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It's just one thing after another...

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Liane

Liane

Teenage Guinea Pig
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I'm so upset right now - I just put Freddie out in the run and I noticed he is very swollen around his bottom and there's a small lump just above the opening. I thought he had not quite been his self lately, but I thought he was just readjusting to being in the run during the day. He's still eating, and he runs about, just not as much. I thought I he felt 'different' too, but I thought I was imagining things because I'd been handling the girls so much. We've got to take him to the vet now :(

I'm worried what it is. I think it could be impaction, and I feel awful for not picking up on it earlier. I tried to show Dad the other day but Freddie started struggling to get down so we put him in the run. I'm hoping its not anything too serious :(

My pigs have always been so healthy, and now I've had problems with the new girls, Nelson and now Freddie, and Amy broke her toenail the other day and was bleeding. I can't stand my piggies being ill.


Anyone with boars, you're advice and reassurance would be much appreciated :(
 
Hi there

Impaction is something that older boars can develop. I found this link to be very helpful with how to deal with it - it has lots of info and graphic pics of how to clean them out.

http://www.guinealynx.info/impaction.html

Upping the amount of fibre can help - timothy hay would be my choice, some recommend extra vitamin B too. If you give him the chance to eat some of the lump after you have removed it helps replenish the good bacteria in his gut, if he won't eat any then adding a small pinch of probiotic to his dry food will help keep his gut flora balanced. I recommend Avipro as it doesn't contain added calcium, which can cause bladder problems.

HTH

Suzy x
 
Thank you so much for that. I had a read of it just before I posted. I'm not sure how good I would be at that, I don't want to hurt him. I'm not taking any chances so we're going to the vets. Fingers crossed he's alright! :(

I'll try and increase the hay. I've been using Pets@Home hay, is this poor quality? I noticed lately that it doesn't seem to be as good since they made it 'more compact' - it has lots of really hard twiggy bits. I always ensure they have a full hayrack and hay below it. I'll look for some timothy hay when I'm out.


http://www.petsathome.com/shop/excel-herbage-timothy-hay-1kg-15678
Is this what you feed yours?
 
That hay looks great - haven't used it myself but certainly looks to be good. I use Oxbow timothy hay.

Suzy x
 
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