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Probiotics

JandfpiggiesUK

JandfpiggiesUK

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone. Me again. I just need some more help on something.

My guinea pig Jaffa is on Zithromax for a URI, he’s been prescribed it for a week.

The vet said it would be a good idea to give probiotics too so that he doesn’t get an upset tummy. He’s had antibiotics and probiotics previously when he had a URI a few months back.

I have some fibreplex and I’ve also ordered some bio lapis, as the vet recommended it.

How much do I give and how often?
He weighs 1.265kg.

Help would be very much appreciated
 
JandfpiggiesUK said:
Hi everyone. Me again. I just need some more help on something.

My guinea pig Jaffa is on Zithromax for a URI, he’s been prescribed it for a week.

The vet said it would be a good idea to give probiotics too so that he doesn’t get an upset tummy. He’s had antibiotics and probiotics previously when he had a URI a few months back.

I have some fibreplex and I’ve also ordered some bio lapis, as the vet recommended it.

How much do I give and how often?
He weighs 1.265kg.

Help would be very much appreciated
Click to expand...

You give a pinch of probiotics either an hour before the antibiotic or 1-2 hours afterwards.
Please be aware that fibreplex contains already probiotics.

More effective when made really freshly each time than your standard probiotic powder is 'poo soup' made with absolutely freshly dropped poos from a healthy companion. Since piggies poo when they eat, take the companion out and let them munch on a little grass or fresh veg (as part of their daily allowance). Collect any fresh poos afterward and soak them in a little water. Then syringe this water to the ill piggy straight away. This means that the gut microbes are still alive and have a good chance to get where they are supposed to work; and they are exactly the right stuff to inoculate. This mimics natural behaviour in recovering guinea pigs, by the way.
 
I second Wiebke's response.

Wiebke said:
You give a pinch of probiotics either an hour before the antibiotic or 1-2 hours afterwards.
Please be aware that fibreplex contains already probiotics.

More effective when made really freshly each time than your standard probiotic powder is 'poo soup' made with absolutely freshly dropped poos from a healthy companion. Since piggies poo when they eat, take the companion out and let them munch on a little grass or fresh veg (as part of their daily allowance). Collect any fresh poos afterward and soak them in a little water. Then syringe this water to the ill piggy straight away. This means that the gut microbes are still alive and have a good chance to get where they are supposed to work; and they are exactly the right stuff to inoculate. This mimics natural behaviour in recovering guinea pigs, by the way.
Click to expand...
 
JandfpiggiesUK said:
Jaffa seems to be nibbling and eating non food items. I’ve caught him eating blankets, kitchen roll & labels off things. Is this normal because he’s poorly?

Should I get him some cardboard?

@Wiebke @Abi_nurse @Flutterby
Click to expand...

It is a sign that his gut biome is affected by the zithromax. Guinea pigs prefer very rough, nutrionally poor fibre to rebalance their digestion.
Please follow our advice above re. poo soup to help re-stock the gut biome.
 
Wiebke said:
It is a sign that his gut biome is affected by the zithromax. Guinea pigs prefer very rough, nutrionally poor fibre to rebalance their digestion.
Please follow our advice above re. poo soup to help re-stock the gut biome.
Click to expand...
I’ll try that. Thank you. It’s safe for him isn’t it?
 
JandfpiggiesUK said:
I’ll try that. Thank you. It’s safe for him isn’t it?
Click to expand...

What 'it'? Poo soup or cardboard?

PS: With all due respect, I would certainly not recommend anything that is not safe and has not proven its usefulness. Poo soup has been around for ages and has saved piggies where probiotics haven't made any difference.
 
Wiebke said:
What 'it'? Poo soup or cardboard?

PS: With all due respect, I would certainly not recommend anything that is not safe and has not proven its usefulness. Poo soup has been around for ages and has saved piggies where probiotics haven't made any difference.
Click to expand...
The cardboard, I don’t want it to bloat him.
 
Hi everyone. Thanks for all your help and advice regarding my piggy Jaffa who is being treated for a URI.

I’ve tried the poop soup idea but decided to order some ‘bio lapis’. I’ve previously been giving him pro c probiotic but wanted to get him a better quality type so went for the bio lapis as my vet recommended it for him.

It came today. I’d like to start and give him it as that’s what i bought it for. Will it harm him to change probiotic?
 
I can't advise with any authority, but I have chopped and changed probiotics with pigs with no adverse effects, being beneficial bacteria I personally don't see the harm! :)
I've found bio lapis to be a fantastic product too, always got at least one box of sachets in the first aid kit.
 
Eriathwen said:
I can't advise with any authority, but I have chopped and changed probiotics with pigs with no adverse effects, being beneficial bacteria I personally don't see the harm! :)
I've found bio lapis to be a fantastic product too, always got at least one box of sachets in the first aid kit.
Click to expand...
Ah thank you. I didn’t know who’d answer the reply. Yeah, my piggy won’t take fibreplex so the vet recommended some of the bio lapis probiotics. How much do you normally give?
 
I usually make a sachet up, so 50ml of water and mix it in, then put that in a separate water bottle on the cage. Usually they'll help themselves!
 
it will be fine to give the bio lapis,the instructions should be on the packaging.i would follow that or ring your vet/veternary nurse to advise.i hope your piggie has a speedy recovery.
 
JandfpiggiesUK said:
Hi everyone. Thanks for all your help and advice regarding my piggy Jaffa who is being treated for a URI.

I’ve tried the poop soup idea but decided to order some ‘bio lapis’. I’ve previously been giving him pro c probiotic but wanted to get him a better quality type so went for the bio lapis as my vet recommended it for him.

It came today. I’d like to start and give him it as that’s what i bought it for. Will it harm him to change probiotic?
Click to expand...

Apologise for lateness in my reply. Yes this is just fine to use on piggies.

x
 
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