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Sick? Or Just Lazy?

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guineapig-al said:
Hi, I'm curious about feeding poopers. Piggies are so adorable, almost like wind-up toys, but then they start picking poopies and it gets unreal. The first time I saw this, I almost lost my mind! What are the fecal pellets and mush good for?
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Here is Peter Gurney's website about impaction, it tells you about guinea pig's being coprophagic (http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/analimpact.htm). Guinea pigs have to eat their own poo in order to digest their food. If they are impacted or can't reach for their anal sack anymore (in my pig's case arthritis), then you would need to help them get to it and offer it to them. It's smelly. If you have a guinea pig on antibiotics, then their natural bacteria in the gut gets destroyed and their poo isn't very healthy anymore (leading to bloat etc.). In this case, you need to substitute their bacteria with something (i.e. a probiotic). If you have a healthy pig, then the best probiotic you can offer to your ill pig, is fresh poos from the healthy pig (it doesn't have to be the special poo they eat, it can be their normal poo). The good thing about it is that it is free, however, make sure your pig is healthy. It's normal and part of their digestive process (like cows having to vomit up their food and eat it again). My boy has been on antibiotics for most of this year, and our approach and willingness to mash up our other boy's poos, has led to him having less bloat problems and wonderful big poos (I'm not obsessed, but poos are sometimes the only window into your guinea pig's health).
 
Thanks. Excellent answer and much appreciated. Peter Gurney (RIP) was brilliant with piggies, wasn't he? Would unsweetened soy yogurt be a probiotic?
 
guineapig-al said:
Thanks. Excellent answer and much appreciated. Peter Gurney (RIP) was brilliant with piggies, wasn't he? Would unsweetened soy yogurt be a probiotic?
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Ah thanks for this. Not sure about soy yoghurt, but unsweetened natural cow's yoghurt would. My vet (who is excellent; Glenn at Apex) has recommended using it. He did state that's not quite clear whether it really helps, but it can't do any harm (something like that; don't want to misquote him). They can digest it. The stuff at pets at home only seems to have one strand of bacteria, which is not sufficient. Lately we have even started to mix up stuff (i.e. yoghurt, poo, fibreplex, bio lapis). The results are outstanding:yikes::raz:. If you ever need to use it, just don latex gloves if the thought of touching the stuff grosses you out, use a big towel and think of nicer smelling things :D. The worst thing about Badger was when he started to shake himself after taking a big sip of the stuff, I leave it to your imagination what happened afterwards:D. Sorry I should say that I used to work in the NHS, so nothing grosses me out.
 
Hi, what's your opinion on soy being good for the piggy's heart as well as a probiotic, especially when they are little? Most piggies don't touch milk products.
 
I like Peter, too. Have you read his Internet book, it's like a mini-encyclopedia. He had 40 furry ones by the time he passed.
 
guineapig-al said:
Hi, what's your opinion on soy being good for the piggy's heart as well as a probiotic, especially when they are little? Most piggies don't touch milk products.
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I really don't know anything about soy milk (apart from drinking it myself). It might be good to investigate this further, or start a thread asking more knowledgeable members. With the yoghurt, I syringed it when Glenn suggested it, but I must confess that Badger is a saint when it comes to these things (our little one is refusing and fighting like a tiger).

guineapig-al said:
I like Peter, too. Have you read his Internet book, it's like a mini-encyclopedia. He had 40 furry ones by the time he passed.
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I've got two of his books, and he was our source of knowledge before this forum and before finding an amazing vet. He clearly cared, and I always hoped that his little furries found loving homes.
 
You can't get any soy yoghurt that has probiotics in, I am vegan and take actual probiotic supplements. I would not be happy giving soy or dairy yoghurt to a pig. I know Glenn suggests it but pigs cannot digest any form of milk after weaning. I checked last time it was mentioned.
 
Hi, soy is grain based, not lactose, there's a company called "Soysilk" which produces unsweetened soy yogurt and adds live active cultures. I find the taste disgusting, but piggies love it, and soy is also good for the piggy's heart.
 
I fully agree with helen; guinea pigs are lactose intolerant after weaning and cannot digest it properly. Therefore any dairy, including yoghurt, should not be part of a regular piggy diet.
 
To clarify, I never suggested that it should be part of a regular diet, but I passed on the advice given by a very knowledgeable vet (provision of probiotic after a heavy course of antibiotics -more than 3 months now).

Humans cannot digest cow's milk either, but unless someone is lactose intolerant it doesn't do any harm either. The same seems to apply to guinea pigs, and the natural probiotics can be beneficial. Maybe the best course of action is to discuss it with a (your) vet. I trust Glenn's judgement, his knowledge is amazing and he literally brought my guina pig back from the dead. Anyway as it stands the best and most natural probiotic is poo from a healthy pig, but this seems to gross out most people.
 
Just a little update for everyone. Ivory has finished her course of antibiotics and I have taken her back to the vet for a check-up. There are no more sneezes or nasal discharge, she is eating and wheeking normally, and running around as if nothing had ever happened. Better yet, she has begun putting on weight again, and now weighs 800g. Ebony, her sister, weighs 875g, but has always been slightly heavier. The vet assures me that they are both a good weight for their age (6 months).
Thanks to all for your support and guidance!
 
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