Poop with a sticky substance on top?!

[PipSqueak20]

Hello,

I noticed a poop that was stuck to Ginger and it looked like a poo with a sticky/stringy substance on top. Does anyone know what causes this or if this is normal?

I just feel like I’m doing a bad job as an owner at the moment

 

[Wiebke]

Hello,

I noticed a poop that was stuck to Ginger and it looked like a poo with a sticky/stringy substance on top. Does anyone know what causes this or if this is normal?

I just feel like I’m doing a bad job as an owner at the moment

Hi

This looks like a bit of mucus to me. As we now know after some research
the end of the caecum, the largest and last fermentation chambers of the gut is closed by a mucus membrane in guinea pigs (unlike that of rabbits whose digestive system is closer to horses than to rodents). This membrane retains the gut microbiome but allows poos to pass through. Very occasionally, a bit of that mucus can get stuck to a poo.

It is nothing to worry about and remains in most cases a one-off. But at least we finally know what it is.

More information on the digestive system in guinea pigs:
Wiebke's Guide to Poops
Wiebke's Guide to Tummy Trouble

 

[weepweeps]

Hello. I’ve found the guide to poos. Hopefully there will be something in there about mucus poops.

Wiebke's Guide to Poops

Ahh. I see @Wiebke beat me to it.

 

[PipSqueak20]

Hi

This looks like a bit of mucus to me. As we now know after some research, unlike with rabbits
the end of the caecum, the largest and last fermentation chambers of the gut is closed by a mucus membrane in guinea pigs that retains the gut microbiome but allows poos to pass through. Very occasionally, a bit of that mucus can get stuck to a poo.

It is nothing to worry about.

More information on the digestive system in guinea pigs:
Wiebke's Guide to Poops
Wiebke's Guide to Tummy Trouble

Thank you, I was worried for a second there

Hi

This looks like a bit of mucus to me. As we now know after some research, unlike with rabbits
the end of the caecum, the largest and last fermentation chambers of the gut is closed by a mucus membrane in guinea pigs that retains the gut microbiome but allows poos to pass through. Very occasionally, a bit of that mucus can get stuck to a poo.

It is nothing to worry about.

More information on the digestive system in guinea pigs:
Wiebke's Guide to Poops
Wiebke's Guide to Tummy Trouble

thank you, I was worried that it was something more concerning as I haven’t seen it before.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, I was worried for a second there

thank you, I was worried that it was something more concerning as I haven’t seen it before.

It is something that is more unusual and very random as it happens mostly as a totally isolated one-off, which is why it has remained a mystery for so long.