have to take him to the vets first thing in the morning (all closed nearby) and keep a close eye on him overnight. He really wanted some lap time cuddles (who wouldn't after that!) so he sat and watched a bit of telly with us. After a while he climbed up onto my arm and positioned himself in such a way that his feet were all on my arm but with his bottom (especially where the impaction was) sticking out over the side. We tried again with plenty of warm water to remove the impaction and he was much less reluctant. It came out much easier too as we weren't having to keep him held in an uncomfortable position and press around his tummy etc. We offered back whatever we got out and that was a great distraction, too. We got out as much as we could but I do think there is still some in there.

When he returned to his cage he was much more lively. He began eating and drinking lots and checking this morning he seems to be drinking a normal amount again.

I have a couple of questions I would really appreciate anyone answering if they have experience in this:
1 - Could his not eating/drinking have been because he felt so uncomfortable or is it probably a different underlying issue?
2 - When we are squeezing out any blockages from him,we worry that we see a lot more of his bottom that we usually do, so we are very sure to stop when it seems too much. Can a guinea pig prolapse as a result of this or is this usual practice?
3 - Does it sound like we are doing the right thing?
4 - Is it likely that the muscles will mend themselves over time? I've seen this suggested on a couple of websites but unsure as to how often this is the case.
5 - Is there anything I am missing?

I really do appreciate any help anyone can offer. Thank you. Sarah x
 
Hi Sarah

Welcome to the forum, sorry to hear that Pebble is poorly.

I have no experience with boys I am afraid so am tagging in a few boy owners for you @LisaAli @Jaycey @lauraboara

hopefully some other people with experience in impaction will be along shortly, the forum can be a bit slower for replies on a saturday but keep checking in, sending lots of love to PB
 
It sounds like it has built up more than usual so will be more difficult to remove. Removing it little by little is probably the best way unless you want to just go for it and get it over with really quickly. He won't like it and will protest loudly but once it's done he will feel much better. He was probably feeling uncomfortable which may have resulted him his lack of interest in food but you will need to monitor that closely.

Once a boar suffers from impaction it will need clearing regularly. I have found that by adding probiotic to their water, the severity of impaction improves somewhat. I always put two bottles on though in case they don't like the one with the probiotic added. However, I always find the bottle with the probiotic is empty well before the one without, so clearly they love it.
 
1 - Possibly. If they're feeling uncomfortable or in pain then they can be put off eating. I had a boy recently with a different issue but he wasn't eating because he was uncomfortable. See how he is now that he's unblocked.

2 - I've never heard of it happen before. And I've had to get in quite deep (bleurgh) on occassion.

3 - Yep, you're doing great. Check him twice daily and help when he needs it. Offer it to him to eat. If it seems awkward to remove or he's really not happy I found that sitting him in warm water helped loosen things. Or remove it slowly like Furryfriends mentioned.

4- In my experience it doesn't. The impaction might go through stages of being not as bad, but it's normally for them rest of their life. Muscle loss is hard to rebuild, if not impossible in pigs.

5- Ditto to the probiotic. It will do no harm even if it doesn't help the impaction. Also, ask the vet about arthritis next time you see him. My worst affected boy had pretty bad arthritis which contributed to his muscle loss in his back half. He had pain relief to help him walk and it helped the impaction a little.

Don't beat yourself up about it, there were a few time I thought my boy was okay, only to come home to a massive lump in his butt.
 
Thanks so much for all of your responses. It's really reassuring to know I'm doing the right thing, so thank you all for that.
I called into my local pet shop and was recommended this Beaphar Guinea Pig Vitamin Solution but that was around the time he stopped drinking, so at first I thought it might have just been that he didn't like it! I like the idea of two bottles though - I'll definitely give that a try today. If this probably isn't the most efficient, can anyone recommend a good probiotic? I hadn't thought about arthritis either - I certainly will ask the vet about it next time he's there. I'll be sure to monitor his eating and drinking, too, although he seems much better with that this morning.

Thank you all so much for your input - it is very much appreciated.

Sarah and Pebble x
 
You have had lots of info already so not much to add but hope you get used to the regime.....
My tricks re impaction have been keep a fairly boring routine with veggies avoiding or limiting brassicas and feed at same time. A probiotic is good, I sprinkle on slice of cucumber or syringe in a dose in water. I have just used Vetark Pro C probiotic. High fibre diet offering posh hays as treats. Use baby oil to gently wipe around the bottom can help the next lot of build up to ease out. Encouraging exercise can be good so time in a play pen with new tunnels, card board boxes etc.
As said above I would not be too hopeful about curing it but you can help manage it.
Worth keeping an eye on his weight and other health issues because I have had impaction be a secondary thing to a more significant health problem - not saying that applies in your case or wanting to worry you but keep an eye out.
 
I use Pro-C probiotic too, from Pets at Home.

I put a sprinkle in the scoop, then use a 1ml syringe full of water to mix it. Suck it back up the syringe and offer it to the pig. Hopefully they love it as much as my boy, he gulps it down like piggy drugs!
 
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