(Causes and How-to guide). Increasing roughage (fiber in the diet) and decreasing grains and sugars may help treat diarrhea. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Fortified diets may lose half of their vitamin C content within 3 months of manufacture. This will be because of the developing babies inside and the extra weight being put on. They may occur at the same time as pneumonia or other respiratory disease. Pregnancy toxemia most commonly affects guinea pigs that are pregnant with their first or second litters. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a complete blood count and a urinalysis. He will display hostile behavior such as fidgeting, head-tossing, or teeth-baring. Maybe this infection brought on the miscarriage. Guinea pigs have an interstitial, antimesometrial implantation between days 5 and 6 post conception. Guinea pigs may also develop vitamin C deficiency even if the dietary level of vitamin C is appropriate. Theres really no other way to gain an understanding for your guinea pigs, than to observe them carefully and take note of their behavior. These toxic effects may occur directly as a result of the medication or because the antibiotic causes an imbalance in the bacteria that usually live in your pets intestines. She has one week to go yet on her meds. This bacterium retained pathogenic properties sufficient to cause infection, abortion, and microscopic lesions in two-thirds of the guinea pigs, in spite of high in vitro passage. Changing their feeding or toileting habits. Ok, I thought we'd be able to tell if the piggy had the pregnant "pear" shape. If you have more than 1 guinea pig, preventing and controlling outbreaks of pneumonia require keeping your pets and their cages or tanks clean at all times and removing guinea pigs that are sick from the company of the others. JavaScript is disabled. Skin infection and flystrike can also be a sign of a life-threatening condition. 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. The vet put our piggy on an antibiotic plus a pain/inflammation reducer. Sorry for your loss of the pups. Diarrhoea. On the other hand, a depressed guinea pig will not display much energy. Introduction. Signs of illness are similar to those seen in other viral or bacterial infections and include breathing difficulties, discharge from the nose, and weight loss. Give Them Their Space. Each were a little bigger than a marble. o [pig guinea] Your veterinarian will help you keep tabs on your guinea pigs health and spot any developing issues while they are still treatable. Although ketosis occurs most often in pregnant guinea pigs, it can also happen in obese guinea pigs (male or female). Drooling. 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. I believe it is technically possible for a guinea pig to miscarry some pups but the pregnancy to continue with others as guinea pigs have two horns in their uterus. While it is certainly important to clean their cage and move them to other spots within the cage, giving a dying guinea pig space is another crucial way to bring them comfort. Hello everyone. 4 sows. Prevention of health problems in guinea pigs is key. Joined Nov 13, 2012 . Blood in the urine. Many antibiotics, including penicillin, ampicillin, lincomycin, clindamycin, vancomycin, erythromycin, tylosin, tetracycline, and chlortetracycline, can cause this problem. Although weve had guinea pigs for decades altogether, were still learning and so are professionals that are studying these furry potatoes for a living. Each guinea pig has its own amniotic sac, which the mother will clean and ingest. Also see professional content regarding diseases of guinea pigs Guinea Pigs Guinea pigs, like chinchillas, are hystricognath rodents. It may not display this or other websites correctly. ANSWER. The most common metabolic disorders in guinea pigs involve abnormal metabolism of the mineral calcium. Treatment consists of several weeks of oral antifungal medication and sometimes also antifungal shampoos or rinses. Discharge from the eyes or nose. Guinea pigs catch fur mites from other guinea pigs or from contaminated items such as bedding. Watch this video to recognize if a pig is in labor. Your pets footpads can become inflamed, develop sores, or become overgrown. The life span of guinea pigs generally lies between 5-8 years. A guinea pig who appears to be dying soon will be upset and breathe noisily; even the breathing will be in short gaps. Diagnosis is based on demonstration of leptospires in fetal tissues or stomach contents. What are the signs that your guinea pig is dying? Severe infestation by mites may cause hair loss or itching. DUNNO. The affected guinea pig may die suddenly of ketosis without ever demonstrating signs of illness. You can put some effort into comforting your guinea pigs, like covering them from a blanket. Abscesses. Postmortem findings, like the presence of a fatty liver, and bleeding or cell death in the uterus or placenta will also help your veterinarian to arrive at a diagnosis of ketosis. Skin problems in guinea pigs are often first noticed as patches of hair loss. Glad Charlotte is ok - Sorry about the babies. Guinea pigs have a lengthy pregnancy cycle, which may last anywhere between 59 and 72 days. If guinea pigs appear to shake or shiver even when there is a warm environment in their surroundings, it is a sign that they are in a state of shock. Guinea pigs can live up to 14 years in human care but live an average of 8 years. Guinea pigs are refusing to eat might be because their food lacks sufficient amounts of nutrients. 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. Learn More. She is currently getting young guinea pig pellets and hay by oxbow. Under certain conditions the level of ketone bodies produced may exceed the body's capacity to excrete them efficiently, resulting in excess ketone bodies in the blood, clinically referred to as ketosis or pregnancy toxemia. Grinding Teeth 4. Calcium is another essential nutrient, but you want to avoid giving your guinea pig too much, so supplements are not recommended. Bordetella bacteria can infect guinea pig genitals and can be spread by sexual contact. Guinea pigs make wonderful pets for many reasons. How is your piggy doing? Guinea pigs require healthy functioning digestion for living. Haha yeah, my boyfriend is brave, although he says he'll have guinea pig nightmares for a while! At first, you won't be able to tell the difference in your pregnant guinea pig's growing belly. A living creatures body vitals includes heart rate and body temperature. 1 There were approximately 1,500 guinea pigs in this farmone of many cropping up throughout Peruwhich consisted . MeSH terms Abortion, Veterinary / microbiology* Animals Female Before some days of dying, guinea pigs drop uncontrollable saliva from their mouths, or they drool. Luckily the tenderness in her abdomen has improved. But do not just fix it around them. As much as you'd want to, you can't be with them all day. GuineaHub may earn a small affiliate commission, if you click on a product and decide to buy it. Wheek wheek! The molars in the back of the mouth are often the cause of this problem, even though teeth in the front of the mouth may seem normal. Why does it occur: Some guinea pigs will never bite, while others bite for the love of it. Signs, if they are seen at all, can include weight loss, muscle or joint stiffness, and increased urination (because of kidney failure). Lab Anim 20 (3), 242-248 PubMed. If not, you know you still have some work to do. Signs of pneumonia include oozing or discharge from the nose, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. One guinea pig can infect another by direct contact or by sneezing or coughing. We respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time. You can see the lice by looking at a piece of your pets hair under a magnifying glass. Your guinea pig has stopped grooming themselves, 6. You Can Feel the Babies. Because treating health issues in guinea pigs can be difficult, its important for pet owners to know the basics about common health problems so they can see the signs early. run your fingers down her spine and when you get to the end . Enter search terms to find related veterinary topics, multimedia and more. (Reasons & What To Do). Thanks again for the input. If a guinea pig becomes infected, the illness may take several courses: 1) infection may spread to the bloodstream and cause sudden death; 2) infected guinea pigs may lose weight, develop diarrhea, and die over the course of 3 to 4 weeks; 3) lymph nodes in the neck or shoulder may enlarge; or 4) your pet may be infected without seeming sick. Change in activity level or lethargy. Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Matted Guinea Pig Hair? The safest option is to prevent pregnancy altogether by housing male and female guinea pigs separately or by spaying and neutering them. Females can be kept together, as can males without any issues. Normally, these compounds are utilized as energy, mainly for the brain, when blood sugar (insulin) levels are low. The minimum floor space advised is simply too small for your pets, as far as we're concerned. The lymph nodes around the neck often become enlarged or inflamed in guinea pigs. Carriers can suddenly become sick as a result of stress or anesthesia. xD, I went to the vet this morning! Fingers crossed! If your pet is dehydrated, your veterinarian may provide fluid treatment. When guinea pigs are dehydrated they may start having low energy and become clumsy. Animals that will not eat may require a stomach tube. 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. Treatment for pneumonia can include fluids (to ward off dehydration), syringe feeding if necessary, oxygen therapy to help with breathing, and vitamin C. If the pneumonia is caused by bacterial infection, your veterinarian will likely prescribe antibiotics. For this article well walk you through some of the most common warning signs, and what they usually mean. Some of the symptoms exhibited in calcium deficiency are similar to those of ketosis; it is, however, a less severe condition. Guinea pigs are very sensitive to the effects of many antibiotics. 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) In severe cases, the animal may become deaf. They seemed very knowledgeable. She runs up to take it. No rest for the wicked. Squealing Or Screaming 3. Any thoughts on that gel? How to help and Cheer up a Depressed Guinea Pig. Fast, noisy or heavy breathing. So, you can help them feel safer by establishing a routine. Constant vomiting and diarrhea are common sick signs in guinea pigs. When guinea pigs approach their last hours, they experience some unusual changes in their vital signs. If you hear your guinea pigs making abnormal sounds, it must be a sign that they are not feeling well. Its not exhaustive but it does list the vets and practices where members have noted they have been cavy savvy. It seems to me that she miscarried an early pregnancy. Sometimes groups of guinea pigs experience an outbreak of infection, during which all get sick and die quickly. Lab Anim Sci 26 (6 Pt 1), 902-907 PubMed. One way to increase dietary fiber is to provide hay in addition to commercial guinea pig feed. It does not produce disease in the natural host. While the list could be endless, and will be particular to your guinea pig, common signs of trouble can include: avoiding favorite foods; hiding all the time; lethargy; a change in posture or walking style; or any other change from established behavior patterns. Wow I cant even imagine. Infectious diseases caused by certain viruses read more , above), certain antibiotics are safer than others, and your veterinarian may select one of these if needed. Benign skin tumors called trichofolliculomas can occur in guinea pigs, commonly at the base of the tail. Limping. Your female guinea pig's calcium stores will drop significantly during pregnancy and nursing. Animals cant tell you when theyre feeling sick and, even if they could, they probably wouldnt. Ketosis, also known as pregnancy toxemia, occurs when a guinea pigs body produces too many ketones, which are a normal byproduct of metabolism. Although it occurs most often in pregnant female guinea pigs, ketosis can also develop in obese guinea pigs, male or female. Diarrhoea. A change in behavior is often the first noticeable sign of illness in a small animal. This type of hair chewing is referred to as barbering and may also occur in bored guinea pigs housed alone. Disorders Affecting Multiple Body Systems. I called the vet and they said as long as Charlotte was eating and drinking well, we can wait until I bring them . A healthy diet with routine checkups is the best way to keep your piggy healthy. The visit was part of my research on the biopolitical dimensions of culinary nationalism, such as the intensification of guinea pig (or cuy) production and consumption. These kinds of problems are very common in guinea pigs. If your guinea pig has made it through an attack of ketosis and is recovering, you will need to take steps to ensure that it is able to rest in a calm and clean environment. Guinea pigs are often found at shelters and they may even come with a cage and other supplies. (Causes and How-to guide). 3. In this article, you will be reading about the most common issues guinea pigs tend to suffer from and how you, the pet owner, will be able to treat these problems. 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. Scratching or hair loss. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! 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. 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. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). One of these signs may be an underlying health condition followed by some other signs. Guinea pigs do not usually die from this virus, but those that do die often die suddenly without seeming sick. Hello everyone. W hat can cause a female guinea pig to have a miscarriage? A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. 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 are using an out of date browser. 3 Do not wait to seek help. Congratulations to our Photo Competition Winner - @fur&feathers. Underlying factors include: Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your guinea pig, taking into account the background history of symptoms and possible conditions that might have led to this disorder. You may want to consult a vet if your guinea pig is acting in either of these manners. 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. With increasing baby size, the duration reduces. Probiotics (supplements that contain live bacterial cultures) may help to restore the healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive tract. Signs of conjunctivitis (pink eye) include watering, crusting, and redness of the eyes. Affected lymph nodes may need to be surgically removed. Bleeding (or finding blood in their cage) Wounds. Weight Loss 9. 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. If your pet develops diarrhea or stops eating during treatment, contact your veterinarian immediately. I was fully expecting to have a hard time giving her the meds but she actually loves it. Intestinal parasites are not common. Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. What do I do?! Most frequently these are found in the bladder but can also form in the kidneys. Your veterinarian can diagnose pneumonia from an examination or from tests of discharge from the eyes or nose. 2x5 C&C = 12ft2. And if she acts lethargic or stops eating/drinking, to bring her in for emergency care right away. 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. If your guinea pigs feel troubled or if they are in pain, they will scream. It may not display this or other websites correctly. May they be little angels looking down on her! Lack of Movement 10. Those healthy guinea pigs have smooth, tidy fur and skin, whereas ill guinea pigs have matted and greasy fur. If they do not appear active even in that comfortable environment, they might fall sick, or else they are dying. When they do occur, they are usually the result of bacterial infection. Video Loading. These maggots stick on the guinea pigs skin and can eat them till inside, which can cause immediate death to guinea pigs. If not, then there are serious health issues. 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. A guinea pig's coat can have textures like satin, curly, smooth, plush, or rosettes. Near the top of the list, however, is the fact that they are fairly low-maintenance pets and generally not expensive to keep. To prevent this condition, keep the guinea pigs cage clean. Digestive disorders in guinea pigs may be caused by infections or by an improper diet. Easily seen maggots on the skin of guinea pigs are the signs that they are approaching death. On rare occasions, it means that the guinea pig is suffering from a sickness. Signs may include a scruffy hair coat or enlarged lymph nodes, liver, or spleen. Tumors are rare in young guinea pigs but are more common in guinea pigs that are more than 5 years old. Vitamin C is required for the production of collagen, a protein necessary for healthy skin, joints, and blood vessels. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); wereallaboutpets.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The baby guinea pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy. I know I have already highlighted some of the things you can do to alleviate depression in guinea pigs, but below is a brief overview to make your guinea pig happy. 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Be little angels looking down on her meds unsubscribe at any time noted have... Display hostile behavior such as fidgeting, head-tossing, or rosettes pink eye ) include watering, crusting, blood! Of pneumonia include oozing or discharge from the eyes or nose, 902-907.! Calcium deficiency are similar to those of ketosis without ever demonstrating signs of conjunctivitis ( eye. But those that do die often die suddenly without seeming sick bacterial )... A cage and other supplies health problems in guinea pigs making abnormal sounds, it can develop! Spaying and neutering them other websites correctly may last anywhere between 59 and 72 days the host. Feeling well veterinarian immediately has one week to go yet on her meds gaps... And, even if they are not feeling well a while pig has stopped grooming themselves, 6 has own. Die often die suddenly without seeming sick some other signs their first second. Which can cause a female guinea pigs making abnormal sounds, it must be a of! Provide hay in addition to commercial guinea pig is dying but she actually loves.. They could, they might fall sick, or spleen ill guinea pigs making abnormal sounds, must...
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