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Minnie is eating absolutely all her droppings?

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libertyharry

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I was a little worried that my newly adopted (3-4 weeks ago) 11 month old sow Minnie seemed not to be doing any droppings as there were none in the cage. I know the difference between her's and the other sow's as they are smaller and often less well formed. I have watched her for quite long periods last night and today and she seems to be pulling all of them out of her backside and eating them. I am aware that they eat the odd fecal pellet but I am talking all of them, which is not normal. She is also constantly after the other sow's (Ruth's) droppings although she just seems to lick and nuzzle them (gross!) and keeps sniffing Ruth's bottom:{. I can't believe it's some sort of vitamin or mineral deficiency as they are on Oxbow Cavy Cuisine and Excel Super Guinea pellets (being weaned onto the Oxbow) which are both supposed to be good. Plus they get fresh veg twice a day and Timothy and grass hay, plus a handful of picked fresh grass each day. Has anyone come across this before? Any ideas anyone?
 
They often do this when they are recovering from illness as it is the best way to get their systems full of vitamins again. As you've pointed out, they seem to be on a fab diet now but as you've only had her for a few weeks, could it be a result of something from before you adopted her?
 
I suppose it is possible, she has been passed around the breeders - she's on her 4th home! However wouldn't she have been doing it before now? Thanks for your reply - I'll keep an eye on her.
 
Read on Peter Gurney's site that they tend to do this after a bout of loose droppings- as you've mentioned her droppings being less well formed than the others...maybe it could be that. Keep an eye on her weight and if you're worried, nip her to the vets.
 
I can't give a medical explanation, but I do have a personal anecdote, if that helps any. I had a 3 year old sow doing a version of this a few months back. Jasmine would follow one of her cagemates around (only ever poor Dexter, never anyone else) all day and night, eating all his poops direct from his anus. She would sleep within touching distance of him and would often get nipped for her trouble. She did this for about 3 days, still eating otherwise but sticking with Dexter and continuing this behaviour. She wasn't ill, she had minor gas troubles a few weeks prior but was otherwise healthy. As far as I could see, there really wasn't any particular reason for her doing it.

That said, I found that giving her probiotics for a few days seemed to help, and she did stop chasing after Dexter and his poops. This seems to back up MissPiggy's idea that they need to replenish their systems again.
 
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