Very light coloured poo

[exia]

Harry moved in two days ago and I've noticed these days he's poos are very light in the color. They look a bit dry too. Good size, shape and amount.

He's overall an active little man, good appetite and before moving in he was around 1100g. I haven't handle him yet. He lost his friend 2 weeks ago and has been a bit low in the appetite, according to his old family. From what they told me he had a good diet in their home, hay and veggies.
I have not seen him drink these days, and his bottle is always full when I change the water.

Could he be dehydrated?
When to maybe visit the vet? If there's something we could try at home before that vetvisit I think both me and Harry would be grateful. To move is stressful enough I think

 

[piggieminder]

Wiebke's Guide to Poops

I hope the above guide will help you.

 

[Wiebke]

Harry moved in two days ago and I've noticed these days he's poos are very light in the color. They look a bit dry too. Good size, shape and amount.

He's overall an active little man, good appetite and before moving in he was around 1100g. I haven't handle him yet. He lost his friend 2 weeks ago and has been a bit low in the appetite, according to his old family. From what they told me he had a good diet in their home, hay and veggies.
I have not seen him drink these days, and his bottle is always full when I change the water.

Could he be dehydrated?
When to maybe visit the vet? If there's something we could try at home before that vetvisit I think both me and Harry would be grateful. To move is stressful enough I think

Hi

How is his vegetable intake? Is he used to a bottle?

Drinking from a bottle is learned behaviour. You could switch the bottles so the nozzle smells of another guinea pig using it - meaning that it is safe. Watching other piggies drink and having the scent on where to drink is how piggies learn.
Again - is Harry used to the veg you are serving or not? Again, it is something he will learn from a companion.

As long as his weight is stable I would not worry but think about introducing him sooner rather than later.

 

[Truffolo]

Perhaps some contact with Kongo's poops, not poo soup as such, just a sniff. I wonder if a probiotic would help. I hope Harry is well. Good that he is eating so well and exploring happily

 

[exia]

Hi

How is his vegetable intake? Is he used to a bottle?

Drinking from a bottle is learned behaviour. You could switch the bottles so the nozzle smells of another guinea pig using it - meaning that it is safe. Watching other piggies drink and having the scent on where to drink is how piggies learn.
Again - is Harry used to the veg you are serving or not? Again, it is something he will learn from a companion.

As long as his weight is stable I would not worry but think about introducing him sooner rather than later.

Thanks Wiebke
He has the same kind of bottle that he had in his previous home (kids pointed that out). I will give him a bowl too and see if he prefers that.

His poop was very light when he moved in, but the vegs are pretty the same - cucumber, romain, peppers, green leaves everyday and somedays carrot, kale, melon, parsley/basil or Apple. Here he tasted around five pellets yesterday and I also introduced him to beetroot. He didnt get any pellets in his old home and my intention was to keep it that way until he tried to lick himself into Kongo and eat his pellets...

He and Kongo lives as neighbours, in a big c&c with a divider. They have direct contact and they have been very polite towards each other. Some rumbling but very mild. They are both around 4-4,5 years old. Right now we have no intentions to bond them to share space, Kongo has been a handfull for other pigs. But if the signs are right we will cosider it, ofc!

 

[exia]

Perhaps some contact with Kongo's poops, not poo soup as such, just a sniff. I wonder if a probiotic would help. I hope Harry is well. Good that he is eating so well and exploring happily

I can always try to give him some probiotics. Not the Kongo-poodog-version though

 

[Truffolo]

I can always try to give him some probiotics. Not the Kongo-poodog-version though

Yes, perhaps not the KPV He is a brave little chap, I hope he is going to be OK. Keep eating Harry, keep wheeking lovely piggy ❤

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks Wiebke
He has the same kind of bottle that he had in his previous home (kids pointed that out). I will give him a bowl too and see if he prefers that.

His poop was very light when he moved in, but the vegs are pretty the same - cucumber, romain, peppers, green leaves everyday and somedays carrot, kale, melon, parsley/basil or Apple. Here he tasted around five pellets yesterday and I also introduced him to beetroot. He didnt get any pellets in his old home and my intention was to keep it that way until he tried to lick himself into Kongo and eat his pellets...

He and Kongo lives as neighbours, in a big c&c with a divider. They have direct contact and they have been very polite towards each other. Some rumbling but very mild. They are both around 4-4,5 years old. Right now we have no intentions to bond them to share space, Kongo has been a handfull for other pigs. But if the signs are right we will cosider it, ofc!

As long as Harry's weight is stable, he is eating enough hay. Give him a little time to settle in. The need to drink comes before the need to eat. Keep in mind that the poo output reflects what has gone on 1-2 days before and up his veg intake, especially doubling the cucumber and giving a bit more romaine lettuce. See whether that does the trick.

 

[exia]

Update:
Harry had some extra cucumber for the last three days and now the poos are darker and looks healthy. I guess he was just a bit dehyrdated. I will keep having my eyes on his poos for awhile. The dignity of being a slave...

 

[Wiebke]

Update:
Harry had some extra cucumber for the last three days and now the poos are darker and looks healthy. I guess he was just a bit dehyrdated. I will keep having my eyes on his poos for awhile. The dignity of being a slave...

It is not unusual for a new arrival (even from a good background) to not eat and drink much at first while they are frightened but - as long as they are healthy - the urge to eat and drink will kick in sooner rather than later and the problem resolves itself.