So my boar Pooh had diarrhoea (cow looking poos) for about 1-2 days. I stopped giving him veggies and made sure he was still eating and drinking. He got very poorly and just sat in the corner one evening, but he was still eating hay. I brought him to the vets that have been very good for when he was neutered, this time I'm not sure I can trust them completely and I'm hoping someone here can help me figure out what to do. The vet (one I have not seen before) started out with telling me Pooh was a very large boar at 1,1kg and he is more normal now weighing 800g?! I was quite confused by this as I see nothing normal in him losing 200-300g of weight over a couple of days! He then told me the weight was probably just him losing all the food he had in his bowels and since his poos are now looking firm again he should be fine. I am however still worried in case something is actually wrong with him or it will happen again, as all the vets did was feel him a little and look in his mouth. I asked them if they had any fibreplex in case it would happen again so I am prepared, and he said to also give him human c-vitamin mixed with water in a syringe. My question is really if I just leave it at that or should I maybe have him checked out by someone who's a bit more knowledgeable?
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Seeking A Bit Of Advice On Diarrhoea
- Thread starter Azi
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helen105281
Senior Guinea Pig
I do think you should get him checked by someone more knowledgeable, have a look on the vet locator. It is great that his poos have firmed up now though and good that you have Fibreplex and Vitamin C. I would also recommend Dioralyte if it happens again as it replaces electrolytes. They can have either flavoured or plain. That is a lot of weight to have lost, and to me 800g is very small for a boar though there are some naturally small pigs. If you do see a different vet you could ask for a faecal culture or faecal float to check for anything going on. Is he eating ok now and not hunched up. Could you list what he had eaten before the diarrhoea started?
Claire W
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I am sorry to hear Pooh is poorly 
If I were you, I would seek out a second opinion as that is a worrying weight loss in such a small amount of time. 1100g is within the normal weight range where as 800g is concerning especially if he has never been that weight in adulthood.
I had a piggy once who had really soft poos. It turned out she had a tummy infection. She was prescribed a course of antibiotics, flbreplex and put on a hay only diet as well as vitamin C tablets to keep her levels up. She was back to normal within 48 hours and quickly regained the weight she had lost.
In the meantime, please make sure Pooh stays hydrated and do not feed any fresh veggies if his poos become soft again.
If I were you, I would seek out a second opinion as that is a worrying weight loss in such a small amount of time. 1100g is within the normal weight range where as 800g is concerning especially if he has never been that weight in adulthood.
I had a piggy once who had really soft poos. It turned out she had a tummy infection. She was prescribed a course of antibiotics, flbreplex and put on a hay only diet as well as vitamin C tablets to keep her levels up. She was back to normal within 48 hours and quickly regained the weight she had lost.
In the meantime, please make sure Pooh stays hydrated and do not feed any fresh veggies if his poos become soft again.
Yeah 800g for him is not normal, he has always been 1,1kg and 800g is more like the size of my younger girls. I am actually already going to the vets that is on the locator (Ashgrove), but I doubt I was seen by the small pet expert with him telling me Pooh was very large for a pig at 1,1kg :S He is now eating normally and hopping about doing the usual. On the days around his diarrhoea he had been eating hay, pellets, and a mix of spinach, peppers, carrot, green beans, half a cherry tomato and a bit of parsley.
helen105281
Senior Guinea Pig
That diet sounds ok and should not have caused the tummy upset so definitely best to get him seen again. Is there any way you could find out if the vet you saw was the exotic expert and maybe ask to see a different vet if not?
I am sorry to hear Pooh is poorly
If I were you, I would seek out a second opinion as that is a worrying weight loss in such a small amount of time. 1100g is within the normal weight range where as 800g is concerning especially if he has never been that weight in adulthood.
I had a piggy once who had really soft poos. It turned out she had a tummy infection. She was prescribed a course of antibiotics, flbreplex and put on a hay only diet as well as vitamin C tablets to keep her levels up. She was back to normal within 48 hours and quickly regained the weight she had lost.
In the meantime, please make sure Pooh stays hydrated and do not feed any fresh veggies if his poos become soft again.
I am inclined to get a second opinion, as I dont really feel satisfied and no cause whatsoever was found for this sudden diarrhoea. The only problem is just I have no idea who to see instead. Ashgrove is the only recommended vets for Aberdeen. They all live in my living room so I have been very observant, making sure he is drinking and have only given him peppers as veggies to get his c-vitamin up and I now got some tablets as well. I also got them an alfalfa hay roll to encourage him eating more hay.
I could ring down and ask who I saw, but it could get extremely awkward
I dont wanna make them upset as Ive been very happy with my cat going there.
helen105281
Senior Guinea Pig
Are there any other people from Aberdeen on here who could recommend anyone? Are you anywhere near Denny? (my geography is rubbish), if so you could see Glenn at Apex Vets.
In theory I could see them, as Ive got a car, but it would be a very long drive there and back.
helen105281
Senior Guinea Pig
Maybe speak to your local vets again and say you are not happy with his weight loss and you would like his poo tested.
helen105281
Senior Guinea Pig
That sounds like a good plan. Hopefully he will start to regain weight in the meantime, but get him seen sooner if he drops any more.
I will, and I will weigh him every day to make sure hes not losing anymore weight. Thanks for your help, its nice to get more opinions and know I wasnt just being fussy
helen105281
Senior Guinea Pig
Happy to help. I do have one idea which I will message you with.
gizzy
Adult Guinea Pig
Hi there you are right to doubt this vet !! the loss of 200 to 300 g has got to be cause for concern if Poo where my pig, I would collect a poo sample and ask your vet to get it analysed at a laboratory, (best results are had from a 3 day sample, accommodates the life cycle of all intestinal parasites) but in an emergency, one sample should suffice
It could simply be that he has contracted a worm type parasitic infection in the tummy, though it could be a protozoa, so you are best asking for a broad spectrum analysis, that also involves parasites on the microscopic level.
Full spectrum analysis, should cost in the region of £35-£50 though it is money well spent, and could save the life of the pig.
A P@H vets will charge considerably more £65
If Poo still has diarrhea, then you may be in for a he long hall , I have a sow at the moment who's Tummy flora was wiped out by anti-biotics, that was five weeks ago, as she still gets the sloppies , if I give even the minutest piece of vegetable.
It is just a matter of waiting for the good bacteria in the tummy to reestablish itself
It could simply be that he has contracted a worm type parasitic infection in the tummy, though it could be a protozoa, so you are best asking for a broad spectrum analysis, that also involves parasites on the microscopic level.
Full spectrum analysis, should cost in the region of £35-£50 though it is money well spent, and could save the life of the pig.
A P@H vets will charge considerably more £65
If Poo still has diarrhea, then you may be in for a he long hall , I have a sow at the moment who's Tummy flora was wiped out by anti-biotics, that was five weeks ago, as she still gets the sloppies , if I give even the minutest piece of vegetable.
It is just a matter of waiting for the good bacteria in the tummy to reestablish itself
His diarrhoea is gone now, but I'm still worried in case it will come back as it came out of no where. How did you go about sampling with several pigs in the cage?
Sara412
Teenage Guinea Pig
I would be interested in this advice as well, as noticed Brodie was bit loose but only for one day, I cut back on his veg and he seems OK.
Also if you give Dioralyte how much do you give?
PS: Brodie didn't loose any weight - it was just a 24hr thing (possibly to much grass) - Brodie has several nick names (Dustybin and Henry the Hoover!
- yes you've guessed it he's a gluten!)
gizzy
Adult Guinea Pig
Quote >it came out of no where> unquote
Hi there, it is quite possible that Poo ate bit of vegetable that was on the turn! It is easily done by all of us, see photo below,
Quote > How did you go about sampling with several pigs in the cage?> Unquote
The best way would be to put him in a carrier until he has Poo'ed , though bear in mind if it where a protozoa(microscopic single cell organism) then chances are all the pigs will have it to one degree or another, so in the longer run it may be better sampling them all, (in the carrier) mix a small amount of all the poo (3-4 poo's from each pig) together, and send all for them for a single analysis, if it does come back positive, then depending on the organism responsible, it may be better to treat them all.
Hi there, it is quite possible that Poo ate bit of vegetable that was on the turn! It is easily done by all of us, see photo below,
Quote > How did you go about sampling with several pigs in the cage?> Unquote
The best way would be to put him in a carrier until he has Poo'ed , though bear in mind if it where a protozoa(microscopic single cell organism) then chances are all the pigs will have it to one degree or another, so in the longer run it may be better sampling them all, (in the carrier) mix a small amount of all the poo (3-4 poo's from each pig) together, and send all for them for a single analysis, if it does come back positive, then depending on the organism responsible, it may be better to treat them all.
Yeah I guess that could be quite a possibility it was a bit of bad veggie, thanksQuote >it came out of no where> unquote
Hi there, it is quite possible that Poo ate bit of vegetable that was on the turn! It is easily done by all of us, see photo below,
Quote > How did you go about sampling with several pigs in the cage?> Unquote
The best way would be to put him in a carrier until he has Poo'ed , though bear in mind if it where a protozoa(microscopic single cell organism) then chances are all the pigs will have it to one degree or another, so in the longer run it may be better sampling them all, (in the carrier) mix a small amount of all the poo (3-4 poo's from each pig) together, and send all for them for a single analysis, if it does come back positive, then depending on the organism responsible, it may be better to treat them all.
gizzy
Adult Guinea Pig
Hi there, Sally421, you say too much grass ! is it possible that Brodie has been in the garden run possibly for the first time this year and his tummy is just not used to the extra grass,
This is a big problem we all have to be aware of, they go all winter on little if any grass at all, then in the early spring, will rush to put them in the garden runs, but do not realise that their tummies are not used to so much green vegetable,
Quote> Also if you give Dioralyte how much do you give >unquote
Personally I'm never very happy about giving human medication, Vetark Pro-C contains all the rehydration fluids /pro biotic's also vitamin C that an animal needs,
Though be sure to change the drinking water daily,
my personal preference for using it is to mix 1/4 quantity and syringe feed it to a dehydrated pig, most pigs love it
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vetark-Prof...ie=UTF8&qid=1397919517&sr=8-1&keywords=vetark
This is a big problem we all have to be aware of, they go all winter on little if any grass at all, then in the early spring, will rush to put them in the garden runs, but do not realise that their tummies are not used to so much green vegetable,
Quote> Also if you give Dioralyte how much do you give >unquote
Personally I'm never very happy about giving human medication, Vetark Pro-C contains all the rehydration fluids /pro biotic's also vitamin C that an animal needs,
Though be sure to change the drinking water daily,
my personal preference for using it is to mix 1/4 quantity and syringe feed it to a dehydrated pig, most pigs love it
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vetark-Prof...ie=UTF8&qid=1397919517&sr=8-1&keywords=vetark
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helen105281
Senior Guinea Pig
I have had great success with Dioralyte and it was recommended to me by my friend who runs a guinea pig clinic with a vet. My own vets are also happy for me to use it. My Millie is having it today in fact. I give little and often throughout the day. If you would prefer to use an animal medication though then yes Pro C is good.
I know Pebble recently recommended Dioralyte for a pig with gas and bloat.
I know Pebble recently recommended Dioralyte for a pig with gas and bloat.
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Sara412
Teenage Guinea Pig
They have been out for 1/2 hr to 1 hr shifts about 3 times a week for the past 3 weeks, but they have also just started having dandelions as well - so yes I think you are right, just a bit too much greens .........they are all very disgruntled today as just put them to bed with lots hay and no greens, getting 5 very cross faces and lots of chuntering!
Sara412
Teenage Guinea Pig
[QUOTE but they they are all very disgruntled today as just put them to bed with lots hay and no greens, getting 5 very cross faces and lots of chuntering![/QUOTE]
I should explain as my 5 boys share housing and food bowls , its a case of if one isn't allowed greens - none of them are ! - may have to find a different feeding routine if this carrys on
I should explain as my 5 boys share housing and food bowls , its a case of if one isn't allowed greens - none of them are ! - may have to find a different feeding routine if this carrys on
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