B
bairnns
Guest
I've dealt with this several times before, and trips to the vet have been less than fruitful- I don't get any more from them than I do from you, and usually could have handled it myself as it seems to clear on its own eventually, with maybe a diet adjustment, rather than an actual diagnosis and medical treatment.
But I have a somewhat stubborn case and hope you guys can give me some extra guidance. I will, of course, go to a vet if my little guy gets any sicker.
So here's the situation: one year old violet male, undersized. Bought from a home breeder when he was about 3 mos old. I feed Oxbow pellets and Oxbow timothy hay, with occasional treats of whole oats or shredded wheat.
Since this guy is staying small, and thin, I supplement sometimes with Alfalfa, for the extra fat. A week or so ago I picked up some Nature's Promise Premium Alfalfa Hay, marked 'no pesticides'. After having it in the cage for a day or so, the little one's poops started to be soft and sticky. Not watery- they come out formed but squish when he steps on them.
This has been going on for a week and is no better and no worse. He eats, drinks, takes treats and seems to have a normal activity level. His cagemate ate the same stuff and is fine, but this little guy has shown signs before of a sensitive gut. So I don't really suspect a bacteria or parasite, because I think they'd both have it by now, but rather an overreaction to the new hay.
Here's what I've done so far: removed the hay and replaced with the usual Timothy. Duh. Tried a day without pellets, hay only for the extra roughage. Given extra shredded wheat, also for the roughage. Tried some Bene-Bac to no avail, but mine is old so it may be no good. So I scanned this board and two days ago bought a bottle of plain Acidophilous capsules from the refrigerated section of the health food store, and fed him a little, mixed in some Critical care and a bit of water. Last night I gave him some more of the same but with a little pumpkin mixed in too.
Still, the poops are soft today. Is there a correct amount and frequency for acidophilous? Or pumpkin? Many of the probiotics at the healthfood store had multiple strains of bacteria; I stuck with the straight Acidophilous because I wasn't sure what other ones were okay for chins. Should I get a mix, and if so, which one?
Any further suggestions would be appreciated! I'm watching him closely of course.
Lori
But I have a somewhat stubborn case and hope you guys can give me some extra guidance. I will, of course, go to a vet if my little guy gets any sicker.
So here's the situation: one year old violet male, undersized. Bought from a home breeder when he was about 3 mos old. I feed Oxbow pellets and Oxbow timothy hay, with occasional treats of whole oats or shredded wheat.
Since this guy is staying small, and thin, I supplement sometimes with Alfalfa, for the extra fat. A week or so ago I picked up some Nature's Promise Premium Alfalfa Hay, marked 'no pesticides'. After having it in the cage for a day or so, the little one's poops started to be soft and sticky. Not watery- they come out formed but squish when he steps on them.
This has been going on for a week and is no better and no worse. He eats, drinks, takes treats and seems to have a normal activity level. His cagemate ate the same stuff and is fine, but this little guy has shown signs before of a sensitive gut. So I don't really suspect a bacteria or parasite, because I think they'd both have it by now, but rather an overreaction to the new hay.
Here's what I've done so far: removed the hay and replaced with the usual Timothy. Duh. Tried a day without pellets, hay only for the extra roughage. Given extra shredded wheat, also for the roughage. Tried some Bene-Bac to no avail, but mine is old so it may be no good. So I scanned this board and two days ago bought a bottle of plain Acidophilous capsules from the refrigerated section of the health food store, and fed him a little, mixed in some Critical care and a bit of water. Last night I gave him some more of the same but with a little pumpkin mixed in too.
Still, the poops are soft today. Is there a correct amount and frequency for acidophilous? Or pumpkin? Many of the probiotics at the healthfood store had multiple strains of bacteria; I stuck with the straight Acidophilous because I wasn't sure what other ones were okay for chins. Should I get a mix, and if so, which one?
Any further suggestions would be appreciated! I'm watching him closely of course.
Lori