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Advice for bloat/gas

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Jerrybelly

Jerrybelly

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Jerry has just been wandering around during his floor time and I've noticed that his stomach seems a bit of an odd shape - he looks a little bloated. I've picked him up and his stomach feels a little firm. He doesn't seem uncomfortable and he's just finished his bowl of nuggets so he's obviously eating as normal. His poos in his cage are round and small though and I'm concerned.

Just been on the phone to the vets and have him booked in for 5pm. Is there anything I can do in the meantime. I'm encouraging him to run around, and I'm wondering about taking him out in the car as I've heard that the vibrations can help.

I've got no idea what has caused it :(
 
Poor Jerry :( Lots of massage Cath, gently round the sides and underneath. Worth asking about emeprid and Zantac as it worked so well on Treacle and Miss Moo?

Lots of healing vibes his way, let us know how gets on.
 
Thanks both. He's just done a dozen poos so everything seems to be moving through ok, but they are incredibly small and perfectly round in shape - completely different to normal! He's allowing me to handle him so he doesn't seem uncomfortable, but his stomach is definitely firm.

I've just got no idea what's brought it on. Dinner last night was mixed lettuce, carrots, cucumber and green pepper - nothing new or particularly bloat-inducing.

I'll definitely ask about emeprid and/or zantac as he responded well to these when he had gut stasis a few months ago.
 
Jerrybelly said:
Thanks both. He's just done a dozen poos so everything seems to be moving through ok, but they are incredibly small and perfectly round in shape - completely different to normal! He's allowing me to handle him so he doesn't seem uncomfortable, but his stomach is definitely firm.

I've just got no idea what's brought it on. Dinner last night was mixed lettuce, carrots, cucumber and green pepper - nothing new or particularly bloat-inducing.

I'll definitely ask about emeprid and/or zantac as he responded well to these when he had gut stasis a few months ago.
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When Treacy-Bum started getting bloat, we had to keep a food diary to eliminate foods that she could previously eat that were now causing issues. We started off with just 2 veg a day, introducing different ones and working out via process of elimination.

Pleased you have Jerry poo!
 
Aw, hope Jerry is feeling better very soon, sounds as though you are doing the best thing for him to help move the gas around :)
Hugs sent to you both xoxo
 
He just sat for another massage, and it must have helped because a few minutes later he produced a huuuuuge pile of poos! They're all misshapen, a mixture of light and dark colours and quite wet. He also seems to be lying down to eat, and is lying quite awkwardly so I know something's not quite right. When he stands on his back legs to reach to his hay rack his distended tummy is really quite noticeable.

I'm just amazed how quickly it's come on - within just a few hours. It certainly reminds me how vigilant we need to be with our little furbabies.
 
Jerrybelly said:
He just sat for another massage, and it must have helped because a few minutes later he produced a huuuuuge pile of poos! They're all misshapen, a mixture of light and dark colours and quite wet. He also seems to be lying down to eat, and is lying quite awkwardly so I know something's not quite right. When he stands on his back legs to reach to his hay rack his distended tummy is really quite noticeable.

I'm just amazed how quickly it's come on - within just a few hours. It certainly reminds me how vigilant we need to be with our little furbabies.
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So true - bet he's feeling much more comfy already.
Have got vivid images in my head of him resembling a tommy gun...mallethead
 
Poor Jerry, hopefully your fast action and vet visit will sort him out. Sending healing vibes x
 
Guinea pig slave said:
So true - bet he's feeling much more comfy already.
Have got vivid images in my head of him resembling a tommy gun...mallethead
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Haha! He did leave the corner looking very proud of his 'achievement'!

bessiehen said:
Poor Jerry, hopefully your fast action and vet visit will sort him out. Sending healing vibes x
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I hope so. He's on such a concoction of medicines for his bladder that I hate when I have to give him something else too :(
 
When Branston had bloat I put him on a towel on my knee and gently jogged him up & down while massaging his sides & it definitely helped. Good luck & I hope Jerry gets rid of it soon.
 
Just got back from the vets (driving through the city at rush hour = very bad idea!). The vet was great and is clearly very knowledgeable with pigs (he wasn't my 'usual' vet). Jerry has definitely got a build up of gas, but he agreed that his poos (despite their smallness and odd shape) and the maintenance of his appetite are all positive signs. He also agreed that the messaging would certainly have helped.

I've got Zantac to be given 3 times a day. I've also got to give Infacol twice a day, probiotic (in case the gas is cause by bacteria), and to increase Jerry's daily Metacam dose. If there's no improvement by Thursday then I need to take him back for further exploratory tests.

I can keep giving veg, but should avoid anything green and leafy for the meantime. Sugar can also contribute to bloat, so we are avoiding carrots and all fruit for the next few days.
 
Lots of healing vibes to Jerry, hope the Zantac and infacol can shift the bloat. Keep the massaging up also. Hugs x
 
sharonS said:
How is Jerry today, have you seen any improvement yet?
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Hi Sharon :) It's a bit tricky to tell whether he's improved. Sometimes I look at him and think he looks a bit less pear-shaped, and then other times he looks much the same. My hubby seems to think that his stomach looks a bit less pronounced.

On the plus side, he's finished all his nuggets again today and is eating plenty of hay so his appetite remains as normal. I'm massaging his tummy every few hours and it still feels quite firm, but there's no sign of discomfort. He's doing lots of poos, and some of them seem bigger than they were yesterday and more normal in shape.

This is my first experience of bloat so I'm not sure how long it usually takes for things to return to normal. He's only had 3 doses of Zantac so far, and 2 of Infacol. He's got another dose of each remaining today so I would hope to see signs of more definite improvement tomorrow.
 
Healing thoughts to him. As everyone says, it is great that he is eating and you sound like you've got this covered!

Keep us updated!

Amy
x
 
Keep it up Jerry! Used to take Treacle around 3 days to get right after a bloaty episode. Your doing great x
 
Signs of definite improvement today! He looks more like a guinea pig, and less like a furry pear! I'm continuing with the regular massages and they must definitely be helping as every time that I put him back in his cage his does a big pile of poos! They are much bigger now too, and more normal in shape.

He's still having Zantac three times a day, and Infacol twice a day, and it must be working as his stomach is softening again :) The vet didn't say how long I should continue the medication for, but I think I'll continue with the Infacol tomorrow, and keep up the zantac until the end of the weekend just to make sure everything keeps ticking over and that all the gas has gone.

Thanks everyone for your well wishes. Jerry and I very much appreciate it!
 
Excellent, well done. You are a credit to your little man. x
 
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