Here we can see, “How to Treat the Top 5 Guinea Pig Diseases”
Guinea pigs are wonderful pets. However, while guinea pigs are generally healthy animals, they are susceptible to several ailments. You’ll be better prepared to spot signs and symptoms that your guinea pig is sick if you know the most frequent ailments.
Common Guinea Pig Illnesses and Their Signs and Symptoms
Every guinea pig is unique, and even the five most frequent health problems can manifest differently in various animals. Any changes in behavior, hunger, excretion (urination and feces), or other daily behaviors should be noted. In addition, physical changes such as hair loss, skin redness, or edema should be noted. If you feel something is wrong with your pet guinea pig, keep an eye on any changes and consult your doctor.
Ileus
Guinea pigs need to eat and defecate all of the time. If you notice your guinea pig hasn’t eaten its food and is passing fewer and smaller stools, your guinea pig may be suffering from ileus. When gas builds up in the gastrointestinal tract, it causes ileus (stomach and intestines). Gas cannot leave the body due to a lack of normal peristalsis and no food entering the digestive system. This is inconvenient and even life-threatening. If you suspect ileus in your guinea pig, seek medical help right once so it can be diagnosed and administered the appropriate treatments.
Secondarily, ileus might be induced by an underlying sickness or stressor, causing your guinea pig to cease eating. Keep an eye on your pet’s food consumption and be aware of any changes that may have occurred.
Ectoparasites
Your guinea pig may have lice or mites if it’s losing hair and scratching a lot. You might become itchy just thinking about having these items in your house, let alone on your guinea pig. However, lice and mites are quite simple to avoid and treat. Itching and hair loss are common symptoms of lice and Demodex mange bugs. Lice and their eggs are commonly found in bald patches behind your guinea pig’s ears, while mites can be found all over the body under a microscope. If you suspect any of these parasites, see your veterinarian determine the best course of action.
Guinea pigs can pass parasites to one another and pick them up through toys and bedding. If any new guinea pigs appear to have skin issues, be cautious before introducing them. Make it a practice to freeze food or bedding for a day before putting it in the cage. The freezing temperatures will kill any parasites that may have been hiding in the packages.
Ovarian and Uterine Diseases
It is strongly advised that you spay your female guinea pig. If she lives with a male, she will be able to keep the population under control and avoid having many litters of guinea pigs. In addition, females frequently develop uterine and ovarian concerns, including malignancies, and having your female spayed can help prevent these problems. Even after the disease has been detected, the uterus and ovaries can sometimes be removed, but cancer has spread to other body parts, making it untreatable. Your exotics vet can perform a complete ovariohysterectomy on your guinea pig to prevent uterine and ovarian problems, exactly like a dog or cat. While some guinea pig owners cannot justify the cost of the surgery, others see the value in having their guinea pigs for longer periods and not having to pay for emergency treatment when their pig becomes ill.
Diseases of the Lungs
Guinea pigs are sensitive to cold air draughts and, if you have a tiny guinea pig, can easily acquire an upper respiratory infection or even pneumonia. Bordetella bronchiseptica can be acquired via your dog, cat, or pet rabbit. Keep an eye on your guinea pig’s cage and make sure it’s away from draughts, open doors, and open windows. This simple step will reduce their chances of contracting a respiratory infection. After handling other animals, such as guinea pigs in pet stores, your dog or cat coughing or sneezing, and even your rabbit, wash your hands. It’s important to keep your germs to yourself if you or your family are sick.
Uroliths
Uroliths, often known as bladder stones, are frequent in the bladders of pet guinea pigs. They give your pet pain and discomfort, and you may notice that their urine is frequently red due to the irritation caused by the stone. If you observe infrequent urination or bloody pee, contact your veterinarian straight away so they can run some tests to figure out what’s going on. Bladder stones are frequently discovered on radiographs to rule out ileus and must be surgically removed.
Disease Prevention
Ailments in guinea pigs might be difficult to diagnose. Keeping a careful eye on your guinea pig is the greatest way to keep it healthy. Check that it is eating and defecating, wash your hands before and after handling it, freeze your pet’s bedding and food before using it, and keep it out of draughts. These steps can help you avoid the majority of the most prevalent ailments in guinea pigs, while there are a variety of other diseases that can harm them as well. An annual physical examination with your exotics vet is usually recommended to rule out anything else or look for internal concerns.
User Questions
What antibiotic is best for a guinea pig?
Chloramphenicol and enrofloxacin are two antibiotics that are recommended for guinea pigs. In addition, Bordetella vaccinations produced for other species, particularly pigs, have been shown to work in guinea pigs.
What is the best way to care for a sick guinea pig?
Hospitalization and supportive care, such as intravenous fluids and syringe feeding, may be required for sick guinea pigs and surgery to remove the stones. In addition, annual veterinary examinations can help uncover problems in guinea pigs, such as urinary tract stones, before they become life-threatening emergencies.
In guinea pigs, what does doxycycline treat?
Antichlamydial therapy with doxycycline (5 mg/kg, PO, twice a day for 10 days) is the treatment of choice, which usually results in complete recovery. However, Guinea pigs develop a short-lived immunity to C caviae and may be susceptible to reinfection after a short time.
Can you give guinea pigs human antibiotics?
Antibiotics should not be given to your guinea pig unless you have been specifically instructed by a veterinarian knowledgeable about your pet.
Can a guinea pig overdose?
If you suspect your guinea pig has eaten too much Metacam (an overdose), or if another pet had taken it when it wasn’t recommended for them, contact your veterinarian right once. Tell the veterinary surgeon everything that happened, including how much and when.
Conclusion
I hope you found this helpful guide. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to use the form below.
