Soft Poop

[Katiedid]

help,

Biscuit (6 with kidney cancer and mammary tumors) had hay poke and a runny bottom before Christmas, she got what I think is a second hay poke on the way back from the vets, eye drops and fibreplex and she was back to normal. I think the runny bottom was due to me doing 14 hour days so everyone feeding them veg and no coordination so she was over lettuced (she has a lettuce addiction).

All fine until late Saturday evening - my daughter mentions Biscuit has a runny bottom again. On Friday night I had some leftover (raw) parsnip which I added to their veg, it wasn’t much but they don’t normally get it and she hoovered it - I don’t know if it is that or something else. I’ve been fibreplexing her since, it seems more solid but it is still squidgy (cow pat - almost formed when it comes out it looks pellet like but when you pick it up it goes squidge). They had no veg yesterday or today. She is lively, eating (we have had a one girl protest at no veg), drinking, has lost no weight, she looks a little under the weather (she had cuddles with daddy and just sprawled out and slept - which isn’t her).

I don’t know whether to see how she goes tomorrow and do vet Wednesday or vet tomorrow? She has a slightly wet nose but that isn’t unusual for her. I won’t give her metacam tomorrow (I continued it because she gets quite stiff without it and then ends up covered in wee).

Is this the veg? Could it be the cancer, am I safe to leave it to see until weds?

 

[Wiebke]

help,

Biscuit (6 with kidney cancer and mammary tumors) had hay poke and a runny bottom before Christmas, she got what I think is a second hay poke on the way back from the vets, eye drops and fibreplex and she was back to normal. I think the runny bottom was due to me doing 14 hour days so everyone feeding them veg and no coordination so she was over lettuced (she has a lettuce addiction).

All fine until late Saturday evening - my daughter mentions Biscuit has a runny bottom again. On Friday night I had some leftover (raw) parsnip which I added to their veg, it wasn’t much but they don’t normally get it and she hoovered it - I don’t know if it is that or something else. I’ve been fibreplexing her since, it seems more solid but it is still squidgy (cow pat - almost formed when it comes out it looks pellet like but when you pick it up it goes squidge). They had no veg yesterday or today. She is lively, eating (we have had a one girl protest at no veg), drinking, has lost no weight, she looks a little under the weather (she had cuddles with daddy and just sprawled out and slept - which isn’t her).

I don’t know whether to see how she goes tomorrow and do vet Wednesday or vet tomorrow? She has a slightly wet nose but that isn’t unusual for her. I won’t give her metacam tomorrow (I continued it because she gets quite stiff without it and then ends up covered in wee).

Is this the veg? Could it be the cancer, am I safe to leave it to see until weds?

Hi! I am very sorry.

I would recommend to take Biscuit off any fresh veg for the time being until her poos have firmed up again for 48 hours. Make sure that you weigh her daily at the same time to keep an eye on her food intake; if she is holding her weight, it means that her issue is not too serious. It sounds like she has a little tummy upset. Please give her her metacam; it is not contributing to the problem and she will feel a lot better in herself with it!

Older and frailer guinea pigs can develop digestive issues unfortunately. I would discuss with your vet whether there are measures or support you can give. You may have to stay off any trigger foods like root veg, high sugary veg like sweet corn, cabbages and broccoli, and likely lettuce, too. How much this is connected to her cancer and any other health issues is difficult to say. It is likely that the cancer could impact on her immune system and make her more prone to secondary issues.

 

[Katiedid]

Thank you, before christmas the vet has said stay off the metacam until she was better but it wasn’t the cavy savvy vet as it was an emergency appointment for the hay poke. I’ve been reluctant to stop it as it helps.

I will keep her off veg for now and see how she is wed. I may take her to the vets anyway - just to see what I can do to stabilise her tummy.

She is such a sweetheart, she loves her cuddles, I can see her slowing down as the months progress, but I didn’t think we would make it to Christmas so every day is a bonus.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, before christmas the vet has said stay off the metacam until she was better but it wasn’t the cavy savvy vet as it was an emergency appointment for the hay poke. I’ve been reluctant to stop it as it helps.

I will keep her off veg for now and see how she is wed. I may take her to the vets anyway - just to see what I can do to stabilise her tummy.

She is such a sweetheart, she loves her cuddles, I can see her slowing down as the months progress, but I didn’t think we would make it to Christmas so every day is a bonus.

Vets that are not familiar with guinea pigs are generally not aware that guinea pigs tolerate metacam in high doses for long term use much better than other species. My Pili Pala has been diagnosed with irritable bowel disease in the wake of her GI stasis in October. Together with other gut stimulants, she is on a twice daily high metacam dose since rodents can't have steroids, which is the thing that works best for her particular problem.

Like with yours, I was more than doubtful whether Pili would see her 5th birthday in December and would live to see the new year! Every day is a bonus...