Dash's turn this week

[CV26]

So after a bit of a scare with Spud two weeks ago. (He's doing absolutely fine and maintaining his weight) it's now Dash's turn.

Spotted yesterday that he wasn't pooping consistently, then very much at all. I gave him Emeraid last night and there a few poops in there this morning but they're not good ones at all.

They were at the vets for a check up on Friday and both seemed fine so it's come a bit out of the blue.

He seems perky and active. But he didn't guzzle the Emeraid as readily as he has done in the past - that sort of leans into a theory that he's not just hungry and being hay-picky, and there's something else going on. But who knows.

At a bit of a loss at the moment. I knew there was always the potential for more problems with them and they probably won't ever be properly healthy. But it's hard when that reality smacks you in the face again.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Oh poor you and poor Dash. I would weigh at the same time each day and see if there is a decline in weight and book Dash in with the vets too. It’s horrible when you can’t get a clear assessment of what’s wrong x

 

[PigglePuggle]

Poor Dash, dont these piggies cause no end of worry! I hear Emeraid is very good, have you tried Fibreplex probiotic paste too?
Our Blodwen had her appetite (and presumably all her friendly gut bacteria) completely wiped out by doxycycline antibiotic at the start of this week, barely a nibble of food and only a few very tiny hard poops, and mixing Fibreplex in with her recovery food seemed to get her pooping and eating again very quickly- not 100% but enough that I can sleep at night and she didnt require any gut stimulant meds lol!
Paws crossed the vet can find out what's going on with Dash and healing wheeks he gets his appetite back x

 

[Bill & Ted]

I used to add Fibreplex in recovery food too, it is great stuff

 

[CV26]

Thanks everyone.

I'm already weighing daily because of their ongoing respiratory problems and being on Baytril. Dash's weight last night was one of his higher ones.

They have a probiotic every day too because of the Baytril.

I have Emeraid but I'm nearly out so I've got some Oxbow coming today until I can get more Emeraid again.

I'm starting to wonder if he's just being really picky with his hay. I've put more of the Timothy in this morning and he's happily munching away...his poops are starting to shape back up already and there's a heck of a lot more of them. Guess he might not be a fan of the new Orchard and he's chosen a panic inducing way of protesting.

I'm going to pause on calling the vets for now because at the moment I can't really give them much to go on. If his weight drops tonight and the poop issue hasn't resolved I'll rethink.

Geez...I love them to bits but they do like causing mischief and worry!

 

[Bill & Ted]

They can be very fickle! Maybe he just likes Timothy Hay and not Orchard, as long as he’s eating then that’s a relief for you. Mine all get a mix of a cheap farmers bale of meadow hay, expensive Timothy and a bit of orchard or oat hay when I buy it, but tbh they mainly eat the cheap stuff which I use for bedding. They keep you on your toes don’t they!

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks everyone.

I'm already weighing daily because of their ongoing respiratory problems and being on Baytril. Dash's weight last night was one of his higher ones.

They have a probiotic every day too because of the Baytril.

I have Emeraid but I'm nearly out so I've got some Oxbow coming today until I can get more Emeraid again.

I'm starting to wonder if he's just being really picky with his hay. I've put more of the Timothy in this morning and he's happily munching away...his poops are starting to shape back up already and there's a heck of a lot more of them. Guess he might not be a fan of the new Orchard and he's chosen a panic inducing way of protesting.

I'm going to pause on calling the vets for now because at the moment I can't really give them much to go on. If his weight drops tonight and the poop issue hasn't resolved I'll rethink.

Geez...I love them to bits but they do like causing mischief and worry!

Hi!

Baytril can impact on the gut microbiome and the poo consistency; it can also impact on the appetite. Control the appetite/food intake by weighing daily (poo output is usually running a day behind as it reflects two runs through the gut) and on supporting the beleaguered gut microbiome as much as possible. The gut should eventually recover once the course of baytril has finished at the peak of its effectiveness and then gradually wears off again over the following days.
Here is more information on gut support during antibiotic treatment or loss of appetite: Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Guinea pigs can have a sensitive reaction to any antibiotic but baytril is one that is especially harsh on the digestive bacteria that turn any food into nutrients. it is also the most prescribed because the only licensed antibiotic for guinea pigs in many countries. In the UK we now have additionally sulfatrim (better known as bactrim or septrin) licensed but it is not the first choice for respiratory issues.

There a few more unlicensed (and usually stronger) antibiotics for guinea pigs but they are generally used for worse conditions than you are dealing with.

I hope that this helps you?

 

[Merab]

I can’t add anything but my support.
Hope you can get Dash back on track quickly.

 

[CV26]

Thanks @Wiebke - the boys have been on Baytril for a couple of months now and have been absolutely fine digestion wise. Unfortunately every time we try to take them off antibiotics their respiratory problems tend to kick back in so we're having a long run of them for now and hopefully we can try an antibiotic free spell in the next few weeks. They might have to be on them long term though.

Sulfatrim did nothing for them unfortunately and Doxycycline completely ruined Spud's system for several weeks. Baytril seems to working for us so far, although I did originally have concerns like the ones you've mentioned - but touch wood, it's ok.

Dash's mystery back end problem came out of nowhere really...Thursday / Friday he had perfect poop. Saturday it started to go a bit off. The only thing that's changed this week is the hay supply.

He's had only Timothy today and we've got much better looking poops coming back through already so I am thinking it was a temporary blip, and maybe a bit of a protest at the change. Spud likes the Orchard so they can have their own personal hay supplies for a bit until it's time for more.