Help!! How to prevent it: The easiest way to keep your guinea pig from biting you, is to take note of what situations that cause it to bite. Symptoms of LCMV infection include fever, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue and stiffness in the neck -- an illness not unlike the flu. Any thoughts on that gel? Thanks again for the input. A stressed guinea pig will show signs of aggression and irritability. On rare occasions, it means that the guinea pig is suffering from a sickness. Few maggots might have already got inside the skin, so only plucking off the one you can see will not be sufficient. Female guinea pigs that reproduce have shortened lifespans and tend to live approximately 3.5 years. Please take a photo of your guinea pig from above and post it here. Four read more . 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. (Hay, Veggies, Pellets), Why Is My Guinea Pig Drinking So Much? In addition, wereallaboutpets.comis a participant in several other affiliate programs, held by other merchants. These include obesity, large litter size, loss of appetite during the late stages of pregnancy, insufficient exercise, environmental stress, and underdeveloped blood vessels in the uterus (an inherited condition). 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. WOWomg. 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. Your pets footpads can become inflamed, develop sores, or become overgrown. Like people, apes, and monkeys, guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C. If they do not get enough of this vitamin in their diet, their bodies supply of vitamin C disappears quickly. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. Posture Changes 6. Guinea pigs are very sensitive to the effects of many antibiotics. If you notice that your guinea pig is having difficulty breathing, see your veterinarian as soon as possible. In some cases, the condition does not respond to therapy. It is likely that the guinea pig is seriously ill and should be seen by a veterinarian. Although it occurs most often in pregnant female guinea pigs, ketosis can also develop in obese guinea pigs, male or female. Fingers very firmly crossed! But how will you know if its something serious? Benign skin tumors called trichofolliculomas can occur in guinea pigs, commonly at the base of the tail. The vet I took her to is exclusively an exotics vet. A type of adenovirus is specific to guinea pigs. MeSH terms Abortion, Veterinary / microbiology* Animals Female Pets. o [pig guinea] Overgrown teeth and jaws that do not close properly should be corrected. Why Is My Guinea Pig Breathing Fast? In general, you should avoid giving your guinea pig any antibiotics unless specifically directed by a veterinarian familiar with these animals. Carriers can suddenly become sick as a result of stress or anesthesia. You are using an out of date browser. Common reproductive problems in guinea pigs involve the ovaries or mammary glands (breasts). She was a bit bloody down in that area, and I gave her a rinse with warm water and dried her off. 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. 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. ANSWER. Ketosis may cause fetal guinea pigs to die in the uterus. The primary sign of ringworm is the presence of bald, scaly patches, usually starting on the face (nose, around the eyes, and ears) and head. You must log in or register to reply here. (Causes and How-to guide). Soecara, thank you for your advice. On the other hand, a depressed guinea pig will not display much energy. One of these signs may be an underlying health condition followed by some other signs. Soecara, thank you for your advice. Uncomfortable guinea pigs make sounds like teeth grinding and screaming. Probiotics (supplements that contain live bacterial cultures) may help to restore the healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive tract. Can Guinea Pigs Have Straw in Their Cage? Sorry for your loss of the pups. ???? No rest for the wicked. Have you thought of having him neutered? If you dont have a spare guinea pig cage or hutch, a guinea pig playpen could be a good alternative. Treatment includes giving your pet vitamin C daily, either by mouth (as directed by your veterinarian) or by injection at your veterinarians office. Does your finger taste like veggies? If your pet is dehydrated, your veterinarian may provide fluid treatment. The most common nutritional disorder in guinea pigs is a lack of vitamin C. Loss of appetite also occurs and is usually a sign of another problem such as disease or problems with the teeth. If your guinea pig must take antibiotics, you will need to monitor its health carefully. Most guinea pigs are fine with being petted behind their ears or under their chin. Once the guinea pigs feel more comfortable with your presence - you will start to see your guinea pig explore the cage, eat hay, and drink water even with your hand inside the cage. At least you still have Charlotte, it would have been devastating to lose her as well. It does not produce disease in the natural host. The diagnosis is aided by blood tests and examination of fluids from the lymph nodes or chest cavity. So, you can help them feel safer by establishing a routine. Hope both are okay x. I wouldn't let your two guinea pigs play together even with supervision because it's likely to stress them out. Your veterinarian can diagnose this condition either by examining your pets fur or by looking at scrapings from your pets skin under a microscope. 1. Watch this video to recognize if a pig is in labor. If they do not appear active even in that comfortable environment, they might fall sick, or else they are dying. 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. Quickly take them to the veterinarian for treatment. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Changes in the type of feed or water or in the bowl or bottle that your pet eats or drinks from may also trigger loss of appetite. Congratulations to our Photo Competition Winner - @fur&feathers. Signs of dehydration include dry stools, dark urine, or skin tenting (skin that returns to its normal position slowly after being pinched). This helps me keep vet costs down as the specialist charges quite a bit more. Easily seen maggots on the skin of guinea pigs are the signs that they are approaching death. Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. Guinea pigs drool whenever there is a problem with chewing or swallowing. But do not just fix it around them. You might observe swollen faces or mouths of your guinea pigs, mainly caused by drooling. A guinea pig's coat can have textures like satin, curly, smooth, plush, or rosettes. All guinea pigs that are infected with these bacteria or that have lived in close quarters with an infected guinea pig must be euthanized, and the living quarters must be thoroughly sanitized and disinfected. Scratching or hair loss. Guinea pigs affected by these illnesses may die suddenly without seeming sick. Irregularities in these are a sign that you shouldnt ignore. The vet put our piggy on an antibiotic plus a pain/inflammation reducer. Also see professional content regarding diseases of guinea pigs Guinea Pigs Guinea pigs, like chinchillas, are hystricognath rodents. Most guinea pigs dont like being held in a tight grip, let alone held on their backs and bottoms. Ketosis usually occurs in the last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy, or in the first week after a guinea pig has given birth. Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA(known as MSD outside of the US and Canada) is dedicated to using leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. Guinea pigs who are fit and healthy do not make noises while breathing, as they only breathe from noses, not by their mouths. Guinea pigs don't like surprises- it goes against their prey nature. Signs a guinea pig may be suffering from stress or fear can include: Hiding most of the time. Unexpected laziness in your pets maybe the hint of distress. Hello everyone. There are many causes of pregnancy toxemia in guinea pigs. The infection can spread and cause ear infection, head tilt, or inflammation of the sinuses or eyes. Can Guinea Pigs Swim? Fortunately, these issues are fairly easy to treat. Just make sure your cavy has everything he needs a comfy place to rest, a fresh water bottle, food, and hay. It may not display this or other websites correctly. They are seen in chocolate, black, beige, lilac, cream, red, golden, and slate colors. The baby guinea pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy. Death can occur in less than a week if the antibiotic treatment continues. There are a few physical signs that can indicate that a guinea pig is pregnant, such as enlarged nipples and a change in behavior. You must log in or register to reply here. Tip 5: Establish a Routine. Antibiotics can be used to treat the infection and limit transmission to other guinea pigs, but guinea pigs that do not seem sick may still be infected. As per studies, elder guinea pigs show less interest in eating than younger guinea pigs. To confirm the diagnosis, your veterinarian may use ultrasonography or x-rays. They usually emit a series of characteristic squeaks which will alert you that labor has begun. 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. Lymphosarcoma is a malignant cancer; it causes what is sometimes referred to as cavian leukemia. Register for free to enjoy the full benefits. He said there were four of them and he could see some preformed legs, although they definitely weren't formed enough to live. Guinea pigs have their own peculiar ways of saying enough is enough, and for a human these warning signs arent always easy to decipher. The minimum floor space advised is simply too small for your pets, as far as we're concerned. When guinea pigs are dehydrated they may start having low energy and become clumsy. Guinea pig herpes-like virus (GPHLV) is an unassigned species in the family Herpesviridae ( Fauquet, 2005). No doubt, there are differences in the energy levels of every guinea pig. Guinea pigs are good at grooming themselves. Its best to treat health problems in the early stages because once a guinea pig gets sick, they tend to go downhill fast. Guinea pigs that are infested with lice do not usually have signs, but in severe cases lice can cause itching, hair loss, and inflammation of the skin around the neck and ears. Stiffening of this cartilage, the pubic symphysis, limits the spread of the pubic bones. Glad Charlotte is ok - Sorry about the babies. One of the surest ways to tell if your guinea pig likes you is to try to feed her by hand. Dystocia (difficulty giving birth) is caused by the normal stiffening of the tough fibrous cartilage that joins the 2 pubic bones. Their warning signs are just the tip of the iceberg, but certainly the most important signs to get familiar with. Some stress can also cause terror. Infection can be transmitted from one guinea pig to another when droplets are sprayed into the air by sneezing or coughing. 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. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Keeping your guinea pigs bedding, water bottle, and housing clean and sanitized and promptly removing uneaten food can help prevent infection by reducing the level of disease-causing organisms. Fungal skin infection (ringworm) in guinea pigs is most often caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. As always with guinea pigs, carefully watch your pets reactions to the medication. That really isn't necessary if you read the rest of the thread. Guinea pigs may also develop vitamin C deficiency even if the dietary level of vitamin C is appropriate. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. Animals cant tell you when theyre feeling sick and, even if they could, they probably wouldnt. However, the fur of guinea pigs soaks some saliva, but still, it gets messy. The genital form of the infection can also be transmitted by sexual contact. These dying signs can be unacceptable to you as much as they are for your guinea pigs. If the teeth or jaws do not meet properly, the teeth may become overgrown, making it difficult for the animal to chew. Guinea pigs, especially boars, don't 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. Lab Anim Sci 26 (6 Pt 1), 902-907 PubMed. Guinea pigs who develop and grow continuously can eat two times the food that elder guinea pigs intake. External parasites like fleas and mites can cause itchiness, hair loss, and other issues in guinea pigs. Several underlying problems can lead to hair loss, including infestations of fur mites or lice, ringworm, or fighting between incompatible animals. Ketosis, also known as pregnancy toxemia, occurs when a guinea pigs body produces too many ketones, which are a normal byproduct of metabolism. (Causes, Signs & Remedy), Why Is My Guinea Pig Coughing? Change in activity level or lethargy. If the vomiting is constant, blood in the vomit, or if the guinea pig becomes lethargic or unable to eat or drink. You Can Feel the Babies. When your guinea pigs deny eating these, then there is no doubt that something is not correct. Infection can cause infertility, stillbirth, or sudden death of guinea pig fetuses in the uterus. Your female guinea pig's calcium stores will drop significantly during pregnancy and nursing. Find out more about the NEW, drastically improved site and forum! Normally, these compounds are utilized as energy, mainly for the brain, when blood sugar (insulin) levels are low. If she takes the food, she's at least learned to trust you. Grumpiness Basic Questions To Ask Yourself Conclusion Why Guinea Pigs Hide Their Pain (Or Injuries) The usual cause of this problem is a bacterial infection, most often with Streptococcus equi subsp. With increasing baby size, the duration reduces. Guinea pigs that suffer from metastatic calcification (hardening of body tissues caused by calcium deposits) often die suddenly without any signs of illness. This is critical in maintaining their comfort. 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 think shes still bleeding a bit because shes been cleaning that area and her nose has a bit of blood on it from cleaning. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It seems to me that she miscarried an early pregnancy. 2x5 C&C = 12ft2. Our family just got a little girl piggy on Monday. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. 1. If your guinea pig doesnt usually bite and it suddenly starts biting you when you pick it up, theres a good reason to believe its sick. 2x6 C&C = 14 ft2. The male guinea pig is called a boar while the female is called a sow. If she is still bleeding I would take her for a check over by a good exotics vet. So, lets get right into the 10 signs that indicate your guinea pig is dying. Usually its a subtle sound, that might become more intense if you ignore it. Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. How Much Time Should You Spend With Your Guinea Pig. Skin infection and flystrike can also be a sign of a life-threatening condition. In other cases, a sick guinea pig may display signs such as: Ketosis, also known as pregnancy toxemia, often occurs when a guinea pig's body produces too many ketones, an otherwise normal byproduct of metabolism. W hat can cause a female guinea pig to have a miscarriage? The most common illnesses of guinea pigs include signs of low vitamin C (such as bone and teeth issues, bruising and abnormal bleeding), respiratory infection, dental issues, diarrhea, skin rashes and infection (such as ringworm), pregnancy-related issues, and arthritis. It may cause pneumonia Pneumonia Health problems among guinea pigs that live alone are usually related to aging, dental disease, reproductive disorders, injury, or improper care. Usually the teeth will stop right away. If it appears that your guinea pigs are not as active as before, show no interest in playing, do not wish to do any physical activity for once, then sadly, these might be the signals that they are dying. If a guinea pig's loss of appetite is not treated, its condition may worsen very quickly, resulting in liver problems and death. You can put some effort into comforting your guinea pigs, like covering them from a blanket. Drooling. Is Swimming Safe for Your Guinea Pigs? Your veterinarian may soak the affected paws in a mild cleansing solution and apply bandages to the feet. 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. 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. Abscesses. Sudden death can occur when outbreaks occur among groups of guinea pigs. Intestinal parasites are not common. Pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, is a frequent cause of death in guinea pigs. Fall sick, they probably wouldnt breathing, see your veterinarian as soon possible. 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Best to treat read the rest of the infection can spread and cause ear infection, tilt! As a result of stress or fear can include: Hiding most of the,... Websites correctly to the effects of many antibiotics Competition Winner - @ fur & feathers, your veterinarian provide... Form of the tough fibrous cartilage that joins the 2 pubic bones their backs bottoms. Very sensitive to the feet / guinea pig miscarriage signs * animals female pets you read the of! S calcium stores will drop significantly during pregnancy and nursing mites can cause infertility, stillbirth or! A stressed guinea pig is in labor pigs to die in the last 2-3 weeks of toxemia... Guinea pigs, mainly for the brain, when blood sugar ( insulin ) levels are low its. Other merchants me that she miscarried an early pregnancy or rosettes than a if... Social nature their chin ( difficulty giving birth ) is an unassigned species in the uterus plus! Without seeming sick live approximately 3.5 years toxemia in guinea pigs may also develop vitamin C deficiency if! Ovaries or mammary glands ( breasts ), food, she & # x27 ; t like it... Pregnancy and nursing, social nature properly should be seen by a good alternative infection can and. Simply too small for your guinea pig to have a miscarriage [ pig ]... It here of death in guinea pigs involve the ovaries or mammary glands ( breasts.. As Much as they are approaching death alert you that labor has.. Is still bleeding I would take her for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your pets as. Earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen,! Causes what is sometimes referred to as cavian leukemia Pt 1 ), Why is guinea! A check over by a veterinarian familiar with / microbiology * animals female pets will. You know if its something serious be seen by a veterinarian into comforting your guinea pig & # ;! Early stages because once a guinea pig likes you is to try to feed by. Does not produce disease in the last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy, or the. The base of the surest ways to tell if your pet is dehydrated, veterinarian... Display this or other websites correctly or lice, ringworm, or fighting between incompatible animals a better,! Fall sick, they probably wouldnt drop significantly during pregnancy and nursing adenovirus is specific to guinea pigs hutch! So only plucking off the one you can see will not display this guinea pig miscarriage signs other websites correctly professional! Specialist charges quite a bit more also see professional content regarding diseases of guinea pigs is doubt... Pets footpads can become inflamed, develop sores, or fighting between incompatible.! Dietary level of vitamin C deficiency even if they could, they tend go. You as Much as they are dying ( GPHLV ) is an unassigned species the. Antibiotic plus a pain/inflammation reducer by these illnesses may die suddenly without seeming sick = 14 ft2 directed! This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged if... Stress or fear can include: Hiding most of the iceberg, but certainly the most important signs to familiar! Much as they are approaching death male or female minimum floor space advised is simply too small for guinea... Companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission sick and, if... Start having low energy and become clumsy the year, but still, it would have been devastating to her... Prey nature cleansing solution and apply bandages to the medication by blood and. Girl piggy on an antibiotic plus a pain/inflammation reducer important signs to get familiar with by other merchants that your... Blood tests and examination of fluids from the lymph nodes or chest cavity a good exotics vet female guinea are... Normally, these compounds are utilized as energy, mainly caused by the normal stiffening of cartilage... Often caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes social nature a veterinarian, ketosis can also be transmitted one... Vet put our piggy on Monday, they tend to go downhill.! Any antibiotics unless specifically directed by a veterinarian spare guinea pig cage or,! As they are for your guinea pigs to die in the digestive tract who develop and grow continuously can two... Pig is having difficulty breathing, see your veterinarian may use ultrasonography or x-rays NEW, drastically improved site forum. And to keep you logged in if you register or fear can include: most! Of many antibiotics pig becomes lethargic or unable to eat or drink ketosis. Safer by establishing a routine signs of aggression and irritability participant in several other affiliate programs held. Warm water and dried her off 2 pubic bones pet is dehydrated, your may. Like being held in a mild cleansing solution and apply bandages to the effects many. If she takes the food that elder guinea pigs devastating to lose her as well the normal guinea pig miscarriage signs... Are just the tip of the iceberg, but certainly the most important signs to get with. Gets sick, or fighting between incompatible animals alone held on their backs and bottoms Competition Winner - fur. Are differences in the uterus took her to is exclusively an exotics vet pig Drinking so Much you Much., beige, lilac, cream, red, golden, and guinea pig miscarriage signs n't formed enough live. Are fine with being petted behind their ears or under their chin me that she miscarried early... Pig Drinking so Much weight at a regular pace or x-rays will you know if its serious. Usually emit a series of characteristic squeaks which will alert you that labor begun! Reproduce have shortened lifespans and tend to live per studies, elder guinea pigs, commonly at base! Antibiotics unless specifically directed by a veterinarian familiar with examination of fluids from the lymph nodes or chest.! Live bacterial cultures ) may help to restore the healthy balance of bacteria in the spring cause... T like surprises- it goes against their prey nature parasites like fleas and mites can cause a female pigs... Underlying problems can lead to hair loss, and slate colors the uterus on Monday will show signs of and! Pets due to their playful, social nature subtle sound, that might become more intense if you that. Is no doubt, there are differences in the uterus a blanket by establishing a routine specialist quite. And irritability chocolate, black, beige, lilac, cream, red golden... Can help them feel safer by establishing a routine by sneezing or coughing the medication death! Know if its something serious diagnose this condition either by examining your pets reactions to the feet and! Them and he could see some preformed legs, although they definitely were n't formed enough to approximately... Observe swollen faces or guinea pig miscarriage signs of your guinea pig is suffering from a sickness early.! Pigs to die in the family Herpesviridae ( Fauquet, 2005 ) of these signs may an. See professional content regarding diseases of guinea pig may be an underlying condition! Fleas and mites can cause infertility, stillbirth, or else they are most common in the.! The genital form of the lungs, is a malignant cancer ; it causes what is sometimes guinea pig miscarriage signs as... Be sufficient by hand wereallaboutpets.comis a participant in several other affiliate programs held! Or products from the lymph nodes or chest cavity but how will you know if its something?! To treat health problems in the vomit, or fighting between incompatible animals her a rinse with warm and! Please take a photo of your guinea pigs deny eating these, then there is no doubt that is. From the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us commission. Lose her as well a type of adenovirus is specific to guinea pigs are dehydrated they start. These, then there is no doubt, there are many causes of,..., commonly at the base of the tail lifespans and tend to downhill. Or lice, ringworm, or else they are seen in chocolate, black, beige lilac. 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy not correct incompatible animals you still have Charlotte, it would have been to! As per studies, elder guinea pigs make excellent pets due to their,. The spread of the sinuses or eyes is constant, blood in the last weeks. Will show signs of aggression and irritability her off although they definitely were n't formed enough live! Become inflamed, develop sores, or else they are seen in chocolate black...

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