Exotic Pet Care: Common Diseases of Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are easy to take care of. You’ll need to provide them with a proper environment, give them appropriate food and be aware of mental and physical illness signs. The main thing is to watch out for any signs of illness in your little ones, such as changing eating or pooping habits, hair loss, swellings, or itching.

Suppose you don’t feed your guinea pigs enough or provide them with items that can harm their digestive systems. In that case, they could be overweight, lose weight rapidly, have trouble getting to the bathroom, or be afflicted with more severe problems. Keep an eye on their potty habits and consider taking them to weigh them frequently to ensure they’re in good health.

The best way to prevent infection in pet guinea pigs would be to have them examined annually by a veterinarian knowledgeable about the species. It is also helpful when they drink, eat, exercise, and pass typical stool. Guinea pigs may live long, healthy lives with proper preventative medical care and monitoring for unexpected indications of abnormal behavior.

Common Guinea Pig Diseases

Guinea Pigs are simple to look after and make excellent pets for the family when taken care of regularly and with gentleness. They are generally resilient creatures. However, they can be susceptible to specific illnesses. Guinea pet owners must be aware of these common illnesses to seek medical treatment for their animals.

Respiratory Infections

Pneumonia is frequent in young guinea pigs with underdeveloped immune systems. It is caused by a variety of bacteria, including Bordetella or Streptococcus. Guinea Pigs naturally have these germs in their respiratory tracts and may be asymptomatic (appearing normal) carriers.

Pneumonia may cause a loss of appetite, drainage from the nose or eyes, sneezing, and trouble breathing in Guinea pigs. Consult a vet if a guinea pig is having trouble breathing as soon as possible. The vet can take samples of the discharge for culture to determine the underlying cause and prescribe the appropriate medication. Get help from specialists to treat inflammatory conditions.

Gastrointestinal Stasis

Guinea pigs can be considered herbivores (plant-eaters) who depend upon a well-functioning bacterial community in their intestines to digest their diet. These bacteria require lots of fiber. Hence, high-fiber hay is the main ingredient in the guinea pig’s diet, supplemented with vitamin C.

GI stasis can cause guinea pigs to eat less, drink less, and have less urine. The GI stasis that guinea pigs suffer from is caused by various reasons, including dental diseases and stress, as well as any other illness that results in appetite loss. Guinea porcine suffering from GI stasis should see an ophthalmologist promptly to get pain medication and fluids injected under their skin and fed with specially-prepared liquid diets to assist in re-start food flow through the GI tracts. Click this link for additional information.

Vitamin C Deficiency

Vitamin C is required for the healthy development and maintenance of the skin, joints, and mucosal surfaces like the gums. It’s also necessary for wound healing and the overall health of the immune system. Guinea pigs lacking vitamin C suffer from skin problems, have trouble healing wounds and are more prone to contract various infections.

Rough hair coat, decreased appetite, diarrhea, inability to move around, swelling, bleeding joints, and ulcers on the gums are all signs of vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs. Most veterinarians advocate giving guinea pigs daily vitamin C supplements as a liquid or tablet. Vitamin C supplements shouldn’t be combined with water as they degrade quickly in water and lose their effectiveness. Consult your veterinarian for details on vet care to small mammals.