Strange Behaviour Following Urinary Tract Infection

[MamiSandra]

Hi,

I am proud owner of two female piggies called Fluffy and Coco. They are 3 years old and very good friends.

Last Friday, Fluffy had to go to the vet because she was squeaking on passing urine. A sample analysis confirmed my suspicion that she had a urinary tract infection and she was put on one week of antibiotics plus metacam for pain relief.

She went back to the vet this Thursday because she appeared very bloated. The vet tested her urine again and the sample was clear, suggesting the infection has cleared up. The vet then also x-rayed her to establish why her tummy was so round. The x-ray showed no problems, just a tummy full of food.

Since then, Fluffy has been very happy, but acting very strangely as follows:

1. She squeaks when she does a poo.

2. She does lots of poos at once, but they all look normal.

3. She follows Coco around and licks her bottom and eats her poos. When Coco goes in their house, Fluffy hangs around outside the house with her head poked through the door as if she wants to be close to Coco. Coco is getting pretty fed up with being stalked like this and having her bum licked/poos eaten all the time.

What on earth does this behaviour mean? Fluffy looks very healthy otherwise, she is active and eating and drinking as normal.

Thank you.

Sandra

 

[Adelle]

It sounds like a typical upset in the gut flora due to antibiotics. As much as they kill bad bacteria, they kill good bacteria too!

She is seeking healthy poos from her cagemate as she is lacking in them.

If you could purchase some probiotic and administer as instructed, you should see an improvement soon. Examples include pro-c, avipro plus, bio lapis and fibreplex.

If she continues to squeal when pooing please take her back to the vet as this can still be a sign of urinary pain.

Any further episodes of bloat warrants an emergency vet trip.

All the best x

 

[MamiSandra]

It sounds like a typical upset in the gut flora due to antibiotics. As much as they kill bad bacteria, they kill good bacteria too!

She is seeking healthy poos from her cagemate as she is lacking in them.

If you could purchase some probiotic and administer as instructed, you should see an improvement soon. Examples include pro-c, avipro plus, bio lapis and fibreplex.

If she continues to squeal when pooing please take her back to the vet as this can still be a sign of urinary pain.

Any further episodes of bloat warrants an emergency vet trip.

All the best x

Thank you.

I think it was exactly like you said. One week of Fibreplex and she was all OK again and the squeaking has stopped, too.

It is amazing how they know what is good for them.

Sandra

 

[Adelle]

Thank you.

I think it was exactly like you said. One week of Fibreplex and she was all OK again and the squeaking has stopped, too.

It is amazing how they know what is good for them.

Sandra

That's great news! If you ever have a pig that needs antibiotics again, giving the fibreplex 1-2 hours after you give each antibiotic dose should help prevent it happening again :-)