What is bloat?

[purple blobs]

What's bloat? I just want to know because I'm getting another guinea pig (most likely) and is it for eating too much too fast? please tell me what i need to know about it! x>>

 

[Wiebke]

No, piggies who eat too quickly tend to just cough, like us humans!

Bloat is something very different and much more serious; it is either a build up of trapped gas in the guts or the result of a blockage in the guts and it can come on very quickly. It is a very painful condition and needs to be seen by a vet asap at any time of the day as an emergency; the longer you wait the less of chance of recovery you have.
The whole belly or part of it balloons and becomes very tight to the touch and makes a hollow sound. Bloat is thankfully not one of the most frequent problems, but a life threatening condition when it happens.

By making sure that you feed a good, hay based diet you can reduce the risks of bloat somewhat.

Here is more information: http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/bloat.htm