Guinea Pig Has Soft Stool

[slrosenstiel]

Hello. I'm new to this forum. I have a guinea pig that is about 8 months old. We've had her since about 8 weeks. A few months ago she had an abscess under her chin and it had to be drained and the vet gave her an antibiotic and pain meds. She recovered well but I noticed that while she was on her meds she had diarrhea. I quickly called the vet and they told me to back off her fresh veggies while on the meds. I did and she has now been off meds for over a month but still has soft stool anytime I give her fresh veggies. I give her leaf lettuce in small amounts and a few shredded carrots in very small amounts and I alternate daily so she doesn't eat the same thing all the time. I also have another guinea pig who has no problem on the same diet. They have unlimited hay and the only bad thing (I think is bad) is their food is the kind that contains seeds and mixed fruits. Any ideas why she would still be having soft stool? She seems to be feeling well, still popcorn in and playing.

 

[biscandmatt]

the medication may have upset the balance of her tummy. you could try her on a probiotic for a while to help. there are a few to try but we use avipro plus.

the seeds and mixed fruit don't sound ideal to be honest. how much do they have?

 

[slrosenstiel]

I give them a small bowl full a day which they both consume together. Where do you buy the probiotics?

 

[Elwickcavies]

I would definitely try a probiotic - another option is Pro-C, which is available at Pets @ Home. Perhaps you could look into a nugget style dried food (some have probiotics added).

 

[slrosenstiel]

I never thought about a probiotic. I take one myself! I have always bought this type food for my piggies but never knew that all the filler junk wasn't good for them until I started doing some research online about their diet. I've read where Timothy hay based pellets are the best is this correct? And what brand does everyone use and where to get it?

 

[biscandmatt]

i use oxbow cavy cuisine which are timothy hay based. avirpo plus i buy online. i just got some from viovet i think. there is vet uk, viovet, hayexperts, animed direct. i use these ones mainly.

 

[Elwickcavies]

I would avoid alfalfa-based nuggets; Timothy hay-based are good. I use Harringtons Optimum, which you can get in some of the supermarkets, but I get online from Amazon.

 

[slrosenstiel]

Yes I will make sure they're Timothy based. Thanks everybody. I will definitely get a probiotic. And change their food!

 

[piggyfan]

@helen105281 is very knowledgeable about pellets and recommends these,
http://t.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/food/guinea_pig/bunny/195679

There are no good pellets in the uk sadly.

 

[slrosenstiel]

I'm actually in the US. I was actually wondering about a site from the UK to get probiotics from. I'm sure it would cost an arm and leg to get it shipped to the US?

 

[helen105281]

I agree with the probiotic recommendation, I would have a look on www.guinealynx.com to see if any US brands are recommended.

The pellets Piggyfan has linked to are great but I am not sure you would be able to get them in the US. I am sure someone is putting together a US pellet and hay list though.