Chronic bloat/gas

[RustyandRosie]

Both of my guinea pigs have been struggling with chronic bloating problems since May.

Rosie, my three year old spayed female was the first one with the issue. When she first saw the vet she prescribed Metoclopramide, simethicone, and metacam for bloat/stasis. She struggled that day then recovered quickly. She has always recovered well until now. Throughout her current bloat episode (its been a week and a half) she has not improved even with meds and sub q fluids. She still eats, drinks, and poops.

Rusty, my 2 year old male pig took an entire month to fully recover from the first time he got bloated. He was always stable but the medication seemed to have little affect. He was bloated again shortly after he recovered and its been a cycle ever since. He is currently fluctuating, his stomach is painful to the touch, he’s lost weight, and he’s uncomfortable (its been a week and a half). They have both been on Metoclopramide, simethicone, and buprenex for several days with no change.

They have both had clean blood work and x-rays. Rusty had a normal fecal. Rusty has seen an exotic specialist and he was physically normal upon examination (other than abdominal pain). Her only recommendations were an ultrasound or a fecal gram stain.

I’m worried that this problem will not show up on any of the diagnostics. I’m also concerned because treatment is not having an affect currently. I know that they are ok but it’s apparent that they’re not normal. Any ideas?

[Lynx]

Generally, if a guinea pig has gotten bloat, it is more likely to happen again in the future. Have you done an analysis of the food you are giving to see if anything is setting it off?

I am sorry they are dealing with this. You might want to follow the links here:
www.guinealynx.info/emergency.html#bloat

Here is a massage technique that can help:
https://www.guinealynx.info/records/view ... f=15&t=117

[RustyandRosie]

Yes, I have worked with their doctor to make various diet changes. Unfortunately they are still experiencing this on a hay and vit c only diet. Thanks for the reply!

[Lynx]

Have you tried probiotics?
www.guinealynx.info/probiotics.html

[RustyandRosie]

No I haven’t. I will look for some today.

[RustyandRosie]

Update:

Rusty saw the vet today and she is confident the problem is his gut. These are my main takeaways.

1. She doesn’t know what’s causing the problem

2. He was very gassy

3. Stomach was painful

4. IBS and IBD are very difficult to diagnose

5. It would be strange for both pigs to share something like IBS

6. His stool had some mucus and possibly some cells that were irregular (hopefully more info coming)

We’re doing Young Again probiotics and 10 days of metronidazole; in addition to pain meds, simethicone, and Metoclopramide.

[Lynx]

I hope you see improvement.

[Tracy]

Since they both have similar issue(s) and sounds like it started around the same time, I'd take a look at diet. Maybe they both ate something that changed their gut flora at that time, so probiotics are a good idea. Now they eat just hay and vit C? Glad at least poop is happening, so no obstruction. Definitely sounds mysterious; in my experience reglan, simethicone, metacam, gentle massages help... plus I'm forgetting the name of another motility med (there are 2 common ones that work differently). Do they move around or sitting uncomfortably most of the time? I hope you and your vet can figure out some helpful treatment -- bloat can be very scary! I suppose maybe a fecal gram may show something... perhaps that's your #6 from latest update. Sending good wishes!

[RustyandRosie]

Yes just hay and Vit c. We’ve tried putting them back on pellets a few times but the bloating would start up again (its possible that’s a coincidence). There comfortability depends on bloat statis; most of the time they will move around fine but when it gets worse they tend to sit uncomfortably and their coat puffs up. The fecal gram stain came back negative. Definitely mysterious...

Thank you for your reply!