Sick Piggie? Help! :(

[piggie_lover]

I just got my 3 week old guinea pig on Thursday night, so I've had him about 3 days. Up until last night, I had been giving him a guinea pig MIXED formula (pellets, leaves,seeds, etc.) and grass (also, i gave him one baby carrot for a treat). I noticed that last night he started having a little bit of diarrhea along with making squeaking noises whenever he went to the bathroom.
Alarmed, I contacted the breeder and found out that she was just giving him plain pellets and timothy hay. So, I immediately threw out the stuff I had been giving him and bought regular guinea pig pellets along with timothy hay.
He's very active, moving around his cage. He's eating and drinking just fine but I'm still a bit concerned.
I'm PRAYING this is just his body passing the other food his body wasn't used to and he'll be fine within the next couple of days.
Any opinions on what I should do? He just has lose stool along with occasional squeaking when passing it, but otherwise seems completely normal.
I'm just really freaking out and I needed some opinions.

 

[Wiebke]

Seeds are not recommended for guinea pigs. Please also take your little piggy off vegetables and other fresh green foods until the poos have firmed up again.

Little youngsters that are not used to fresh food can develop diarrhoea because their guts need time to adjust, so please introduce any fresh food slowly and in small amounts. Many breeders unfortunately don't feed much in the way fo fresh food.

Generally, you need to see a vet as an emergency if you are confronted with dark, very smelly fluid diarrhoea (this variety can kill) or if the poos don't firm up again after a day off fresh food.

 

[Abi_nurse]

3 weeks is far too you for him to have been rehomed, he will only just be weaned from him mum at this age? This was very foolish and stupid of the breeder to let this little one go so early. Please weigh your little one for a start, you will need to keep an eye on his weight to ensure he is gaining weight.

Hold off all veg/mix at the moment and keep to the pellets and unlimited hay. His digestive system is still very young. Ensure he is eating well and his poo is firming up before you consider trying any veg at all. Please try to steer clear of the muesli mixes (and seeds), these often make piggies selective feed (eat only the best bits) and dont get a balanced diet. Unlimited hay is the most important part of his diet. As Wiebke has said, very bad diarrhoea will need a vet visit, i would consider taking him anyway, due to the fact you seem to have got him for an inexperienced or ignorant breeder you never know.

When he picks up it may be a good idea to get him a friend as piggies are social and live much better in pairs.

x.

 

[piggie_lover]

Update! He is now successfully passing his stool in firm little pebbles, back to normal! The only thing I've noticed is that I can now hear him pass gas while he is having a bowel movement. Is this normal?