Onset of Stomach Noises + Potential Bloat?

[JennyP23]

Hey,

I've been spiraling and combing through these forums and other corners of the internet for the last two hours researching this. There have been a couple of similar posts on here, but they seemed a bit different as well. Within the last couple days, our guinea pig has started to make audible (from a distance) stomach noises and potential passing of gas noises as well. Sometimes they're occasional, others times they're very consistent. Hard to tell if they're getting worse or if I'm just fixating on them now. Our primary concern is that while they're potentially normal noises, his stomach has never made them before and we've had him for about a year and a half. Outside of these noises his behavior has been normal. Still crazy as ever. No change in appetite (munching on hay and pellets right now at 3 am haha), not sleeping any more or less than normal, still active. No stats on weight, but will begin that in the morning. It was hard to tell but didn't seem like his abdomen was hard or hollow sounding. His sides were squishy for sure, but I don't think that counts for anything right?

In terms of "treatment" (if there's even an issue), I've ordered a probiotic. Probably opening a new bag of hay in the morning since the current one is a bit older. We'll hold off on giving him fruit for the time being. Gave him a stomach massage earlier and will continue that over the next few days. Will also make sure his greens are fully dry (could that be the issue? There have been a couple of times this week that I've overly-washed his spinach or lettuce).

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please see a vet if you are concerned - anything out of the ordinary should be checked.
The fact he is eating and his tummy doesn’t feel hard are reassuring though.

Do make sure you weigh him weekly as routine, but daily while you have concerns.
Probiotic replaces gut bacteria where there is a digestive upset, but will not treat any potential bloat.

No harm in opening new hay but hay lasts for a long long time so as long as it isn’t damp, musty smelling or mouldy then it isn’t likely a problem. What can happen is if you suddenly change hay source and hay is too rich then that can occasionally cause soft poops.

Veg being wet - it can be advisable to actually give veg wet as it can help with fluid intake where piggies aren’t good drinkers as it obviously keeps the bladder flushing through.

Make sure fruit isn’t given much anyway - it should either not be in the diet at all or only as a very occasional treat.

Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

 

[JennyP23]

Please see a vet if you are concerned - anything out of the ordinary should be checked.
The fact he is eating and his tummy doesn’t feel hard are reassuring though.

Do make sure you weigh him weekly as routine, but daily while you have concerns.
Probiotic replaces gut bacteria where there is a digestive upset, but will not treat any potential bloat.

No harm in opening new hay but hay lasts for a long long time so as long as it isn’t damp, musty smelling or mouldy then it isn’t likely a problem. What can happen is if you suddenly change hay source and hay is too rich then that can occasionally cause soft poops.

Veg being wet - it can be advisable to actually give veg wet as it can help with fluid intake where piggies aren’t good drinkers as it obviously keeps the bladder flushing through.

Make sure fruit isn’t given much anyway - it should either not be in the diet at all or only as a very occasional treat.

Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

Yup, vet appointment is scheduled for the 26th (earliest available), just wanted to ID how concerned, if at all, we should be about these noises since his behavior is fine otherwise. As for the veg, interesting I had read a couple of places that too much water on the greens can contribute to causing bloat (though I know not everything on the internet is true haha).

Thanks!

 

[StayGold86]

What kind of veggies are you feeding and how often?

 

[JennyP23]

Yup, vet appointment is scheduled for the 26th (earliest available), just wanted to ID how concerned, if at all, we should be about these noises since his behavior is fine otherwise. As for the veg, interesting I had read a couple of places that too much water on the greens can contribute to causing bloat (though I know not everything on the internet is true haha).

Thanks!

Update: Can confidently confirm now that no parts of his abdomen feel hard or sound hollow. Noises are still present, though not as frequent (for now) which brings up two questions. 1. Does minor bloat resolve on it's own if that's what it is? (No, I'm not canceling the vet visit, just curious) 2. Is it possible he's just a bit gassier than normal for a couple of days? We did just move last week so stress induced maybe haha?

 

[JennyP23]

What kind of veggies are you feeding and how often?

Spinach and lettuce alternating every other day for breakfast. At night anything from carrot, to cucumber, to parsley, to kale to apple. Each in moderation.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Spinach and kale should both only be fed as occasional treats. Both are members of the brassica family (like broccoli, Brussels and cauliflower) and can cause piggies (well and humans too) to be a bit more gassy and whiffy. Any fruit should be fed occasionally due to being high in sugar and carrots should not be daily for the same reason.
We have a great feeding guide which might give you a steer towards veggies that are good for daily feeding: Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

Personally, having the same thing daily and having one item once a week/fortnight didn't work so well so when mine had spinach they may have it
3 times in the space of a week but then probably wouldn't have it again for 6 months. That is how I worked it to prevent food waste and it would depend on what meals the humans were planning to cook that week

 

[Piggies&buns]

No

Do review the diet and avoid giving known bloat causing veg frequently.
Also, Kale, spinach and parsley are all high calcium and they should receive those items in minimal amounts - recommended to be given once a week only.

Safe daily veggies include lettuce, cucumber, coriander and bell pepper (the latter two vit c intake).

You may be able to help relieve minor bloat by giving gripe water alongside any prescribed medication including pain meds.

 

[JennyP23]

Spinach and kale should both only be fed as occasional treats. Both are members of the brassica family (like broccoli, Brussels and cauliflower) and can cause piggies (well and humans too) to be a bit more gassy and whiffy. Any fruit should be fed occasionally due to being high in sugar and carrots should not be daily for the same reason.
We have a great feeding guide which might give you a steer towards veggies that are good for daily feeding: Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

Personally, having the same thing daily and having one item once a week/fortnight didn't work so well so when mine had spinach they may have it
3 times in the space of a week but then probably wouldn't have it again for 6 months. That is how I worked it to prevent food waste and it would depend on what meals the humans were planning to cook that week

No

Do review the diet and avoid giving known bloat causing veg frequently.
Also, Kale, spinach and parsley are all high calcium and they should receive those items in minimal amounts - recommended to be given once a week only.

Safe daily veggies include lettuce, cucumber, coriander and bell pepper (the latter two vit c intake).

You may be able to help relieve minor bloat by giving gripe water alongside any prescribed medication including pain meds.

Feedback appreciated, will be implementing these changes!

The noises are very infrequent now, especially compared to this time 24 hours ago, so hoping they're passing (again, still not canceling vet appointment to be safe). Thinking/hoping his hay played a role in all of this because we now know the bag we had just opened was VERY old.

 

[StayGold86]

Great to hear! Let us know how it goes. If you have some time, I would recommend browsing this forum and reading all the important stickied articles.

 

[JennyP23]

Post-vet update: Our pig is healthy and bloat-less.