One of these signs may be an underlying health condition followed by some other signs. Follow the treatment program prescribed by your veterinarian carefully. Hay is necessary because of its high-fiber content, which helps maintain the guinea pig digestive tract and also wears down constantly growing teeth. Ringworm usually goes away on its own in healthy guinea pigs. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. I am very sorry for your quandary, but I guess that you will take your chances in order to save mum. The bacteria can also enter a guinea pigs body through cuts or scrapes in the skin or through inhalation. Near the top of the list, however, is the fact that they are fairly low-maintenance pets and generally not expensive to keep. Prevention of health problems in guinea pigs is key. And to observe the capillary refill time of guinea pigs, what you can do is open their mouth and gently press it against gums around teeth; as you press it with slight force, you will notice the light color. 3 Do not wait to seek help. In some cases, the condition does not respond to therapy. If she takes the food, she's at least learned to trust you. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. Health problems among guinea pigs that live alone are usually related to aging, dental disease, reproductive disorders, injury, or improper care. So, it is crucial that your guinea pigs must take care of their grooming. Infections due to lice, mites, or fungus. Guinea pigs with vitamin C deficiency may be weak, lack energy, and walk with a limp. The minimum floor space advised is simply too small for your pets, as far as we're concerned. A guinea pig may die suddenly of ketosis without ever demonstrating signs of illness. The teeth of a guinea pig nearing their senior years may start to chip or break. Signs of infection may include discharge from the ears, but sometimes there are no signs of infection. 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). ANSWERS: 2. onzanzabarsands. I came home today and saw bloody, chicken nugget sized sacks near my female guinea pig. Even if your guinea pig seems healthy, its your responsibility as a pet owner to keep up with annual checkups. Many types of bacteria, viruses, and parasites can upset a guinea pigs digestive system. And is it normal for their tummies to be tender while pregnant? 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. Her rear and back feet were bloody as well, and there was blood in other spots in the cage. Similarly, guinea pigs also fulfill their health requirements by eating as much they want when they get the right food, so you are not required to force them to eat. In rare cases, it may be caused by a type of virus known as adenovirus. Treatment consists of several weeks of oral antifungal medication and sometimes also antifungal shampoos or rinses. 5. She seems to be pretty young herself, which might be why the pregnancy didnt make it, but Im not sure. Overgrown teeth and jaws that do not close properly should be corrected. A change in behavior is often the first noticeable sign of illness in a small animal. Abscesses can be surgically drained. Younger guinea pigs may develop skin tumors or leukemia (a cancer of the blood), but most types of cancer are not common in guinea pigs until they are 4 to 5 years old. Fever is a common sign of a serious illness in guinea pigs as . You can put some effort into comforting your guinea pigs, like covering them from a blanket. Exotic DVM 8 (4), 27-30. This is best done by a veterinarian. Reduced collagen can cause problems walking, swollen joints, and bleeding under the skin, in the muscles, in the membranes around the skull, in the brain, and in the intestines. Affected areas can become inflamed and more severely infected. Treatment may include antibiotics. Cesarean sections are very risky for guinea pigs and the survival rate for the mother is poor. Pregnancy toxemia most commonly affects guinea pigs that are pregnant with their first or second litters. Left untreated, convulsions and death may result. Guinea pigs that receive these antibiotics may develop diarrhea, loss of appetite, dehydration, or a drop in body temperature. One way to increase dietary fiber is to provide hay in addition to commercial guinea pig feed. The teeth of guinea pigs grow continuously throughout the animals life. 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. Sickness causes guinea pigs to be stressed; if your pet is sick, hold it as little as possible. 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. Aw best of luck to you and your piggies! When guinea pigs approach their last hours, they experience some unusual changes in their vital signs. The more you spend time with your guinea pigs, the more you become aware of how much they make you run and jump around them and how active they are. Because watching them interact, seeing their differences in personalities, and catching them cuddling together is much more rewarding than looking at one pig with a blank look on its face who is terrified of me. Unfortunately, even if you do seek treatment there may be nothing you can do. How to prevent it: This is the easiest one to get out of, simply by not covering your guinea pigs eyes with your hand. Bordetella bacteria can infect guinea pig genitals and can be spread by sexual contact. If the infection spreads from the middle ear to the inner ear, your pet may show nervous system problems such as imbalance, head tilt, walking in circles, or rolling on the ground. In general, you should avoid giving your guinea pig any antibiotics unless specifically directed by a veterinarian familiar with these animals. When your guinea pigs do not pass out waste discharge, they have gastrointestinal stasis issues. The recommended treatment is surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus (spaying). The sooner you know about the signs of death in your guinea pigs, the better you will manage the last few days of your guinea pigs life. Signs, if they are seen at all, can include weight loss, muscle or joint stiffness, and increased urination (because of kidney failure). Treatment does not usually help, but your options may include giving your guinea pig the medications propylene glycol, calcium glutamate, or steroids. If the symphysis has not been stretched by a previous birth, the female will be unable to deliver her offspring normally. Provide her with a supply of alfalfa hay, [4] which is an excellent source of calcium. Over time, pododermatitis (sometimes called bumblefoot ) can lead to serious complications such as swelling of the lymph nodes, arthritis, inflammation of the tendons, and buildup of a protein called amyloid in internal organs. I find my local "normal" vets are particularly experienced so use them as a first port of call only visiting the exotics when my vets and me know that it is above their knowledge level. Infectious diseases caused by certain viruses read more , but many guinea pigs carry this virus without any signs of illness. Therefore, further studies are needed to address the specific role of guinea pigs raised as livestock in the ecology and epidemiology of influenza viruses in the region. 15. Guinea pigs may carry Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria without seeming sick. Guinea pigs require healthy functioning digestion for living. Once a guinea pig has begun to show signs of pregnancy toxemia, the outcome is usually not good. Enter search terms to find related veterinary topics, multimedia and more. 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. Urinary tract disease: Urinary calculi are stones that form within the urinary system. Dental disease can cause weight loss, bleeding from the mouth, or abscesses in the tooth roots that may lead to sinus infections. Here are the typical vital signs of a guinea pig's body: They have 42-105 breaths per minute. Fast, noisy or heavy breathing. Hi again, I really appreciate the help you've been providing. The skin underneath the affected fur may be dry or oily and thickened or crusty. Why does it occur: When a guinea pig becomes impatient or feel agitated, theyll start teeth chattering. Change in activity level or lethargy. Most high-quality commercial guinea pig feed is formulated to contain the correct amounts of these nutrients. There are many causes of pregnancy toxemia in guinea pigs. Signs of respiratory illness in guinea pigs include sneezing, wheezing, and rapid, shallow, or raspy breathing. Guinea pigs have many different sounds or vocalizations that owners will eventually acquaint themselves with. If the problem continues, monthly visits to your veterinarian for dental care may be necessary. When they do occur, they are usually the result of bacterial infection. See this how to video as a pig gives birth in a farrowing crate. Why Guinea Pigs Hide Their Pain (Or Injuries) 1. Females can be kept together, as can males without any issues. Guinea pigs may also develop vitamin C deficiency even if the dietary level of vitamin C is appropriate. The infection can spread and cause ear infection, head tilt, or inflammation of the sinuses or eyes. 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. Some animals need antibiotics and pain medications. Hope both are okay x. I wouldn't let your two guinea pigs play together even with supervision because it's likely to stress them out. Others cause hair loss but do not seem to affect the skin, and still others burrow into the skin and may cause intense itching, hair loss, and skin inflammation. For this article well walk you through some of the most common warning signs, and what they usually mean. This shortened lifespan is caused by the stiffening of a joint called the symphysis, which is located between the guinea pig's two pelvic bones. Treatment consists of housing the guinea pig in a smooth-floored cage with soft bedding, improving sanitation, and administering medical treatment depending on the severity of the condition. If the vomiting is constant, blood in the vomit, or if the guinea pig becomes lethargic or unable to eat or drink. Their warning signs are just the tip of the iceberg, but certainly the most important signs to get familiar with. So if you see maggots on the body of your guinea pigs, immediately take them to a professional vet. 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