Piggy Isn't Pooping

[Taylor Richele]

Hi everyone. So a couple of days ago I noticed one of my pigs didn't want to come down for greens. She's normally waiting at her bowl about a half an our before greens time, so this was weird. I had to pick her up and move her to her food bowl. Once she was there, she ate fine. At this point she was still pooping. I was still worried, so I took her to her vet and she had a high fever. The vet gave me some medicine and instructions on force feeding. She also suggested we separat her from her sister. She's acting more like her self now. She even ran around when I gave her floor time last night. My concern is that she stopped pooping yesterday morning. I only found one piggy poo yesterday. I'm incredibly worried. She's five years old, so I'm aware that she is a senior piggy, but if there's anything that I can do for her, I want to do it. Thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone. So a couple of days ago I noticed one of my pigs didn't want to come down for greens. She's normally waiting at her bowl about a half an our before greens time, so this was weird. I had to pick her up and move her to her food bowl. Once she was there, she ate fine. At this point she was still pooping. I was still worried, so I took her to her vet and she had a high fever. The vet gave me some medicine and instructions on force feeding. She also suggested we separat her from her sister. She's acting more like her self now. She even ran around when I gave her floor time last night. My concern is that she stopped pooping yesterday morning. I only found one piggy poo yesterday. I'm incredibly worried. She's five years old, so I'm aware that she is a senior piggy, but if there's anything that I can do for her, I want to do it. Thank you.

Hi and welcome!

Please start syringe feeding and watering asap. Our detailed step-by-step guide will tell you how to and what you can do with what you have got at home or easily available in an emergency.

The poo output reflects what has gone in a day or two before. It is absolutely vital that you step in with syringe feeding promptly as soon as your piggy is going off its food in order to prevent the guts first slowing and then closing down (gut stasis). Sadly many not very piggy savvy vets are not aware how important syringe feeding is to keep ill guinea pigs alive.

I would also recommend to add dioralyte (UK)/pedialyte (US) to the water you are syringing. Give her a pinch of probiotics either an hour before or after you give the antibiotics to help the gut bacteria.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Taylor Richele]

Thank you so much for your advice! My girl is doing a lot better now. Plenty of poos are coming out! Who knew I could be so excited and relieved at the sight of a piggy poo!