advice - bloat

[millie.]

hello! i have 3 guinea pigs and have just introduced a baby meaning i now have 4. i have noticed for a while, even before the new addition one of my guinea pigs has been having very soft, pointed smelly poo's. her stomach appears bloated today and i'm very worried. she is eating fine! any advice?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

Soft and pointed poop indicate a digestive upset, gut imbalance, lack of hay intake.
The normal course of action in this event is to switch from weekly weight checks and instead weigh your piggy daily, remove all veg from the diet, give a probiotic, prepare to step in with syringe feeding and see if things improve within a couple of days. If things dont improve then to see a vet.

If you are now seeing signs of bloat then she needs to see a vet today. Bloat can be a very serious and painful condition so she does need help - painkillers, gut stimulants etc.

Please remove all veg from the diet (giving veg when they have soft poop or bloat will make things worse). Switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh her daily, each morning. Weight checks are the only way you can monitor hay intake and a piggy will lose weight if their hay intake drops (even if they are still eating some hay). You will also need to step in with syringe feeding a recovery feed to ensure she is getting enough fibre and her weight remains stable.

I have added guides below which explain everything further. I hope she is ok

I have moved your thread to the health and illness section of the forum. That section is monitored by staff members so we can give continued support and advice

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Wiebke's Guide to Tummy Trouble
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
How to Improvise Feeding Support in an Emergency

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I hope she’s soon feeling much better.