Very soft poop with antibiotics

[dee10535]

My guinea pig is on antibiotics for a URI. First, Baytril. Caused soft poops, so I stopped on Day 4. Now, doxycycline. Today is only Day 2, poop went very soft again, deformed and some really skinny. I don't know what exactly is the difference between very soft stool vs actual diarrhea? She is having no loss of appetite yet, but am terrified of giving her her next dose and that it will cause her stools to become even worse and potentially dangerous. My dilemma: I have a strong feeling my guinea pig is just not good with antibiotics. Her poop has always been pointy, so I think her gut just doesn't function as well as it should, but it hasnt posed problems until now. So it looks like my two choices are keep her on the antibiotic, which might destroy her GI tract, or give her no drugs at all, at which point the URI will probably progress and ultimately do her in. She is already on probiotics, haven't tried poop soup yet but my other guinea pig also has the URI and is on a different AB (Septra), so don't know how advisable that would be anyway. She gets BeneBac twice a day an hour before the AB, a pea sized dose, even though the vet only said to give her one pea a day. The vet said to stop ABs with very soft poop, but I don't think I have a choice because it seems she is just not good with any antibiotic. Also, I am on a trip right now, I brought them with me, so if it gets to the point where she needs sub que fluids I might not be able to do that because any emergency vet might cost too much, and if my parents don't agree to take me (and there is a good chance they won't) I really can't go. I would only be able to syringe her water orally at best. Suggestions? How soft is dangerously soft?

 

[WobblyPiggy]

Hi, maybe try some critical care...I personally use emeraid sustain herbivore...it will at the very least help with keeping some weight on the piggies...unfortunately a vet seems like a good call even if just to ask advice as if she needs the antibiotics to help her get better she may need something stronger to help keep her gut in balance...maybe pile extra hay in near where your piggies are primarily sleeping or resting as it may encourage them to eat more...

 

[Wiebke]

My guinea pig is on antibiotics for a URI. First, Baytril. Caused soft poops, so I stopped on Day 4. Now, doxycycline. Today is only Day 2, poop went very soft again, deformed and some really skinny. I don't know what exactly is the difference between very soft stool vs actual diarrhea? She is having no loss of appetite yet, but am terrified of giving her her next dose and that it will cause her stools to become even worse and potentially dangerous. My dilemma: I have a strong feeling my guinea pig is just not good with antibiotics. Her poop has always been pointy, so I think her gut just doesn't function as well as it should, but it hasnt posed problems until now. So it looks like my two choices are keep her on the antibiotic, which might destroy her GI tract, or give her no drugs at all, at which point the URI will probably progress and ultimately do her in. She is already on probiotics, haven't tried poop soup yet but my other guinea pig also has the URI and is on a different AB (Septra), so don't know how advisable that would be anyway. She gets BeneBac twice a day an hour before the AB, a pea sized dose, even though the vet only said to give her one pea a day. The vet said to stop ABs with very soft poop, but I don't think I have a choice because it seems she is just not good with any antibiotic. Also, I am on a trip right now, I brought them with me, so if it gets to the point where she needs sub que fluids I might not be able to do that because any emergency vet might cost too much, and if my parents don't agree to take me (and there is a good chance they won't) I really can't go. I would only be able to syringe her water orally at best. Suggestions? How soft is dangerously soft?

Hi

Doxycycline is known for being one of the antibiotics that impact more strongly on the gut microbiome.

Please step in with daily weigh-ins (at the same time to eliminite the daily weight swing as much as possible) and top-up syringe feeding if needed. Continue supporting the gut with plenty of probiotics to get her through it until the antibiotic wears off some time after it has stopped. Some piggies are more sensitive to antibiotics than others. Sometime you just have to push through it when a life is at stake; even if total loss of appetite.

Please do not give 'poo soup' from piggies that are on medication, especially antibiotics (septra is better known as bactrim (USA), septrin or sulfatrim in the UK); it is generally better tolerated but sensitives can happen to all antibiotics.

All the best. I am sorry that you have two ill piggies.

 

[dee10535]

She is still eating and drinking normally. I did stop greens. I don't have critical care, but have mushed pellet mix, but I am only going to do that if she loses appetite. I do want to make sure she is still pooping though, so I might have to separate her for a bit. I don't have a scale unfortunately.