My guinea pig has runny poop. What are the causes and what can I do?

This can be caused by parasites, dietary indiscretion or poor diet. Submit a stool sample to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites. Treat if indicated. Discontinue feeding any fruits or vegetables for now. Feed only timothy hay and a small amount of pellets daily. Once the stool is normal, you can gradually offer tiny bits of vegetables. Limit fruit though to prevent diarrhea or obesity.

Thanks for reaching out about Miss Piggy. Yes, soft stool can be a result of stress, but stress also lowers the immune system that can lead to bacterial overgrowth or parasitic overgrowth. Since she is still eating well and acting well, try limiting her diet to hay only for 1-2 days, to see if that will firm the stool. Vegetables and fruit can be too rich for the diet and lead to soft stool also. If the clinical signs does not improve, seek an appointment with a veterinarian with experience in companion exotic mammals.

Poor Skyla! The fact that she is walking abnormally is cause for concern. This clinical sign is known as ataxia and may be associated with severe dehydration or very low blood sugar. Both of these can be caused by diarrhea, and require supportive care. I recommend having Skyla seen by a vet as soon as possible, as she may require supplemental fluids, additional antibiotics, or further diagnostics. I hope all is well and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

If the stools are watery then Bob is suffering from a gastrointestinal infection, which can be quite severe in guinea pigs and requires antibiotic treatment. the only supplement you can get in the meantime that may help is a fiber supplement called "fibreflex" you may be able to find it in pet stores.

These signs, quite severe in guinea pigs) could be compatible with an inflammation infection of the gastrointestinal system and surrounding organs (like pancreas and liver). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics and possibly further investigations (like fecal analysis) may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thanks for reaching out about Milo. There are many possible causes of weight loss in guinea pigs including dental disease, metabolic disorders (liver, renal), urinary disease (urinary tract infections, bladder stones), nutritional deficiencies (vitamin C is common) and others. Many of these can also cause gastrointestinal upset, therefore treating the GI disorder is not the primary problem. It is recommended you seek a veterinary visit with one with experience in small exotic companion mammals. You can try the website for the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV.org). Try offering softer food for now. Good luck.

I'm sorry Ginger isn't feeling well. There are many causes for diarrhea/loss of appetite in guinea pigs. Most of these are easily treated and include intestinal parasites, bacterial infections, or improper diet. If Ginger has a pelleted diet, she should also have access to hay and leafy vegetables. Unfortunately, the only way to diagnose Ginger is with a veterinary exam, which would potentially include a fecal exam, blood work, and some x-rays. I hope this helps!