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Specialist Advice Please!

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irene

irene

Teenage Guinea Pig
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image.webp so I have posted several times about this issue and wondering if anyone has any suggestions of things I could do at home to help this situation. My adorable and much loved cinnamon 2 yes old obviously has a chronic GI problem with loose poos, recently finished Baytril yet again and poos were back to normal but a few days later they start to soften
Again! She eats and drinks (hasn't had veggies I'm prob 2 months because of this) and is active. Has been on critical care since November . Sorry for this long post but I'm looking for Any advice EXCEPT to see a GP savy vet. I have spent about $1000 going to several different vets one who even contacted an expert as there are no real exotic vets accessible to me here where I am in the US. Does anyone know if Baytril can be purchased on line? Any suggestions at all re diet? I've come to the point where I have to manage this chronic on again off again problem on my own. Thank you
 
I will wait for a health and illness guru to answer this - but will ask a few questions ...

Have any of the vets you have seen so far advised on long term management ?
Is she eating any veggies at all at the moment ?

Baytril upsets the gut flora and agree that probiotics can help .


I advise you limit watery veg such as cucumber
 
I would avoid baytril as it can cause soft or sloppy poops. I don't know what other antibiotic might sort though. Mine have had septrin which works well for uti's but without knowing there is definitely an infection you might just be throwing money down the drain.
 
Any antibiotics are prescription-only.

Could you please remind us what problem your guinea pig has been treated for so far?
 
Wiebke said:
Any antibiotics are prescription-only.

Could you please remind us what problem your guinea pig has been treated for so far?
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Well unfortunately I misplaced one of my vet receipts that was prob from September when I brought her in because of herr stools and I can't remember whAt they prescribed, in October I brought her back they did a stool culture and started her on Flagyl and simethicone the culture was negative, in November they suggested critical care to try to get her back on track, it's always been a struggle but I get in as much as I can! We brought her back to vet about 2 weeks ago for the same issue and pink urine, they put her on Baytril and after a week her urine was clear and poos were normal! But a couple of days ago they became soft again. I have been sprinkling acidophilus in her food.i was so happy to see her making normal looking pellets for a few days and now it's back to being soft. I'm at my wits end here as I feel so bad for her and its a constant struggle to keep both her and the cage clean. Getting very discouraged
 
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Is she still having daily veg? if so, what does she have? how much hay does she eat?
 
Hi when was the last time you gave her antibiotics? The reason l ask is that Flargil in particular is quite a powerfull anti b with many side efects
SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, headache, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite,constipation,
 
gizzy said:
Hi when was the last time you gave her antibiotics? The reason l ask is that Flargil in particular is quite a powerfull anti b with many side efects
SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, headache, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite,constipation,
Click to expand...
She hasn't been on flagyl since October just finished Baytril a few days ago :no:
 
From reading your previous threads, I believe that Cinnamon's faeces was examined for parasites, either by a smear test, or floatation. However, I do not believe that Cinnamon's faeces was cultured to detect bacteria etc - I understand a culture would take at least 2-3 days. Therefore, I believe that this would be your next step - A full faecal analysis. . . I would be inclined to have Pepper's faeces examined also (I understand that Cinnamon would have to be off any medication/supplements for 1-2 weeks prior to having her faeces examined).

@Abi_nurse - Could you provide further information regarding faecal examination/s?!
 
Guinea-pigGaga said:
From reading your previous threads, I believe that Cinnamon's faeces was examined for parasites, either by a smear test, or floatation. However, I do not believe that Cinnamon's faeces was cultured to detect bacteria etc - I understand a culture would take at least 2-3 days. Therefore, I believe that this would be your next step - A full faecal analysis. . . I would be inclined to have Pepper's faeces examined also (I understand that Cinnamon would have to be off any medication/supplements for 1-2 weeks prior to having her faeces examined).

@Abi_nurse - Could you provide further information regarding faecal examination/s?!
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Thank you so much but she definitely had a culture done to detect bacteria and it came back negative
 
The cause/s of chronic/recurrent gastrointestinal issues are often difficult to diagnosis - And, in a number of these cases, the cause/s are never known. Therefore, these issues are difficult to treat/cure - Often, these issues end up needing to be managed.

However, diagnosing the cause/s of gastrointestinal issues, is usually a process of elimination - Considering Cinnamon has received a negative faecal culture, and has been prescribed Metronidazole (Flagyl), and Enrofloxacin (Baytril), one would hope that infection could be eliminated (Although, I am not entirely convinced). Therefore, one has to consider genetic, and/or environmental factors, including diet.

I understand that Cinnamon has had a number of infections in the past - Has Cinnamon got an autoimmune disease. . . Although, Cinnamon did not begin to exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms until she was several months old? I understand that Cinnamon is submissive, and of a somewhat nervous disposition - Whereas Pepper, is quite dominant. . . Could Cinnamon's gastrointestinal issues be psychological/ due to anxiety/stress?

Unfortunately, without diagnostic testing - Which can be expensive, and may prove inconclusive -, any proposed theories are purely speculative. . . And it would be unethical for any of us to suggest over-the-counter treatment.

With the above in mind, perhaps, it would be beneficial to discuss Cinnamon's diet, and housing - May I ask what commercial feed Cinnamon is offered, and how Cinnamon is housed?
 
Guinea-pigGaga said:
@Abi_nurse - Could you provide further information regarding faecal examination/s?!
Click to expand...

Yes. A patient must be off any treatment before doing a full feacal exam.

I would suggest the following for your little one:
- a food trial, at least two weeks of no veg (or just one selected veg), no little pieces of lettuce. If anything lettuce is the worst thing to give for GI upset as it has very little nutritional value
- changing pelleted food and/or changing hay
- trailing a probiotic
- doing feacal occult bloods (another type of feacal sample)
- taking blood from your piggie to see if a systemic illness is causing this GI problem
- trailing vitamin B12 injections in case it is something to do with absorption, the injections would therefore help
- an ultrasound of the GI tract, can be tricky, but to ensure there are no abnormalities.

Hope this helps.

x
 
Thanks sh
Abi_nurse said:
Yes. A patient must be off any treatment before doing a full feacal exam.

I would suggest the following for your little one:
- a food trial, at least two weeks of no veg (or just one selected veg), no little pieces of lettuce. If anything lettuce is the worst thing to give for GI upset as it has very little nutritional value
- changing pelleted food and/or changing hay
- trailing a probiotic
- doing feacal occult bloods (another type of feacal sample)
- taking blood from your piggie to see if a systemic illness is causing this GI problem
- trailing vitamin B12 injections in case it is something to do with absorption, the injections would therefore help
- an ultrasound of the GI tract, can be tricky, but to ensure there are no abnormalities.

Hope this helps.

x
Click to expand...
e only eats Timothy hay pellets are plain ones from pet store
 
I would recommend 'Oxbow Essentials Adult Guinea Pig Food (Cavy Cuisine)' - I realise that this pellet is also based on timothy hay, but you can be sure of the composition/formulation of this brand. However, I understand that Cinnamon responded well when offered 'Oxbow Critical Care'?

Changes to Cinnamon's diet need to be made gradually/over a period of 7-14 days, to avoid further gastrointestinal issues. . . However, I would be inclined to remove her current feed completely, and just introduce Oxbow gradually (I would supplement her with vitamin C whilst making this change - Is Pepper offered fresh food?). Of course good-quality hay should be available ad lib.

Tagging @helen105281 - Who may have other recommendations etc.
 
Guinea-pigGaga said:
I would recommend 'Oxbow Essentials Adult Guinea Pig Food (Cavy Cuisine)' - I realise that this pellet is also based on timothy hay, but you can be sure of the composition/formulation of this brand. However, I understand that Cinnamon responded well when offered 'Oxbow Critical Care'?

Changes to Cinnamon's diet need to be made gradually/over a period of 7-14 days, to avoid further gastrointestinal issues. . . However, I would be inclined to remove her current feed completely, and just introduce Oxbow gradually (I would supplement her with vitamin C whilst making this change - Is Pepper offered fresh food?). Of course good-quality hay should be available ad lib.

Tagging @helen105281 - Who may have other recommendations etc.
Click to expand...
Thank you I will call around and find those pellets and also supplement vitamin C , she seemed at first to improve somewhat with the critical care but pepper keeps stealing it! It will be tough to limit new pellets as Pepper also needs pellets and yes Pepper gets fresh veggies,.they have unlimited Timothy hay ! Regarding your earlier questions cinnamon was treated for URIs when we first got her at a few months old her GI issues only started about 6 months ago with no related diet or housing change . As to their housing they live indoors in a Midwest guniea pig habitat plus, it is 2 feet by 4 feet they have two Igloos two bowls for pellets two water bottles and toys. Yes Pepper can be the dominant one and although younger is much bigger than petite cinnamon who only weighs not even two pounds. Pepper gets a bit aggressive when in season but they seem to co habitat ok and even better when they are out of the cage, less territorial. Pepper does want whatever cinnamon has!i can't thank you enough for all of yours and everyone else's advice !
 
Cinnamon, and Pepper do sound to be quite different. . . However, such pairings typically work well - And you get to experience/enjoy their individual characters (I'm sure they keep you thoroughly amused). Nevertheless, one would hope that Pepper mellows with age - But their behaviour/relationship sounds quite typical.

Please keep us updated - I would trial the new pellets for 2-4 weeks, and note any improvements etc (Of course, if Cinnamon's gastrointestinal issues worsen, please discontinue, and seek veterinary advice. . . Although, I do hope this is not the case). Good luck.
 
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