How to Treat a Constipated Guinea Pig

Although a common complaint in people, constipation doesn't often happen in guinea pigs. When it does, it's very serious. Guinea pigs need to eat certain droppings in order to properly digest their food. If they can't eat them over a long period of time, they could get very sick. Constipation is when the stools are small, round, hard, dark and often stuck together.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mineral oil or olive oil
• Romaine lettuce leaves
• Apple peels
• Old towels
• Syringe

1. Check your guinea pig's stools every day. They should look like long brown pellets. If your guinea pig is not producing any pellets, be alert. Make sure your guinea pig is getting enough water and fresh fruit and vegeatables.

2. Watch your guinea pig. If the guinea pig is sitting in a hunched position, and seems stiff, this is a sign she could be constipated. Don't wait for things to get worse. Guinea pigs will try and act as normal as possible when they are sick, because they are prey animals. By acting well, they don't look like they would be an easy meal to catch. See if your guinea pig will eat fresh apple peel.

3. Call the vet and make an appointment if your Guinea pig still hasn't passed any stools in a couple of hours after eating the apple peel and still seems uncomfortable.

4. Place a couple of drops of olive oil on a leaf of Romaine lettuce and offer it to your piggy. Check to see that your guinea pig immediately eats the romaine and olive oil treat. If she refuses it, then you must either take the guinea pig to the vet to be dosed with mineral oil or dose her yourself.

5. Get a clean syringe and fill it with a tablespoon of mineral oil or olive oil.

6. Wrap the guinea pig gently in an old towel so the head sticks out and nothing else. Place on lap and stick the syringe behind the front teeth. Don't force it. Depress the plunger slowly. Expect some to go on the towel, your lap and the front of the guinea pig. As long as the guinea pig swallows a bit of it, he should be fine.

7. Keep a close watch on your guinea pig and talk encouragingly to him. If the guinea pig wants to sleep, let him sleep.

8. Take to vet if the guinea pig hasn't passed any stools. Even if the guinea pig finally passes them in the car on the way to the vet, keep the appointment anyway.

Tips & Warnings

• Guinea pig constipation is technically called "molitity issues."
• This kind of constipation described is not to be confused with anal impaction, which happens mostly to a male cavy (guinea pig).
• Do NOT use Iceberg lettuce. That will give your guinea pig gas and only make matters worse.
• Do not ignore. Constipation in guinea pigs usually does not go away on its own.

Resources

• Guinea Lynx : Impaction and Constipation
• Guinea Pigs at Animal World