• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Badger Has A Bloated Tummy

Status
Not open for further replies.
LydiaMinx

LydiaMinx

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Messages
884
Reaction score
603
Points
500
Location
South East England
I'm very concerned, having never really heard stories of bloat ending well.

He was making an odd noise yesterday night when cleaning his belly/reaching to clean himself so I gave him an inspection. His tummy is bloated and he doesn't like me touching it, however it isn't making that hollow noise I've heard is typical of bloat.

He's still eating, drinking and pooing fine and I gave him some gripe water.

I believe this was brought on by him having wheat-grass for the first time (I have grown it for them as we have no lawn) and I'm feeling extremely guilty. I'm taking him to the vet if his belly doesn't go down, and tips to help in the meantime?
 
Definitely needs a vet visit. How are his poos? are they normal looking or are they a bit pointy? are they uniform in texture? If they have liitle holes then this could indicate gas.

The gripe water will help with any wind but the vet should give pain relief too. I often find Dioralyte can help if they are gassy, it certainly did with my Madeline.

If he stops pooing or they are small then the vet will need to give a gut stimulant.

Do you have an electric toothbrush or anything that vibrates so you could massage his tummy?

My worry though with treating with anything that will help start things moving through (whether poo or gas) is that if there is a blockage this would make things worse. Therefore I think he needs an xray to see exactly what is going on and then the appropriate treatment can be given.
 
helen105281 said:
Definitely needs a vet visit. How are his poos? are they normal looking or are they a bit pointy? are they uniform in texture? If they have liitle holes then this could indicate gas.

The gripe water will help with any wind but the vet should give pain relief too. I often find Dioralyte can help if they are gassy, it certainly did with my Madeline.

If he stops pooing or they are small then the vet will need to give a gut stimulant.

Do you have an electric toothbrush or anything that vibrates so you could massage his tummy?

My worry though with treating with anything that will help start things moving through (whether poo or gas) is that if there is a blockage this would make things worse. Therefore I think he needs an xray to see exactly what is going on and then the appropriate treatment can be given.
Click to expand...

His poo's are the same as ever (I had a good a study of a fresh one!) but I'm keeping an eye on any he passes to make sure I notice changes.

I have nothing that vibrates but I'm going to try to give him a gentle massage instead. Would there be any indication of a blockage in his poo's? I'll contact the vet's shortly to make an appointment, thank you Helen!
 
They would most likely be pointy if they were coming out at all. I doubt there is a blockage but it is best to be sure. It sounds to me like he is gassy.
 
Vets definitely for pain relief and stimulant but we've got one little pig who suffers bloat and the first thing i do is have her out for a tummy rub, a gentle little circular motion to encourage pooping.. If she is well in herself and just bloaty a warm bath again rubbing her poor little tummy helps. A run on the floor helps as exercise will get things moving. We invested in a vibrating massage pad and she will sit happily on it next to me any vibrations will help shift the gas and encourage poop. Food wise we don't give her gassy foods such as cabbage or broccoli. Hope he's ok as bloat is very uncomfortable.
 
He is still acting very much himself, still chipper and begging for food at every opportunity! He is going to vets tomorrow morning and in the meantime he is having massages, Dioralyte and Renne Deflatine to tide him over.

Thank you for the help, should I withhold all veggies and primarily feed hay while the bloating is prominent still?
 
Lots of gentle massage and yes feed predominately hay. Poo is a good sign and helps rule out blockage. Let us know how he gets on at the vets tomorrow
 
Okie doke, he has a lovely pile of Timothy and Rye to tuck into in place of his veg :) He's had nearly all of a Rennie thus far and some Dioralyte (he willingly drunk this!) and is still eating and pooing as normal.

Would probiotic be of any help with bloat? I bought more today just incase.

Edit:he also is no longer making the noise to the same extent as he did last night when cleaning himself, fingers crossed he's already on the mend and the vet only needs to prescribe painkillers!
 
I am pleased things are moving in right direction. The pro biotic won't help with any trapped gas.The pooing is an excellent indicator that he is on mend, with bloat you see no poo at all then it comes back all covered in mucus, wet and out of shape.
 
sport_billy said:
I am pleased things are moving in right direction. The pro biotic won't help with any trapped gas.The pooing is an excellent indicator that he is on mend, with bloat you see no poo at all then it comes back all covered in mucus, wet and out of shape.
Click to expand...

I'll leave the probiotic for now then! He hasn't stopped pooing once since he's bloated or changed any behaviour at all apart from not wanting me to touch his stomach (understandably) so I'm more hopeful are reading up on it more that he hasn't got full blown bloat. Will the fact that this has occured increase the likely hood of this occuring again?
 
Glad you have a vet appointment. I didn't know pigs could have Rennie?

Unfortunately yes some pigs can be prone to digestive upsets but this may just be a one off.
 
helen105281 said:
Glad you have a vet appointment. I didn't know pigs could have Rennie?

Unfortunately yes some pigs can be prone to digestive upsets but this may just be a one off.
Click to expand...

I wasn't either until my local guinea pig rescue said they use it for gassy bloat often, especially the Deflatine type, apparently it works pretty well :) I'm hoping it is a one off, Badger has been exceptionally healthy up until this point!
 
Totally forgot to give an update on this, Badger didn't end up seeing the vet the following day as his belly totally went down and has remained normal since that point! I'm not entirely sure if he was truly bloated in the first place or if it was me being paranoid, either way both boys are still very much happy and healthy :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top