Worried - diarrhea?

[monalipschitz]

Normally our Guinea Pigs get their breakfast and cuddles separately every morning but about 3 weeks ago I had to nip out for about 15 mins so I left Lily with her hutch-mate Honey. The girls started fighting and to keep them calm mum gave them all of the boys food as well.

The following morning I noticed Lily had a dirty bottom. I thought it might be a sign of diarrhea. I didn't see any sign in the hutch but I cut down on her greens that night anyway and the next am she was fine. Things were fine for a few more days, when I noticed her dirty bottom again. It's been on and off ever since: I've tried stopping her greens/veggies, as well as cutting down on them. Same with the yoghurt drops. I can't find single sign of diarrhea in her hutch. I did see her have a drink for the first time yesterday and tonight I noticed Honey sniffing her behind. I'm not sure if either are important or just coincidences.

Behaviourally, she's been a little more lively, confident and happy the last week - the two girls finally bonded properly at the weekend.

Does anyone know what's wrong and what I should do?

 

[MemberX]

If there isn't a sign of diarrhea then it's probably not it. What colour is she? It could be that she is urinating on her poop and it goes mushy onto her bottom. Sounds very strange.

Sounds as if she isn't ill but if you are concerned I'd ask the vet for advice.

 

[monalipschitz]

Thanks for answering so quickly

It's a sort of pale brown colour. The whole of her back half is white and usually pristine clean, so it shows up quite clearly, like a small stain. It has been a bit crispy once or twice but isn't right now.

The girls have very odd toilet habits, not as strict as the boys seem to be.

I was wondering if I should give it a little wash? Or might I make her ill by doing that in the colder weather?

 

[Glynis]

Sorry love i've not experienced this before, but i see no reason not to give her just a 'butt' wash. As long as you can keep her warm till she's completely dried she'll be fine O0 Could you keep her indoors for a bit to make sure?
Keep her off the greens offer lots of hay and pellets and make sure she's drinking her water O0
Give Lily some piggie kisses from us and sending her some healing wheeks as well :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
(btw cute name for a piggie awwww)

 

[piglover]

I have a white texel who is a very dirty boy! His bum is always black! Do you keep yours on newspaper? If they wee and poop in the same place the poops will soften and go mushy. If there is no sign of diahorrea - don't worry!
Just give her a botty wash, I do it alot, just fill the basin with some warm water and rinse her bot and pat dry, no need to shampoo, just freshens 'them up a bit! I use Russell Rabbit bedding just in the corners where they go that helps too!

 

[monalipschitz]

Thanks I cleaned her out again today and didn't see anything that looked like diarrhea in the hutch at all, which I guess is a good thing.

I've never washed a piggy before so thanks for the tips piglover. I'm really worried about the possible temperature fluctuations as she lives outside in her shed and she can't be kept indoors for long with the cat around

I do use newspaper for her bedding but the staining is brown not print-coloured so I don't think it could be that Wish it was, that would be nice and non-worrying.

Glynis: I've already done the withholding greens thing twice but it didn't make any difference to her the second time (except making her and her hutch-mate very irritable - I'm still bearing the scars on my wrist ) How long should they be removed from their diet? I mean at what point will I know if it's not being caused by the greens? And how do I re-introduce them, if at all?

 

[maryh]

Light coloured pigs often have a brown fringe round the bottom."".Dougal,one of my white boars has a permanent stained "fringe",it will not shampoo off.I sometimes cut some of it off,and bottom wash frequently so he is not dirty,just looks that way!.If your piggy has no diarrhea there is no need to withhold greens.

It is not a good idea to bring outside pigs into the warm house and then out again in the cold.They cannot tolerate rapid change of temperature.

 

[MemberX]

Yep Twinks has that too Glynis, dirty boy he is!

 

[piglover]

I agree if theres no actual signs other than the dirty coat don't withold veggies especially if there outside they need all the grub they can get! If theres normal poops in the cage, then you're ok!!