Strange Poop After Bloat/colic

[kimk123]

Hi all,

A few days ago my piggie Chewy stopped eating and was super lethargic, and I noticed he was pooping very infrequently but when he did it looked normal. I took him to the vet and she said he had colic/bloat, so now he has been on Metoclopramide (for gut peristalsis), Metacam (for pain) and syringe feeding for about 3 days.
Today he finally started having regular bowel movements but they are very strange in appearance. Some are really long and skinny, some just very small, some look really clumped together, they appear almost sticky and definitely mushier/wetter. Most of them have the tear drop end. They are also super smelly. I wouldn't call it diarrhea because they're still formed, but I'm concerned about dehydration or some secondary issue as I know the appearance of their stool is very telling. Is this normal for a pig after bloat? Or should I think about taking him back into the vet tomorrow?
He's starting to eat on his own (hay primarily). Since his energy is back to normal, I'm going to stop the Metacam as I know Metacam can mess with a pet's stools.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Janice C]

Hi all,

A few days ago my piggie Chewy stopped eating and was super lethargic, and I noticed he was pooping very infrequently but when he did it looked normal. I took him to the vet and she said he had colic/bloat, so now he has been on Metoclopramide (for gut peristalsis), Metacam (for pain) and syringe feeding for about 3 days.
Today he finally started having regular bowel movements but they are very strange in appearance. Some are really long and skinny, some just very small, some look really clumped together, they appear almost sticky and definitely mushier/wetter. Most of them have the tear drop end. They are also super smelly. I wouldn't call it diarrhea because they're still formed, but I'm concerned about dehydration or some secondary issue as I know the appearance of their stool is very telling. Is this normal for a pig after bloat? Or should I think about taking him back into the vet tomorrow?
He's starting to eat on his own (hay primarily). Since his energy is back to normal, I'm going to stop the Metacam as I know Metacam can mess with a pet's stools.

Thanks in advance!

Not an expert but tear drop poos can just show that the poo has been lying around in the gut for longer than normal.Clumps of poo can signal the same problem and it can take the bowel a few days or so to clear out and return to normal. Great that he is back to eating plenty of hay as this will give his gut the good roughage it needs.

 

[VickiA]

The poos you see today are reflecting what has gone on in the gut a day or 2 ago. It's entirely normal after bloat to see a period of totally deformed poops - this is because the bowel is starting to work again after a period of not working.

I wouldn't discontinue metacam until the vet says to do so. Bloat is incredibly painful for the piggy and this continues while they are improving. Speak to your vet befor discontinuing any meds.

Can I ask what you are syringe feeding? And are you giving a syringe of water in addition to several syringes of feed? That's the best way to prevent dehydration. Or you can add some probiotic to your feed as well to help out the piggy.

It's great that Chewy is starting to eat again. Please only feed hay and pellets. Withhold fresh veg for a few more days and then only introduce one at a time and only in very small quantities. E.g. A dandelion leaf or a bit of fresh herb is the best to start with as a test. Also, do you know what may have caused the bloat? My Connie used to bloat after grass and after broccoli or cauliflower. We had to cut those out of her diet. Shame especially about the grass!

Please remain vigilant. Bloat can come in waves. But it certainly sounds like he's on the mend.

 

[gizzy]

• Thought it worth mentioning, Metercam can affect the poo,s
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• http://m.petmd.com/pet-medication/meloxicam-metacam
  
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• Change in bowl movements (black, tarry or bloody stools or diarrhea)
• Change in behavior (increased or decrease activity level, incoordination, seizure, or aggression)
• Jaundice (yellowing of gums, skin or whites of eyes)
• Increase water consumption or urination changes (frequency, color, or smell)
• Skin irritation (redness, scabs, or scratching)
• Stomach ulcers may occur
• Unexpected weight loss