Bloat... need immediate relief.

[Directorthiang]

It's late, and I can't get to my vet for simethicone. What can I use that is available late night over the counter and how much should I dose? I've read something about using GasX?

 

[tunes]

Simethicone is over the counter at Wal-Mart or any other pharmacy. Give a full dropper every few hours.

If she's bloating, and you don't have meds to relieve it there, you need a vet now. Morning could very possibly be too late.

 

[Parkerspetchins]

Simethicone is over the counter. I think one brand is Mylicon, it's with the baby gas medicines. You can try giving the Simethicone a full dropper full every few hours (you can't overdose) and doing the belly massage but your chin really needs the Reglan and Propulsid from the vet.

 

[Riven]

You don't get simethicone from the vet, check out baby gas drops. DO NOT use GasX.

One full dropper every 4 hours, including waking up, and massage the belly to get things moving. No treats, lots of hay and water and pellets available. Exercise in a safe room helps as well.

 

[Directorthiang]

Got the simethicone and he sucked it down happily. Also gave a quarter tablet of acidopholis to both chinnies and made a vet appointment for tomorrow for a fecal test just in case of Giardia.

Thanks for the prompt replies!!!

 

[InkedupTara]

How do you know it was bloat? There are also tummy massages you can do to help move air along the intestinal tract.

 

[hkkjstwcl]

What are the symptoms for bloat?

 

[Directorthiang]

Well, I've not experienced bloat very much, so I was making a midnight hypothesis, but his stomach felt rather hard, not squishy like normal, and more rounded than I last felt a couple weeks ago when my other chin was suffering constipation.

Took him in today and the vet said he sounded and felt okay, but was a little too thin for her liking. I agreed--you can feel many of his bones, but he is 50 grams heavier than he was two weeks ago, so I think the switch to PANR was a good move.

I'll get fecal test results tomorrow.

 

[Directorthiang]

It was Giardia. Fecal results came in today and now both chins are on antibiotics. So new question.... I'm giving the antibiotic twice a day every 12 hours. When should I be giving the probiotics so that they don't counteract each other? Or should I just not give probiotics until the 10 day run of antibiotics is over?

 

[InkedupTara]

The probiotics should not interfere with any antibiotic.

 

[Dragonflye]

You can give probiotics a few hours after the antibiotics.

Probiotics don't have an effect on antibiotics, but antibiotics can kill the bacteria (probiotics) you are giving them. You could wait until after treatment, but I think it's better to keep their good bacteria as "stocked up" in their gut as you can, even though antibiotics may kill some.

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

What kind of antibiotics are they taking? Please do not wait to give probiotics until after treatment is finished. The probiotics will help digestive health during treatment.

 

[ChinchillaSteve]

What are the symptoms for bloat?

Same question

 

[Directorthiang]

They're on metronidazole. I'll give the probiotics three or four hours after the morning dose of antibiotics. How often can I give acidophilus or benebac? Daily?

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

You can give probiotics as often as possible. You can not overdose them. Watch his eating and drinking. Chins often lose appetite when on the antibiotic you are using.