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Wilbur, impaction and probiotics

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Tracyxx

Tracyxx

Adult Guinea Pig
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As you all know my lovely 4 year old boar Wilbur has the beginnings of impaction. Over the last month or so I've been learning how to deal with it and I'm glad to say we're now fully sorted *touch wood*!

I just wanted to let everyone else know about the success I've had with a product so other people can give it a try if they want to. It's VetArk Pro-C Probiotic and I get it from Pets at Home although I'm sure other shops will sell it too!

It contains a probiotic, glucose and soluble fibre, amongst other things. I know fibre is supposed to help impaction in boars..and guess what, it has! I add it to his water every day and there is now less build up of poo and his little bum needs emptying less often. It's not a cure and unfortunately, if he misses a day of the powder supplement, his impaction is a whole lot worse the following day.

But it's cheap and readily available and doesn't do any harm so I thought I'd post about it here and if anyone else is at their wit's end with an impacted boar, you can give it a go :)
 
thats great advice thank you. I brought some of this the other day as Lincoln has impaction and the antibiotics he was on were upsetting his belly. Well him and doyle both have it now but i stopped using it as the course of antibitoics was over. thanks very much i will give it a try x
 
Thanks for sharing your experience, glad you have found something that works for Wilbur. :)

Just remember, if you add anything to water, scrub the bottle and spout out daily - or, at the least, every two days. Also be sure to offer a bottle of plain water alongside it.
 
I'm glad I've found something too - I worry so much about impaction causing pain and discomfort!

Agree about scrubbing the bottle - this stuff tends to stain terribly so I should have mentioned that.

I hope all you boar owners find something that works for your pooey guys too :)p
 
I buy this too Tracy & had excellent results with both my impacted boars, it didn't clear it but as you've found it made it a great deal better.
I routinely give all my piggies a bottle of probiotic approx every month, alongside a bottle of fresh water but most prefer the probiotic bottle :)

Just noticed bout the green staining, rice gets rid of it Tracy :)
 
I'm glad you found it useful too Niki!
It contains glucose so I wonder if it makes the water taste nice - I do the same as you and give it to all the pigs once a month and they drink like little monsters. I'm tempted to try it myself LOL :)p
Thanks for the tip about the rice - I've been using a baby's bottle brush!
 
I love this product, have been using it on my group of elderly hamsters as well as my cavies for a while now. They all are happy to drink it, and the hamsters are surprising healthy for their age.
 
Tracyxx said:
I'm glad you found it useful too Niki!
It contains glucose so I wonder if it makes the water taste nice - I do the same as you and give it to all the pigs once a month and they drink like little monsters. I'm tempted to try it myself LOL :)p
Thanks for the tip about the rice - I've been using a baby's bottle brush!
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It could well do, Huxley & Hamish especially go mental for it :(|)

Having tried metatone i'll leave it to you to try the probiotic LOL

I've used a bottle brush but it doesn't get in all the places, bit of rice with soapy water in the bottle, shake n rinse & they come up like new oh & i use pipe cleaners down the spouts :)
 
What's metatone like then?! A friend reccomended this for Wilbur but am hesitant to fix what's not broken, if you know what I mean!
When I'm feeling brave I'll have a little try LOL :)p
Wow pipe cleaners for the spouts, that's a brilliant idea! I know what I'll be getting soon :) Thanks!
 
Tracyxx said:
What's metatone like then?!
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Absolutely disgusting EUGH! Metatone Tonic?! I'd rather have the gin (& i don't like gin) :(|) :(|)

I've not used it to help with impaction so can't comment, but it's excellent for stimulating the appetite & the piggies love it :))
 
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Well..tried the probiotic! (I really did, LOL)
And it does taste very sweet, but not nice sweet, just disgusting sweet! I had a few drops and I felt sick for about an hour afterwards.
I must be mad! LOL @)@)@)
 
Tracyxx said:
Well..tried the probiotic! (I really did, LOL)
And it does taste very sweet, but not nice sweet, just disgusting sweet! I had a few drops and I felt sick for about an hour afterwards.
I must be mad! LOL @)@)@)
Click to expand...


:(|):(|) I'm impressed! LOL Don't think i'll bother :(|):(|)
 
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