Neutered boar - in pain and abnormal poos

[Claire.peebles]

Hi guys,

My 3yo boar was neutered a week ago now.

Since then he has been moaning and grunting in what I can only expect to be pain. He seems to have trouble pooing as well. I have attached a few pictures with some of his recent poos which you can see are not a normal shape.

He’s eating okay and gets metacam twice a day. He also drinks plenty water.

He just doesn’t seem himself and seems really sad. I’m really sad because I feel like I’ve made a really selfish decision getting him neutered but I honestly thought it was in his best interest as I have 2 sows I want to bond him with since he lost his brother in April.

Has this happened to anyone else? I’ve never had any of my piggies neutered before and did all my research before to make sure I could give him the best care post op. I have a vet appointment on Wednesday but gonna call first thing tomorrow and see if I can get him in asap for a checkup.

Thanks in advance

 

[Eriathwen]

Judging by those poops, he is going into gut stasis. Getting him seen by a vet sooner is exactly the right call, he will likely need a few days of gut motility meds, syringe feeding him either critical care food or his pellets soaked in water to create a paste just to help him along. By looking at the size of the poos he is certainly eating enough to be noticeably eating, but unfortunately seems to be eating just enough less than normal to be causing his guts to begin to slow down. Stasis is a painful condition so it's good he is still on metacam, however this is chronically under dosed in guinea pigs by a lot of vets due to how harsh it is on cats and dogs, not knowing guinea pigs metabolise the drug much faster and therefore can safely tolerate higher doses, so I'd double check whether he can have more for a few days.

It will also be worth asking the vet to check the incisions just to be sure there's no infection or abscesses starting up as a precaution as this can happen.

I've had 3 of my boys castrated and only 1 really struggled, mainly because he got clipper burn where he was shaved bless him, but he also had a reaction to the suture material. Some motility meds and an increase in metacam dose for a short while, along with syringe feeds to give him a boost and he was soon absolutely fine! I hope your boy is feeling better soon.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Definitely get him seen by the vet today and step in with syringe feeding immediately.
Also ensure you weigh him daily during his recovery to ensure he is getting enough syringe feed and hay. You can then go back to weekly weight checks once he is recovered.

What metacam dosage is he on?

The guides below explain everything further

I hope he is ok.

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

 

[weepweeps]

I’m sorry your piggy is struggling. Good luck at the vets. Sending healing vibes his way.

 

[Claire.peebles]

Thanks everyone for the info, got a vet appointment in an hour and have been syringe feeding as much as he’ll eat this morning.

Hoping he recovers well

 

[Claire.peebles]

Definitely get him seen by the vet today and step in with syringe feeding immediately.
Also ensure you weigh him daily during his recovery to ensure he is getting enough syringe feed and hay. You can then go back to weekly weight checks once he is recovered.

What metacam dosage is he on?

The guides below explain everything further

I hope he is ok.

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

Thank you for the info, he is currently on 0.54ml twice a day.

Have now started to syringe feed him and will do this 3-4 times a day. Will also weigh him later and keep a track of this.

Thanks again

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you for the info, he is currently on 0.54ml twice a day.

Have now started to syringe feed him and will do this 3-4 times a day. Will also weigh him later and keep a track of this.

Thanks again

Syringe feed as much as is necessary keep his weight stable