Guinea pigs might be stressed because of hearing loud sounds, being in a congested environment, fear of predators, and being held in hands uncomfortably. Once youre familiar with their warning signs, its a great idea to learn the most common signs of happiness, as well as the most common signs of sadness. Your pets living quarters should be kept clean and sanitary, and sick animals should be housed away from other animals to prevent the spread of disease. Changing their feeding or toileting habits. The teeth of guinea pigs grow continuously throughout the animals life. If your guinea pigs feel troubled or if they are in pain, they will scream. Keep a same-sex pair to ensure you don't have any unwanted litters. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Skin infection and flystrike can also be a sign of a life-threatening condition. A stressed guinea pig will show signs of aggression and irritability. 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. Think it would be all right to mush up a veggie or fruit like a cucumber for example to help her out to stay healthy until tomorrow when I'll take her to the vet? Avoid over-feeding Drinking or peeing more. I've been feeding her with a syringe mushy pellets however the link you sent me doesn't talk about mushing any type of fruit or veggie. The most common nutritional disorder in guinea pigs is a lack of vitamin C. Loss of appetite also occurs and is usually a sign of another problem such as disease or problems with the teeth. Aw best of luck to you and your piggies! Also see professional content regarding diseases of guinea pigs Guinea Pigs Guinea pigs, like chinchillas, are hystricognath rodents. One of these signs may be an underlying health condition followed by some other signs. Of course, cancers can cause sudden and unexpected death in guinea pigs. Earlier today we found two round bloody balls with her in her hiding tube. The usual cause of this problem is a bacterial infection, most often with Streptococcus equi subsp. External parasites like fleas and mites can cause itchiness, hair loss, and other issues in guinea pigs. Your veterinarian will help you keep tabs on your guinea pigs health and spot any developing issues while they are still treatable. Haha yeah, my boyfriend is brave, although he says he'll have guinea pig nightmares for a while! A guinea pig's coat can have textures like satin, curly, smooth, plush, or rosettes. Recommended treatment is usually a spay surgery to remove the ovaries. Guinea pigs may also develop vitamin C deficiency even if the dietary level of vitamin C is appropriate. Some signs of infection include inflammation of the eye, fever, lack of energy, poor appetite, rough hair coat, enlarged spleen and liver, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Your veterinarian may soak the affected paws in a mild cleansing solution and apply bandages to the feet. Joined Nov 13, 2012 . She runs up to take it. Calcium is another essential nutrient, but you want to avoid giving your guinea pig too much, so supplements are not recommended. Once youve learned to understand their warning signs, youll most likely see a more relaxed guinea pig that loves cuddle times even more than usual. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 . Over-grooming. They seemed very knowledgeable. Fresh vegetables may also carry Salmonella. Hair loss can also be caused by genetic problems or problems in metabolism (the bodys breakdown of food into energy); this is especially true in female guinea pigs that have been used for breeding. Here at Kavee though, we believe this guidance urgently needs updating. Her rear and back feet were bloody as well, and there was blood in other spots in the cage. The teeth of a guinea pig nearing their senior years may start to chip or break. Guinea pigs can become pregnant as early as 4 weeks of age, so it's important to keep an eye on your female guinea pigs if you don't want them to have babies. Guinea pigs need at least 10 mg of vitamin C per kilogram of body weight daily (pregnant females need 30 mg/kg daily). MeSH terms Abortion, Veterinary / microbiology* Animals Female Loss of appetite during the late stages of pregnancy (leading to low blood sugar levels), Lack of exercise near the end of pregnancy (ketone bodies are not used as energy and build-up in the blood), Underdeveloped blood vessels in the uterus (an inherited condition). If your pet is dehydrated, your veterinarian may provide fluid treatment. My little guinea pig just had a miscarriage yesterday and it came to me as a shock because I wasn't aware she was a "she" when I got her and her companion from a pet shop I took them to a local vet who has a specialty on exotic animals and the vet sexed them, the vet said it was 2 males just like I wanted it to be and it all went fine until a Guinea pigs affected by these illnesses may die suddenly without seeming sick. Female guinea pigs that are used for breeding should be bred for the first time before they reach adulthood. Grumpiness Basic Questions To Ask Yourself Conclusion Why Guinea Pigs Hide Their Pain (Or Injuries) To limit spread of the infection, the environment should be decontaminated regularly while the guinea pig is receiving treatment. So if you see maggots on the body of your guinea pigs, immediately take them to a professional vet. These include obesity, large litter size, loss of appetite during the late stages of pregnancy, insufficient exercise, environmental stress, and underdeveloped blood vessels in the uterus (an inherited condition). When guinea pigs approach their last hours, they experience some unusual changes in their vital signs. These bacteria can cause sudden illness in previously healthy guinea pigs when they become stressed or stop eating; this can lead to death. Fast, noisy or heavy breathing. No rest for the wicked. Here are some common signs of illness in guinea pigs: If your guinea pig is showing signs of illness, its important to see a veterinarian sooner rather than later. 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. Sneezing and some drainage from her nose. Inadequate nutrition and vitamin C deficiency can make your pet more likely to develop these problems. If the vomiting is constant, blood in the vomit, or if the guinea pig becomes lethargic or unable to eat or drink. The disease may also spread to the back. Respiratory diseases in guinea pigs can quickly become serious. The average lifespan for a guinea pig is about 4 to 8 years. Signs may include a scruffy hair coat or enlarged lymph nodes, liver, or spleen. He will display hostile behavior such as fidgeting, head-tossing, or teeth-baring. Just make sure your cavy has everything he needs a comfy place to rest, a fresh water bottle, food, and hay. Use OR to account for alternate terms Affected areas can become inflamed and more severely infected. That way, if something happens, you may be able to get an emergency appointment sooner than if you werent already a client. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site. There is no effective treatment for this condition other than general support and stopping the antibiotics. Tumors are rare in young guinea pigs but are more common in guinea pigs that are more than 5 years old. Sickness causes guinea pigs to be stressed; if your pet is sick, hold it as little as possible. If it changes, it could be a sign your guinea pig is distressed, bored, ill or injured. From the very beginning, you have cared for your guinea pigs by looking after them, and you understand their usual behavior well. Four read more . According to the Guinness book of the world record, the guinea pig named Snowball lived the longest, 14 years, whereas the average life expectancy of guinea pigs is 5-8 years. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. Your veterinarian can diagnose ketosis with blood tests and may also be able to identify fatty liver (caused by abnormal metabolism of fat) and bleeding or cell death in the uterus or placenta. Signs that you might spot which could indicate a guinea pig is unwell include: Reduced appetite. If you keep their heads free and pet them behind their ears or beneath their chin, theyll have no reason to push their head upwards. If handling an infected guinea pig is necessary, you should wear disposable gloves or wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling. Avoiding exposure to stress in the last few weeks of pregnancy may also help to prevent the development of pregnancy toxemia in pregnant guinea pigs. Bleeding (or finding blood in their cage) Wounds. If she takes the food, she's at least learned to trust you. Your guinea pig has stopped grooming themselves, 6. Ok, I thought we'd be able to tell if the piggy had the pregnant "pear" shape. Guinea pigs make wonderful pets for many reasons. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Signs, if they are seen at all, can include weight loss, muscle or joint stiffness, and increased urination (because of kidney failure). Near the top of the list, however, is the fact that they are fairly low-maintenance pets and generally not expensive to keep. Lymphosarcoma is a malignant cancer; it causes what is sometimes referred to as cavian leukemia. Buying a Cage That Is Too Small. Sudden death can occur when outbreaks occur among groups of guinea pigs. Water is vital for life. Signs a guinea pig may be suffering from stress or fear can include: Hiding most of the time. Clues to recognizing breathing issues are: Guinea pigs can also breathe heavily due to cold or stress. Source:Health issues in Guinea Pigs,Disorders and Diseases of Guinea Pigs,Disease Problems of Guinea Pigs,Biology and Diseases of Guinea Pigs. Can Guinea Pigs Have Straw in Their Cage? Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! Daily handling will give you the chance not only to check over the guinea pig but also to bond with it. Glad Charlotte is ok - Sorry about the babies. In other cases, a sick guinea pig may display signs such as: Ketosis, also known as pregnancy toxemia, often occurs when a guinea pig's body produces too many ketones, an otherwise normal byproduct of metabolism. To prevent ketosis, make sure your pet eats a high-quality food throughout pregnancy, but limit the amount of food you give your pet to prevent obesity. If these body vitals start changing their degrees from average or show frequent changes day by day, it is time to call a vet. about 24-48 hours before birth the pelvic bones will separate to about 3.5 cm. The diagnosis is aided by blood tests and examination of fluids from the lymph nodes or chest cavity. 1. Treatment consists of several weeks of oral antifungal medication and sometimes also antifungal shampoos or rinses. No, you can try the supplement! Even guinea pigs that do not show signs of problems with antibiotics may die suddenly. 2x5 C&C = 12ft2. Most frequently these are found in the bladder but can also form in the kidneys. This is critical in maintaining their comfort. Antibiotics can cause problems in guinea pigs digestive tracts, so your pet may not tolerate these medications. However, if your guinea pig leads towards their end of life, you will start noticing some signs beforehand. Most guinea pigs are fine with being petted behind their ears or under their chin. Treatment does not usually help, but your options may include giving your guinea pig the medications propylene glycol, calcium glutamate, or steroids. Signs include hair loss over the abdomen, loss of appetite, and loss of energy. Ketosis, which may be irreversible, can develop even in guinea pigs that begin to eat again. Treatment depends on whether the infection is in the outer ear canal, middle ear, or inner ear. 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