Guinea Pig With Wind

[Maddykins]

My Martin seems to be prone to wind. I no longer give him any vegetables that are renowned for causing wind and other bloaty issues, but I noticed a few days ago his tummy seemed swollen up again with wind like last time, and when I was gently rubbing it after awhile I could actually feel it had deflated a bit, and it was obviously uncomfortable for him as he was squeaking a bit unhappily whilst I was rubbing. I just heard him pass quite a lot of gass as well whilst he was pushing out some poops, luckily he wasn't crying when doing this so wasn't in pain, but a couple of other times I have heard him do so. Last time he had a lot of wind it also turned out he had a water infection as well. I don't think he has a water infection this time around, he doesn't seem to be crying like he did then when toileting, and I haven't seen any blood like I did last time, but I'm wondering if it could be that again that is causing the gas though? I was thinking of not giving him any vegetables now, is that a good idea? And I also have some probiotic left over from last time, would it be useful to add that to his water as the vet said last time it had helped reduce some of his wind.

I also am in a really difficult situation because me and my partner are due to be travelling abroad to be with our family for 10 days of the Xmas period from Monday. We are paying a pet-sitter to come twice a day from then whilst we are away. I am sure the pigs will be looked after well but I doubt if Martin needed antibiotics I could rely on the pet-sitter to administer them, I don't know if he would be comfortable to do that. He is coming on Friday to have a chat with us about the pig's needs and get a set of keys. I could probably get a vet appointment by Friday at the latest, maybe even tomorrow, but I don't know if it's necessary at this point? His behaviour otherwise is completely normal and he is eating normally, and my other piggy seems perfectly fine. And I concerned that if this IS a water infection, why has it happened just a few months after he had one last and surely it's not good to have to keep taking antibiotics? Argh just this is the worst timing and I am such a worrier as well when it comes to my little ones. Obviously if one of us has to cancel the trip and stay with our baby then we will, his health comes first, but at this point that would probably seem like an overreaction. Advice?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! There seems to be a bloating issue, which some guinea pigs can develop. As there are no fresh veg in the mix, the next step may be looking at grain-free pellets to see whether those make a difference. How old is Martin? A delicate digestion is more common in older guinea pigs.
Vitakraft Emotion Professional Prebiotic Guinea Pig

I would recommend keeping a small stash of anti-bloating medications at home; best ask your vet whether he would let you have some first aid stuff at home so you can treat whenever and as promptly as necessary. Ranitidine/zantac and a gut stimulant would be helpful for any acute bloating episode.
I don't know whether you can get gripe water for babies in France; this is very good at dispersing gas bubbles. You may be able to find a similar product in your supermarkets; otherwise here is a link on how to make some at home. The usual suspects like cooled chamomile or fennel tea can also help if you cannot get hold of anything else. Homemade Natural Gripe Water for Colic in Babies
With any acute bloating, massaging/vibrating helps a lot with dispersing gas.

If I were you, I would have Martin seen by a vet before you leave so you know whether you are dealing just with bloating or with a UTI as well. You can then have peace of mind and/or plan accordingly.

 

[Maddykins]

Oh no, he still does get vegetables, just not anything that is notorious for causing gas, sorry, I didn't explain myself very well. Although I am halving his vegetable intake at the moment because of this flare-up. Last time I took him to the vet they didn't even test him for a UTI, they just said it sounded like one and gave me antibiotics for him (which I'm sure it was because it cleared up fast once they started). Is there a test that you can do for a UTI that can give you an instant result or is that not possible?

The other day when I saw him crying whilst peeing, I noticed a big blob of boar glue came out, I'm wondering whether passing that could have been painful? Because I haven't heard him crying whilst toileting since. We also gave his penis a check and a quick wipe clean too to make sure there's nothing else stuck there that could be causing discomfort.

I don't think gripe water exists in France unfortunately but thanks for the other suggestions, will look into it all and try and get a good stock of useful things at home. We are not exactly sure of his age as was a rescue but based on their estimations he is still pretty young, between 2 and a half and 3 years old. He also eats the same as his brother who doesn't have this issue thankfully.

Thanks for the links and info will check them out

 

[gizzy]

Hope your pigs Ok

 

[Wiebke]

Oh no, he still does get vegetables, just not anything that is notorious for causing gas, sorry, I didn't explain myself very well. Although I am halving his vegetable intake at the moment because of this flare-up. Last time I took him to the vet they didn't even test him for a UTI, they just said it sounded like one and gave me antibiotics for him (which I'm sure it was because it cleared up fast once they started). Is there a test that you can do for a UTI that can give you an instant result or is that not possible?

The other day when I saw him crying whilst peeing, I noticed a big blob of boar glue came out, I'm wondering whether passing that could have been painful? Because I haven't heard him crying whilst toileting since. We also gave his penis a check and a quick wipe clean too to make sure there's nothing else stuck there that could be causing discomfort.

I don't think gripe water exists in France unfortunately but thanks for the other suggestions, will look into it all and try and get a good stock of useful things at home. We are not exactly sure of his age as was a rescue but based on their estimations he is still pretty young, between 2 and a half and 3 years old. He also eats the same as his brother who doesn't have this issue thankfully.

Thanks for the links and info will check them out

UTI is usually diagnosed by traces of blood and high protein levels in the urine - the latter is a sign of infection. A feel of the bladder or a scan/x-ray is also useful to exclude the presence of stones or sludge in the bladder, as they cause the same symptoms. Just treating on spec without any checks doesn't exactly fill me with confidence, as that is not a diagnosis.
Guinea Lynx :: UTI

Boar glue when hard can be painful to pass. Good that you have expressed the penis and checked for any rods that would have been very uncomfortable and could cause infection in the long term.

If bloating issues reoccur, I would take your boy off all veg and then test one by one if there are any which he is sensitive to. This can vary from guinea pig to guinea pig, so it is a slow and laborious process to work out what works and what not.