Help please!

[Ted&Honey]

Hi
I'm new to the forum. Basically I need some advice. I have a male guinea pig neutered 11 days ago. He came round fine, had no signs of infection but roughly 4 days after he had some hair loss and itching. Went to the vets, by this time he'd bled a little. They treated him for mites but also did a skin scrape but found none. He then had an antibiotic injection. Roughly 2 days after this he started with a runny bottom. Paste like poop. He had been eating a bit of fresh veggies. I felt guilty about the op! I cut that out. He won't eat much dry food but will gladly eat hay, alfalfa treats dried leaf mixes from petship with leaves and herbs in. His poo is a little better and I e seen him eating bits if it like he should. They are testing for ringworm which I should find out the results of tomorrow. His skin us loads better and he us drinking a fair bit. I'm just a little worried as when he poops he makes a little noise and raises his bum like he's uncomfortable. At the moment I am giving him baytril twice a day as advised by the vet. I wondered if the poop situation could be a reaction to the baytril or antibiotics? Has anyone had problems like this before? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Wiebke]

Hi! Welcome to the forum.

I strongly assume that the digestive problems are down to baytril. It is notorious for causing havoc with the guts and loss of appetite in some cases. Please ask your vet for a probiotic or get some from the internet as soon as possible; give a pinch about an hour after each dose of baytril ideally - if nessary, dissolved in a bit of water and syringed.

You may find the chapter on antibiotics and diarrhea helpful. You are doing absolutely right by just feeding timothy hay -that is the best food to keep the guts moving. Please syringe PLENTY of water and a part of a vitamin C tablet that has been dissolved in water.
http://www.guinealynx.info/diarrhea.html

[Ted&Honey]

Thanks. We are off to the vet tomorrow morning so will ask them for probiotic then. He's been drinking water with pro c in it and Ive covered his food in it. I mushed up some if his nuggets with warm water and vit c which he seems to love. I know the toilet issue needs to be checked out asap but he is still eating lots. I would have thought if it was really bad he would turn his nose up at food. Thanks for the help :) I just want him to be on the mend. He has a little girlfriend waiting for him :)