Impaction Impaction, or just a poop in progress? Also Vitamin C question.

[Beatrix187]

I think that Domino may have impaction. He has had smaller poops, so I took him to the vet and she said she didn't think it was impaction. But I feel a little bump and GuineaLynx said that if you feel a hard spot where the genitals are, it's probably impaction. But when I try to slowly and gently push it out, it just looks like a regular poop that Domino hasn't pooped out yet. So was my vet right? I just want to make sure.

Also, she suggested I syringe feed him some vitamin C because she thinks he is not getting enough. Would you recommend slowly introducing it to him like you would with a veggie? Or should I just give him a full dose? It's Dynamic Health Liquid Vitamin C.

 

[CavyMama]

Impaction will look like...well...a poo ball. Impaction is more than just a "poop in progress". The poo pellets are compacted together into a ball which becomes too large for the pig to expel on its own. This is usually seen in older pigs (about 4 years +) or in pigs with poor diets.

As for vitamin C, the easiest way to boost vitamin C levels is to increase the amount of vitamin C rich foods in the diet. Bell pepper is a great source of vitamin C.

 

[bpatters]

If what you're seeing is just a regular poop, he is definitely NOT impacted.

 

[Helena29]

As someone else mentioned, it is great to provide your guinea pigs with Vitamin C from veggies. That way, they got lots of other nutrients too. I could be mistaken, but I believe that Oxbow "Natural Science" Vitamin C supplements are preferred compared with "liquid" Vitamin C. If nothing else, it's another option, if for example, you don't have time to syringe feed your piggie. You said your guinea pig has smaller poops. Are they pointy or misshapen or mushy? Any other symptoms? I agree that it doesn't sound like "impaction". I had an older guinea pig who struggled to push out his poop. I had to use a q-tip to clean out his anal area. Smelly and yucky! Hope your guinea pig is doing better!

 

[bpatters]

There's no reason to prefer the Oxbow supplements to liquid vitamin C. Whichever your pig will take and is most convenient for you is just fine.