This less attention to clean fur is the initial hint of skin issues. So, it is crucial that your guinea pigs must take care of their grooming. Guinea pigs are good at grooming themselves. This is best done by a veterinarian. I hope she gets better. It is observed that before dying, guinea pigs eliminate excessively. Mental and physical factors can be the cause of decreased hunger in guinea pigs. The Spruce / Kristie Lee. Treatment, which is not usually successful in guinea pigs with advanced disease, can include glucose injections at the animal hospital, propylene glycol by mouth, nutritional supplements, and (for pregnant animals) emergency cesarean delivery. Infestations can be minimized or prevented by making sure that living quarters are clean and sanitary and by minimizing your pets stress levels. There are a few physical signs that can indicate that a guinea pig is pregnant, such as enlarged nipples and a change in behavior. She was a bit bloody down in that area, and I gave her a rinse with warm water and dried her off. A metabolic disorder associated with improper calcium levels may also occur during pregnancy. She seems to be pretty young herself, which might be why the pregnancy didnt make it, but Im not sure. Hair loss in guinea pigs has a number of possible causes. Later on in the pregnancy (by day 50-60), though, you will notice that the abdomen is getting bigger. There is nothing to worry about when your elder guinea pigs do not eat much like they used to eat when they were young. Stiffening of this cartilage, the pubic symphysis, limits the spread of the pubic bones. We are sadly still very limited when it comes to things going wrong during pregnancy and birth. Cavy Slave. Barbering may be prevented by separating affected animals, minimizing stress, weaning baby guinea pigs from their mothers early, and feeding animals long-stemmed hay. 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. Ketosis, which may be irreversible, can develop even in guinea pigs that begin to eat again. Any abnormal change in urine and waste of guinea pigs can also be the reason for their death. This bacterium retained pathogenic properties sufficient to cause infection, abortion, and microscopic lesions in two-thirds of the guinea pigs, in spite of high in vitro passage. If a guinea pig's loss of appetite is not treated, its condition may worsen very quickly, resulting in liver problems and death. This parasitic infection is caused by poor hygiene leading to bald spots and hair loss in guinea pigs. 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. They may have a rough hair coat, lose their appetite, lose weight, have diarrhea, become ill, or die suddenly. The male guinea pig is called a boar while the female is called a sow. Toxoplasmosis in newborns may be severe, with a wide list of abnormalities, mostly affecting the brain, eyes, liver, and spleen, and leading to many mental and motor disabilities. Unfortunately not all vets are experienced with guinea pigs and not all exotic vets either! A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. The visit was part of my research on the biopolitical dimensions of culinary nationalism, such as the intensification of guinea pig (or cuy) production and consumption. To confirm the diagnosis, your veterinarian may use ultrasonography or x-rays. 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. If you gently touch the animal's belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. Guinea pigs are very social animals and are at their happiest living with other guinea pigs. By reyes_leonor. Guinea Pigs Are Social. Glad Charlotte is ok - Sorry about the babies. Guinea pig herpes-like virus (GPHLV) is an unassigned species in the family Herpesviridae ( Fauquet, 2005). Aggression. When Odin the guinea pig was adopted, his owners Chris Dunham and Melissa Travis Dunham named him after the one-eyed Norse god due to a diagnosis of eyelid agenesis, which was hindering the little mammal's quality of life. Approximately every five minutes, a new pup will be born. Signs may include a scruffy hair coat or enlarged lymph nodes, liver, or spleen. When your guinea pigs are turning aged or falling ill, you might get worried, assuming that they will die. Guinea pigs don't like surprises- it goes against their prey nature. (Reasons & What To Do). Though guinea pigs who suffer from sickness are likely to show less interest in cleaning themselves. If they do not appear active even in that comfortable environment, they might fall sick, or else they are dying. One of the surest ways to tell if your guinea pig likes you is to try to feed her by hand. What are the signs that your guinea pig is dying? Signs that you might spot which could indicate a guinea pig is unwell include: Reduced appetite. Each guinea pig has its own amniotic sac, which the mother will clean and ingest. How to prevent it: When stroking your guinea pig, try stopping at the middle of their back or just pet them behind their ears instead. The first group, the people in the western world, keep it as a pet for its beautiful appearance, cute demeanor, and docile nature. So try to apply less pressure and perhaps allow them to snuggle inside a sleeping bag while youre having them outside of their cage. If the kidneys are acting up, it can increase the workload on the heart. Our family just got a little girl piggy on Monday. Just make sure your cavy has everything he needs a comfy place to rest, a fresh water bottle, food, and hay. 2x5 C&C = 12ft2. The cysts usually occur in both ovaries, but occasionally only one ovary is affected. Guinea pigs can spread Salmonella infection to humans by direct contact, so appropriate sanitation measures (such as wearing disposable gloves and washing hands thoroughly) should be taken when handling any sick guinea pig. Quickly take them to the veterinarian for treatment. 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. Is It Worth Getting Pet Insurance for Guinea Pigs? In most cases, the small forms are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy. I called the vet and they said as long as Charlotte was eating and drinking well, we can wait until I bring them . JavaScript is disabled. Additionally, it is not always easy to detect the symptoms which indicate an imminent birth, since there are little changes in their visible behavior. This latter type of mite usually infects the inner thighs, shoulders, and neck. The outlook for survival is poor; most guinea pigs only live a few weeks after diagnosis. Register for free to enjoy the full benefits. You are using an out of date browser. However, if your guinea pig leads towards their end of life, you will start noticing some signs beforehand. This footpad inflammation, or pododermatitis, is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that enter the footpads through cuts or scrapes. Guinea pigs have many different sounds or vocalizations that owners will eventually acquaint themselves with. Antibiotic ointments used on the skin can also be toxic to guinea pigs. Your guinea pigs have a hard time catching a breath, 8. Of course, cancers can cause sudden and unexpected death in guinea pigs. But do not just fix it around them. In severely affected animals, the affected areas may become infected, which can cause the animals to lose weight, have low energy, or run around the cage. Guinea pigs have their own peculiar ways of saying enough is enough, and for a human these warning signs arent always easy to decipher. Its not exhaustive but it does list the vets and practices where members have noted they have been cavy savvy. [5] Alfalfa hay is high in calories and calcium. Theres really no other way to gain an understanding for your guinea pigs, than to observe them carefully and take note of their behavior. Antibiotics should only be used when absolutely necessary because their use can worsen the imbalance of bacteria in the digestive tract. Watch any guinea pig receiving antibiotic treatment carefully. Symptoms of LCMV infection include fever, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue and stiffness in the neck -- an illness not unlike the flu. Guinea pigs without signs of illness may carry Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria in the nose or throat. I believe it is theoretically possible for one horn to miscarry but the other horn continue but I can't help but believe it is incredibly unlikely. Animals cant tell you when theyre feeling sick and, even if they could, they probably wouldnt. Chewing their cage bars. Common reproductive problems in guinea pigs involve the ovaries or mammary glands (breasts). yolk sac involution, development of a subplacenta). Treatment is usually with topical medication. Ringworm usually goes away on its own in healthy guinea pigs. If you bought a cage from a pet store, it's probably too small. A guinea pig that has a rough hair coat, is off his food, has diarrhea, is reluctant to walk, seems painful, has swollen feet or joints, or has hemorrhages and ulcers on its gums or skin, is likely to be deficient in vitamin C. "Guinea pigs and primates cannot manufacture their own vitamin C; therefore, they must take in vitamin C in their diets." Please confirm that you are a health care professional. Take your guinea pigs to a vet and consult them about the issues which make you worried about your pets. 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. You are using an out of date browser. One guinea pig can infect another by direct contact or by sneezing or coughing. Animals with severe pododermatitis may require amputation of the affected area to avoid more serious complications. These diseases have their characteristics like bald spots on the skin, dandruff, or formation of scales and peeling of skin in thin pieces. Intestinal parasites are not common. How to prevent it: When stroking your guinea pig, try stopping at the middle of their back or just pet them behind their ears instead. 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