Guinea pig protruding rectum/maybe swollen belly

[Markatavr]

Hey guys,

I just noticed today that one of the guinea pigs rectum is protruding but it's not excessively red or anything. Also they have both been squealing all day- I took him to my lap and when I even touch his belly he squeals. He looks a bit bloated
They have both been on a low dose of baytril for a week but I have also been giving them probiotics on lettuce.
What could it be and what could I do to help him?

I could try to take a picture.

Thanks in advance

 

[Lady Kelly]

What have they been prescribed the baytril for?

To be honest if the antibiotics haven't worked after a week I would be going back to the vet for further investigations, the new symptoms would be worthwhile of consulting your vet about anyway so I would book him back in

 

[Swissgreys]

If he squeals when you touch his belly he is clearly in a lot of pain, and needs to see a vet as a matter or urgency.
Please let us know how you get on.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Yes it would help if can tell us what the baytril was prescribed for.

If you think your piggy might be bloated and has a painful abdomen that is potentially a veterinary emergency- acute bloat can be excrutiatingly painful and can be lethal unfortunately in extreme cases, we almost lost a piggy to acute bloat ourselves.
Is your piggy eating and pooping as normal? I would immediately stop the lettuce and start counting the poops, and see if you can contact an emergency vet- always better to be cautious with something like bloat.

Baytril can disrupt the normal gut bacteria but this is usually mild and easily remedied with a probiotic, so stomach pain and bloating may not be directly linked to the baytril.

Please see if you can find an out of hours emergency vet, or contact your usual vet first thing in the morning and be clear that this may be an emergency!

Ranitidine is often a good medicine to get the guts moving normally again, also emeprid which works on a different part of the gut, you can mention this to the vet if they don't suggest it themselves as an emergency vet may not be that guinea pug savvy.

Healing wheeks to your piggy, please keep us updated!

 

[Markatavr]

The baytril was because they had both been sneezing excessively. The vet heard both their lungs and one had a bit of fluid. They were on 5 days on baytril the first time and it made the cough better but after a couple of weeks they started a lot again. I have been monitoring their poops and they are fine and they have been eating fine so far. There is no exotic vet where I live ( Faroe islands, none in the whole country actually)

Today it is the first time I have seen them, actually squeaking A LOT at each other. They have been going at it for around 4 hours- on and off. Also, one of them A (the least sick) has been attacking B a lot. But I can't understand who is starting it because B has been rumbling at him and then the other one is squeaking.
I tried separating them by splitting the cage in two with a wooden piece but they immediately both started screaming repeateadly more, acting like I have been torturing them so I removed it again <.<
Could it be because they're starting to be teenagers? They're around 5 months old and I have only had them for a month.

Thanks for the replies guys I am really grateful about this site!

 

[PigglePuggle]

I think you have 3 separate things going one here, firstly a respiratory infection that is being treated, secondly some behavioural and dominance issues (which may arise naturally due to teenage hormones, but can also be triggered by illness- sick pigs often lose rank, even if only temporarily, sometimes a dominance challenge can help confirm our first vague suspicions of illness as piggies hide their symptoms from us so often their friends spot a weakness first!) but thirdly and most cause for concern is the potential gut problems.
The gut problem sounds like it could potentially be serious, so if you dont have an emergency vet, please see your regular vet as soon as you can, ideally within the next 24 hours.
Sorting out the behaviour can come later, once you are sure your piggies are both well- a piggy in pain will of course be on the offensive or defensive, we all act up a bit when we are unwell!

 

[Markatavr]

Gotcha! I will contact the vet asap.
Thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!
I agree with the other posters.

Here is our advice on bloating; please see a vet as soon as you can. that has to be your priority as it is the most dangerous issue.
If the rectum is protruding, then there could be an issue with a penis rod or an infection and the bloat could be the knock-on effect, but that is for a hands-on examination at the vets. It sounds very painful anyway.
Bloat, GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

All the best!

PS: I have moved your thread to our specially monitored Health/IIlness section for you.

 

[Markatavr]

Okay I have been told that everything looks actually normal! I have been monitoring the weight multiple times and it doesn't flunctuate crazy. He probably just hates when I touch his belly.
I just tend to get a bit paranoid as a first time/first month owner.

Thanks so much for the links that you ve sent, they are very helpful!

 

[Wiebke]

Okay I have been told that everything looks actually normal! I have been monitoring the weight multiple times and it doesn't flunctuate crazy. He probably just hates when I touch his belly.
I just tend to get a bit paranoid as a first time/first month owner.

Thanks so much for the links that you ve sent, they are very helpful!

I guess that your boys testicles may be descending if he is around 3/4 - 6 months old. It can throw new owners!
Our sexing guide contains pictures: Illustrated Sexing Guide

Learning what is normal in your piggy and then noticing changes during the ideally once weekly weigh-in and body once-over is a very helpful health monitoring tool in catching developing problems early on. The guides below talk you through it:
Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?
Weight - Monitoring and Management

All these guides are part of our very useful and interesting new owners guide collection, which specifically addresses all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about to help you find your feet and learn what is normal and what not, how to understand behaviour and interact with your piggies in ways that they instinctively understand as well as care tips: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

You are of course always welcome to ask any questions you may have along the way in our Care sections but you can also always access our much more extensive guide collection on a wide range of topics via the shortcut on the top bar.