Eating cagemates poop...a lot

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Agashe

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello so my 2 y/o Hazel and 2 m/o J Rod are in one cage together and have been for about 3-4 weeks now,the cage is more than big enough for them. Hazel is harassing J Rod for poop a lot...like a whole lot,we’re talking 5 times or more during the day. He doesn’t do anything else that I can think of that would be bullying other than the occasional rumble strut. Hazel doesn’t hump or nip,he lets J Rod eat and drink,they sleep in the same hut and everything. My confusion stems from the vet telling me it’s likely bullying and nothing else. Hazel is on benebac and that seemed to help a little but not so much that I feel any better about all of this. Hazel is also chewing like crazy but the vet said that’s not always a sign of pain or anything serious. The vet has recommended that I separate them and I really don’t want to the baby cried when I tried to put the separator in and Hazel kinda made some complaining noises too so I took that down before I even got it up,it made me upset to hear the baby want to go back with Hazel after less than a minute so I think they like eachother well enough? but the vet is insisting almost every time to separate. I don’t know if it’s bullying or what. Please help, I don’t want to separate,especially with J Rod being so young.
 
Please don’t separate unless the other pig isn’t being allowed to eat etc.

Hazel is needing to eat those poops for a reason, so I think it’s a case of the vet checking him and doing further tests.

I’ll tag @Wiebke @PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns

Please keep your posts to your previous thread so we know the backstory without hunting around for it.
 
Hi!

Whay not try making 'poo soup' from totally freshly dropped poos of the healthy boy and then immediately soaking them shortly in water and syringing the water to the boy keen on getting hold of caecotrophs (redigested poos).

Harrassing a companion for caecotrophs rich in gut microbiome is the natural way for recovering piggies to re-stock their own gut. Absolutely fresh poos are much more effective in doing that (and contain exactly the 'right stuff' for a cavy gut) than any probiotic powder. Very freshly made poo soup is not quite as effected as the caecotrophs, but when correctly made still noticeably more effective than the powder.
You can stimulate the donor piggy with some veg; eating seems to be a signal for the bum dropping poos...
Here is the 'recipe': Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

This will hopefully take a bit of pressure off your little boy. It is NOT bullying and there is NO reason for separation.

Unfortunately as you are not keeping your posts to your assignated support thread with the background information to refer back toand it is nearly midnight here, I cannot comment on your general case and the reasons for your vet's comments.
You can always pick up your Health/illness support thread on an ongoing case via the Find Thread/Your Threads option by the top bar. without it, we cannot guarantee that our support will be optimal unless we have the spare time to chase up the original thread every time and merge your new thread with old one - which takes time away from other members in need.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Whay not try making 'poo soup' from totally freshly dropped poos of the healthy boy and then immediately soaking them shortly in water and syringing the water to the boy keen on getting hold of caecotrophs (redigested poos).

Harrassing a companion for caecotrophs rich in gut microbiome is the natural way for recovering piggies to re-stock their own gut. Absolutely fresh poos are much more effective in doing that (and contain exactly the 'right stuff' for a cavy gut) than any probiotic powder. Very freshly made poo soup is not quite as effected as the caecotrophs, but when correctly made still noticeably more effective than the powder.
You can stimulate the donor piggy with some veg; eating seems to be a signal for the bum dropping poos...
Here is the 'recipe': Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

This will hopefully take a bit of pressure off your little boy. It is NOT bullying and there is NO reason for separation.

Unfortunately as you are not keeping your posts to your assignated support thread with the background information to refer back toand it is nearly midnight here, I cannot comment on your general case and the reasons for your vet's comments.
You can always pick up your Health/illness support thread on an ongoing case via the Find Thread/Your Threads option by the top bar. without it, we cannot guarantee that our support will be optimal unless we have the spare time to chase up the original thread every time and merge your new thread with old one - which takes time away from other members in need.
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This has been going on for a few weeks now,since the vet thinks it’s bullying should I insist on test? They don’t seem too keen to see my point of view and seem to think this will go away...but it’s been more than a week now. As for the syringe feeding,Hazel hated syringe feeds so I will have to really try with him

How do I update a post? Just reply to my own post? Or? I’m not sure because I’m still new,I noticed they were getting merged but didn’t think to ask how to update one
 
Yes you reply to your own thread. I’ve asked for them to be merged.

I would insist they do some kind of tests if they’ve not found anything but he’s still acting ‘out of sorts’. Are you able to get a second opinion?
 
Siikibam said:
Yes you reply to your own thread. I’ve asked for them to be merged.

I would insist they do some kind of tests if they’ve not found anything but he’s still acting ‘out of sorts’. Are you able to get a second opinion?
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They said they would run some X-rays if I wanted and some blood work when I took him in for the visit,I’m worried they will either super advise against it since they have to put him out for the blood work and I’m worried nothing will be found or he doesn’t respond well to being asleep

I’ve worried before about the little one and nothing was found wrong with him so I think they probably think I’m riddled with anxiety which...isn’t super far from the truth but idk what to do if they think it’s bullying and nothing more,I suppose I can insist he’s having issues and unfortunately lie and tell them that they didn’t work out being apart (which is kinda true but it was for less than a minute) but idk if I should

There’s seems to be only them in the area,the next closest place is an hour away
 
As I and then other members have previously said both in this post and the other posts you’ve made on this subject. This is not bullying , please do not separate them, there is absolutely no need.

your piggy, as wiebke says, is just trying to make his tummy feel better.
 
I would make the journey and have him checked over at the other vet. But please don’t separate. How much experience does your vet have with treating guinea pigs?
 
Siikibam said:
I would make the journey and have him checked over at the other vet. But please don’t separate. How much experience does your vet have with treating guinea pigs?
Click to expand...

They are the only exotics in all of my city,2 different vets have seen them within that same clinic and they have a pretty good amount of experience between the two of them because of that. The doctors themselves said they could do more tests if I needed them but are apprehensive about it. J Rod also has some stuff on his fur lately? Idk what it is but his fur is kinda hard in those spots but it’s not thick and matted,it’s kinda like theirs gel on certain parts of his fur? Its clear whatever it is.
 
Agashe said:
They are the only exotics in all of my city,2 different vets have seen them within that same clinic and they have a pretty good amount of experience between the two of them because of that. The doctors themselves said they could do more tests if I needed them but are apprehensive about it. J Rod also has some stuff on his fur lately? Idk what it is but his fur is kinda hard in those spots but it’s not thick and matted,it’s kinda like theirs gel on certain parts of his fur? Its clear whatever it is.
Click to expand...

That sounds like it could be boar glue (semen). That is normal for two boars living together.
just leave it and as the fur grows, you can cut it out.
 
Piggies&buns said:
That sounds like it could be boar glue (semen). That is normal for two boars living together.
just leave it and as the fur grows, you can cut it out.
Click to expand...

J Rod literally just screamed bloody murder a moment ago and I couldn’t jump up in time to see why,Hazel walked back into the hut kinda making a crying/complaining noise. I’m scared because I have to go to work in an hour or so,idk what just happened.
 
Agashe said:
J Rod literally just screamed bloody murder a moment ago and I couldn’t jump up in time to see why,Hazel walked back into the hut kinda making a crying/complaining noise. I’m scared because I have to go to work in an hour or so,idk what just happened.
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do all your hideys have two exits?
 
Piggies&buns said:
do all your hideys have two exits?
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Yes they do,I’m using cardboard boxes. My fear is that Hazel could get the baby in a bad spot. When both are in the huts though since the baby likes sleeping next to him and he’s so small that Hazel might hurt him instantly
 
It seems they are fine together most of the time, i don’t think there’s anything to worry about. He won’t hurt him.
 
Piggies&buns said:
It seems they are fine together most of the time, i don’t think there’s anything to worry about. He won’t hurt him.
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After watching them for a bit,I think J Rod has had enough...he’s trying to nip at Hazel for all the butt sniffing he’s currently trying to do,will this cause any fights?

Hazel is trying to chase J Rod around the cage and isn’t having too much trouble keeping up
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Whay not try making 'poo soup' from totally freshly dropped poos of the healthy boy and then immediately soaking them shortly in water and syringing the water to the boy keen on getting hold of caecotrophs (redigested poos).

Harrassing a companion for caecotrophs rich in gut microbiome is the natural way for recovering piggies to re-stock their own gut. Absolutely fresh poos are much more effective in doing that (and contain exactly the 'right stuff' for a cavy gut) than any probiotic powder. Very freshly made poo soup is not quite as effected as the caecotrophs, but when correctly made still noticeably more effective than the powder.
You can stimulate the donor piggy with some veg; eating seems to be a signal for the bum dropping poos...
Here is the 'recipe': Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

This will hopefully take a bit of pressure off your little boy. It is NOT bullying and there is NO reason for separation.

Unfortunately as you are not keeping your posts to your assignated support thread with the background information to refer back toand it is nearly midnight here, I cannot comment on your general case and the reasons for your vet's comments.
You can always pick up your Health/illness support thread on an ongoing case via the Find Thread/Your Threads option by the top bar. without it, we cannot guarantee that our support will be optimal unless we have the spare time to chase up the original thread every time and merge your new thread with old one - which takes time away from other members in need.
Click to expand...

For poop soup is older poop okay? J Rod is harassed almost at every turn,the only poops I ever actually get to see from him seem to already be hardened and uninteresting to Hazel. I think Hazel literally gets every single fresh cecal(?) poop that J Rod drops. I'm wondering if part of the pad is still somewhere inside or if it messed up his stomach by causing a cut or a sore or maybe it’s messed up his ability to gain all the nutrients he needs from his food? The tear drop poops are still coming and going at random paces but he is drinking plenty of water. Can I give Hazel his own poop? I don’t think it has what he needs as Hazel doesn’t bother with them even when fresh.
 
Agashe said:
For poop soup is older poop okay? J Rod is harassed almost at every turn,the only poops I ever actually get to see from him seem to already be hardened and uninteresting to Hazel. I think Hazel literally gets every single fresh cecal(?) poop that J Rod drops. I'm wondering if part of the pad is still somewhere inside or if it messed up his stomach by causing a cut or a sore or maybe it’s messed up his ability to gain all the nutrients he needs from his food? Can I give Hazel his own poop? I don’t think it has what he needs as Hazel doesn’t bother with them.
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No, the poop needs to be absolutely fresh. Just take him out for a little treat and wait until there are a few poos. You want have to wait long. ;)

Unfortunately, gut microbiome starts dying off the minute it leaves the body, so old poos are totally useless.
 
Wiebke said:
No, the poop needs to be absolutely fresh. Just take him out for a little treat and wait until there are a few poos. You want have to wait long. ;)
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Okay I will give J Rod some Romaine lettuce latter and see if that stimulates him enough. Romaine is okay right? Shouldn’t the benebac have started to help by now? It’s been almost a week
 
Agashe said:
Okay I will give J Rod some Romaine lettuce latter and see if that stimulates him enough. Shouldn’t the benebac have started to help by now? It’s been almost a week
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The actual effectiveness of probiotics is still under discussion... At least I can guarantee you that properly made poo soup DOES work.
All the best for poor little J Rod and his big friend's underlying health issue.
 
Hazel is still eating poops a lot and still has teardrop poops,what could be the cause of this? I’m trying to give him poop soup but he doesn’t like it too much despite wanting it constantly from his cagemate,is there any tricks to make him want it?
 
tear drop shaped poop indicates a digestive upset, as does trying to eat poop.
as Siikibam has asked, is he off of veg? don't give veg to a piggy with a tummy upset, it can just make the problem worse.
if he is still having a tummy problem after a long time off of medication, then id perhaps ask the vet to do a stool test to see if there is maybe something else going on
 
Agashe said:
Hazel is still eating poops a lot and still has teardrop poops,what could be the cause of this? I’m trying to give him poop soup but he doesn’t like it too much despite wanting it constantly from his cagemate,is there any tricks to make him want it?
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Have you considered support feeding him as he has got a persistent mild digestive problem; that is at the bottom of his behaviour. He is basically trying to treat himself.
You can also give a little brown cardboard (not too much or it could cause its own problems) to help him realign his gut with some very poor, rough fibre. Have you tried a course of fibreplex yet?

Poo soup is not as nice and effective as proper caecotrophs sadly. As long as your vet is not prepared to pursue the problem, you are unfortunately pretty stuck. :(
 
Wiebke said:
Have you considered support feeding him as he has got a persistent mild digestive problem; that is at the bottom of his behaviour. He is basically trying to treat himself.
You can also give a little brown cardboard (not too much or it could cause its own problems) to help him realign his gut with some very poor, rough fibre. Have you tried a course of fibreplex yet?

Poo soup is not as nice and effective as proper caecotrophs sadly. As long as your vet is not prepared to pursue the problem, you are unfortunately pretty stuck. :(
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He’s eating enough to maintain his own weight and it seems to be a good weight but he hates syringe feeds so I get nervous,last time I did it he fought so hard that he somehow got some up his nose? And was huffing until morning
 
Agashe said:
He’s eating enough to maintain his own weight and it seems to be a good weight but he hates syringe feeds so I get nervous,last time I did it he fought so hard that he somehow got some up his nose? And was huffing until morning
Click to expand...

The problem is that your nervousness translates; it is important that you practice before there is the need so you are much more confident in pushing through the medicating/support feeding issue. Try to fill the syringe with something he likes, like a mix of water and probiotic powder.
Syringe Training Before The Need For Medicating
 
Wiebke said:
The problem is that your nervousness translates; it is important that you practice before there is the need so you are much more confident in pushing through the medicating/support feeding issue. Try to fill the syringe with something he likes, like a mix of water and probiotic powder.
Syringe Training Before The Need For Medicating
Click to expand...

I was syringe feeding J Rod for about a month so I have experience with it,it’s just that Hazel HATES syringe feeding. He’ll take it for the first ml then anything after that he fights. I can try to order some probiotics online but I’m not sure where to look or even what to get or what ml I should be giving a day to him?
 
Agashe said:
I was syringe feeding J Rod for about a month so I have experience with it,it’s just that Hazel HATES syringe feeding. He’ll take it for the first ml then anything after that he fights. I can try to order some probiotics online but I’m not sure where to look or even what to get or what ml I should be giving a day to him?
Click to expand...

Here is is our guide but basically any probiotic brand, including a pet shop brand will do. follow the advice on the lable or give a pinch at a time. You can't really overdose. Most piggies like water with probiotics in it; let's hope that Hazel does!
He probably has some bad experiences and is making it worse by fighting, poor boy. :(
 
Wiebke said:
Here is is our guide but basically any probiotic brand, including a pet shop brand will do. follow the advice on the lable or give a pinch at a time. You can't really overdose. Most piggies like water with probiotics in it; let's hope that Hazel does!
He probably has some bad experiences and is making it worse by fighting, poor boy. :(
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No bad experiences that I’m aware of,I’ve had him since he was PROBABLY about 2 months old? He and his brother were on the bigger side but he’s now about 930-940 grms so I assume he was that old at the store when I got him because his old pic from when I got him makes him HUGE compared to J Rod which J Rod was about a month old. I suspect Hazel isn’t fond of syringe feeds because I’ve literally never had to do any of this until recently. He was a VERY healthy guinea until as of late so he’s never had to receive anything via syringe
 
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