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HELP! Guinea pig with really bad diarrhoea

valsie

valsie

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
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Location
Chafford Hundred Grays Essex
My 5 year old piggy had dental treatment week before last and has been doing really well since, eating more or less normally again except I don’t think he’s been eating as much hay as he did before.
I noticed earlier today that he bit of diarrhoea, I gave him a little shower this afternoon as he was a bit mucky from standing in it. This evening however, the diarrhoea is much worse. It’s very dark in colour and is coming from his bottom continuously, it’s also very smelly. I can hear his tummy gurgling. I’ve given him lots of water which he drank eagerly. I don’t know what else I should do to help him, I’m so worried 😟 . Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
valsie said:
My 5 year old piggy had dental treatment week before last and has been doing really well since, eating more or less normally again except I don’t think he’s been eating as much hay as he did before.
I noticed earlier today that he bit of diarrhoea, I gave him a little shower this afternoon as he was a bit mucky from standing in it. This evening however, the diarrhoea is much worse. It’s very dark in colour and is coming from his bottom continuously, it’s also very smelly. I can hear his tummy gurgling. I’ve given him lots of water which he drank eagerly. I don’t know what else I should do to help him, I’m so worried 😟 . Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi!

Please see a vet as soon as possible. Runny diarrhea is a serious problem.

Please step in with feeding support, take your piggy off any fresh food and follow the advice in these guides here.
Between them, they contain all the information and practical tips that you need until you can see a vet and until treatment kicks in, including how you can improvise with what you have got at home or easily available in an emergency:
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating
 
valsie said:
P.S Why do these problems always happen at a weekend at a ridiculous late hour when the vets are all closed 😢
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Emergencies always happen at the most inconvenient time possible in my experience!

In the UK there is 24 hour vet cover all year round; the emergency guide tells you how to find out your closest clinic.
If possible book a vet appointment tomorrow morning first thing; it is not quite a death or life emergency - and you certainly won't want to go out in this storm that is lashing the UK right now for anything else!

In an area without weekend vet cover, try to hang in there until Monday morning. You need to step in with mushed up pellets/recovery formula and ideally water with added electrolyte powder (dioralyte/electrolyte).
 
You’re right about the weather tonight, we’ve not got it too bad here in Essex but it is very windy.

I’ve already syringe fed him with Critical Care and have given him lots of water. I’ve got some dioralyte powder as I’ve not been well myself all week. Should I make it up as per the normal instructions or a weaker solution?
 
valsie said:
You’re right about the weather tonight, we’ve not got it too bad here in Essex but it is very windy.

I’ve already syringe fed him with Critical Care and have given him lots of water. I’ve got some dioralyte powder as I’ve not been well myself all week. Should I make it up as per the normal instructions or a weaker solution?
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No, you follow the instructions on the dioralyte packet. it is one of the things we recommend to have in our first aid kit for both humans and piggies!
 
Thank you LucyP 😊. It’s so worrying when they’re poorly especially when it happens late at night. It’s reassuring to know there are like minded piggy lovers out there to offer support ❤️
 
How is your piggy this morning? Do you have a Pets at Home near you? They usually have a Vets4Pets inside which don't charge emergency vet fees for weekends as they are open when the store is and it's a normal working day for them. Whilst they are general vets they do see quite a few small animals as they sell them in Pets at Home. I have found that the 2 Vets4Pets I've used for my piggies have been good.
 
Betsy said:
How is your piggy this morning? Do you have a Pets at Home near you? They usually have a Vets4Pets inside which don't charge emergency vet fees for weekends as they are open when the store is and it's a normal working day for them. Whilst they are general vets they do see quite a few small animals as they sell them in Pets at Home. I have found that the 2 Vets4Pets I've used for my piggies have been good.
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Yes, I have a Vets 4 Pets very close to where I live, in fact I’m going to pop in there in a minute to get some more Fibreplex and Critical Care.
Treacle seems a bit better today, poo still runny but not pouring out like it was last night. I’m syringe feeding him CC and diarolyte solution. I’m looking online to see if I can order some slippery elm as there have been a few posts on here recommending it for tummy problems.
 
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