She was a bit bloody down in that area, and I gave her a rinse with warm water and dried her off. Easily seen maggots on the skin of guinea pigs are the signs that they are approaching death. No, pregnancy doesn't make the abdomen particularly tender, especially if there aren't a lot of pups inside. There is no effective treatment for this condition other than general support and stopping the antibiotics. Females can be kept together, as can males without any issues. She is currently getting young guinea pig pellets and hay by oxbow. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2. No doubt, there are differences in the energy levels of every guinea pig. 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. Why does it occur: If youre petting your guinea pig and get too close to their head, or put your hand directly on top of their head, theyll push their head upwards as a sign of you to remove your hand. Signs of dehydration include dry stools, dark urine, or skin tenting (skin that returns to its normal position slowly after being pinched). Uncomfortable guinea pigs make sounds like teeth grinding and screaming. Use to remove results with certain terms Although ketosis occurs most often in pregnant guinea pigs, it can also happen in obese guinea pigs (male or female). One of the surest ways to tell if your guinea pig likes you is to try to feed her by hand. ANSWERS: 2. onzanzabarsands. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. This footpad inflammation, or pododermatitis, is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that enter the footpads through cuts or scrapes. Guinea pigs don't like surprises- it goes against their prey nature. ANSWER. Carriers can suddenly become sick as a result of stress or anesthesia. Your guinea pig is making some unusual noises, How Long Can Guinea Pigs Go Without Food? Death can occur in less than a week if the antibiotic treatment continues. Wheek wheek! Severe infestation by mites may cause hair loss or itching. Brave BF as well! When you bring a new guinea pig home, its a good idea to find a vet in your area that treats guinea pigs and take your new pet in for an initial checkup to establish care. Also, their nails will get more yellow and brittle with every passing year. Give Them Their Space. This page contains affiliate links. The infection can spread and cause ear infection, head tilt, or inflammation of the sinuses or eyes. Use OR to account for alternate terms Joined Nov 13, 2012 Posts 26. A living creatures body vitals includes heart rate and body temperature. Introduction. One possible deadly skin infection that can attack guinea pigs is named myiasis, also known as flystrike. Antibiotics should only be used when absolutely necessary because their use can worsen the imbalance of bacteria in the digestive tract. Use for phrases (Hay, Veggies, Pellets), Why Is My Guinea Pig Drinking So Much? The teeth of guinea pigs grow continuously throughout the animals life. Miscarriage. If it appears that your guinea pigs are not as active as before, show no interest in playing, do not wish to do any physical activity for once, then sadly, these might be the signals that they are dying. Change in activity level or lethargy. Death is the hardest part of life, no matter how unconditionally you love your guinea pigs. Guinea pigs affected by these illnesses may die suddenly without seeming sick. Toxoplasmosis in newborns may be severe, with a wide list of abnormalities, mostly affecting the brain, eyes, liver, and spleen, and leading to many mental and motor disabilities. Respiratory tract infections. At least you still have Charlotte, it would have been devastating to lose her as well. Focusing on the Sore Area 11. Young guinea pigs that are weaning from their mothers may have hair thinning as their coat changes to coarser adult fur. Most guinea pigs are fine with being petted behind their ears or under their chin. Monitoring your guinea pigs' health. Animals get healthy because they are bound to intake nutrients for survival. I called the vet and they said as long as Charlotte was eating and drinking well, we can wait until I bring them in for the checkup I already scheduled for Wednesday early morning. Female guinea pigs that are used for breeding should be bred for the first time before they reach adulthood. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. Most high-quality commercial guinea pig feed is formulated to contain the correct amounts of these nutrients. Infection can also cause inflammation of the middle ear, which can lead to a head tilt. These eggs, after being hatched, set free some legless larva named maggots. If left untreated, the cysts may continue to grow and could potentially burst. zooepidemicus. Source:Health issues in Guinea Pigs,Disorders and Diseases of Guinea Pigs,Disease Problems of Guinea Pigs,Biology and Diseases of Guinea Pigs. 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. And is it normal for their tummies to be tender while pregnant? Scratching or hair loss. Abscesses can be surgically drained. Any changes in behavior should always be taken seriously and a vet should see it as soon as possible. Quickly take them to the veterinarian for treatment. 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. I called the vet and they said as long as Charlotte was eating and drinking well, we can wait until I bring them . It's best to have more than one guinea pig. The trusted provider of veterinary information since 1955, Description and Physical Characteristics of Guinea Pigs, Last review/revision Nov 2019 | Modified Oct 2022. The early stages of fetal, placental and yolk sac development in the guinea pig are very complex and involve some mechanisms specific to caviomorph rodents (e.g. They may occur at the same time as pneumonia or other respiratory disease. As much as you'd want to, you can't be with them all day. Inadequate nutrition and vitamin C deficiency can make your pet more likely to develop these problems. 7/18/08 2:18 PM. Several underlying problems can lead to hair loss, including infestations of fur mites or lice, ringworm, or fighting between incompatible animals. Fortified diets may lose half of their vitamin C content within 3 months of manufacture. It does not produce disease in the natural host. 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. Shes still sneezing though. Signs of infection may include discharge from the ears, but sometimes there are no signs of infection. (Normal & Abnormal Poop). I didn't think to ask at the time if she thought it was alive. JavaScript is disabled. Treatment depends on whether the infection is in the outer ear canal, middle ear, or inner ear. Provide a room and let them roam in it if they wish. Guinea pigs are also prone to urinary stones or 'calculi' - a serious condition. Left untreated, convulsions and death may result. Cesarean sections are very risky for guinea pigs and the survival rate for the mother is poor. In severely affected animals, the affected areas may become infected, which can cause the animals to lose weight, have low energy, or run around the cage. Normally, these compounds are utilized as energy, mainly for the brain, when blood sugar (insulin) levels are low. Each were a little bigger than a marble. If you think your guinea pig is showing signs of illness or isn't acting . Some usual signals of a guinea pigs body vitals are: You can check the body temperature of guinea pigs through a thermometer, and you can examine their heart and respiratory rate by setting a timer and counting. Signs indicating that your guinea pig will pass away anytime soon include loss of appetite, lethargy, breathing issues, frequent changes in body temperature, pulse rate, and other essential life functions. The bacteria can also enter a guinea pigs body through cuts or scrapes in the skin or through inhalation. They are getting more and more lethargic, 3. Our family just got a little girl piggy on Monday. Pregnancy toxemia most commonly affects guinea pigs that are pregnant with their first or second litters. Guinea pigs are very social animals and are at their happiest living with other guinea pigs. Animals with severe pododermatitis may require amputation of the affected area to avoid more serious complications. Her rear and back feet were bloody as well, and there was blood in other spots in the cage. 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. You must log in or register to reply here. Treatment includes giving your pet vitamin C daily, either by mouth (as directed by your veterinarian) or by injection at your veterinarians office. 3. ???? She doesn't appear to be bleeding anymore. Urinary tract disease: Urinary calculi are stones that form within the urinary system. Another symptom may be that they start to develop a fever and also have a loss of appetite. Usually the teeth will stop right away. Factors that increase the risk of infection include obesity, wire or abrasive cage flooring, poor sanitation, and injury. Guinea pigs require healthy functioning digestion for living. The diagnosis is aided by blood tests and examination of fluids from the lymph nodes or chest cavity. 1. Drinking too much or playing with the water bottle. Fingers very firmly crossed! Although occurrences are rare, Salmonella bacteria can infect guinea pigs. But do not just fix it around them. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This helps me keep vet costs down as the specialist charges quite a bit more. If your pet is dehydrated, your veterinarian may provide fluid treatment. With increasing baby size, the duration reduces. If your pet is slobbering or drooling, your veterinarian will evaluate this problem carefully. Some stress can also cause terror. 1 There were approximately 1,500 guinea pigs in this farmone of many cropping up throughout Peruwhich consisted . o [pig guinea] The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Im so sorry I hope you are ok and your piggie. 3. Recommended treatment is usually a spay surgery to remove the ovaries. 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. She is currently getting young guinea pig pellets and hay by oxbow. The bacteria are spread by direct contact with infected guinea pigs, wild mice, or rats or by sharing food, water, or bedding with infected animals. Your email address will not be published. Pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, is a frequent cause of death in guinea pigs. This condition usually occurs in male guinea pigs that are more than 1 year old. By the time you notice your guinea pig is sick, you may not have a lot of time to get treatment. Also see professional content regarding diseases of guinea pigs Guinea Pigs Guinea pigs, like chinchillas, are hystricognath rodents. A guinea pig's coat can have textures like satin, curly, smooth, plush, or rosettes. These pups may die within a few days of birth, or may live for several years. So, you can help them feel safer by establishing a routine. 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. That way, if something happens, you may be able to get an emergency appointment sooner than if you werent already a client. Does your finger taste like veggies? The first group, the people in the western world, keep it as a pet for its beautiful appearance, cute demeanor, and docile nature. One way to increase dietary fiber is to provide hay in addition to commercial guinea pig feed. To limit spread of the infection, the environment should be decontaminated regularly while the guinea pig is receiving treatment. Charlotte is doing fine right now! Should I try it out or test something else out. Ketosis may cause fetal guinea pigs to die in the uterus. 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. Ketosis usually occurs in the last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy, or in the first week after a guinea pig has given birth. Down as the specialist charges quite a bit more levels of every guinea pig you. Of the infection is in the outer ear canal, middle ear, or the! 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