What can I do in my current situation with my bloating guinea pig?

[TMan4563]

Hi all, thank you in advance for your help. I took my guinea pig to the vet this afternoon since I noticed that she was not eating and she seemed to be uncomfortable since she wouldn't lay down/relax. The vet did an x-ray and found a lot of gas in her upper digestive tract, so she prescribed an antibiotic and told me to regularly massage her stomach to promote gas release. I also read through all of the resources on this forum and I had a few questions on how I can best address her bloat. I do not have access currently to the proper brand of gripe water that is considered safe. I also do not want to use simethicone as there seems to be quite a large debate as to whether it helps or hurts bloated guinea pigs. She just got home and does not seem to show interest in eating or drinking, but she is passing stool that looks relatively normal (which I think is a good sign). When do I decide to start syringe feeding? She may just be wanting to relax since she is back home and was stressed from the vet visit, but I want to make sure I am way ahead on everything to maximize her speed of recovery. With these circumstances in mind, how should I proceed forward? Should I ask my vet for medicine? Should I still try the simethicone? Should I start syringe feeding? Thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, thank you in advance for your help. I took my guinea pig to the vet this afternoon since I noticed that she was not eating and she seemed to be uncomfortable since she wouldn't lay down/relax. The vet did an x-ray and found a lot of gas in her upper digestive tract, so she prescribed an antibiotic and told me to regularly massage her stomach to promote gas release. I also read through all of the resources on this forum and I had a few questions on how I can best address her bloat. I do not have access currently to the proper brand of gripe water that is considered safe. I also do not want to use simethicone as there seems to be quite a large debate as to whether it helps or hurts bloated guinea pigs. She just got home and does not seem to show interest in eating or drinking, but she is passing stool that looks relatively normal (which I think is a good sign). When do I decide to start syringe feeding? She may just be wanting to relax since she is back home and was stressed from the vet visit, but I want to make sure I am way ahead on everything to maximize her speed of recovery. With these circumstances in mind, how should I proceed forward? Should I ask my vet for medicine? Should I still try the simethicone? Should I start syringe feeding? Thank you.

Hi

Please start with syringe feeding straight away, little but often. The frequency depends on how much she takes in one go.

Gripe water may help only in case of mild cases of bloat but not with the much more severe bloating you are dealing with.
The simethicone is at your own discretion. We can only point out potential issues around it that you may want to be aware of when giving it but we cannot make that decision for you. As an open forum not on social media we work under stricter legal restrictions here in the UK than you have in the USA.

Has your vet given you painkillers (metacem/meloxicam based generic brand; bloat is very painful) and gut stimulants like metoclopramide or emeprid or has she had any injections while at the vets?
Unfortunately, there is not much in the way of safe gut meds for rodents. Guinea pigs have a very long and thin gut compared to carnivores and omnivores. Bloat is therefore much more of a serious problem for guinea pigs.

If you can, please try vibrating in order to help shift the gas. All you can do is hang in there and try your best.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you!

PS: For others reading this thread, these are the relevant forum guides mentioned:
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Hi, one of my sows once had bloat and the vet prescribed her emeprid and metacam. I also sat her on my neck massage pillow that had a steady vibration to help get her gas build up moving.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

I agree with the above posters, a gut motility drug such as emeprid and pain relief such as metacam are usually required to help treat bloat. I hope she makes a good recovery

 

[Wheekallweek]

I wonder why the vet gave her antibiotics?
I agree that gut motility meds and pain relief are needed here. Good luck!