How Do You Know if Your Guinea Pig Is Sick

Guinea pigs are piece of cake to care for and, if handled ofttimes and gently, make great family pets. They are generally hardy, good for you animals but are susceptible to sure problems and diseases. The following is a cursory description of some of the more mutual problems of guinea pigs, which include respiratory infections, diarrhea, scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), tumors, abscesses due to infection, urinary problems, and infestations past lice, mites, or fungus.

Respiratory Infections

Pneumonia is i of the most significant diseases of pet republic of guinea pigs and can exist acquired by several bacteria, including Bordetella and Streptococcus. Guinea pigs tin naturally harbor these bacteria and may be asymptomatic (apparently healthy) carriers. These bacteria tend to be 'opportunistic,' meaning they infect susceptible animals, multiply, and cause affliction if the opportunity arises.

"Pneumonia is 1 of the most significant diseases of pet republic of guinea pigs."

Stress, such every bit overcrowding, pregnancy, and the presence of other illness, increases the gamble that infection will develop, and young animals are most oft affected. The bacteria are spread by directly contact, aerosolized (airborne) particles, and on contaminated hands or other objects. Infected republic of guinea pigs may be off food, accept belch from the optics or nose, sneeze, or accept trouble breathing. Cultures of the ocular (center) and nasal discharge can be taken to identify the causative organism and then that the appropriate antibiotics can exist prescribed. Some guinea pigs may need to exist hospitalized for boosted supportive care.

Diarrhea

Guinea pigs have a sensitive gastrointestinal tract (as do rabbits). They have a very specific natural population of 'good' gastrointestinal leaner (flora) critical to normal bowel function. If this normal bacterial flora becomes altered or unbalanced, 'bad' (frequently gas-producing) leaner can overgrow, produce painful gas, slow downwards digestion and food passage through the intestinal tract, harm the abdominal tissues, release toxins, cause severe diarrhea, and in astringent cases, death. This status is referred to as gastrointestinal (or GI) stasis. In addition to bacterial infections, some intestinal parasites, like Cryptosporidium and coccidia, can cause diarrhea.

Other clinical signs that may occur with diarrhea include anorexia (not eating), depression, aridity, weight loss, a low body temperature. Guinea pigs with these signs need immediate veterinary attention and supportive intendance.

Certain antibiotics should never exist used in republic of guinea pigs, as they upset their normal gastrointestinal bacterial flora and often lead to diarrhea. Antibiotics should be used in guinea pigs only nether the direction of a veterinarian familiar with guinea pigs. Antibiotics purchased over-the-counter in a pet store should never be given to republic of guinea pigs, since they are oft inappropriate.

Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency)

Guinea pigs and primates cannot manufacture their own vitamin C; therefore, they must accept in vitamin C in their diets. The majority of other animals tin can produce their ain vitamin C through their intestinal bacterial flora, but republic of guinea pigs and primates are unable to exercise this. Vitamin C is vital to the normal development and maintenance of peel, joints, and mucosal surfaces, such as the gums. It is also important in the healing of wounds. Every bit well as predisposing the guinea hog to skin problems, a lack of vitamin C makes the body more decumbent to the development of other diseases, including infections. A guinea pig that has a rough hair coat, is off his food, has diarrhea, is reluctant to walk, seems painful, has swollen anxiety 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 ain vitamin C; therefore, they must take in vitamin C in their diets."

Republic of guinea pigs need x-50 mg of vitamin C per twenty-four hours, depending on the status of the animal (young, former, stressed, healthy, pregnant). Commercially available pellets made for republic of guinea pigs contain vitamin C; however, this vitamin is relatively unstable and breaks downward or oxidizes very fast. Therefore, the pellets should exist used up or must exist replaced inside 90 days of the date of industry. If your guinea sus scrofa develops signs of vitamin C deficiency, it is important to have him to see your veterinarian as soon as possible. To prevent vitamin C deficiency, guinea pigs should receive a vitamin C supplement, either as a tablet or liquid given by mouth, rather than in the drinking h2o, every bit the vitamin also breaks down rapidly in water and loses its potency. Consult your veterinarian as to the best mode to supplement your guinea pig with vitamin C.

Tumors

Republic of guinea pigs go diverse tumors; skin and mammary (breast) tumors are particularly mutual. They can be benign or malignant (cancer). Any mass should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian. In many cases, surgical removal is curative.

Abscesses

Abscesses (infected swelling containing an aggregating of pus and bacteria) can affect lymph nodes, skin, muscles, teeth, bones, and internal organs. Since guinea pigs (and other rodents and rabbits) form thick pus that does not drain or go reabsorbed easily, most abscesses in these animals require surgical removal (debridement), followed by handling with antibiotics chosen based on culture of the bacteria growing in the abscess. Some abscesses (like those involving the jaw and teeth) are more challenging to care for, equally affected teeth and bone must exist removed along with all the infected soft tissues.

Urinary Bug

Guinea pigs are very prone to development of urinary calculi (stones or uroliths). These stones most often form in the float but may also form in the kidneys or ureters (tubes that drain the kidneys into the bladder). Stones may become lodged in the ureter or the urethra (the tube carrying urine from the bladder to the exterior), causing a life-threatening obstruction.

Although uncommon, cystitis (bladder infection) occurs more than often in female person republic of guinea pigs than males, and often stones develop in association with infection. Signs of urinary bug include anorexia (not eating), claret in the urine, straining to urinate, a hunched posture (with straining), and small, frequent urinations; if an obstruction occurs, the republic of guinea sus scrofa will exist unable to produce urine. Any guinea pig with signs of a urinary tract problem should be seen by a veterinarian right away.

"Guinea pigs are very prone to development of urinary calculi (stones or uroliths)."

Veterinarians diagnose urinary problems with a thorough history and physical test, including abdominal palpation (examination past feel), blood tests, urinalysis, and X-rays. Ill guinea pigs may require hospitalization and supportive care, including intravenous fluids and syringe feeding, likewise as surgery to remove the stones. Regular, annual veterinary check-ups can help find problems, such as urinary tract stones, in guinea pigs before they develop into life-threatening emergencies.

Parasites and Peel Issues

Republic of guinea pigs (especially young ones) are prone to ringworm, which is an infection of the pare with a mucus, non with a worm. Sure animals may be ringworm carriers without showing any signs of illness. They can spread the disease to susceptible animals or develop disease themselves if stressed by overcrowding, poor nutrition, the presence of other diseases, or other environmental stresses. The pare afflicted by ringworm can exist itchy, lose hair, and develop crusty scabs. Ringworm lesions are found most unremarkably around the face, head, and ears, just tin can spread to the back and legs. After diagnosis by your veterinary, afflicted guinea pigs are treated topically and/or orally with anti-fungal medications.

"Guinea pigs can get fleas and lice; fleas are normally diagnosed by finding the adults or their feces on the peel or in the fur."

Guinea pigs tin can get fleas and lice; fleas are commonly diagnosed by finding the adults or their feces on the skin or in the fur. Lice are often diagnosed microscopically by observing either the adults or eggs (nits) in a sample of hair and skin debris. Lice eggs are laid on the hair shafts, often around the face, behind the ears, or over the shoulders. Mite infestations in republic of guinea pigs tin can cause such intense itching that seizures tin result. With a mite infestation, the skin is crusty and raw from scratching, there is ordinarily hair loss and secondary bacterial infection may effect. These parasites are best treated with anti-parasitic medications prescribed by your veterinary. Secondary bacterial skin infections should be treated with antibiotics.

Other Bug

Barbering is a problem, usually associated with boredom, in which the guinea grunter chews or barbers its own pilus or the hair of its muzzle-mate, and so that the barbered grunter looks like it has been given a brush cut. Treatment involves providing the guinea pig with more stimulation, redirecting its attention to other chewing activities past offering more than hay or chew toys, and separating guinea pigs if they are barbering each other.

Pododermatitis, or bumblefoot, in which sores develop on the bottom of the feet from force per unit area, is common in guinea pigs. It occurs most often in overweight animals housed on wire-bottomed or dirty cages that abrade the feet, making them susceptible to chronic, deep bacterial infection that causes lameness and pain. Treatment is challenging, simply with advisable veterinary care, including surgery, pes bandages, and antibiotics, the problem can be alleviated.

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Source: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/guinea-pigs-problems

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