Response to Antibiotics

[HedgewigHolley]

Hello,

This is my first time posting here but I have owned my hedgehog for over two years. I always depend on Hedgehog Central for advice and ideas!

Recently, my hedgehog has had some pooping issues. She had diarrhea after a food change so I changed her food back. After of week of continued diarrhea, I took her in to our exotic vet. He gave her some antibiotics but said she was not dehydrated and her stomach felt fine and didn't seem to be hurting her. I have been giving her the antibiotics for three days now and her poop has become even worse. It is very runny and seems to be irritating her skin. It is a dark green color and mucusy. It's nasty! I have tried feeding her pumpkin which she will take but not happily.

I'm hoping for some advice. Should I stop giving her the antibiotics? Finish the five days that were prescribed?

Thanks!

[nikki]

You need to talk to your vet about this, you should never stop antibiotics without checking with the prescribing doctor. Tell your vet what's going on and ask what they suggest.

[Yukidama's mama]

Definitely ask your vet about the antibiotics. Stopping antibiotics before the prescribed dose is completed can make an infection come back even worse and the same type of antibiotics will be less effective.

I would stop giving her pumpkin whilst she has diarrhea. It is high in fibre and can have a laxative effect. Re the green stool and mucus, the antibitocis are most probably upsetting her stomach and she is stressed from the vet visit. My boy has had that green inky like mucus before and still occasionally gets it when stressed or his diet changes. Try giving probiotics such as Benebac between the antibiotic dose (wait at least 2 hours after giving medication to give the benebac). This will help settle her stomach and hopefully stop the green stool. I'd still call your vet and update him on her condition.