Guinea Pig Healthcare

Keeping your guinea pig healthy is a must. Guinea pigs are quite sturdy animals but if they become sick, with my experience of it they, must have immediate attention or they will become weak and will then die.

Keeping a good healthy guinea pig

nutritious, balanced diet and fresh water

space to exercise and play

a clean, dry house with no drafts

comfortable temperature {not to hot or cold}

a relaxed not to boisterous environment

hideaways and a sleeping compartment

wooden chew toys healthy, good length teeth

an interesting toy selection so they don't get bored

other guinea pigs or guinea pig

lots of love and attention from you and your family

If your guinea pig does get sick you should contact your vet straight away. The earlier the illness is noticed the more chance of recovery your guinea pig has. But from experience, even if your guinea pigs are well cared for or the illness is noticed early sometime they don't always pull through. After the illness or infection has passed, disinfect everything to make sure no other guinea pigs or guinea pig doesn't get sick to. If your guinea pig has bright eyes, good coat, robust and hasn't got discharge coming from nose or eyes they are most likely healthy.

Illnesses and problems to look out for:

The tooth opposite the broken tooth becomes overgrown and damages the mouth causing pain and makes the guinea pig stop eating.
Cancer, sick no appetite, weight loss, depression, inactivity, sometimes lumps that are visible.
Dehydration, when the skin is pulled up it is slow to fall back into place; lethargy; weakness
dental malocclusion, protruding or misdirected front teeth, overgrown cheek teeth, loss of appetite, inability to eat, drooling, weight loss, painful mouth, "lumps."
Diarrhea, soft mucous or liquid feces, odor, wet around anus, dehydration, poor appetite, weight loss, lethargy, hunched up position, distended abdomen
Ear problems, scratching, head shaking, loss of balance, head tilted to one side, pain
Eye problems, discharge{runny eyes}, or cloudy dull eyes
Hair loss, areas of balding or patchy hair
Heat stroke, hot, weak, unresponsive, comatose
Lumps, large abscesses filled with puss in cervical lymph nodes; looks like mumps; abscesses may re-occur
Musculoskeletal problems, pain, lameness, paralysis, stiffness, weight loss, lack of appetite, lethargy
Nails, torn or damaged nails could become infected and may bleed
Pod dermatitis, sores and ulcers on the bottom of feet; pain; inability to walk
Respiratory problems, wheezing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, discharge from nose and eyes, loss of appetite, inactivity, weight loss
Skin problems, loss of hair, sores, flakey or moist skin, redness, oozing, itching, scratching, infection, weight loss
Trauma, inactivity, loss of appetite, inability to walk or sit or lie normally, broken bones, bleeding, swelling, pain
Once again if your guinea pig does have something wrong contact your vet immedeatly, don't let your animal suffer.