So try to apply less pressure and perhaps allow them to snuggle inside a sleeping bag while youre having them outside of their cage. Thanks again for the input. Thanks for the help, will try it out tho she hasn't stopped eating she just reduced it, and also my vet recommended me to try and feeding her a "energetic supplement" called nutr-plus gel. ANSWERS: 2. onzanzabarsands. Earlier today we found two round bloody balls with her in her hiding tube. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Skin infection and flystrike can also be a sign of a life-threatening condition. They drop this saliva in such amounts, which are far from your expectations, mostly when they are not drinking enough water. Other sources of . The vet put our piggy on an antibiotic plus a pain/inflammation reducer. Different people keep guinea pigs regardless of their sexes for different reasons. Water is vital for life. Some guinea pig diseases affect more than one body system. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! Find out more about the NEW, drastically improved site and forum! Chewing their cage bars. In addition, pregnant guinea pigs ketosis may lead to death of the fetuses while still in the uterus. Can Guinea Pigs Have Straw in Their Cage? Treatment consists of several weeks of oral antifungal medication and sometimes also antifungal shampoos or rinses. When guinea pigs are dehydrated they may start having low energy and become clumsy. A guinea pig might start teeth chattering if it thinks youre taking too long with making their food, or if it needs to pee when youre sitting with it. The cysts usually occur in both ovaries, but occasionally only one ovary is affected. Uncomfortable guinea pigs make sounds like teeth grinding and screaming. You must log in or register to reply here. Your female guinea pig's calcium stores will drop significantly during pregnancy and nursing. Diarrhoea. Neori theme, designed by litMotion Templates. Register for free to enjoy the full benefits. Guinea pigs have an interstitial, antimesometrial implantation between days 5 and 6 post conception. Treatment, if recommended, depends on the type and location of the cancer. Guinea Pig Feeding Mistakes To Avoid. Guinea pigs are also prone to urinary stones or 'calculi' - a serious condition. Shes still sneezing though. The usual cause of this problem is a bacterial infection, most often with Streptococcus equi subsp. 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. 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. Irregularities in these are a sign that you shouldnt ignore. Guinea pigs are good at grooming themselves. Provide her with a supply of alfalfa hay, [4] which is an excellent source of calcium. Guinea pigs are very sensitive to the effects of many antibiotics. 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. Treatment, which is not usually successful in guinea pigs with advanced disease, can include glucose injections at the animal hospital, propylene glycol by mouth, nutritional supplements, and (for pregnant animals) emergency cesarean delivery. Her rear and back feet were bloody as well, and there was blood in other spots in the cage. Should I try it out or test something else out. Most guinea pigs are fine with being petted behind their ears or under their chin. If you hear your guinea pigs making abnormal sounds, it must be a sign that they are not feeling well. Both male and female guinea pigs can develop cancer of the mammary glands. The most common and straightforward clue to know something is wrong is your guinea pig is refusing to eat. Some types of mites cause no signs. Ketosis usually occurs in the last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy, or in the first week after a guinea pig has given birth. Lack of energy/sleeping more than usual. 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. Treatment is usually with topical medication. 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) Daily handling will give you the chance not only to check over the guinea pig but also to bond with it. 15. Each were a little bigger than a marble. 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? Source:Health issues in Guinea Pigs,Disorders and Diseases of Guinea Pigs,Disease Problems of Guinea Pigs,Biology and Diseases of Guinea Pigs. Your guinea pigs have a hard time catching a breath, 8. Several underlying problems can lead to hair loss, including infestations of fur mites or lice, ringworm, or fighting between incompatible animals. By the time you notice your guinea pig is sick, you may not have a lot of time to get treatment. This less attention to clean fur is the initial hint of skin issues. Use to remove results with certain terms Can a pig miscarry two babies, but keep a third? Guinea pigs, especially boars, dont like being touched on their backs or bottoms because they take it as a sign of being dominated, as guinea pigs will usually mount each other to assert domination. This condition is the signal of adverse health and sickness. The diagnosis is aided by blood tests and examination of fluids from the lymph nodes or chest cavity. Any abnormal change in urine and waste of guinea pigs can also be the reason for their death. Soecara, thank you for your advice. The size of the first birth is usually less than successive litters. xD, I went to the vet this morning! In general, you should avoid giving your guinea pig any antibiotics unless specifically directed by a veterinarian familiar with these animals. She is currently getting young guinea pig pellets and hay by oxbow. Guinea pigs are very social animals and are at their happiest living with other guinea pigs. If the symphysis has not been stretched by a previous birth, the female will be unable to deliver her offspring normally. (Causes, Signs & Remedy), Why Is My Guinea Pig Coughing? No doubt, there are differences in the energy levels of every guinea pig. Fast, noisy or heavy breathing. All rights reserved. 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. Infections of the respiratory tract should be treated. 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. Changing their feeding or toileting habits. Guinea pigs affected by these illnesses may die suddenly without seeming sick. Other sounds to hear actively are breathing sounds, including sneezing, puffing, snorting, and wheezing. This can happen if they have other illnesses or problems that prevent them from eating enough or that prevent their bodies from absorbing vitamin C properly. Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Matted Guinea Pig Hair? Brave BF as well! Treatment of infectious diseases can be complicated by the fact that guinea pigs are more sensitive to antibiotics than other types of pets. 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. Guinea pigs need at least 10 mg of vitamin C per kilogram of body weight daily (pregnant females need 30 mg/kg daily). 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. 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. External parasites like fleas and mites can cause itchiness, hair loss, and other issues in guinea pigs. Unfortunately not all vets are experienced with guinea pigs and not all exotic vets either! It may not display this or other websites correctly. Animals housed in groups may chew or tear their own or each others hair because of social conflicts or dominance of older animals over younger group members. Lethal guinea pigs are white in colour (not albino) are born blind, usually in both eyes, have crooked or deformed teeth, are often also deaf and often suffer from internal deformities particularly to the digestive organs. Guinea pigs do not usually die from this virus, but those that do die often die suddenly without seeming sick. Also read: Why is my guinea pig not moving? The disease may also spread to the back. Pregnancy toxemia most commonly affects guinea pigs that are pregnant with their first or second litters. The male guinea pig is called a boar while the female is called a sow. Signs of aging include: [3] Thickened, twisted toes Cataracts (cloudy eyes) Tumors/growths on the body or head Stiffness in the joints/hobbling 3 The duller the teeth are, the closer they likely are to 5 years of age. Inadequate nutrition and vitamin C deficiency can make your pet more likely to develop these problems. For this article well walk you through some of the most common warning signs, and what they usually mean. Signs, if they are seen at all, can include weight loss, muscle or joint stiffness, and increased urination (because of kidney failure). Health problems among guinea pigs that live alone are usually related to aging, dental disease, reproductive disorders, injury, or improper care. Follow the treatment program prescribed by your veterinarian carefully. 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. Change in activity level or lethargy. One possible deadly skin infection that can attack guinea pigs is named myiasis, also known as flystrike. I am very sorry for your quandary, but I guess that you will take your chances in order to save mum. Wow I cant even imagine. 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). 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. 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. Has she had her baby yet? Suppose you found that your guinea pigs have not excreted and not passed out urine for 6 hours. The infection can spread and cause ear infection, head tilt, or inflammation of the sinuses or eyes. (Causes and How-to guide). Guinea pigs have many different sounds or vocalizations that owners will eventually acquaint themselves with. One of the surest ways to tell if your guinea pig likes you is to try to feed her by hand. So, lets get right into the 10 signs that indicate your guinea pig is dying. 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. Easily seen maggots on the skin of guinea pigs are the signs that they are approaching death. Infestations can be minimized or prevented by making sure that living quarters are clean and sanitary and by minimizing your pets stress levels. The vet suggested doing an X-ray if she is still swollen and tender at her recheck. 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. Still, if your guinea pigs do not feel hungry for food, this might be the hint of experiencing illness or facing death. 3. She still acts like her tummy is tender, and the vet said she thought there might be another fetus inside. Hello everyone. Posture Changes 6. Ringworm usually goes away on its own in healthy guinea pigs. Know when a pig is going into labor. Guinea pigs who are fit and healthy do not make noises while breathing, as they only breathe from noses, not by their mouths. http://littleadventurescorner.blogspot.de/2015/07/early-neuturing.htmlI summarized the most important things you need to know if you find out that your guine. Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. A type of adenovirus is specific to guinea pigs. Abortion occurs 1-4 weeks after infection, so the abortuses are autolyzed. Female guinea pigs that reproduce have shortened lifespans and tend to live approximately 3.5 years. Pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, is a frequent cause of death in guinea pigs. Multivitamins are not recommended because some of the other included vitamins could be dangerous for guinea pigs. Infectious diseases caused by certain viruses read more , but many guinea pigs carry this virus without any signs of illness. Prevention of health problems in guinea pigs is key. It doesnt have to be anything bad, but biting is usually a sign of something being wrong. The first group, the people in the western world, keep it as a pet for its beautiful appearance, cute demeanor, and docile nature. Ringworm is highly contagious to humans and other animals. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. 2x5 C&C = 12ft2. Then they could stay together permanently without any more pregnancies and without the stress. If you want to learn more about guinea pigs, GuineaHub is the best place to be! If your guinea pigs make noises like they are having a cold, they might show hints of sickness and that sickness, which can cause death. Animals cant tell you when theyre feeling sick and, even if they could, they probably wouldnt. Although weve had guinea pigs for decades altogether, were still learning and so are professionals that are studying these furry potatoes for a living. 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. The life span of guinea pigs generally lies between 5-8 years. In addition, guinea pigs with pneumonia may have conjunctivitis (pink eye), fever, weight loss, depression, or loss of appetite. I was fully expecting to have a hard time giving her the meds but she actually loves it. The antibiotic may be compounded into a suspension given by mouth, which should then be given as directed. Additionally, it is not always easy to detect the symptoms which indicate an imminent birth, since there are little changes in their visible behavior. Veterinarians diagnose this infection by laboratory tests and examination of the sick guinea pig. Ok, I thought we'd be able to tell if the piggy had the pregnant "pear" shape. Cancer/Neoplasia. DUNNO. Vitamin C added to fortified guinea pig diets is not very stable and breaks down with exposure to moisture, heat, and light. Normally, these compounds are utilized as energy, mainly for the brain, when blood sugar (insulin) levels are low. You can see the lice by looking at a piece of your pets hair under a magnifying glass. Your veterinarian will help you keep tabs on your guinea pigs health and spot any developing issues while they are still treatable. Quick Breathing 8. Preventing exposure to stress in the last few weeks of pregnancy may also help. Please take a photo of your guinea pig from above and post it here. The lymph nodes around the neck often become enlarged or inflamed in guinea pigs. A proper diet that does not change from day to day, clean water, bedding materials that are gentle on your pets skin, frequent cleaning and disinfecting of the cage, a low-stress environment, and sufficient exercise all help prevent illness. 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. Runny eye or nose - especially if the eyes are red or the discharge is thick. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. Animals with severe pododermatitis may require amputation of the affected area to avoid more serious complications. Increasing roughage (fiber in the diet) and decreasing grains and sugars may help treat diarrhea. The cause is usually improperly aligned teeth (malocclusion). o [pig guinea] To prevent this condition, keep the guinea pigs cage clean. Hi, if you are in the UK we have a vet locator in the top bar. 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. Sometimes groups of guinea pigs experience an outbreak of infection, during which all get sick and die quickly. If left untreated, the cysts may continue to grow and could potentially burst. If your guinea pig is just carefully nibbling at your finger or clothes, its probably just checking to see if its food. The organism has unique ultrastructures, and its genus and species are yet to be determined. Not passed out urine for 6 hours and, even if they could, they probably wouldnt conception. 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