Sick Piggy Help?

[ErinD7]

Hi everyone,

I am totally new to this site, and was hoping some of you have the experience with a sick piggy that I could use. I have a 1 year old boar who up until a few weeks ago was as healthy as could be. That being said, two weeks ago he was sniffling and sneezing and sounded like he had a little congestion. So I took him to our local vet and he was prescribed an antibiotic. The first day on the meds, he was out of it, but quickly after a day or two was eating, drinking, and popcorning like normal. Last night, almost two weeks into treatment, he was having difficulty pooping. He was going, but his stool became very soft and unformed. He even arched his back and made a "this hurts" squeak a few times. All the while he was still eating and drinking and peeing, and with some difficulty pooping. This morning, he was still active and his poops have formed back into their normal consistency, however they are a tad bit smaller. I have a doctor's appointment for the little guy on Wednesday to check up on his antibiotic. I am also going to start introducing a probiotic while he finishes his treatment.

Has anyone had this happen? I'm leaving town for a few days (yes, someone will be taking care of him) and I'm really worried he might get worse. Any suggestions? Please and thank you?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,

I am totally new to this site, and was hoping some of you have the experience with a sick piggy that I could use. I have a 1 year old boar who up until a few weeks ago was as healthy as could be. That being said, two weeks ago he was sniffling and sneezing and sounded like he had a little congestion. So I took him to our local vet and he was prescribed an antibiotic. The first day on the meds, he was out of it, but quickly after a day or two was eating, drinking, and popcorning like normal. Last night, almost two weeks into treatment, he was having difficulty pooping. He was going, but his stool became very soft and unformed. He even arched his back and made a "this hurts" squeak a few times. All the while he was still eating and drinking and peeing, and with some difficulty pooping. This morning, he was still active and his poops have formed back into their normal consistency, however they are a tad bit smaller. I have a doctor's appointment for the little guy on Wednesday to check up on his antibiotic. I am also going to start introducing a probiotic while he finishes his treatment.

Has anyone had this happen? I'm leaving town for a few days (yes, someone will be taking care of him) and I'm really worried he might get worse. Any suggestions? Please and thank you?

Hi and welcome! What antibiotic has your little boy been on for his respiratory infection (is it baytril?) and is he still on it? Baytril can have an impact on the guts, but please mention it to your vet on his check-up. I would recommend to always contact your vet if there is a sudden deterioration in a guinea pig on treatment.

The poo output reflects what has gone in yesterday. Please always switch from weighing weekly (as you should with any healthy guinea pigs) to daily at the same time in the feeding cycle whenever your piggy is not quite right.
Start topping up with syringe feed as soon as your piggy is off its food; the daily weigh-in will help you to decide when you need to step in. Our illustrated step-by-step guide has all the information necessary.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Administering Medications

 

[ErinD7]

Hi, and thank you for a quick reply.
He has been on Orbax for the last week or so. That's the interesting thing though, his condition hasn't deteriorated at all. He is still popcorning, and eating and drinking a lot. He also loves his pets in the morning, and cuddles at night with the occasional purr of delight. I usually weigh every other day or so, but since he's been sick, I've been weighing him everyday. But no noticeable, alarming fluctuations in his weight. Other than a little poop problem last night he has been okay and acting like a normal pig. I guess my biggest concern is if he will be okay while we are gone. I do have a close friend watching him, who has watched him before so she knows his habits. And she also does have the okay to take him to the emergency if something does go terribly wrong. I was just wondering that, from your experience, has a piggy with a sudden bowel problem that comes and goes literally over night, been okay?