Chewing everything - on antibiotics

[JandfpiggiesUK]

Hi.

My guinea pig Jaffa is on a course of Zithromax for a suspected URI.

Since he’s been on it, since last Friday, he’s been chewing and nibbling anything he can get his teeth on. Fluffy blankets etc now he’s chewing the plastic on his cage.

I’m at my wits end with him, he’s never been so nibbly in all the time I’ve had him. What can I do?

The vet checked his teeth and she said they’re fine.

 

[Potterpig]

Hi.

My guinea pig Jaffa is on a course of Zithromax for a suspected URI.

Since he’s been on it, since last Friday, he’s been chewing and nibbling anything he can get his teeth on. Fluffy blankets etc now he’s chewing the plastic on his cage.

I’m at my wits end with him, he’s never been so nibbly in all the time I’ve had him. What can I do?

The vet checked his teeth and she said they’re fine.

I'm no expert but I'm guessing his gut flora could be a bit messed up from the antibiotics? Is he on a probiotic? I hope he's improving on the zithromax x

 

[JandfpiggiesUK]

I'm no expert but I'm guessing his gut flora could be a bit messed up from the antibiotics? Is he on a probiotic? I hope he's improving on the zithromax x

Yeah he’s been getting bio lapis everyday 1-2 hours after the medicine. He’s getting better, one more week left.

 

[Potterpig]

Yeah he’s been getting bio lapis everyday 1-2 hours after the medicine. He’s getting better, one more week left.

Oh bless him, glad has getting better. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will be along soon. One of my pigs started chewing my sofa yesterday

 

[alpacasqueak]

It’s most likely the antibiotics messing up his gut flora like said above.
My Rupert’s been the same recently as on meds, he’s had ‘poop soup’ along with probiotics before and after his antibiotic. And then throughout the day this week as nasty poo too!
I’d just try upping his probiotics and should hopefully help his tummy glad the Zithromax is helping him x

 

[JandfpiggiesUK]

It’s most likely the antibiotics messing up his gut flora like said above.
My Rupert’s been the same recently as on meds, he’s had ‘poop soup’ along with probiotics before and after his antibiotic. And then throughout the day this week as nasty poo too!
I’d just try upping his probiotics and should hopefully help his tummy glad the Zithromax is helping him x

I’m glad he’s not the only one that’s been chewing. I’ve got pro c, bio lapis, fibreplex and also some critical care. Anything else I can give him?

 

[JandfpiggiesUK]

It’s most likely the antibiotics messing up his gut flora like said above.
My Rupert’s been the same recently as on meds, he’s had ‘poop soup’ along with probiotics before and after his antibiotic. And then throughout the day this week as nasty poo too!
I’d just try upping his probiotics and should hopefully help his tummy glad the Zithromax is helping him x

Also, when do you give the poop soup? Before or after?

 

[JandfpiggiesUK]

My other piggy fudge is eating lots but isn’t pooping as much, what should I do? I’m so stuck and stressed over them both

 

[pig in the city]

This isn't uncommon for pigs to chew unusual things when they are on antibiotics. Give him some cardboard tubes stuffed with hay and he should chew those instead.
As for the reduced pooh in your other piggy, just keep an eye on him and weigh him regularly, it's probably nothing to worry about

 

[alpacasqueak]

Yes I do the same with cardboard tubes, he’s demolished a good few recently!
I treat the poo soup like a probiotic really, an hour before or after. Or just during the day as I’m also syringe feeding Rupert.
Hope his tummy settles down x

 

[JandfpiggiesUK]

Yes I do the same with cardboard tubes, he’s demolished a good few recently!
I treat the poo soup like a probiotic really, an hour before or after. Or just during the day as I’m also syringe feeding Rupert.
Hope his tummy settles down x

Thank you very much for your help. I appreciate it. I’ll make sure to save them for him. He’s got a carrot house and little willow chew toy things, which he occasionally nibbles on. Is there anything I can give my piggy that isn’t pooping much?

 

[Potterpig]

Thank you very much for your help. I appreciate it. I’ll make sure to save them for him. He’s got a carrot house and little willow chew toy things, which he occasionally nibbles on. Is there anything I can give my piggy that isn’t pooping much?

Have you checked his weight? Buzz genuinely secret pooped for about two days after he had his abscess drained, it was driving me mad. I found one after two days and it was normal and his weight was okay so I relaxed after that x

 

[JandfpiggiesUK]

Have you checked his weight? Buzz genuinely secret pooped for about two days after he had his abscess drained, it was driving me mad. I found one after two days and it was normal and his weight was okay so I relaxed after that x

I just weighed him. He’s 1092 grams, the heaviest he’s been. He was 1042 grams last week. However I weighed him at 6:30pm last week and weighed him 11:50am. So it’s probably not an accurate number.

 

[Wiebke]

When the microbiome in the gut has been affected by an antibiotic, an operation or a major gut illness, piggies often try to rebalance it by eating very rough fibre.

Poo soup made from literally just dropped poos from a healthy companion that you soak in a little water and then syringe the water is very effective in restocking the gut with the right stuff; it may sound gross, but it mimics natural behaviour and is more successful than a normal probiotic, provided you do it freshly from scratch twice daily.
Otherwise a course of fibreplex can do the same. I have had a couple of piggies where zithromax did cause total loss of appetite.
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

We use Zithromax a lot, here at TEAS, and I have never noticed this behaviour from any of the piggies we have had on it. I don't give a probiotic either.

 

[JandfpiggiesUK]

When the microbiome in the gut has been affected by an antibiotic, an operation or a major gut illness, piggies often try to rebalance it by eating very rough fibre.

Poo soup made from literally just dropped poos from a healthy companion that you soak in a little water and then syringe the water is very effective in restocking the gut with the right stuff; it may sound gross, but it mimics natural behaviour and is more successful than a normal probiotic, provided you do it freshly from scratch twice daily.
Otherwise a course of fibreplex can do the same. I have had a couple of piggies where zithromax did cause total loss of appetite.
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

I’ve done the poop soup twice since you last mentioned it. Do I do this everyday that he’s on antibiotics? He’s been getting about 5ml of bio lapis twice a day a few hours after his medicine. He’s eating normally and pooping normally so I’m not worried about that. His behaviour has also bounced back to normal, he’s gone back to his usual inquisitive cheeky self. His poops have become thinner since being given antibiotics too, is this common?, even though he’s getting probiotics.

Fudge my other guinea pig is also eating normally and drinking normally too. However he isn’t pooping as much as normal. Is this something to worry about?

 

[Wiebke]

I’ve done the poop soup twice since you last mentioned it. Do I do this everyday that he’s on antibiotics? He’s been getting about 5ml of bio lapis twice a day a few hours after his medicine. He’s eating normally and pooping normally so I’m not worried about that. His behaviour has also bounced back to normal, he’s gone back to his usual inquisitive cheeky self. His poops have become thinner since being given antibiotics too, is this common?, even though he’s getting probiotics.

Fudge my other guinea pig is also eating normally and drinking normally too. However he isn’t pooping as much as normal. Is this something to worry about?

Please continue with the poo soup at least once daily for several days after the antibiotic.

Put your companion on a daily weight watch. You can find information on what exactly to expect and look out for in our new updated weighing guide: Weight - Monitoring and Management

 

[JandfpiggiesUK]

It’s most likely the antibiotics messing up his gut flora like said above.
My Rupert’s been the same recently as on meds, he’s had ‘poop soup’ along with probiotics before and after his antibiotic. And then throughout the day this week as nasty poo too!
I’d just try upping his probiotics and should hopefully help his tummy glad the Zithromax is helping him x

Do you mind if I chat with you? Could do with a bit of reassurance aha x

 

[alpacasqueak]

Sorry I’ve just seen, out of data on phone and pinching WiFi atm, home soon but I’ll have more at 12am or in the morning if you still need a chat x