Probiotic Hel

[Squishymoth]

ok so I recently discovered that one of my piggies, Chamomile, has a urinary tract infection. I took her to the vet, who gave me some antibiotics, and told me that I would also need to give her something probiotic, because she needs bacteria to digest vegetable matter. He advised giving her yogurt with active cultures. After getting home I researched and saw conflicting opinions on yogurt. Some said "no absolutely not guinea pigs are lactose intolerant etc." others said it would be fine in small amounts (also the yogurt I have is lactose free). Tonight I gave her a teaspoon (that's what was reccomended) though she didn't eat the whole thing. And so far I've seen no ill effects. So I have a few questions and would appreciate any help or advice! Is yogurt really okay? If it is, is a fruity yogurt best?(the vet reccomended it but I'm worried about the amount of sugar) on that note would I have to give her yogurt everyday?(she takes the antibiotics 2x a day and I'm not comfortable with that much yogurt even if small amounts aren't unhealthy) I also have some probiotic active culture pill type things, but looking at the information it has multiple bacteria all mixed together, are any bacteria unhealthy or dangerous for guinea pigs? Also I read that using healthy diluted droppings is a good thing to do. I've heard about people doing that for their own bacteria, and they naturally eat their own droppings so what's my best course of action? Thank you for reading and any advice is appreciated!

 

[Little Ones]

Can't answer any other questions, but I used the poop soup method with my guinea pig for four weeks. An hour after the antibiotic, collect a poo from a healthy guinea pig (not the one on antibiotics), mix it with a bit of water then syringe it in their mouth. Worked for me! Mine doesn't really like the taste of the pro-biotic we have so now we mix it in water and syringe it instead of making him eat it.

 

[sport_billy]

Hi, saw your introduction thread, thought I'd pop over and have a look at your question

No to yoghurt - really not good for piggies. The tiny bit wont hurt but please no more... I will try and find a US based probiotic for you.

In the meantime you could make poo soup. Give me five mins and I'll add to this post

Lee

 

[sport_billy]

Right you can use poo soup in the meantime, poo soup is easy to make and a very good pro-biotic

Use the poo of a healthy piggy mushed with a little water. Use a 1ml syringe with the end cut off (make sure the plunger can't come out) and the edges are filled smooth.

Will be back in touch hopefully with a recommendation on a PB from the US @Freela Any ideas? x

 

[sport_billy]

poop soup is my probiotic of choice for our piggies (not me) I think using that would be best going forward as US don't seem to have any pet probiotic from what I can see on google searches, Have asked the question for you though. Sending your little piggy lots of healing vibes

 

[Squishymoth]

poop soup is my probiotic of choice for our piggies (not me) I think using that would be best going forward as US don't seem to have any pet probiotic from what I can see on google searches, Have asked the question for you though. Sending your little piggy lots of healing vibes

Thank you!

 

[Pawz]

@Squishymoth , will keep all fingers and paws crossed here that Chamomile makes a quick recovery.

@sport_billy you are such a sweetheart for running around trying to find things for those in other countries than you.

 

[Wiebke]

ok so I recently discovered that one of my piggies, Chamomile, has a urinary tract infection. I took her to the vet, who gave me some antibiotics, and told me that I would also need to give her something probiotic, because she needs bacteria to digest vegetable matter. He advised giving her yogurt with active cultures. After getting home I researched and saw conflicting opinions on yogurt. Some said "no absolutely not guinea pigs are lactose intolerant etc." others said it would be fine in small amounts (also the yogurt I have is lactose free). Tonight I gave her a teaspoon (that's what was reccomended) though she didn't eat the whole thing. And so far I've seen no ill effects. So I have a few questions and would appreciate any help or advice! Is yogurt really okay? If it is, is a fruity yogurt best?(the vet reccomended it but I'm worried about the amount of sugar) on that note would I have to give her yogurt everyday?(she takes the antibiotics 2x a day and I'm not comfortable with that much yogurt even if small amounts aren't unhealthy) I also have some probiotic active culture pill type things, but looking at the information it has multiple bacteria all mixed together, are any bacteria unhealthy or dangerous for guinea pigs? Also I read that using healthy diluted droppings is a good thing to do. I've heard about people doing that for their own bacteria, and they naturally eat their own droppings so what's my best course of action? Thank you for reading and any advice is appreciated!

Please do NOT give her yoghurt (not all general vets are aware that weaned guinea pigs are lactose intolerant).
You can get probiotics in powder form from a pet shop or online. Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Another way of giving your piggy exactly the right stuff is by soaking fresh poos from a healthy guinea in a little water and syringing the water; it is usually well accepted by the piggies as it mirrors natural behaviour in recovering guinea pigs. Redigested caecotrophs are best, but extremely difficult to obtain since piggies often pick them straight from their genitalia, but even fresh waste poos still continue enough bacteria and fibre to help.

 

[Freela]

Right you can use poo soup in the meantime, poo soup is easy to make and a very good pro-biotic

Use the poo of a healthy piggy mushed with a little water. Use a 1ml syringe with the end cut off (make sure the plunger can't come out) and the edges are filled smooth.

Will be back in touch hopefully with a recommendation on a PB from the US @Freela Any ideas? x

I'm in Canada, not the US, but I can say that I have never seen an over-the-counter probiotic for guinea pigs here. You would have to speak with the vet to see if they offer anything or can suggest a way to adapt anything currently on the market to be safe for pigs.

 

[sport_billy]

I'm in Canada, not the US, but I can say that I have never seen an over-the-counter probiotic for guinea pigs here. You would have to speak with the vet to see if they offer anything or can suggest a way to adapt anything currently on the market to be safe for pigs.

@Freela I am so sorry that is really bad of me. Please accept my apology! I will punish myself by listening to an Enya cd for the rest of the afternoon x

 

[Tiamolly123]

I love Enya

 

[Pawz]

@Freela I am so sorry that is really bad of me. Please accept my apology! I will punish myself by listening to an Enya cd for the rest of the afternoon x

No it has to be Alanis Morrisette or Bryan Adams @sport_billy . You must listen to a canadian musical export to repent! If you are feeling particularly guilty may I suggest some Justin Bieber?

 

[sport_billy]

I love Enya

@Tiamolly123

I am sorry - I am insulting lots of people on the forum today it seems....

Thats it time to listen to Neil Sedaka 'oh carol' on repeat for five hours.... Now our younger member are not going to know who he is, but believe me he is really bad.

*waits for Neil Sedaka to log on and take offence....*

 

[Freela]

@Freela I am so sorry that is really bad of me. Please accept my apology! I will punish myself by listening to an Enya cd for the rest of the afternoon x

LOL! No apology needed... and no need to punish yourself if you really hate Enya!

 

[sport_billy]

LOL! No apology needed... and no need to punish yourself if you really hate Enya!

Too late, Neil Sedaka on full blast, sitting in a stress position - i must learn my lesson

 

[Freela]

No it has to be Alanis Morrisette or Bryan Adams @sport_billy . You must listen to a canadian musical export to repent! If you are feeling particularly guilty may I suggest some Justin Bieber?

I might suggest Canadian song writer Leonard Cohen who passed away yesterday... of course, he was extraordinarily talented so it might not be a punishment! Bieber though... that would hurt!

 

[sport_billy]

I might suggest Canadian song writer Leonard Cohen who passed away yesterday... of course, he was extraordinarily talented so it might not be a punishment! Bieber though... that would hurt!

Love Suzanne by LC, amazing talent....

Now Bieber on other hand

You must listen to a canadian musical export to repent! If you are feeling particularly guilty may I suggest some Justin Bieber?

Nooooooooo, far toooo cruel

 

[Adelle]

Can you get bio lapis? It's made by protexin and is for rabbits but suitable for pigs

 

[Squishymoth]

Can you get bio lapis? It's made by protexin and is for rabbits but suitable for pigs

I'll look into that, I'll head to the pet store, if it's not there it looks like it's available on Amazon.

 

[Squishymoth]

Update ! I have bought some probiotics, I'll be using them along with the 'poop soup' thank you for the well wishes and advice. Both Chamomile and Clover are enjoying some floor time as I type this. I bet if she could Chamomile would thank you too for helping her mommy provide the best care possible!

 

[GPTV]

which probiotic did you manage to get in the end?
Glad you found something, hope it works, give the probiotic/poop soup about 1-2hrs after the antibiotics to give it a chance to replenish the gut bacteria.
If its given at the same time as the antibiotics they will kill the good bacteria in the probiotics too

Fingers &paws all crossed for a speedy recovery

Oh & Justin beiber.... That's some serious punishment!

 

[Squishymoth]

which probiotic did you manage to get in the end?
Glad you found something, hope it works, give the probiotic/poop soup about 1-2hrs after the antibiotics to give it a chance to replenish the gut bacteria.
If its given at the same time as the antibiotics they will kill the good bacteria in the probiotics too

Fingers &paws all crossed for a speedy recovery

Oh & Justin beiber.... That's some serious punishment!

I got probios : ) thank you for the advice, I hope she recovers swiftly as well!