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I'm So Worried About Duncan

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TheCavySlave

TheCavySlave

Adult Guinea Pig
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So he is on Baytril for a nasty gash he has, and going for a checkup on Tuesday, but I'm so scared. He hasn't pooped much at all, and some poops are tiny teardrop shapes. Do I need to syringe feed? Is it the Baytril? He ate some pellets and carrot and I saw him have some hay, but I'm actually terrified. He just ate some poop, is that a good sign? Ugh, this is horrible. What if he dies before he can see the vet?
 
Okay deep breaths. If he is a little off it will probably be the baytirl it is harsh on tummies and can put them off their food hence decreasing poo output a little.

Eating poo is a good sign but it might be his gut flora is off fro mthe antibiotics. Would recommend getting a probiotic to feed him and maybe talk to the vet about some gut stimulant such as emeprid (metachlopromide) off the vet keep pushing things through

Is he eating okay at breakfast and dinner times? What dose baytril is he on?
 
0.4 ml twice a day, so in total 0.8ml daily. Will speak to the vet, will he be okay? He's active, rumbled angrily at Godfrey, happily munches salad but seems off his hay. I'm really worried. Barely seems to have pooped at all, but mum says we can phone the vet so I can ask about a gut stimulant.
 
Yes, he will be okay. What does he weigh? Is the baytril 2.5%? That is quite a high dose so that would explain why he is a little off I would think. Once he has finished the course he will pick up again I would imagine. How many days is it for? If he is eating salad that is a good thing :) Are you sure on the poo's that you aren't missing them?
Try not to get all worked up.... I know they are a worry but try and remain clam, things are so much better when you don't panic... I am a worrier too so I know it is easier said than done.
 
Will check what the Baytril is, and how long it's for. I doubt I've missed poops, he did one on my bed before I made this post and may have struggled while doing it, but I'm not sure. Shall I try and feed him? We've got hardly any veg until the Ocado comes tomorrow. I'll try and stay calm:(
 
TheCavySlave said:
So he is on Baytril for a nasty gash he has, and going for a checkup on Tuesday, but I'm so scared. He hasn't pooped much at all, and some poops are tiny teardrop shapes. Do I need to syringe feed? Is it the Baytril? He ate some pellets and carrot and I saw him have some hay, but I'm actually terrified. He just ate some poop, is that a good sign? Ugh, this is horrible. What if he dies before he can see the vet?
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Please start syringe feeding and watering now. Weigh him daily at the same time to monitor the food intake and top up accordingly. The important bit is to keep the guts going during this time. Baytril can impact on the appetite, as it also works on the bacteria in guts. This causes loss or diminished appetite in some guinea pigs.

If necessary, contact your vet to see whether switching to another antibiotic may be an option or whether it is better to tough it out with syringe feeding support.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
Okay, speak to the vet. Explain that he isn't producing the normal amount of poo see what they say. Mention the teardrop shapes.


He is eating so that is a good thing :)
 
TheCavySlave said:
So scared! I'm kind of panicked now, all I can do is contact the vet I suppose.
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Stop panicking. C'mon on deep breaths. Duncan is eating so that is really really good. When did he start his antibiotics?
 
sport_billy said:
Stop panicking. C'mon on deep breaths. Duncan is eating so that is really really good. When did he start his antibiotics?
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Only yesterday, that's only three doses so far and he hates having it. I'll start syringe feeding once we've rung the vets. Or just handfeed pellets? Or syringe feed pellet mush and water? I'm really scared he'll die, plus I have bad social anxiety so phoning the vets will be tough. I'm so so stressed.
 
TheCavySlave said:
So scared! I'm kind of panicked now, all I can do is contact the vet I suppose.
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Take a DEEP breath and calm down! Your boy is still eating and in no danger of dying whatsoever!

Tear shaped poos mean only minor tummy upset. The poo output reflects what has gone on 1-2 days earlier. As he is still eating, it means that his guts are still working. You can buffer him up with probiotics, as recommended in the syringe feeding guide.

Please don't panic; with a little support from you he will make it through just fine and the appetite will be back once the baytril stops. Adverse reactions can happen to any antibiotic, so there is no "fail safe" alternative. Your support can make up for it. I am currently syringe feeding an abscess piggy on zithromax. ;)

PS: Baytril is most vile tasting med a piggy can get. Mix it with the same amount of ribena to cover the taste.
 
Wiebke said:
Take a DEEP breath and calm down! Your boy is still eating and in no danger of dying whatsoever!

Tear shaped poos mean only minor tummy upset. The poo output reflects what has gone on 1-2 days earlier. As he is still eating, it means that his guts are still working. You can buffer him up with probiotics, as recommended in the syringe feeding guide.

Please don't panic; with a little support from you he will make it through just fine and the appetite will be back once the baytril stops. Adverse reactions can happen to any antibiotic, so there is no "fail safe" alternative. Your support can make up for it. I am currently syringe feeding an abscess piggy on zithromax. ;)
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Thank you! I'll start syringe feeding if he won't accept it off a spoon. Could we buy critical care in case of situations like this? Because on the site it says only if prescribed by a vet, but I'm not sure. His poops may not be normal but he did one not long ago and I believe he is eating. Should we ask the vet for emperid?
 
You can ask the vet for a gut stim such as emeprid to help pick his appetite up.

We use mushed pellets for syringe feeding but your lad is eating veg so that is really good news :)
 
So do I give him mushed pellets? Normal pellets? Grass, veg? Syringe feed mushed pellets and water for fluids? Sorry to be such a nuisance, I worry a LOT:(
 
TheCavySlave said:
Thank you! I'll start syringe feeding if he won't accept it off a spoon. Could we buy critical care in case of situations like this? Because on the site it says only if prescribed by a vet, but I'm not sure. His poops may not be normal but he did one not long ago and I believe he is eating. Should we ask the vet for emperid?
Click to expand...

You can buy critical care (ideally fine grind, as that goes down best) on ebay or amazon; it is widely available online. It would be good if you had some recovery formula, probiotics and syringes at home for an emergency. If he doesn't like the taste, mix with some mushed pellets, but the mushed pellets will do fine for a short while.

First Aid Kit For Guinea Pigs
Administering Medications
 
Will do! Does it have to be mushed pellets or will dry work? Because he will eat them. Really am sorry to bother you so much, I stress a lot about them.
 
TheCavySlave said:
Will do! Does it have to be mushed pellets or will dry work? Because he will eat them. Really am sorry to bother you so much, I stress a lot about them.
Click to expand...

If he is eating them then check his weight daily, if he is eating then you may not have to top him up at all. Check his weight this will show you what is going in and out
 
I will top him up a bit, I am worried and he is hardly pooping at all. He ate a few strands of grass I gave him, but seems off his hay, and seems to have lost a tiny bit of weight since I weighed him earlier today.
Actually he is munching some hay, which is amazing to see! I'm keeping a close eye and once my sister is home I'll see about syringe feeding if we decide to, to make sure his guts are moving. I hope he's okay.
 
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