Is this impaction?

[Sharon.Mackay]

My poor boy Jasper has a respiratory infection and was feeling quite sorry for himself. He started on antiobiotics on Fri and yest started to eat again and look happier, which was such a relief. But his breakfast was untouched this morning and he was running in circles trying to get at his bottom. I had a look and spent 5 mins pulling out clumps of hay and lumps of soft poop (sorry) Is this impaction?
Any advice would be great :{

Here he is sleeping after his 'clean up', obviously much comfier. He loves snuggling in his blanky xoxo

 

[AndreaJane]

It could be, a photo before you cleaned him up would have been helpful!
Mr M ( r.i.p) had terrible problems with impaction, sometimes needing assitance twice a day ( but then he never stopped eating so that's hardly surprising ). Wallace on the other had only needs help sometimes. Hay aside, was it really soft and quite breathtakingly smelly? If so then I would say it probably is impaction. Check our Guinea Pig Lynx for details on how to deal with it.
x

 

[katiepops]

There's more info about impaction here http://www.guinealynx.info/impaction.html
I wouldn't recommend reading while you're eating lunch!

 

[Suzygpr]

It's likely that it is linked to being on ABs, they can cause an upset and soft poo which is more difficult to expel. If you give a supplement of probiotics an hour or two after his antibiotic then it will help balance his gut, extra vit B is supposed to help with impaction too and lots of hay.

HTH

Suzy x

 

[Sharon.Mackay]

That link was great, thanks. It looks like he has a slight impaction, i will make sure to keep it clean. And i'm back at the vets Fri anyhow so will have a chat with her. Thanks

 

[AndreaJane]

Yes sorry, I meant check out guinealynx but you found it anyway ( should also have warned you about lunch lol!)

 

[Glynis]

taking meds often gives them upset tums :{ so the probiotics are fab, it really helps the gut flora as Suzy said.........

Impaction (just from what i've experienced with our two boys) can be dealt with easily and non fuss like, you need to do this daily or even twice daily if your piggie is in need...... i found doing it over either the toilet bowl or the box of 'throw out' stuff for the piggies was the best......our Sully (then Duke also) became impacted, he was quite happy in the end for me to 'help him' with this........ he seemed so much happier afterwards.....hey i don't blame him!