Probiotic

[guineapigs<3]

I was advised to give my piggy some probiotic on top of her eye drops and antibiotics as she has a URI, I'm not sure how to give her this as she isn't drinking much water at all at the moment so won't take it that way nor is she eating much so putting it on her favorite cucumber won't work either! I have no idea how to give it to her, any tips? ?/

 

[Guinea pig slave]

I use Fibreplex which is a thick paste and my piggies will take it from the end of my little finger, available from a vet or online.
If you are using a powdered form, can you mix it with a little water and syringe ? Not sure if this is good practise but tbh, if it the only way, would attempt it.

http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html#probiotics

If your girl is on Septrin, it may not upset her too much and the lack of interest in food is due to her feeling unwell in general.
I would weigh her and consider syringing pellets if you think she's not eating enough ?/

 

[guineapigs<3]

She is on Septrin 0.2mg twice a day. It is the powdered form we got her so I think I shall syringe it to her also I have cut up her veg and put it in a plastic container with water and probiotic mixed in. Is this ok? Thanks for your advice! x

 

[Guinea pig slave]

I've not used the powdered ones.
Does it indicate the amount to give ? I like the Fibreplex as it is 1ml per kg of piggy so can calculate the dosage, easy to give and know they take it
Septrin rarely upsets them, Baytril is the one I have paranoia about but saying that, all piggies are different. My boy last year had awful problems on Baytril but one of my girls had no side effects xx>>>
Keep us posted on Sienna p

 

[guineapigs<3]

She didn't do too well on Baytril either hence why she got worse and needed Spetrin and to be isolated. Were giving it her as the vet said she was underweight and you could feel her pelvis 8... is this a good thing to give her to put weight on? x

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Have you weighed Sienna ? A daily weight is important when they're unwell so we can gauge things better - if she has lost/losing 20+g, I would syringe feed her pellets to ensure she is getting her nutrition. All sounds really scary but if I can do it, anyone can. Complete novice to hand feeding last year but it really is saving your piggy and not as nerve racking as you think
Try her with some fresh picked and washed grass, not too wet or too much - worked for my poorly boy who wouldn't eat a thing
What pellets do you feed her - I always give Burgess Excel/Wagg Optimum, no muesli types.
Little and often worked for ours - if you can weigh her and let us know how much she has lost etc.
How quickly and for how long is important too as she may have been hiding her URI (they're good at that :x)
Keeping eyes on this as understand how worrying it is x>>

 

[Wiebke]

How much does you piggy weigh? Is it adult or pediatric septrin? It is a very low dose for pediatric (half strength) septrin!

Are you weighing your piggy daily, as is recommended during an illness? That way, you have a much better idea on her weight and how stable she is.

You can always syringe the

Probiotic, fibreplex or any Critical Care, or add probiotic to any powdered feed like fibreplex or Critical Care. It is a bit easier if you cut off the tip of a syringe. Mushed up pellets can also be used to top up the weight. Make sure that you syringe water if she isn't drinking much. Vitamin C rich unsweetened cranberry juice is recommended for UTIs, either pure or mixed with water - you can add probiotics to that.
http://www.guinealynx.info/uti.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html

 

[guineapigs<3]

I have just weighed her and she has lost 5g since sunday! Is this ok? I have syringe fed her some and she took it ok, she has also eaten 2 slices of cucumber wahoooo, I just feed them the pets at home own brand pellets and timothy hay. xx