Gut stasis antibiotics or not?

[Surfergirl]

I would give your vet a call first thing tomorrow.
As she has already seen them and has been prescribed Metacam they may be able to recommend a new dose over the phone.
Particularly if you explain what you are seeing, and that you think she is in pain.

Thank you. I will ring at 8am. Been awake since 430am and watching the clock!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Have you any idea how long the pain usually lasts? I imagined a few days as her gut got working again. She seemed much brighter the first day, but was allowed 0.4ml on day 1, which probably helped.
.

How long pain lasts depends what is acrisply wrong and whether it is being solved.

Gut stasis itself is not painful.
Whatever the underlying cause and the reason for the stasis might be painful and until that is resolved then she may still be in discomfort

The daily weight checks continue to be your only guide as to whether she is eating enough.

Science Selective grain free pellets are a good brand. However, burgess is also a good brand. They do contain a good balance even though they contain some grains.
I feed them to my rabbits and have given them to my piggies (although my piggies get a 100% grass pellets from Haybox now and even then I only feed pellets three times a week anyway)
Pellets are only one tablespoon per pig per day in any event so whichever brand you feed

There are several critical care feds available for herbivores and they are all fine. Just depends which one your piggy likes best!
Pellet mush is fine to use but it doesn’t contain as much fibre as the proper critical care feeds

 

[Surfergirl]

This is what the vets have said. I’m just there now trying to get some more Metacam!

 

[Surfergirl]

How long pain lasts depends what is acrisply wrong and whether it is being solved.

Gut stasis itself is not painful.
Whatever the underlying cause and the reason for the stasis might be painful and until that is resolved then she may still be in discomfort

The daily weight checks continue to be your only guide as to whether she is eating enough.

Science Selective grain free pellets are a good brand. However, burgess is also a good brand. They do contain a good balance even though they contain some grains.
I feed them to my rabbits and have given them to my piggies (although my piggies get a 100% grass pellets from Haybox now and even then I only feed pellets three times a week anyway)
Pellets are only one tablespoon per pig per day in any event so whichever brand you feed

There are several critical care feds available for herbivores and they are all fine. Just depends which one your piggy likes best!
Pellet mush is fine to use but it doesn’t contain as much fibre as the proper critical care feeds

Thank you. May I ask what the causes of stasis are please? I have read loads about it the last few days, but didn’t realise the stasis itself isn’t painful.
Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated.

 

[Bertie & Jelly]

Thank you very much. Yes she is on Emeprid which she hates! She loves the Metacam!
How much stronger is the dog one?
They charged me £28 for 3ml and didn’t even give the correct syringe to get it out the bottle, so I have to decant some and suck it up with a syringe. Precious when it’s such a tiny bottle!

Hope you have had a successful response from your vet by now . Just a thought but does your Metacam bottle have a stopper like this (it’s on its side in the picture). If so, it can be levered off so you can then get the syringe into the bottle. My vet gave me that advice! Just hold onto the bottle tightly when levering it off though - the stoppers are tightly fitting

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you. May I ask what the causes of stasis are please? I have read loads about it the last few days, but didn’t realise the stasis itself isn’t painful.
Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated.

Stasis is when the gut either partially or completely stops working properly.
Stasis can occur as a result of any number of underlying medical issues and it is most likely one of those issues causing any pain.
The guide below explains more
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

 

[Surfergirl]

Hope you have had a successful response from your vet by now . Just a thought but does your Metacam bottle have a stopper like this (it’s on its side in the picture). If so, it can be levered off so you can then get the syringe into the bottle. My vet gave me that advice! Just hold onto the bottle tightly when levering it off though - the stoppers are tightly fitting
View attachment 212124

Hi sorry for the delay, I didn’t get a notification. No, the top is definitely sealed. I went back in to the vets today and they’ve given me a different syringe. The usual 1ml doesn’t fit inside. Such a pain!

 

[Bertie & Jelly]

Hi sorry for the delay, I didn’t get a notification. No, the top is definitely sealed. I went back in to the vets today and they’ve given me a different syringe. The usual 1ml doesn’t fit inside. Such a pain!

Oh dear. A pain indeed! Hugs for you and Biscuit

 

[LunaticPoodle]

Hi the Pro C has just arrived. I see it’s 90% Dextrose, which is a form of sugar. I was expecting the ingredients to be acidophilus etc ie probiotics. Do you know how Dextrose is meant to help their gut? My gut is telling me it won’t be good for my guineas gut.
Thank you

Hi, sorry, I only now saw your question but I wouldn't have known what to reply. Luckily you got reassured anyway

 

[Surfergirl]

Oh dear. A pain indeed! Hugs for you and Biscuit

Thank you. They gave me a different syringe which fits onto the bottle, BUT a lot of it gets stuck in the end and doesn’t come out! I had to tap it numerous times and fortunately she locked it off my finger.
Don’t know how others cope with this metacam cap in a sealed bottle? I wish it was easier, things are stressful enough without this!

 

[Surfergirl]

Hi

We recommend to not cut off any spurs unless they pose a risk of catching and ripping the live skin where they attach to it. It is crucial that you do not cut too close to live skin as it can be crippling and very painful. If in doubt, see a vet nurse with guinea pig experience about it.

Thank you for the advice, I will leave it as it’s not causing any issues.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Sending healing vibes to Biscuit

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the advice, I will leave it as it’s not causing any issues.

Just keep checking them daily. You do not want open sores to form.

 

[Surfergirl]

Stasis is when the gut either partially or completely stops working properly.
Stasis can occur as a result of any number of underlying medical issues and it is most likely one of those issues causing any pain.
The guide below explains more
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement

Hope you have had a successful response from your vet by now . Just a thought but does your Metacam bottle have a stopper like this (it’s on its side in the picture). If so, it can be levered off so you can then get the syringe into the bottle. My vet gave me that advice! Just hold onto the bottle tightly when levering it off though - the stoppers are tightly fitting
View attachment 212124

hi I did reply but can’t see it. Sorry I am not an expert on here. No it’s a different top and they gave me a cat syringe which fits the bottle today, but it leaves some of the med inside, which isn’t great on a 0.2ml dose!

 

[Surfergirl]

I’m not sure if this didn’t post earlier. The vet is reluctant to go above 0.2ml of cat metacam.

 

[Surfergirl]

You're right - it's very low compared to what other pigs are on, even long term like my old boy George.
It's what seems to be recommended these days unfortunately. George is rather heavier but has been on 0.3ish ml dog strength twice a day for arthritis for a looong time now. It has to come from a vet though so they can take other health considerations / other meds etc into account.
Is she on emeprid or another gut stimulant?

Hi I didn’t really get anywhere at the vets today. She still thinks her max dose is 0.2ml!

 

[Deleted member 148738]

My piggy had an ear infection a while back and was prescribed 0.2ml daily for a week.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Hi I didn’t really get anywhere at the vets today. She still thinks her max dose is 0.2ml!

That is the licensing. We know they can take higher doses, we have personal experiences of being given higher doses and having been given dog metacam which is stronger, but it is up to the vet

 

[Surfergirl]

That is the licensing. We know they can take higher doses, we have personal experiences of being given higher doses and having been given dog metacam which is stronger, but it is up to the vet

My guinea seems to be ok on this tiny dose, so I’ll save the vet battle for if I need it!

 

[Surfergirl]

My 6 year old Biscuit has been improving the last few days after gut stasis. I have Metacam for her pain relief.
This morning she has a squishy poo in the cage. Not completely runny, just softer than normal and squished from where she has stood on it!
One bottle says on the label, do not give with diarrhoea, although the other bottle doesn’t.
If she’s in pain, she won’t eat, so I wasn’t sure whether to give her morning dose of Metacam or not? She has eaten, although isn’t going at it with her usual enthusiasm!
The vet found 3 lumps around her kidneys and ovaries, although said she’s too weak to operate. I’m not sure if these are causing some pain, so would prefer to continue with the pain relief until she has put some weight back on and we can get the lumps reviewed again.
I am aware to take away fresh veg with an upset tummy. Just really need advice from an expert on whether to give the Metacam please?
Many thanks.

 

[Merab]

I can’t advise, just offering support

 

[Piggies&buns]

If I recall, she is on antibiotics as well? Is that still the case?
Antibiotics are more likely to cause soft poops as they can upset the gut. Metacam generally does not cause it.

But yes stop veg, keep up with daily weight checks and speak to your vet if you are concerned

 

[Merab]

Just realised this is connected with another thread of yours.
It may be helpful if the threads were merged. It would avoid mixed messages
It’s the Metacam dose advise
I know @VickiA is online ?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Just realised this is connected with another thread of yours.
It may be helpful if the threads were merged. It would avoid mixed messages
It’s the Metacam dose advise
I know @VickiA is online ?

Ive merged them all now so everything is together

 

[Surfergirl]

Just realised this is connected with another thread of yours.
It may be helpful if the threads were merged. It would avoid mixed messages
It’s the Metacam dose advise
I know @VickiA is online ?

So sorry, I’m not sure how to merge threads?

 

[Surfergirl]

If I recall, she is on antibiotics as well? Is that still the case?
Antibiotics are more likely to cause soft poops as they can upset the gut. Metacam generally does not cause it.

But yes stop veg, keep up with daily weight checks and speak to your vet if you are concerned

Many thanks. No she isn’t on antibiotics. I’ve given probiotics daily.
She’s just started munching on some hay, so might be a false alarm!
So okay to give the Metacam if the poo is a little cow pat like?
Many thanks for your help.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Many thanks. No she isn’t on antibiotics. I’ve given probiotics daily.
She’s just started munching on some hay, so might be a false alarm!
So okay to give the Metacam if the poo is a little cow pat like?
Many thanks for your help.

When did she stop the antibiotics?
The first post a few days ago mentions she was prescribed them.

You don’t want her in pain but it’s always best to check concerns with your vet. We can’t tell you to stop/start any medications - only the vet can do so

 

[Surfergirl]

When did she stop the antibiotics?
The first post a few days ago mentions she was prescribed them.

You don’t want her in pain but it’s always best to check concerns with your vet. We can’t tell you to stop/start any medications - only the vet can do so

Sorry for the confusion. Last weekend I spoke to the vet on the phone and as I had some Baytril in, she said I could try it as a last resort. I did give it, but then read it must only be given with gut stasis if there is diarrhoea. I saw the vet on Monday with Biscuit and it was decided to just try the Metacam and Emeprid, so I haven’t given the Baytril since and I got some probiotics. I hope that makes sense. Sorry, this condition is new to me, so it’s all a learning curve. I’m was anxious not to give Metacam if it could give her diarrhoea. With two bottles of Metacam and one saying not to give with diarrhoea, I was a bit wary. She doesn’t have runny diarrhoea, more of a cow pat, so I’m maybe worrying over nothing.
Really appreciate your help.

 

[Surfergirl]

I can’t advise, just offering support

Thank you, much appreciated

 

[Surfergirl]

When did she stop the antibiotics?
The first post a few days ago mentions she was prescribed them.

You don’t want her in pain but it’s always best to check concerns with your vet. We can’t tell you to stop/start any medications - only the vet can do so

Just to add to my post that the vet said to use Metacam ‘as required’, so there are no clear instructions as to how long it needs to be Continued. Initially I assumed it was for the gut stasis, but am now wondering if these lumps will ongoing require pain relief. I will speak to the vet again next week to clarify this point.