Diarrhoea

[Cutecumbers]

Hello. My piggie Jemima (around 5 years old) has had diarrhoea for almost a week. We have been to the vet exotic vet twice and have read existing advice on this forum as well.

But her poo doesn’t seem to be improving. The vet put it best when she said that her poo looks like wet critical care!

Jemima has been eating and drinking the whole time thank goodness. Under vet direction, she has been on critical care, Protexin and also poo soup thanks to a healthy cage mate. At the second appointment she was put on a medicine like what people get when they have stomach ulcers.

Nothing in faecal tests that show an obvious problem or that she should go on antibiotics.

Has anyone had an issue with protracted diarrhoea before like this?

Her weight is stable (I weigh her every day).

She is also on a number of medicines for other issues. It’s a bit of a big list for a little piggie: Tramal, Gabapentin, Enalapril and Semintra.

From worried Mum,
Laura

 

[Merab]

Sorry that you’re having such a difficult time.
I have no experience to share but will hold you in my thoughts

 

[Babybirke]

First of all, I'm sorry to hear that your guinea pig is having such a difficult time with diarrhoea.
My first thought is whether some of the medication could be contributing to the problem. I had a guinea pig with a very sensitive digestive system, and even something like Metacam could cause prolonged diarrhoea in him. He was also extremely sensitive to certain vegetables, which could trigger digestive problems as well.
I don't know why your guinea pig is on all of these medications, but it is quite an extensive list. As far as I understand, some of them are commonly used for chronic kidney disease or heart disease, so I wonder if she is also dealing with one of these conditions in addition to the diarrhoea. Has she been on these medications for a long time, or are any of them new? If something was started recently, it may be worth considering whether there is a connection.
Regarding Critical Care, I don't know what her normal diet is, but I can share my own experience. I have had several guinea pigs that simply could not tolerate it. One of mine became seriously ill with severe bloat while receiving Oxbow Critical Care. In my case, I suspect that the easily digestible carbohydrates and the soy content may have played a role. I don't know whether your guinea pig is already accustomed to soy through her pellets, but mine definitely could not tolerate Critical Care at all.
I would also be cautious with poop soup. I know several guinea pigs that became quite unwell after receiving it. As I understand it, it should ideally be made from fresh cecotropes rather than ordinary droppings collected from the cage, but in practice many people use regular faeces, which may not provide the intended benefit.
Personally, I would be inclined to pause and reassess some of these supportive treatments in consultation with your veterinarian. What I have had the best experience with for digestive problems is a probiotic containing beneficial bacteria given two to three times daily together with Silicea Gastrointestinal Gel (silica gel).
Do you have any idea what may have triggered the diarrhoea in the first place? Was it associated with a change in medication, a change in diet, or did it start completely out of the blue? I think that information could help narrow down the possible cause

 

[Piggies&buns]

As I understand it, it should ideally be made from fresh cecotropes rather than ordinary droppings collected from the cage, but in practice many people use regular faeces, which may not provide the intended benefit.

I just want to pick up on this to correct it.

It is now known that Guinea pigs do not produce caecotrophs.
They partake in coprophagy. This means they only produce the waste poops and it is those waste poops which they eat for a second run through the gut.

For poop soup, the poops should never be collected from the cage. They are only collected by putting piggy in a clean container and collecting the poops the moment they are produced, soaked in water and the water syringed to the piggy (the poops themselves are discarded).

Wiebke's Guide to Poops

 

[Piggies&buns]

@Cutecumbers

I’m sorry to hear of her issues.

I’m afraid I haven’t dealt with such a long running case of diarrhoea but You are doing everything we would suggest, with the poop soup, probiotic and syringe feeding.
I assume she isn’t currently being given veg?

If she isn’t improving then it sounds like another vet check would be in order.
Your vet has surely considered whether the meds she is on are possibly playing a role in any issues she may be having.

I hope she is ok

 

[Cutecumbers]

First of all, I'm sorry to hear that your guinea pig is having such a difficult time with diarrhoea.
My first thought is whether some of the medication could be contributing to the problem. I had a guinea pig with a very sensitive digestive system, and even something like Metacam could cause prolonged diarrhoea in him. He was also extremely sensitive to certain vegetables, which could trigger digestive problems as well.
I don't know why your guinea pig is on all of these medications, but it is quite an extensive list. As far as I understand, some of them are commonly used for chronic kidney disease or heart disease, so I wonder if she is also dealing with one of these conditions in addition to the diarrhoea. Has she been on these medications for a long time, or are any of them new? If something was started recently, it may be worth considering whether there is a connection.
Regarding Critical Care, I don't know what her normal diet is, but I can share my own experience. I have had several guinea pigs that simply could not tolerate it. One of mine became seriously ill with severe bloat while receiving Oxbow Critical Care. In my case, I suspect that the easily digestible carbohydrates and the soy content may have played a role. I don't know whether your guinea pig is already accustomed to soy through her pellets, but mine definitely could not tolerate Critical Care at all.
I would also be cautious with poop soup. I know several guinea pigs that became quite unwell after receiving it. As I understand it, it should ideally be made from fresh cecotropes rather than ordinary droppings collected from the cage, but in practice many people use regular faeces, which may not provide the intended benefit.
Personally, I would be inclined to pause and reassess some of these supportive treatments in consultation with your veterinarian. What I have had the best experience with for digestive problems is a probiotic containing beneficial bacteria given two to three times daily together with Silicea Gastrointestinal Gel (silica gel).
Do you have any idea what may have triggered the diarrhoea in the first place? Was it associated with a change in medication, a change in diet, or did it start completely out of the blue? I think that information could help narrow down the possible cause

Thank you. I am taking on board anything I can information wise and will gather it for the appointment I have booked with her vets.

 

[Cutecumbers]

@Cutecumbers

I’m sorry to hear of her issues.

I’m afraid I haven’t dealt with such a long running case of diarrhoea but You are doing everything we would suggest, with the poop soup, probiotic and syringe feeding.
I assume she isn’t currently being given veg?

If she isn’t improving then it sounds like another vet check would be in order.
Your vet has surely considered whether the meds she is on are possibly playing a role in any issues she may be having.

I hope she is ok

No veggies at the moment on the advice of the vet. I will have to ask the vet specifically if any of her medications could be a contributing factor (although she’s been on them for a while without diarrhoea). Thank you.

 

[Cutecumbers]

I just want to pick up on this to correct it.

It is now known that Guinea pigs do not produce caecotrophs.
They partake in coprophagy. This means they only produce the waste poops and it is those waste poops which they eat for a second run through the gut.

For poop soup, the poops should never be collected from the cage. They are only collected by putting piggy in a clean container and collecting the poops the moment they are produced, soaked in water and the water syringed to the piggy (the poops themselves are discarded).

Wiebke's Guide to Poops

Thank you. Yes I have been collecting the poos fresh from a clean cage from my other piggie.