Female guinea pigs that are used for breeding should be bred for the first time before they reach adulthood. Pets. Guinea pigs that refuse to eat may need to be carefully fed by syringe with a soft diet (a commercial critical care diet, vegetable baby food, or a pureed pelleted diet). Guinea pigs without signs of illness may carry Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria in the nose or throat. Changes in the type of feed or water or in the bowl or bottle that your pet eats or drinks from may also trigger loss of appetite. By the time you notice your guinea pig is sick, you may not have a lot of time to get treatment. Abscesses. One guinea pig can infect another by direct contact or by sneezing or coughing. Symptoms of LCMV infection include fever, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue and stiffness in the neck -- an illness not unlike the flu. #1 Get them a cage mate. Ok, I thought we'd be able to tell if the piggy had the pregnant "pear" shape. Read on to learn about common and life-threatening health issues guinea pig owners should know about and how to identify the signs that your piggy is sick or dying. Animals that will not eat may require a stomach tube. Pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, is a frequent cause of death in guinea pigs. So, you can help them feel safer by establishing a routine. In addition, wereallaboutpets.comis a participant in several other affiliate programs, held by other merchants. Changing their feeding or toileting habits. Although ketosis occurs most often in pregnant guinea pigs, it can also happen in obese guinea pigs (male or female). Its best to treat health problems in the early stages because once a guinea pig gets sick, they tend to go downhill fast. If the problem continues, monthly visits to your veterinarian for dental care may be necessary. Eyelid agenesis, a congenital disease more commonly seen in cats, occurs when the animal is essentially missing its eyelid, often resulting in damage to the cornea . The organism has unique ultrastructures, and its genus and species are yet to be determined. No rest for the wicked. The heart works hard 24/7 to pump blood through the kidneys. Guinea pigs should drink 10% of their body weight in water, and can only last 24 hours without any water (time is dependent on climate). Your veterinarian will be able to determine a diagnosis of ketosis by the results of the blood tests, which will show the number of ketone bodies that are present in the blood. Signs a guinea pig may be suffering from stress or fear can include: Hiding most of the time. Charlotte is doing fine right now! Guinea pigs, especially boars, don't like being touched on their backs or bottoms because they take it as a sign of being dominated, as guinea pigs will usually mount each other to assert domination. Ovarian cysts are very common in female guinea pigs over 1 year of age. Urinary tract disease: Urinary calculi are stones that form within the urinary system. The cause is usually improperly aligned teeth (malocclusion). Please confirm that you are a health care professional. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. In other cases, a sick guinea pig has worsening signs that can include loss of energy, lack of appetite, lack of desire to drink, muscle spasms, lack of coordination or clumsiness, coma, and death within 5 days. Guinea pigs can spread Salmonella infection to humans by direct contact, so appropriate sanitation measures (such as wearing disposable gloves and washing hands thoroughly) should be taken when handling any sick guinea pig. Fungal skin infection (ringworm) in guinea pigs is most often caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. A guinea pig that has a rough hair coat, is off his food, has diarrhea, is reluctant to walk, seems painful, has swollen feet or joints, or has hemorrhages and ulcers on its gums or skin, is likely to be deficient in vitamin C. "Guinea pigs and primates cannot manufacture their own vitamin C; therefore, they must take in vitamin C in their diets." Also, their nails will get more yellow and brittle with every passing year. Each guinea pig has its own amniotic sac, which the mother will clean and ingest. In guinea pigs, conjunctivitis is usually caused by infection by bacteria, such as Bordetella or Streptococcus species, that cause general upper respiratory disease ( see Lung and Airway Disorders Lung and Airway Disorders Health problems among guinea pigs that live alone are usually related to aging, dental disease, reproductive disorders, injury, or improper care. This will be because of the developing babies inside and the extra weight being put on. Wow I cant even imagine. 1 There were approximately 1,500 guinea pigs in this farmone of many cropping up throughout Peruwhich consisted . Why Is My Guinea Pig Breathing Fast? A guinea pig may die suddenly of ketosis without ever demonstrating signs of illness. Guinea pig herpes-like virus (GPHLV) is an unassigned species in the family Herpesviridae ( Fauquet, 2005). That means making stifling noises is a bad health signal. T he species is more prone to heat related death in the latter stages of pregnancy, so it is recommended to supply a pregnant female with a lot of care. These are also known as multisystemic or generalized diseases. Antibiotics can cause problems in guinea pigs digestive tracts, so your pet may not tolerate these medications. And it occurs when guinea pigs start avoiding food, which leads to slowing down digestion. Please don't have them together under any circumstances.. it only takes a second and your little girl may not be lucky enough to survive another pregnancy. It may not display this or other websites correctly. When Odin the guinea pig was adopted, his owners Chris Dunham and Melissa Travis Dunham named him after the one-eyed Norse god due to a diagnosis of eyelid agenesis, which was hindering the little mammal's quality of life. As always with guinea pigs, carefully watch your pets reactions to the medication. Learn More. Guinea pigs do not usually die from this virus, but those that do die often die suddenly without seeming sick. So try to apply less pressure and perhaps allow them to snuggle inside a sleeping bag while youre having them outside of their cage. 3. The lymph nodes around the neck often become enlarged or inflamed in guinea pigs. Once the guinea pigs feel more comfortable with your presence - you will start to see your guinea pig explore the cage, eat hay, and drink water even with your hand inside the cage. Here at Kavee though, we believe this guidance urgently needs updating. No, pregnancy doesn't make the abdomen particularly tender, especially if there aren't a lot of pups inside. You might observe swollen faces or mouths of your guinea pigs, mainly caused by drooling. Its a natural instinct for animals to hide their illness so they dont show weakness around predators. Infection can also cause inflammation of the middle ear, which can lead to a head tilt. In most cases, the small forms are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy. Others may have a range of signs such as rough fur coat, fecal staining of the fur around the anal area, loose stools, hunched posture, dull eyes, dehydration, pain when the abdomen is touched, fever, or a low body temperature. Dystocia (difficulty giving birth) is caused by the normal stiffening of the tough fibrous cartilage that joins the 2 pubic bones. If your guinea pig has made it through an attack of ketosis and is recovering, you will need to take steps to ensure that it is able to rest in a calm and clean environment. Antibiotics can be used, but antibiotics alone may not eliminate the infection. (Hay, Veggies, Pellets), Why Is My Guinea Pig Drinking So Much? The average lifespan for a guinea pig is about 4 to 8 years. Can Guinea Pigs Have Straw in Their Cage? Your veterinarian will help you keep tabs on your guinea pigs health and spot any developing issues while they are still treatable. Some types of mites cause no signs. Many antibiotics, including penicillin, ampicillin, lincomycin, clindamycin, vancomycin, erythromycin, tylosin, tetracycline, and chlortetracycline, can cause this problem. What do I do?! She still acts like her tummy is tender, and the vet said she thought there might be another fetus inside. Veterinarians diagnose this infection by laboratory tests and examination of the sick guinea pig. Signs of aging include: [3] Thickened, twisted toes Cataracts (cloudy eyes) Tumors/growths on the body or head Stiffness in the joints/hobbling 3 These maggots stick on the guinea pigs skin and can eat them till inside, which can cause immediate death to guinea pigs. Why Guinea Pigs Hide Their Pain (Or Injuries) 1. If you gently touch the animal's belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. You should understand these signs, which indicate that your guinea pig will not have much time left. Whether you give him a bit of a treat or a trail of treats, he won't eat it if he doesn't trust you. Even guinea pigs that do not show signs of problems with antibiotics may die suddenly. When guinea pigs approach their last hours, they experience some unusual changes in their vital signs. Fortified diets may lose half of their vitamin C content within 3 months of manufacture. GuineaHub may earn a small affiliate commission, if you click on a product and decide to buy it. They may have a rough hair coat, lose their appetite, lose weight, have diarrhea, become ill, or die suddenly. Guinea Pigs Are Social. Treatment may include antibiotics. Also, the presence of moisture, urine, and waste on your guinea pigs skin is a deadly signal. Your veterinarian will determine appropriate treatment. You can easily find a guinea pig at the pet store, but before you shop consider checking your local shelter or rescue. Any thoughts on that gel? One of the surest ways to tell if your guinea pig likes you is to try to feed her by hand. Antibiotics are the treatment for myiasis. Cesarean sections are very risky for guinea pigs and the survival rate for the mother is poor. The bacteria can also enter a guinea pigs body through cuts or scrapes in the skin or through inhalation. This condition usually occurs in male guinea pigs that are more than 1 year old. Guinea pigs drool whenever there is a problem with chewing or swallowing. I'm relieved that she's healthy and that she won't be having any pups. Most high-quality commercial guinea pig feed is formulated to contain the correct amounts of these nutrients. She has one week to go yet on her meds. Guinea pigs are very sensitive to the effects of many antibiotics. On a warm February day in 2012 I visited a commercial guinea pig farm north of Lima, Peru. Here are some of the most common health problems in guinea pigs: These issues can affect all pet guinea pigs there may not be a significant difference among different guinea pig breeds. : urinary calculi are stones that form within the urinary system urinary tract disease: urinary are. 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