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lostox

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The last couple of weeks I've noticed that one of my male guinea pigs has not been himself, it started with him having orange colour pee which was put down to him having a UTI which was treated with antibiotics and cranberry juice.

Now he is having problems with his bum, it always seems to be full of loose hair and has smelly poo smeared around it. I've been having to clean it off and pull the hair out daily. I've also noticed that he has began producing awful smelling poo, and arching his back and grunting/groaning before going to the toilet.

Anybody have any experience of this or idea of what might be wrong?
 
Can I ask what antibiotic he was given for the UTI? If it was Baytril, it is notorious for upsetting the gut which could explain his grunting when pooing and maybe even the foul smelling poo. Were you given any probiotic to use while he was on the antibiotic?
 
helen105281 said:
Can I ask what antibiotic he was given for the UTI? If it was Baytril, it is notorious for upsetting the gut which could explain his grunting when pooing and maybe even the foul smelling poo. Were you given any probiotic to use while he was on the antibiotic?
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I believe it was Baytril, no I was not given any probiotic.
 
It is likely that the poo situation has been caused by the Baytril then. You can start the probiotics now. Have a look at this thread

Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

I would also cut out all fresh veggies until his poos firm up. If he is in pain when pooing he may need pain relief, but you would need to speak to your vet about that. Is he eating ok? Do the original UTI symptoms seem to have disappeared?
 
His poo appears to be firm, just very smelly and appears to leave some of it around his bum.
After getting him out on a towel he pooed fine on there with no arching of the back or grunting. Very confused.
He ate a whole romaine lettuce leaf and some cucumber slices this morning, doesn't seem to want to eat anything else at the moment, just sit in his wooden house.
Yes, the UTI symptoms have completely cleared up thankfully!
 
It sounds like he may be in pain for some reason if he is not eating much more than romaine and cucumber. I would take him back to the vet to be checked over. Is he tending to stay in the one place or does he move around?
 
I'm going to hope he wants to eat some carrot later.
I will do, hoping I can get an appointment today.
He is just sitting in his hut, when I take the hut out he runs around with his cagemate, as soon as I put it back in he's in there again.
 
He sounds uncomfortable, it may be that he has some gas as a result of the Baytril. He ideally needs to be eating hay too for some fibre as eating only veg won't help with his poos. Are you ok with syringe feeding if needed?

Here is our guide
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
He seems to be avoiding the hay that they have in their cage.
I'm ok with syringe feeding him, I know he won't be happy about it. Is it possible to get syringes from a chemist as I am quite a drive from the vets (they can't fit him in until tomorrow), and I'd like to start today.
 
Please syringe feed. Hay/fibre should make up to 80% of the daily diet and your description of his poos sounds like that is in somewhat short supply. Baytril is pretty harsh on the guts and is well known for causing tummy upsets. Please weigh your guinea pig once daily at the same time instead of once weekly to control the actual food intake. Cheap kitchen scales from the supermarket will do the trick.

You can give a pinch of probiotic 1-2 hours after the probiotic. Alternatively, soak fresh poos from a healthy companion in a little water and then syringe the water to the ill guinea pig. It is a bit gross, but it mimics natural behaviour in recovering guinea pig. The water contains all the necessary things to help restock the guts and is usually taken very well.
 
Wiebke said:
Please syringe feed. Hay/fibre should make up to 80% of the daily diet and your description of his poos sounds like that is in somewhat short supply. Baytril is pretty harsh on the guts and is well known for causing tummy upsets. Please weigh your guinea pig once daily at the same time instead of once weekly to control the actual food intake. Cheap kitchen scales from the supermarket will do the trick.

You can give a pinch of probiotic 1-2 hours after the probiotic. Alternatively, soak fresh poos from a healthy companion in a little water and then syringe the water to the ill guinea pig. It is a bit gross, but it mimics natural behaviour in recovering guinea pig. The water contains all the necessary things to help restock the guts and is usually taken very well.
Click to expand...

In regards to soaking the poos in water, are these poos that he has left in the cage or will I need to take them from his bottom?
 
lostox said:
In regards to soaking the poos in water, are these poos that he has left in the cage or will I need to take them from his bottom?
Click to expand...

If you can get hold of some healthy poos that have been freshly pooed and are still moist is fine; look out for them after their dinner or a nice serving of grass. You won't get much chance to get hold of the redigested poos, which would be best, but even the others still contain bacteria etc. to help.
 
I tried syringe feeding him, it did not go down well. He kept spitting it back out. So will try again in an hour.
Also his hunching of the back and squeaking is getting worse. I'm not feeling very hopeful at the moment :(
 
Is he still passing urine? Place him on a pad or towel until he wees, making sure hes passin it normally. He could actually be in pain from urinating and not pooing.

If he is struggling to urinate or isnt at all, he will need to be seen as an emergency for a potential stone.

If he is urinating fine, pop him back to the vet tomorrow for pain relief and further investigations.

Continue with syringe feeding as this is vital x
 
Adelle said:
Is he still passing urine? Place him on a pad or towel until he wees, making sure hes passin it normally. He could actually be in pain from urinating and not pooing.

If he is struggling to urinate or isnt at all, he will need to be seen as an emergency for a potential stone.

If he is urinating fine, pop him back to the vet tomorrow for pain relief and further investigations.

Continue with syringe feeding as this is vital x
Click to expand...

I've had him on a towel for the past three hours, no wee or poops at all :(
The only exotic vet in my area that I trust (Malvern), isn't now open until 9am. I'm not even sure he will make it through the night anymore.
He has been eating some hay, pellets out of his bowl, and I've been syringing him water and mushy pellets. I've also given him a few slices of cucumber soaked in water, just so he is getting enough fluid.

I will update tomorrow, as I'm far too upset at the prospect of losing him.
 
Well the vets can't seem to see what is wrong with him, no bladder stone present after the x-ray, so he is putting it down to another/the same UTI.
Given some more antibiotics.
Pepper has eaten a tiny bit more than yesterday, but his breathing and bowel movements/weeing are getting worse. He is just leaking wee which smells badly of ammonia, and I keep having to wipe runny poo from his bum. While I feel is making him more uncomfortable by having to pick him up.
I really don't like seeing him in so much pain :(
 
His breathing? Did the vet listen to his chest? Keep up with probiotics which should help his gut, and the syringe feeding.

I would be worried about a blockage though if hes just leaking urine rather than peeing. Did the vet feel up his penis and above it for any stones there?
 
His breathing has slowed down a great deal. No the vet didn't listen to it.
The syringe feeding is taking some time, as he has always hated syringes (associates them with foul tasty medicine I think).
That's what I thought, could the runny poo also be linked to the leaking wee?
No, he just took an x-ray, which didn't show any stones. I'm so confused.
 
lostox said:
His breathing has slowed down a great deal. No the vet didn't listen to it.
The syringe feeding is taking some time, as he has always hated syringes (associates them with foul tasty medicine I think).
That's what I thought, could the runny poo also be linked to the leaking wee?
No, he just took an x-ray, which didn't show any stones. I'm so confused.
Click to expand...

The runny poo is more likely the antibiotics. Id get a second opinion if he doesnt pick up, id be worried about a blockage if hes dribbling urine all the time. Have u checked the recommended vets locator on the forum?
 
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