Gut stasis antibiotics or not?

[Surfergirl]

I have had my first case of gut stasis showing all the signs- not eating, weight loss, reduced/no poos, teeth grinding etc.

I saw the vet on Sunday and a different one on Monday. On Sunday, I was given antibiotics and Metacam. I then read up on the condition, realised I needed a gut mover, so went back on Monday and got that by injection. This vet asked if I wanted to have her put down (she is 6), she said she wasn’t in pain on the Metacam, so I’m desperately trying to nurse her back to health. She has started eating and drinking again, which is great.

My question is, do I actually need the antibiotics? I’ve read these are only for when they have diarrhoea. My guinea first went to a few darker and clumpy poos, then didn’t poo, but did wee. So no diarrhoea. I keep reading about the importance of the gut biome and wonder if they’re doing more harm than good? None of the vets in the practice are exotic specialists and living in Cornwall, appear more into cows and sheep than guineas. I have tried to find an exotic specialist, but it would be a 2 hour round trip, which I can’t manage with two young children.
What is the advice please? Do you give antibiotics (Baytril) when there is no diarrhoea?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Antibiotics are used to treat infection and whether there is potential infection present in your case and whether antibiotics are prescribed is for your vet to decide
However, antibiotics can kill off the gut micro biome (and potentially cause soft poops, sometimes diarrhoea) so giving a probiotic (or poop soup made from the very fresh poops of a healthy companion) to a piggy who is on antibiotics can help stabilise the gut.

It’s good you went back for a gut stimulant, that’s very important. It’s great she’s got painkillers also. Gut stasis itself isn’t painful but the reason for stasis in the first place might be (the teeth grinding can suggest discomfort).

It is also absolutely essential that you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead ensure you weigh her daily and that you step in and syringe feed her. Its good she is eating something for herself now but you need to be sure it is enough to keep her weigh stable, hence the weight checks and that her fibre intake is being kept up with the syringe feeding until she is fully back on form.

Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[Surfergirl]

Antibiotics are used to treat infection and whether there is potential infection present in your case and whether antibiotics are prescribed is for your vet to decide
However, antibiotics can kill off the gut micro biome (and potentially cause soft poops, sometimes diarrhoea) so giving a probiotic (or poop soup made from the very fresh poops of a healthy companion) to a piggy who is on antibiotics can help stabilise the gut.

It’s good you went back for a gut stimulant, that’s very important. It’s great she’s got painkillers also. Gut stasis itself isn’t painful but the reason for stasis in the first place might be (the teeth grinding can suggest discomfort).

It is also absolutely essential that you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead ensure you weigh her daily and that you step in and syringe feed her. Its good she is eating something for herself now but you need to be sure it is enough to keep her weigh stable, hence the weight checks and that her fibre intake is being kept up with the syringe feeding until she is fully back on form.

Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Thank you. This morning she’s tucking into her grass and a few veg. She seems to be favouriting grass over hay, but I imagine with it’s higher water and vitamin c content, this is ok?
I didn’t realise I may need to top up by syringe still. I am weighing daily. I do have the critical care food. Is this what you’d suggest as a top up?
Can you recommend a probiotic please? I looked at the Fibreplex on the link earlier, and think about alternative would be better than more syringe feeding as she gets stressed out by the syringe!
How long should she take the metacam for? The vet never said. I am going back again today to get more gut mover as I read you need to continue with this. How long is this continued for please?

 

[Surfergirl]

Antibiotics are used to treat infection and whether there is potential infection present in your case and whether antibiotics are prescribed is for your vet to decide
However, antibiotics can kill off the gut micro biome (and potentially cause soft poops, sometimes diarrhoea) so giving a probiotic (or poop soup made from the very fresh poops of a healthy companion) to a piggy who is on antibiotics can help stabilise the gut.

It’s good you went back for a gut stimulant, that’s very important. It’s great she’s got painkillers also. Gut stasis itself isn’t painful but the reason for stasis in the first place might be (the teeth grinding can suggest discomfort).

It is also absolutely essential that you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead ensure you weigh her daily and that you step in and syringe feed her. Its good she is eating something for herself now but you need to be sure it is enough to keep her weigh stable, hence the weight checks and that her fibre intake is being kept up with the syringe feeding until she is fully back on form.

Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Forgot to ask, how soon do they poo once they start eating again? She has been eating quite a lot for 20 hours and has done a wee, but no poo as yet. Is this normal?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you. This morning she’s tucking into her grass and a few veg. She seems to be favouriting grass over hay, but I imagine with it’s higher water and vitamin c content, this is ok?
I didn’t realise I may need to top up by syringe still. I am weighing daily. I do have the critical care food. Is this what you’d suggest as a top up?
Can you recommend a probiotic please? I looked at the Fibreplex on the link earlier, and think about alternative would be better than more syringe feeding as she gets stressed out by the syringe!
How long should she take the metacam for? The vet never said. I am going back again today to get more gut mover as I read you need to continue with this. How long is this continued for please?

Veg is supplementary in the diet so on its own eating it is nowhere near enough, grass is absolutely fine but she needs to be eating enough hay independently (it’s 80% of what they need to eat in a day - so unless you can replace that in fresh grass then she may not get enough) to keep her weight stable before you can stop syringe feeding. She needs the fibre from the hay to keep her gut moving (water and vitamin c will not do that).
Critical care is the right thing to be using.
What have her weight checks been telling you?

Giving a probiotic is supplementary to help stabilise and replace gut bacteria.
You cannot stop syringe feeding the critical care even if you give a probiotic. It is not the same thing. Probiotic is not food.
Fibreplex is my go to probiotic, but Pro C is another which is commonly used.

How long she needs pain meds and gut stimulants are also for your vet to decide.

Forgot to ask, how soon do they poo once they start eating again? She has been eating quite a lot for 20 hours and has done a wee, but no poo as yet. Is this normal?

Poop output is 1-2 days behind food intake, so it’ll take 1-2 days of increasing food intake before you start seeing poops again. Even then, she needs to be getting enough food before you see normal amount and size of poops.
This is why poop output is unreliable as a way of gauging food intake - there is too much of a delay - and why the daily weight checks are so important.

 

[Surfergirl]

Antibiotics are used to treat infection and whether there is potential infection present in your case and whether antibiotics are prescribed is for your vet to decide
However, antibiotics can kill off the gut micro biome (and potentially cause soft poops, sometimes diarrhoea) so giving a probiotic (or poop soup made from the very fresh poops of a healthy companion) to a piggy who is on antibiotics can help stabilise the gut.

It’s good you went back for a gut stimulant, that’s very important. It’s great she’s got painkillers also. Gut stasis itself isn’t painful but the reason for stasis in the first place might be (the teeth grinding can suggest discomfort).

It is also absolutely essential that you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead ensure you weigh her daily and that you step in and syringe feed her. Its good she is eating something for herself now but you need to be sure it is enough to keep her weigh stable, hence the weight checks and that her fibre intake is being kept up with the syringe feeding until she is fully back on form.

Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Thank you so much. I’ve just weighed her, same time as yesterday and she’s put on 20g. Know we’ve got a long way to go, but the fact she has increased is so promising.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you so much. I’ve just weighed her, same time as yesterday and she’s put on 20g. Know we’ve got a long way to go, but the fact she has increased is so promising.

Excellent. Continue to weigh her at the same time each day though so you can be sure she continues to recover.
Putting lost weight back on takes quite a bit longer and as she is older, she may not regain all of it.

 

[Surfergirl]

Excellent. Continue to weigh her at the same time each day though so you can be sure she continues to recover.
Putting lost weight back on takes quite a bit longer and as she is older, she may not regain all of it.

Thank you for all your help, very much appreciated .

 

[LunaticPoodle]

Best of luck to you! I just came out of 3 days of the same hell with my piggy. He usually licks off the Fibleplex from my hand, or from his lips if I put little bits of it on. Or try putting it on a piece of veggie if he really hates the syringe. Syringe feeding is needed though.
When he was really having trouble eating, I hand fed him hay strand by strand. It takes time, but hay is the most important thing they need. Slowly he started to pick it up by himself. It gets their guts functioning.
A belly massage is also helping. Gently of course.
One thing I've learnt though, hydration is important (as in electrolytes): a dehydrated animal cannot process food (but you mentioned she is drinking, so no need to worry about that I think).
Best wishes to you and your girl! You can do it!

 

[Surfergirl]

Best of luck to you! I just came out of 3 days of the same hell with my piggy. He usually licks off the Fibleplex from my hand, or from his lips if I put little bits of it on. Or try putting it on a piece of veggie if he really hates the syringe. Syringe feeding is needed though.
When he was really having trouble eating, I hand fed him hay strand by strand. It takes time, but hay is the most important thing they need. Slowly he started to pick it up by himself. It gets their guts functioning.
A belly massage is also helping. Gently of course.
One thing I've learnt though, hydration is important (as in electrolytes): a dehydrated animal cannot process food (but you mentioned she is drinking, so no need to worry about that I think).
Best wishes to you and your girl! You can do it!

Bless you, thank you so much! I have been hand feeding strands too! Having her on my lap multiple times a day and she’s eating on her own now. She does seem to eat nicely when stroked, so I’ll continue with that for the time being.
I’ve already ordered the pro C probiotic for her water, I think that will be easier than the syringe. I’ve now got Emeprid to syringe into her twice a day, so can’t face a battle with anything else atm as she’s now got the strength to fight it!
Really appreciate your message, so glad she’s on the mend!

 

[Swissgreys]

Bless you, thank you so much! I have been hand feeding strands too! Having her on my lap multiple times a day and she’s eating on her own now. She does seem to eat nicely when stroked, so I’ll continue with that for the time being.
I’ve already ordered the pro C probiotic for her water, I think that will be easier than the syringe. I’ve now got Emeprid to syringe into her twice a day, so can’t face a battle with anything else atm as she’s now got the strength to fight it!
Really appreciate your message, so glad she’s on the mend!

I am so glad she seems to have turned a corner and is doing better.
You are doing a wonderful job with her.

What I would say is please do not add the Pro C to her water.
Sometimes additives put piggies off drinking, and this is the last thing you need right now.
You should never add anything to water bottles.

You can either sprinkle it onto a wet piece of veg. or I have found adding it to a small amount of fruit pure and then feeding it from a small bowl or off a spoon works best.

 

[LunaticPoodle]

I am so glad she seems to have turned a corner and is doing better.
You are doing a wonderful job with her.

What I would say is please do not add the Pro C to her water.
Sometimes additives put piggies off drinking, and this is the last thing you need right now.
You should never add anything to water bottles.

You can either sprinkle it onto a wet piece of veg. or I have found adding it to a small amount of fruit pure and then feeding it from a small bowl or off a spoon works best.

Really glad to hear she's all better and eating on her own. Good job!

 

[Surfergirl]

Biscuit (6) is just recovering from gut stasis. I noticed her feet look like they have lost some hair, presumably due to stress. She has looked like she’s cleaning her face with her paws, but I’m wondering if this is how she’s shewing them?

Also, back feet seem a little bold on top and pink on the bottom. I’m not sure if they are normal or something which need treatment? She has obviously been very run down and is only just on the road to recovery. Could the hair grow back on its own or do I need to treat please?
Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

Biscuit (6) is just recovering from gut stasis. I noticed her feet look like they have lost some hair, presumably due to stress. She has looked like she’s cleaning her face with her paws, but I’m wondering if this is how she’s shewing them?

Also, back feet seem a little bold on top and pink on the bottom. I’m not sure if they are normal or something which need treatment? She has obviously been very run down and is only just on the road to recovery. Could the hair grow back on its own or do I need to treat please?
Thank you

Hi
Barbering (eating hair) could be a sign of pain; possibly arthritis in her feet and front leg?
The soles look a bit rough; like your piggy hasn't been moving around a lot, sat in her exctrement and possibly not able to take her weight off the feet. Try some thinly applied flamazine cream on the soles but be aware that over-creaming can soften the callus and cause open bumblefoot sores. It is a very fine line that you have to tread with arthritic/frail piggies with decreased mobility since they are a lot more liable to get bumblefppt than at any other age.

Please check whether that is a dried poo stuck to the foot (you will have to try and soak it off) or a spur (dead skin growth). From the colour, my first thought would be rather a soft poo having dried out while stuck to the skin; it would tie in with the decreased mobility.
I would recommend to have her vet checked for possible arthritis and secondary issues. She will likely need a painkiller. I am very sorry; old age often doesn't come on its own - especially when mobility is impacted and the body and immune system are becoming rather frail.

Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility (practical tips for piggies that don't move around as much with a list of likely secondary complications)

Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection
Includes a list of common health problems in eldery piggies, including bumblefoot but what to expect when looking after older citizens. The link is both practical but sensitive with further related information links.

Guinea Lynx :: Guinea Pig Feet and Foot Problems

 

[Surfergirl]

Hi
Barbering (eating hair) could be a sign of pain; possibly arthritis in her feet and front leg?
The soles look a bit rough; like your piggy hasn't been moving around a lot, sat in her exctrement and possibly not able to take her weight off the feet. Try some thinly applied flamazine cream on the soles but be aware that over-creaming can soften the callus and cause open bumblefoot sores. It is a very fine line that you have to tread with arthritic/frail piggies with decreased mobility since they are a lot more liable to get bumblefppt than at any other age.

Please check whether that is a dried poo stuck to the foot (you will have to try and soak it off) or a spur (dead skin growth). From the colour, my first thought would be rather a soft poo having dried out while stuck to the skin; it would tie in with the decreased mobility.
I would recommend to have her vet checked for possible arthritis and secondary issues. She will likely need a painkiller. I am very sorry; old age often doesn't come on its own - especially when mobility is impacted and the body and immune system are becoming rather frail.

Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility (practical tips for piggies that don't move around as much with a list of likely secondary complications)

Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection
Includes a list of common health problems in eldery piggies, including bumblefoot but what to expect when looking after older citizens. The link is both practical but sensitive with further related information links.

Guinea Lynx :: Guinea Pig Feet and Foot Problems

Hi thank you very much.
The dark piece is dead skin. I did try soaking it off as thought it was pop too! I wasn’t sure if I am supposed to cut it off?

She has probably been stressed until the gut meds kicked in, I was hoping the hair may grow back now she’s feeling much brighter?

She wasn’t moving about as much until the gut meds started to work, but now is running around like her normal self, so Maybe her feet will improve? I will try the cream though, thank you.

She is on daily pain relief for her gut, although as it’s once a day, and I give it her in the morning, I did wonder if it’s worn off by the evening, any idea please?

She has always loved living outside, but I’ve decided to keep her indoors now, which will help with any arthritis, although seeing her run around, I am sure she doesn’t suffer with that.

Thank you very much for your help.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Piggies metabolise their pain killers quickly so they do ideally need to be given twice a day for any discomfort to be properly managed

(To add, my elderly (now passed) rabbit did not initially show signs of being sore with arthritis. When he was moving about he was perfectly mobile, nothing untoward visible and still even had the occasional (albeit smaller) binky even at his grand old age! The only sign something wasn’t right was that he started to seem a bit stiff on one back leg when he got up from resting (But then hopped off apparently perfectly normally). The vet found him to be really rather painful with spinal arthritis)

 

[Surfergirl]

Really glad to hear she's all better and eating on her own. Good job!

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

 

[Swissgreys]

The dextrose (sugar) is to make it more palatable and to bulk it up.
The important additives are there, just in very small amounts which is all that is needed.

This is why feeding a small amount added to a piece of vegetable or in a bit of much or puree is better than adding it to their water.
It is fine to feed.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Pro C is absolutely fine to use

 

[Wiebke]

Hi thank you very much.
The dark piece is dead skin. I did try soaking it off as thought it was pop too! I wasn’t sure if I am supposed to cut it off?

She has probably been stressed until the gut meds kicked in, I was hoping the hair may grow back now she’s feeling much brighter?

She wasn’t moving about as much until the gut meds started to work, but now is running around like her normal self, so Maybe her feet will improve? I will try the cream though, thank you.

She is on daily pain relief for her gut, although as it’s once a day, and I give it her in the morning, I did wonder if it’s worn off by the evening, any idea please?

She has always loved living outside, but I’ve decided to keep her indoors now, which will help with any arthritis, although seeing her run around, I am sure she doesn’t suffer with that.

Thank you very much for your help.

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.

 

[Surfergirl]

I have 6 year old Biscuit recovering from gut stasis. Only day 2 of weight gain, so very early days.
She weighs 850g. Was doing okay, but tonight seems in pain, grinding teeth and won’t eat again.
The cat Metacam is 0.5mg/ml and she has been prescribed 0.2ml once a day. Looking at other posts, this seems like a tiny amount. Does anyone have the knowledge to tell me if this is correct please? I can’t have her not eating again and and pain.
Thank you

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m afraid we cannot comment too much on dosages nor tell you what to give - only a vet can do so.
What we can say is that going on personal experiences, then it does seem low. Piggies can take surprisingly high dosages for their size and that once a day usually isn’t enough.
If she appears to be struggling again, then please step back in with syringe feeding and speak to the vet.

 

[Surfergirl]

I’m afraid we cannot comment too much on dosages nor tell you what to give - only a vet can do so.
What we can say is that going on personal experiences, then it does seem low. Piggies can take surprisingly high dosages for their size and that once a day usually isn’t enough.
If she appears to be struggling again, then please step back in with syringe feeding and speak to the vet.

Ok many thanks

 

[Swissgreys]

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.

 

[Free Ranger]

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?

 

[Surfergirl]

I’m afraid we cannot comment too much on dosages nor tell you what to give - only a vet can do so.
What we can say is that going on personal experiences, then it does seem low. Piggies can take surprisingly high dosages for their size and that once a day usually isn’t enough.
If she appears to be struggling again, then please step back in with syringe feeding and speak to the vet.

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. Yes I have set my alarm for 8am to query the dose. I did ask at the appointment if there was scope to increase it if need be and she said no. But if she double checks the calcs she may see it is wrong.
Biscuit has sat on my knee for 2 hours and has finally eaten some hay, grass and pellets, she has also done lots of poos. Although I am aware it’s 1-2 days behind, would I be right in thinking she’d must’ve eaten a decent amount to push them out?
Thank you for your help.

 

[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?

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!

 

[Free Ranger]

It looks like both her input and output are working at least!
Dog strength is 1.5mg/ml - it's 3x the strength
I've seen different vets at my usual practice and one new chap was adamant that 0.2ml of cat metacam was the absolute maximum we could have for the patient on that day. I can't even remember which pig it was now, and it had been so long since we'd had any issues I couldn't remember what we usually got but when I went home and looked at some old notes and rang them straight back. I asked the junior vet to consult with a senior - which he did and after a lot of humming and hawing they said I could do twice a day if I felt it really necessary. When we went back I made sure to see one of my preferred piggy vets and got a much more familiar dose of dog metacam.
The problem began when the cat version got licenced for piggies as well. It used to all be off licence but now the cat one is official vets are reluctant to do anything unofficial and risk any fall-out, but mine said if I was happy to sign a waiver I could carry on with the stronger one twice a day. I'm lucky some of my vets have been around nearly as long as I have! Piggies burn through it very quickly. George is on the same daily dose as an 8 kilo dog and has been for around 2 years. And if our resident snuffleophagus Louise spots the syringe on the floor while I'm seeing to George she grabs it and runs!

 

[Surfergirl]

It looks like both her input and output are working at least!
Dog strength is 1.5mg/ml - it's 3x the strength
I've seen different vets at my usual practice and one new chap was adamant that 0.2ml of cat metacam was the absolute maximum we could have for the patient on that day. I can't even remember which pig it was now, and it had been so long since we'd had any issues I couldn't remember what we usually got but when I went home and looked at some old notes and rang them straight back. I asked the junior vet to consult with a senior - which he did and after a lot of humming and hawing they said I could do twice a day if I felt it really necessary. When we went back I made sure to see one of my preferred piggy vets and got a much more familiar dose of dog metacam.
The problem began when the cat version got licenced for piggies as well. It used to all be off licence but now the cat one is official vets are reluctant to do anything unofficial and risk any fall-out, but mine said if I was happy to sign a waiver I could carry on with the stronger one twice a day. I'm lucky some of my vets have been around nearly as long as I have! Piggies burn through it very quickly. George is on the same daily dose as an 8 kilo dog and has been for around 2 years. And if our resident snuffleophagus Louise spots the syringe on the floor while I'm seeing to George she grabs it and runs!

Lol Louise sounds hilarious! Biscuit goes mad for the Metacam but absolutely hates the Emeprid. Unfortunately that’s 7.5ml, so I struggle to get it down her.

Thank you so much, that is so useful. I did see a very young vet. The trouble is I don’t think any of them are particularly good with guineas. Living in Cornwall, they’re all good with cows and sheep! I did drive to Penzance once to see a better vet, but it’s a 3 hour round trip, and I can’t do it again with two young children.

I presume I’m aiming to get somewhere around 1ml for an 850g guinea? She only has 0.2ml once a day.

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.

I will ring them at 8am. Thank you for your help.

 

[Surfergirl]

It looks like both her input and output are working at least!
Dog strength is 1.5mg/ml - it's 3x the strength
I've seen different vets at my usual practice and one new chap was adamant that 0.2ml of cat metacam was the absolute maximum we could have for the patient on that day. I can't even remember which pig it was now, and it had been so long since we'd had any issues I couldn't remember what we usually got but when I went home and looked at some old notes and rang them straight back. I asked the junior vet to consult with a senior - which he did and after a lot of humming and hawing they said I could do twice a day if I felt it really necessary. When we went back I made sure to see one of my preferred piggy vets and got a much more familiar dose of dog metacam.
The problem began when the cat version got licenced for piggies as well. It used to all be off licence but now the cat one is official vets are reluctant to do anything unofficial and risk any fall-out, but mine said if I was happy to sign a waiver I could carry on with the stronger one twice a day. I'm lucky some of my vets have been around nearly as long as I have! Piggies burn through it very quickly. George is on the same daily dose as an 8 kilo dog and has been for around 2 years. And if our resident snuffleophagus Louise spots the syringe on the floor while I'm seeing to George she grabs it and runs!

Ps do you happen to know which grain free food I am supposed to buy? Someone put a link on another message which I can’t now find, which said switch to grain free. I currently buy Burgess Excel as I always believed it was the best.

Also, the critical care food I was given by the vets is Selective for rabbits (& other rodents). I queried this as the vitamin C content didn’t like the best. I was told it is correct and paid up. Would I be better mushing up the Excel pellets which I have successfully syringe fed last week, if I need to go back to syringe feeding?