Liquid Bloat?

[Brooke03]

Hi everyone, my 5 year old female Guinea pig Cadbury I think has liquid bloat. Around a week ago she was prescribed enrofloxacin for a possible URI for chronic hooting she occasionally gets. I woke up this morning to her stomach being tight and this sloshing sound when I picked her up to give antibiotics. She’s been pooping a lot these past couple of days but definitely less urine. She also has a mass near her left nipple my vet thinks is cancer. She has stopped eating but is passing stools. I honestly don’t know what to do. Would the charcoal trick actually help her? Unfortunately it’s Sunday and none of the emergency vets are knowledgeable about Guinea pigs.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone, my 5 year old female Guinea pig Cadbury I think has liquid bloat. Around a week ago she was prescribed enrofloxacin for a possible URI for chronic hooting she occasionally gets. I woke up this morning to her stomach being tight and this sloshing sound when I picked her up to give antibiotics. She’s been pooping a lot these past couple of days but definitely less urine. She also has a mass near her left nipple my vet thinks is cancer. She has stopped eating but is passing stools. I honestly don’t know what to do. Would the charcoal trick actually help her? Unfortunately it’s Sunday and none of the emergency vets are knowledgeable about Guinea pigs.

Hi and welcome

Please see a vet as soon as possible as an emergency. Liquid bloat is a now outdated and not really helpful expression. It can either describe a blockage in the gut with a build up of saliva but more likely a build up of fluid in the body cavity outside of the gut, which can be caused by heart failure or massive internal growth and that can look like a mild to medium bloat. Only a scan and a hands-on vet examination can tell. Charcoal won't help in either case since you are not dealing with runny diarrhea.

Please also note that the poo output is running 1-2 days behind the poo input. If your piggy has stopped eating, then you need to step in with feeding support asap. Unlike other species, guinea pigs can't fast. Your fibrous feeding support needs to replace the over three quarters of hay/grass fibre that make the bulk of the daily food intake. Veg and pellets combined only replace the supplementary role that whild forage used to have.

Please take the time to read these very practical details here that will take you through all the how-to advice of caring for a very ill piggy:
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Guinea Lynx :: Mammary Tumor

All the best. I appreciate that it is a very anxious time for you. Concentrate on keeping your piggy going as much as you can; that is your priority

 

[eileen]

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this.i cannot add anymore to Weibkes reply.just sending my empathy to you and your piggie.
I also understand its difficult to find an emergency vet in the USA.if you can find a vet that will be advantageous to you.