Guinea pig poo problem (sorry! lol)

[devonbelle]

We have 2 gorgeous boys called Bill and Ben. 3 months after we got them they started fighting dreadfully so, on the vet's advice, we neutered Ben. However, this didn't solve the problem so they now have separate hutches. 2 months after the op, Ben developed an abcess which required a course of antibiotics. During this time, he stopped eating (the vet said he had a toxic tummy) and we had to syringe feed him fruit based baby food. However, the abcess is now gone and he is eating better, but not great. Also, and the main problem, is that his poos are not firm like they should be and smell dreadful. We are coming to the end of a course of probiotics but they have not helped much. We have cut back his fresh veg intake and are including lots of different hay types. I am just wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this problem and if anyone has any good ides to try and solve it.
Thanks.

 

[Niki]

It sounds like the balance of gut flora is out. Not sure why your vet suggested fruit based baby foods only. You could syring him critical care or science recovery or add hot water to guinea pig pelleted food, mush it up n syringe this to him, you can also add a crushed vit c tablet to this or put a whole tablet into his mouth to ensure he's getting enough.

Probiotics should be given approx 2 hours after giving antibiotic for it to do any good, has he finished his antibiotics? Was he given baytril? if so this itself can cause tummy upsets.

Are his poops not formed at all? The fact they smell makes me think a poss infection but i'm no expert & haven't had this with any of my own piggies, hopefully someone who has experienced this with their own piggy will be along to offer advice

Just wanted to add neutering of a male guinea pig only stops their ability to reproduce it doesn't affect behaviour hence the fighting not stopping; i would look for a cavy savvy vet as yours should've known this