Separating guinea pigs to determine illness

[leahlemonxo]

Hi everyone,
One of my guinea pigs has weird shaped poo, like clumped together and a bit wet. The problem is I have 4 (3 female 1 neutered male) and I don’t know which one it is. I was wondering if it’s ok to separate them to find out. I was thinking of using C&C grids to separate them so they can still see each other. Is this a good idea and if so should I separate one at a time from the group, or separate the whole group at once so have 4 sections? I’d really appreciate advice on this as I know separating guinea pigs causes them a lot of stress.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,
One of my guinea pigs has weird shaped poo, like clumped together and a bit wet. The problem is I have 4 (3 female 1 neutered male) and I don’t know which one it is. I was wondering if it’s ok to separate them to find out. I was thinking of using C&C grids to separate them so they can still see each other. Is this a good idea and if so should I separate one at a time from the group, or separate the whole group at once so have 4 sections? I’d really appreciate advice on this as I know separating guinea pigs causes them a lot of stress.

As long as the separation is only for a few hours until you have found the culprit, dividing the cage with grids is the least stressful method. I know from personal experience how hard it is to find a group member when there are not yet any tangible symptoms that nail down the source.

The other option is to take the whole group off any fresh food for a day or two until the poos have firmed and normalised again and then gradually reintroducing veg gain by starting with some herbs and then adding one more fresh food with each meal for the first three meals. Stop as soon as you notice funny poos appearing again.

You are dealing with a minor tummy upset.
Wiebke's Guide to Poops
Wiebke's Guide to Tummy Trouble

 

[leahlemonxo]

As long as the separation is only for a few hours until you have found the culprit, dividing the cage with grids is the least stressful method. I know from personal experience it is to find a group member when there are not yet any tangible symptoms that nail down the source.

The other option is to take the whole group off any fresh food for a day or two until the poos have firmed and normalised again and then gradually reintroducing veg gain by starting with some herbs and then adding one more fresh food with each meal for the first three meals. Stop as soon as you notice funny poos appearing again.

You are dealing with a minor tummy upset.
Wiebke's Guide to Poops
Wiebke's Guide to Tummy Trouble

Thank you, I think I will try the separation first and then take that guinea pig off veg. I want to identify the piggie just in case a vet is needed