Question about Emeprid

[valsie]

I have a poorly piggy (Treacle) who has been to the vet this week as he wasn’t eating and just looked unwell. The vet thinks it could be his back teeth that are overgrown and suggested putting him on Emeprid and Critical Care for a couple of days.
So I’ve been feeding him Critical Care mixed with organic vegetable baby food (to improve flavour) and giving him the Emeprid twice a day.
He is eating a little if I hand feed him (spinach, parsley, kale, strawberry, fresh picked grass, anything quite soft and easy to chew).
Yesterday I noticed he had a slight runny nostril which has continued and his nostril is crusty. Also this morning, he’s got diarrhoea. I can’t get him to eat any hay, which he usually loves and eats in abundance.
Could the diarrhoea be due to the Emeprid or perhaps the vegetable baby food I’ve been mixing with the Critical Care?
Any advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Treacle is 5 years old and up until now has been in excellent health.
Thank you

 

[Siikibam]

I’m not familiar with emeprid but someone more knowledgable will be along in good time to answer.

The only thing I would say is to cut back on the kale, spinach and parsley. They’re all high in calcium so shouldn’t be fed regularly - only one of them a week.

I’ll tag in @furryfriends (TEAS) she’s experienced with dental piggies.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

The Emeprid is a bowel stimulant, to keep everything moving through, so potentially I guess it could be the problem, but I am not convinced! I think it is more likely to be the syringe food, as poos tend to be much softer and less formed in a guinea pig who isn't eating properly for themselves.

 

[sport_billy]

Is the vet looking to investigate the dental issues further?

 

[valsie]

Yes, the vet said to take him back in a few days to investigate his teeth further.
Is there anything I can give him to supplement the fibre he would normally get from the hay?
He is eating green foods ok (spinach, parsley, lettuce, fresh grass) but I think this might causing the diarrhoea. He’s not eating his muslei or hay so I’m worried about stopping the greens as he won’t be eating anything then (apart from the Critical Care).

 

[Piggies&buns]

Critical Care is the fibre rich replacement for the hay.

Fresh veg may well be contributing to the diarrhoea and it is always advisable to stop giving fresh veg when diarrhoea occurs, it may be best to stop giving veg to him in order for his guts to stabilise with just a fibre rich food. Just give him the critical Care - it’s absolutely fine that he just has only that while he isn’t well. Fibre needs to make up the biggest part of their diet anyway and eating a bit of veg won’t help him maintain his weight Like fibre rich food will. He needs to be eating it regularly throughout the day and night if he won’t eat anything at all for himself. Weigh him regularly so you can ensure you are getting enough into him for him to maintain his weight.

Once he is better - As mentioned above, spinach and parsley are too high in calcium to be fed regularly.
Muesli type mixes are also not recommended as they can cause problems, contain items which are piggy safe (seeds etc are a choking hazard) and cause selective feeding. Piggies should be fed mostly hay, with around one cup of veg per day and just one tablespoon of a plain guinea pig pellet/nugget

 

[Merab]

Can’t add advice but wanted to offer support

 

[valsie]

Can’t add advice but wanted to offer support

Thank you

 

[valsie]

Critical Care is the fibre rich replacement for the hay.

Fresh veg may well be contributing to the diarrhoea and it is always advisable to stop giving fresh veg when diarrhoea occurs, it may be best to stop giving veg to him in order for his guts to stabilise with just a fibre rich food. Just give him the critical Care - it’s absolutely fine that he just has only that while he isn’t well. Fibre needs to make up the biggest part of their diet anyway and eating a bit of veg won’t help him maintain his weight Like fibre rich food will. He needs to be eating it regularly throughout the day and night if he won’t eat anything at all for himself. Weigh him regularly so you can ensure you are getting enough into him for him to maintain his weight.

Once he is better - As mentioned above, spinach and parsley are too high in calcium to be fed regularly.
Muesli type mixes are also not recommended as they can cause problems, contain items which are piggy safe (seeds etc are a choking hazard) and cause selective feeding. Piggies should be fed mostly hay, with around one cup of veg per day and just one tablespoon of a plain guinea pig pellet/nugget

Thank you for your advice. I was so worried about him not eating hay or dried food that I thought it best to let him eat green stuff but I think you’re right, the greens are contributing to the diarrhoea so now I will just feed the CC. Have booked him an appointment to go back to the vet today to try to get to the bottom of what’s causing him to be unwell.