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Possible Diarrhoea

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CarnivalPiggy

CarnivalPiggy

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hi. Just picked up Min to see brown stains across her stomach, hair feeling different to the rest of the body. We took her to the vets just two days ago, in which we were told to come back in roughly a month after an apt concerning something with her stomach and lost weight, but would book it quicker. She's drinking, moving, though looks uncomfortable.

Cage is being cleaned out as it is on its last day, so couldn't see if there was anything prominent as it was messy and covered in hay. Incredibly concerned. I haven't rang the vet yet, but will do. Would it be ok wash her bottom with water to try and clear her up a bit? It feels dry, so not sure how long ago this happened.
 
CarnivalPiggy said:
Hi. Just picked up Min to see brown stains across her stomach, hair feeling different to the rest of the body. We took her to the vets just two days ago, in which we were told to come back in roughly a month after an apt concerning something with her stomach and lost weight, but would book it quicker. She's drinking, moving, though looks uncomfortable.

Cage is being cleaned out as it is on its last day, so couldn't see if there was anything prominent as it was messy and covered in hay. Incredibly concerned. I haven't rang the vet yet, but will do. Would it be ok wash her bottom with water to try and clear her up a bit? It feels dry, so not sure how long ago this happened.
Click to expand...

If you can get a vet appointment soon, I would leave it so your vet can take it into consideration.
 
Thanks. What would you consider soon? The most I could get is most likely tomorrow booked as a possible emergency.
 
She's drinking without argument and eating fine, munching on hay now. Should I separate her and Ginny? The bedding has just been layed down so not sure if I should just put a gate or two between them.
Also, would it be advisable to lay off veggies and fruits?
 
Sorry to triple post, but rang the vets. Said to call back in the morning as she is drinking, eating and moving fairly well. Said to keep her clean, so will wipe her down as much as I can for now.

Will probably book appt in morning, but not sure what to do as mum, the one who drives me, is attending a funeral tomorrow.
 
Thanks. We're torn between Taverham vets and pakefield vets.
Pakefield isn't very well known to us as we've only visited once during an emergency, but they pretty much solved Minja's arthritis (well, not solved, but gave her treatment at the vets and at home that just about stopped her from having walking problems. She can't go up the stairs, but it's much better than when she was barely able to walk). However, they're incredibly expensive and while I value my piggies more than my life, I don't usually pay the bills for them.

Taverham is good and we've been to them a lot, but they don't feel as effective as pakefield, who were quicker in treatment and helping (for example, they don't feel the ball in her stomach needs seeing to until a month later). They don't charge as much (less than 200 for X Ray, which is what the other charges) which makes gathering money easier. Taverham is also much further away. Not sure what to do.

Right now: she's running around, her poops are pretty small but appear to be improving from a hour ago. She's drinking, eating fine, still looks uncomfortable and/or in pain. Do you recommend separating them?
Sorry this is so long !
 
Has she got fluid diarrhea or is she still making more solid poos? It can be that she's just lain in some pee and poos?

Whenever you suspect diarrhea, please take any piggy off fresh food and supplement with syringe feed if necessary. Switch to weighing daily at the same time to keep control of the food intake. Always make sure that you offer a piggy as much water as it will take, as diarrhea is dehydrating.
 
Haven't seen any diarrhoea myself, only found her covered in stains. Just washed her bum recommend by vets to keep clean, didn't want to use shampoo as didn't know if it would be a good idea so she still has a yellow patch. Her poo is small though and soft, one came out rather thin but seemed to have improved a tad.

Could I ask how to feed/make supplements? With pellets. I've only ever had to syringe medication and water so no idea
 
CarnivalPiggy said:
Haven't seen any diarrhoea myself, only found her covered in stains. Just washed her bum recommend by vets to keep clean, didn't want to use shampoo as didn't know if it would be a good idea so she still has a yellow patch. Her poo is small though and soft, one came out rather thin but seemed to have improved a tad.

Could I ask how to feed/make supplements? With pellets. I've only ever had to syringe medication and water so no idea
Click to expand...

Just mix pellets and water and squish it together once the pellets have softened. Add water if necessary to get the right consistency. You can find all the tips, including how to prep a syringe, in our syringe feeding guide in the Caring For AN Ill Guinea Pig section. It is generally useful to have some probiotics and recovery formula at home.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
First Aid Kit For Guinea Pigs
 
Smaller and thinner poos generally mean that your piggy has been eating less. If it is still eating, just offer it mushed pellets and water extra, as much as it wants in one go.
 
Thank you. I gave her roughly five or seven mls altogether, probably less or more, and water to go with it. She was unusually fussy with the pellets comapred to baytril, must not taste as good aha. She's in the cage with Ginny, fresh water, pellets and hay. Need to get more hay in morning. Her poo is bigger and less thin. Going to sleep soon, so tired
 
Min seems ok today, still underweight however. I'm wondering if it was a case of laying on waste before the the cage was cleaned out. Eating and drinking fine :)

Bit disappointed in other news though. Rang a trusted vet and was told the receptionist talked to two vets for advice and was told to keep an eye out and make sure she doesn't throw up, though I'm sure they can't. They didn't seem very worried about the ball in her stomach and told to keep an eye on her for a few days before making an appt.
 
Hey. Seems much brighter today. Have some veggies for them but not sure if i should feed it to Min. If I don't, that would be two days without veg
 
I wouldn't feed any veg until her poos are back to normal.
A break for a couple of days won't do any harm as long as she has hay, water, and pellets.

And you are right - guinea pigs can't throw up, so if it was me I would be avoiding that vet in the future - they clearly don't have a clue about guinea pigs.
 
Thanks. Planning to ring pakefield tomorrow.

Feeding pellet mash again. How cold/warm should it be? Also, how much to give? Not sure if underfeeding or overfeeding it to her. Her poops seem to be looking better which is good :)
 
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