Attempt to remove all those possible things that cause your guinea pigs to be under stress and then observe if your guinea pigs turn back to be happy and in comfort. Your veterinarian can diagnose this condition by examining your guinea pig and possibly performing laboratory tests. Why Is My Guinea Pig Always Hungry? Guinea pigs might be stressed because of hearing loud sounds, being in a congested environment, fear of predators, and being held in hands uncomfortably. Shes still sneezing though. This parasitic infection is caused by poor hygiene leading to bald spots and hair loss in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs do not usually die from this virus, but those that do die often die suddenly without seeming sick. Miscarriages in the case of an alarming incident are common. Infections due to lice, mites, or fungus. She has one week to go yet on her meds. Although it occurs most often in pregnant female guinea pigs, ketosis can also develop in obese guinea pigs, male or female. How to prevent it: Its not always easy to understand why guinea pigs are chattering their teeth, but if youre holding it, try putting it back into its cage. Mental and physical factors can be the cause of decreased hunger in guinea pigs. Aw best of luck to you and your piggies! Guinea pigs who are fit and healthy do not make noises while breathing, as they only breathe from noses, not by their mouths. 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. Affected lymph nodes may need to be surgically removed. Signs of streptococcosis include difficulty breathing, wheezing, discharge from the nose, and coughing. Digestive disorders in guinea pigs may be caused by infections or by an improper diet. Wagner J E, Owens D R, Kusewitt D F et al (1976) Otitis media of guinea pigs. My Piggie just had babies and I'm at a loss. Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. The skin underneath the affected fur may be dry or oily and thickened or crusty. Change in activity level or lethargy. Changing their feeding or toileting habits. Also read: How flies are attracted towards guinea pigs and what to do? Guinea pigs are good at grooming themselves. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). But do not just fix it around them. The female guinea pig I adopted just two weeks ago, Charlotte, is 11.5 weeks old. Chewing their cage bars. 4 sows. Most frequently these are found in the bladder but can also form in the kidneys. In general, you should avoid giving your guinea pig any antibiotics unless specifically directed by a veterinarian familiar with these animals. There are many causes of pregnancy toxemia in guinea pigs. Some signs that your pets digestive system is upset are diarrhea, weight loss, loss of energy, lack of appetite, and dehydration. Essential Oils and Guinea Pigs: Are Essential Oils Safe for Guinea Pigs? Your veterinarian can diagnose this condition by examination and laboratory tests. Is Swimming Safe for Your Guinea Pigs? 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. The teeth of guinea pigs grow continuously throughout the animals life. Flinching 2. Young guinea pigs that are weaning from their mothers may have hair thinning as their coat changes to coarser adult fur. As per studies, elder guinea pigs show less interest in eating than younger guinea pigs. They may occur at the same time as pneumonia or other respiratory disease. Hi again, I really appreciate the help you've been providing. In some cases, the condition does not respond to therapy. Your veterinarian will determine appropriate treatment. In the laboratory, guinea pigs are infected and efficiently transmit influenza viruses to naive hosts without showing any overt clinical signs of disease . Pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, is a frequent cause of death in guinea pigs. 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. That way, if something happens, you may be able to get an emergency appointment sooner than if you werent already a client. 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. One guinea pig can infect another by direct contact or by sneezing or coughing. 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. Discharge from the eyes or nose. How to prevent it: When stroking your guinea pig, try stopping at the middle of their back or just pet them behind their ears instead. Many antibiotics, including penicillin, ampicillin, lincomycin, clindamycin, vancomycin, erythromycin, tylosin, tetracycline, and chlortetracycline, can cause this problem. Guinea pigs are refusing to eat might be because their food lacks sufficient amounts of nutrients. The average body temperature of guinea pigs should be between 102 degrees Fahrenheit and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the heart rate should be in the middle of 240-250 beats per minute. Uncomfortable guinea pigs make sounds like teeth grinding and screaming. The cysts usually occur in both ovaries, but occasionally only one ovary is affected. Urinary tract disease: Urinary calculi are stones that form within the urinary system. Death can occur in less than a week if the antibiotic treatment continues. Pneumonia in guinea pigs is usually caused by bacterial infection (most often Bordetella bronchiseptica, but other bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Streptococcus zooepidemicus may also be the cause). Signs of aging include: [3] Thickened, twisted toes Cataracts (cloudy eyes) Tumors/growths on the body or head Stiffness in the joints/hobbling 3 Loss of appetite can happen for many reasons, including disease, recovery from surgery, exposure to drafts, lack of fresh water, not being able to chew properly because of an underbite or overbite, and a condition called ketosis, in which your pets body produces too much of one of the byproducts of digestion. Your guinea pigs have a hard time catching a breath, 8. Each were a little bigger than a marble. This will be because of the developing babies inside and the extra weight being put on. Drooling. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 2x5 C&C = 12ft2. The span of symptoms is wide, ranging from none at all, to fully aggressive, restless, swollen mamas, mounting pen mates with visible discharge, ears popping up and down, vocalizing and locking their back legs to brace for the boar's heavy frame. Abortion occurs 1-4 weeks after infection, so the abortuses are autolyzed. Signs of your guinea pig aging include: Thickened, twisted toes on their paws Cataracts (visible as cloudy eyes) Tumors/growths around the body or head Visible stiffness in the joints or hobbling movement Significant loss of energy (lethargy) Guinea pigs occasionally become infected with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis bacteria through contaminated food, bedding, or water. Any thoughts on that gel? 1. Your veterinarian can diagnose pneumonia from an examination or from tests of discharge from the eyes or nose. They drop this saliva in such amounts, which are far from your expectations, mostly when they are not drinking enough water. Why does it occur: When a guinea pig becomes impatient or feel agitated, theyll start teeth chattering. Irregularities in these are a sign that you shouldnt ignore. Diarrhoea. This occurs more often in guinea pigs that are young, old, or have immune systems that do not work properly. In addition, wereallaboutpets.comis a participant in several other affiliate programs, held by other merchants. Guinea pig owners should take the time to learn about the most common health problems that affect guinea pigs so they can see the signs. Abscesses. In addition, pregnant guinea pigs ketosis may lead to death of the fetuses while still in the uterus. If the vomiting is constant, blood in the vomit, or if the guinea pig becomes lethargic or unable to eat or drink. Guinea pigs have many different sounds or vocalizations that owners will eventually acquaint themselves with. Maybe this infection brought on the miscarriage. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2. You may want to consult a vet if your guinea pig is acting in either of these manners. Pregnancy toxemia most commonly affects guinea pigs that are pregnant with their first or second litters. is a participant in several other affiliate programs, held by other merchants. If your guinea pig will not voluntarily drink sufficient water, your veterinarian may provide additional fluids by injection. For this article well walk you through some of the most common warning signs, and what they usually mean. Guinea Pig Feeding Mistakes To Avoid. Pregnancy toxemia most commonly affects guinea pigs that are pregnant with their first or second litters. Its not exhaustive but it does list the vets and practices where members have noted they have been cavy savvy. Just make sure your cavy has everything he needs a comfy place to rest, a fresh water bottle, food, and hay. Though, if your guinea pigs have health issues and sickness accompanied by the below-mentioned signs, then that means their life will come to an end soon. Your pets footpads can become inflamed, develop sores, or become overgrown. Guinea pigs affected by these illnesses may die suddenly without seeming sick. Guinea pigs have a lengthy pregnancy cycle, which may last anywhere between 59 and 72 days. Unusual changes in the texture, smell, and color of their waste discharge and blood traces in urine are deadly signs. 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. 3. 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. The affected guinea pig may die suddenly of ketosis without ever demonstrating signs of illness. Diarrhoea. Infection can cause infertility, stillbirth, or sudden death of guinea pig fetuses in the uterus. A living creatures body vitals includes heart rate and body temperature. 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. The infected lymph nodes may become swollen and filled with pus (abscesses), sometimes only on one side. 15. The disease may also spread to the back. Other potential effects of hypophosphatemia include neurologic signs presumably related to the altered energy metabolism, impaired cardiac and respiratory function (decreased contractility of striated and heart muscle), and dysfunction of WBCs and platelets that are all believed to be caused by reduced availability of ATP in states of phosphorus We respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time. 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). Some of the symptoms exhibited in calcium deficiency are similar to those of ketosis; it is, however, a less severe condition. Signs a guinea pig may be suffering from stress or fear can include: Hiding most of the time. Like people, apes, and monkeys, guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C. If they do not get enough of this vitamin in their diet, their bodies supply of vitamin C disappears quickly. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. As we've already explained, guinea pigs need lots of space to stay healthy and happy. No rest for the wicked. Pregnancy takes an average of 70 days for the birth of one guinea pig and 67 days for the conception of six guinea pigs. Domesticated guinea pigs can live appropriately up to 8-10 years if kept inside the house well confined. A temperature of 102-104 degrees Fahrenheit ; Heart rate between 200-250 beats per minute; Any major changes in these vital signs can be a sign that your guinea pig is very sick or dying. Dental disease can cause weight loss, bleeding from the mouth, or abscesses in the tooth roots that may lead to sinus infections. Provide her with a supply of alfalfa hay, [4] which is an excellent source of calcium. Guinea pigs dont like having their eyes covered, so if you stroke them from the top of their head and backwards, theyll probably dislike it. Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. When they do occur, they are usually the result of bacterial infection. How to prevent it: This is the easiest one to get out of, simply by not covering your guinea pigs eyes with your hand. The outlook for survival is poor; most guinea pigs only live a few weeks after diagnosis. Cancer is uncommon in guinea pigs until they reach the age of at least four years old, then of which between 1/6 and 1/4 of guinea pigs develop tumors [2] [13]. The primary sign of ringworm is the presence of bald, scaly patches, usually starting on the face (nose, around the eyes, and ears) and head. When guinea pigs are dehydrated they may start having low energy and become clumsy. Video Loading. As always with guinea pigs, carefully watch your pets reactions to the medication. 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. Most of these tumors are in the ovaries or uterus. Monitoring your guinea pigs' health. Females can be kept together, as can males without any issues. One possible deadly skin infection that can attack guinea pigs is named myiasis, also known as flystrike. On a warm February day in 2012 I visited a commercial guinea pig farm north of Lima, Peru. If she takes the food, she's at least learned to trust you. Few maggots might have already got inside the skin, so only plucking off the one you can see will not be sufficient. If your guinea pig must take antibiotics, you will need to monitor its health carefully. All guinea pigs require a sufficient amount of food like hay, fresh veggies, and fruits. Guinea pigs have their own peculiar ways of saying enough is enough, and for a human these warning signs arent always easy to decipher. The Veterinary Manual was first published in 1955 as a service to the community. #1 Get them a cage mate. Signs may include a scruffy hair coat or enlarged lymph nodes, liver, or spleen. Cavy Slave. The vet put our piggy on an antibiotic plus a pain/inflammation reducer. Approximately every five minutes, a new pup will be born. Wheek wheek! Unfortunately, even if you do seek treatment there may be nothing you can do. A measured amount of food that has been specifically recommended for pregnant and nursing guinea pigs, given at regularly scheduled times of the day, will help to prevent complications such as ketone body buildup in the blood. Animals that will not eat may require a stomach tube. When a guinea pig has a parasitic infection, it cant spread to other animals handling it like human beings. Multivitamins are not recommended because some of the other included vitamins could be dangerous for guinea pigs. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. Scratching or hair loss. She doesn't appear to be bleeding anymore. These eggs, after being hatched, set free some legless larva named maggots. Most high-quality commercial guinea pig feed is formulated to contain the correct amounts of these nutrients. Introduction. The average lifespan for a guinea pig is about 4 to 8 years. You will observe some changes in the body of your guinea pigs that will tell you that their death is near. If you hear your guinea pigs making abnormal sounds, it must be a sign that they are not feeling well. 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. 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. These diseases have their characteristics like bald spots on the skin, dandruff, or formation of scales and peeling of skin in thin pieces. Hi, if you are in the UK we have a vet locator in the top bar. Lack of Grooming 5. Bleeding (or finding blood in their cage) Wounds. Consult your veterinarian about any special dietary requirements your guinea pig may have during the recovery period, as well as any other recommendations that may be helpful in helping your guinea pig to recover quickly from the pregnancy toxemia. Any abnormal change in urine and waste of guinea pigs can also be the reason for their death. Although they can be toxic in guinea pigs ( see Antibiotics Antibiotics Health problems among guinea pigs that live alone are usually related to aging, dental disease, reproductive disorders, injury, or improper care. If she is still bleeding I would take her for a check over by a good exotics vet. o [ canine influenza] Increasing roughage (fiber in the diet) and decreasing grains and sugars may help treat diarrhea. Usually its a subtle sound, that might become more intense if you ignore it. 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