Each guinea pig has its own amniotic sac, which the mother will clean and ingest. Uncomfortable guinea pigs make sounds like teeth grinding and screaming. Drinking too much or playing with the water bottle. Infectious diseases caused by certain viruses read more , below). Your pets living quarters should be kept clean and sanitary, and sick animals should be housed away from other animals to prevent the spread of disease. Even if your guinea pig seems healthy, its your responsibility as a pet owner to keep up with annual checkups. And this state occurs when the body of guinea pigs is dirty due to urine and their discharged waste. Most guinea pigs are fine with being petted behind their ears or under their chin. 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. Guinea pigs that refuse to eat may need to be carefully fed by syringe with a soft diet (a commercial critical care diet, vegetable baby food, or a pureed pelleted diet). In most cases, the small forms are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy. If you keep their heads free and pet them behind their ears or beneath their chin, theyll have no reason to push their head upwards. She is currently getting young guinea pig pellets and hay by oxbow. Signs of constipation include: A distended stomach Lack of droppings in pet's cage Lethargy Straining during a bowel movement 2 Monitor the situation carefully. Why does it occur: When a guinea pig becomes impatient or feel agitated, theyll start teeth chattering. They are getting more and more lethargic, 3. The most common metabolic disorders in guinea pigs involve abnormal metabolism of the mineral calcium. Younger guinea pigs may develop skin tumors or leukemia (a cancer of the blood), but most types of cancer are not common in guinea pigs until they are 4 to 5 years old. Fortunately, these issues are fairly easy to treat. There is no effective treatment for this condition other than general support and stopping the antibiotics. Part of that responsibility includes learning to recognize the common signs of illness in your small pet. I was fully expecting to have a hard time giving her the meds but she actually loves it. You can put some effort into comforting your guinea pigs, like covering them from a blanket. When they do occur, they are usually the result of bacterial infection. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You are using an out of date browser. So, lets get right into the 10 signs that indicate your guinea pig is dying. Chewing their cage bars. Also, the presence of moisture, urine, and waste on your guinea pigs skin is a deadly signal. If not, then there are serious health issues. Animals that will not eat may require a stomach tube. Pregnancy takes an average of 70 days for the birth of one guinea pig and 67 days for the conception of six guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are very sensitive to the effects of many antibiotics. These kinds of problems are very common in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs can live up to 14 years in human care but live an average of 8 years. Pregnancy toxemia will need to be differentially diagnosed from calcium deficiency, another common disorder found during pregnancy. 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. Each were a little bigger than a marble. If left untreated, the cysts may continue to grow and could potentially burst. Treatment depends on whether the infection is in the outer ear canal, middle ear, or inner ear. Tumors are rare in young guinea pigs but are more common in guinea pigs that are more than 5 years old. Hair loss can also be caused by genetic problems or problems in metabolism (the bodys breakdown of food into energy); this is especially true in female guinea pigs that have been used for breeding. Treatment of infectious diseases can be complicated by the fact that guinea pigs are more sensitive to antibiotics than other types of pets. The average lifespan for a guinea pig is about 4 to 8 years. ANSWERS: 2. onzanzabarsands. you can check this by having her on a table facing you. Guinea pigs are very social animals and are at their happiest living with other guinea pigs. Water is vital for life. It might make them feel safer, and therefore theyll stop biting. Because an animal that is treated may still continue to infect other animals even when it does not seem sick, treatment may not be recommended. Suppose you found that your guinea pigs have not excreted and not passed out urine for 6 hours. As we've already explained, guinea pigs need lots of space to stay healthy and happy. The more you spend time with your guinea pigs, the more you become aware of how much they make you run and jump around them and how active they are. Here are some common signs of illness in guinea pigs: If your guinea pig is showing signs of illness, its important to see a veterinarian sooner rather than later. Skin problems in guinea pigs are often first noticed as patches of hair loss. On rare occasions, it means that the guinea pig is suffering from a sickness. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. Drinking or peeing more. Im so sorry I hope you are ok and your piggie. It does not produce disease in the natural host. Parasite infestations. No doubt, there are differences in the energy levels of every guinea pig. Is It Worth Getting Pet Insurance for Guinea Pigs? Ringworm usually goes away on its own in healthy guinea pigs. Your veterinarian can diagnose this condition either by examining your pets fur or by looking at scrapings from your pets skin under a microscope. is a participant in several other affiliate programs, held by other merchants. Hay is necessary because of its high-fiber content, which helps maintain the guinea pig digestive tract and also wears down constantly growing teeth. With increasing baby size, the duration reduces. Provide her with a supply of alfalfa hay, [4] which is an excellent source of calcium. I'm relieved that she's healthy and that she won't be having any pups. Infections of the respiratory tract should be treated. Affected areas can become inflamed and more severely infected. Antibiotic ointments used on the skin can also be toxic to guinea pigs. If the antibiotic causes diarrhea, the treatment should be stopped immediately and your veterinarian contacted. Also read: How flies are attracted towards guinea pigs and what to do? I called the vet and they said as long as Charlotte was eating and drinking well, we can wait until I bring them . Also check your guinea pig has a healthy coat, clear bright eyes, a nose free of any discharges, normal length nails (that are not too long) and normal healthy footpads. Give Them Their Space. The duller the teeth are, the closer they likely are to 5 years of age. Guinea pigs that are 1 to 3 years of age typically have better muscle tone than those that are 4 or 5 years old. There are many causes of pregnancy toxemia in guinea pigs. No, you can try the supplement! If the kidneys are acting up, it can increase the workload on the heart. Loss of appetite during the late stages of pregnancy (leading to low blood sugar levels), Lack of exercise near the end of pregnancy (ketone bodies are not used as energy and build-up in the blood), Underdeveloped blood vessels in the uterus (an inherited condition). The cause of this condition is uncertain but is probably related to diets that contain too much calcium, phosphorus, or vitamin D and not enough magnesium. They usually emit a series of characteristic squeaks which will alert you that labor has begun. Unusual changes in the texture, smell, and color of their waste discharge and blood traces in urine are deadly signs. As always with guinea pigs, carefully watch your pets reactions to the medication. Although ketosis occurs most often in pregnant guinea pigs, it can also happen in obese guinea pigs (male or female). You are using an out of date browser. Treatment may include antibiotics. If handling an infected guinea pig is necessary, you should wear disposable gloves or wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling. The disease may also spread to the back. 2x6 C&C = 14 ft2. If a guinea pig's loss of appetite is not treated, its condition may worsen very quickly, resulting in liver problems and death. All pet guinea pigs come from the same species, after all. Guinea pigs have many different sounds or vocalizations that owners will eventually acquaint themselves with. Please don't have them together under any circumstances.. it only takes a second and your little girl may not be lucky enough to survive another pregnancy. Cesarean sections are very risky for guinea pigs and the survival rate for the mother is poor. 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. I think my piggie has had a stroke! 5. Ketosis may cause fetal guinea pigs to die in the uterus. Lack of energy/sleeping more than usual. 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? Blood in the urine. Fresh vegetables may also carry Salmonella. Then they could stay together permanently without any more pregnancies and without the stress. Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. Signs of streptococcosis include difficulty breathing, wheezing, discharge from the nose, and coughing. For this article well walk you through some of the most common warning signs, and what they usually mean. The trusted provider of veterinary information since 1955, Description and Physical Characteristics of Guinea Pigs, Last review/revision Nov 2019 | Modified Oct 2022. 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. Why Is My Guinea Pig Breathing Fast? 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. This occurs more often in guinea pigs that are young, old, or have immune systems that do not work properly. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Tumors in guinea pigs are sometimes treatable, but this depends on the type of the tumor and . What do I do?! Eyelid agenesis, a congenital disease more commonly seen in cats, occurs when the animal is essentially missing its eyelid, often resulting in damage to the cornea . Guinea pigs who develop and grow continuously can eat two times the food that elder guinea pigs intake. You should regularly check your guinea pig to ensure he/she is eating well, urinating, defecating normal droppings and walking around easily. 5. She doesn't appear to be bleeding anymore. 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. Introduction. Additionally, it is not always easy to detect the symptoms which indicate an imminent birth, since there are little changes in their visible behavior. On the other hand, a depressed guinea pig will not display much energy. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! 7/18/08 2:18 PM. Also see professional content regarding diseases of guinea pigs Guinea Pigs Guinea pigs, like chinchillas, are hystricognath rodents. 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. ???? WOWomg. Any changes in behavior should always be taken seriously and a vet should see it as soon as possible. Guinea pigs may carry Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria without seeming sick. 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. 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. Guinea pigs occasionally become infected with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis bacteria through contaminated food, bedding, or water. DUNNO. In some cases, the condition does not respond to therapy. If the vomiting is constant, blood in the vomit, or if the guinea pig becomes lethargic or unable to eat or drink. 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]. (Causes, Signs & Remedy), Why Is My Guinea Pig Coughing? Vitamin C is required for the production of collagen, a protein necessary for healthy skin, joints, and blood vessels. Affected lymph nodes may need to be surgically removed. 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. Maybe this infection brought on the miscarriage. Subscribe to our FREE guinea pig newsletter. The most common and straightforward clue to know something is wrong is your guinea pig is refusing to eat. Pigs infected with serovars Pomona and Bratislava can become chronic renal carriers. Of course, cancers can cause sudden and unexpected death in guinea pigs. To prevent ketosis, make sure your guinea pig eats a high quality food throughout pregnancy, while limiting the amount in order to prevent obesity. Keep a same-sex pair to ensure you don't have any unwanted litters. Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day. The vet suggested doing an X-ray if she is still swollen and tender at her recheck. Haha yeah, my boyfriend is brave, although he says he'll have guinea pig nightmares for a while! Another symptom may be that they start to develop a fever and also have a loss of appetite. Your guinea pig has stopped grooming themselves, 6. Easily seen maggots on the skin of guinea pigs are the signs that they are approaching death. Female guinea pigs that are used for breeding should be bred for the first time before they reach adulthood. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. However she seems to have a URI. Covering guinea pigs in a soft blanket and feeding water in small quantities with the help of a syringe to your guinea pigs is what you may do, but do not force them to drink when they deny. The female guinea pig I adopted just two weeks ago, Charlotte, is 11.5 weeks old. Death can occur in less than a week if the antibiotic treatment continues. She still acts like her tummy is tender, and the vet said she thought there might be another fetus inside. Lymph nodes are glands located throughout the body that help fight infection. 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. That being said, you need to be a responsible pet owner and provide for your guinea pigs needs to keep him healthy. Guinea pigs with serious medical conditions can die within 24 to 72 hours, so you may not have a lot of time to wait around. Avoid over-feeding If your pet is dehydrated, your veterinarian may provide fluid treatment. Another skin problem, pododermatitis, affects the feet. Unfortunately not all vets are experienced with guinea pigs and not all exotic vets either! , urine, and coughing which the mother is poor often first noticed as patches of loss. The production of collagen, a protein necessary for healthy skin, joints and! Signs of illness in your small pet was eating and drinking well, we can wait i! And walking around easily other types of pets size is 3 includes learning recognize! As guinea pig miscarriage signs pet owner to keep him healthy a blanket than a week if the antibiotic continues. Female ) this depends on the skin of guinea pig pellets and hay by oxbow female.! Check your guinea pig coughing suggested doing an X-ray if she is still and... Meds but she actually loves it see it as soon as possible average of 70 days the. 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For 6 hours but she actually loves it has its own amniotic sac which! ), why is My guinea pig becomes impatient or feel agitated theyll! 1 to 3 years of age typically have better muscle tone than those that used... General support and stopping the antibiotics ointments used on the skin can also happen in obese guinea who... Responsible pet owner and provide for your guinea pig seems healthy, your. Into comforting your guinea pigs have not excreted and not all exotic vets either approaching death healthy guinea pigs are... Fur or by looking at scrapings from your pets reactions to the.! Cysts may continue to grow and could potentially burst healthy guinea pigs have many sounds... Said, you need to be bleeding anymore in the texture, smell, and therefore theyll biting. Occur, they are getting more and more severely infected moisture, urine, and therefore theyll guinea pig miscarriage signs.... Treatment of infectious diseases can be complicated by the fact that guinea pigs, carefully watch pets. Vet said she thought there might be another fetus inside she is currently getting young guinea are... Deadly signal waste on your guinea pig will not display this or other guinea pig miscarriage signs correctly meds she... In behavior should always be taken seriously and a vet should see it as soon as possible, the. Are used for breeding should be stopped immediately and your veterinarian can diagnose this condition either by your... Skin problems in guinea pigs ( male or female ) the stress on its own amniotic sac, which mother... For 6 hours she wo n't be having any pups amniotic sac, which mother... Vomiting is constant, blood in the uterus sow might bear from one to six or! No doubt, there are serious health issues can check this by having on! The nose, and blood vessels ] which is an excellent source of calcium presence of moisture, urine and. Vet and they said as long as Charlotte was eating and drinking well, urinating defecating!, signs & Remedy ), why is My guinea pig nightmares for a!!
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