Health

Health

There are many different health problems that guinea pigs face, but most can be avoided by good diet and a healthy lifestyle. The rest need medical attention, so quick attention by a vet is vital. Although there are no specific vaccinations that your guinea pig should have, there are viruses and infectious diseases which can make your pet very unwell. Once they become ill, guinea pigs can deteriorate very quickly, so if you think your pet is off-colour, always see your vet as soon as possible.

Medical Emergencies

Poorly guinea pigs will often show a set of non-specific symptoms. As soon as you see any of the symptoms on this list, which may be a sign of serious problems, take your guinea pig to the vet as soon as possible:

Refusal to eat or drink; lethargy; difficult or laboured breathing; sneezing; crusty eyes; limping; loss of balance; excessive scratching; hair loss; uncontrollable bleeding; extreme drop in body temperature; diarrhoea; blood present in urine; signs of temporary paralysis.

You should also know that penicillin-based medication is poisonous to guinea pigs.

Problems caused by poor diet

The following problems are often due to poor diet, lack of exercise and lack of general care. They're easily avoided by giving your guinea pigs the right food and plenty of exercise and, most importantly, by carrying out regular health checks. For a guide, see page X.

Dental problems

Your guinea pigs’ teeth will continue to grow all their lives and overgrown teeth can be the cause of potentially fatal health problems - typical symptoms are excessive drooling and loss of appetite.

To wear down your guinea pigs’ teeth and help to keep them healthy, feed a naturally-abrasive, fibre-rich food like Burgess Excel Herbage or Forage and check the teeth regularly – see page X for more details.

Hypovitaminosis C

This condition is more commonly known as scurvy and it stems from a lack of vitamin C. It's something that your guinea pigs can't produce naturally and the result can be lameness, loss of teeth, rough coat, loss of hair, pain on handling and anorexia. So you must be absolutely sure your pets’ diet compensates - check that the nugget food you're feeding them has added vitamin C. There are extremely high levels of protected vitamin C in Burgess Excel Tasty Nuggets for Guinea Pigs. Incidentally, this is why you should never feed your guinea pigs on rabbit food – there's nowhere near enough vitamin C in it for a guinea pig’s needs.

General problems

Abscesses – guinea pigs are very susceptible to abscesses which can be caused by knocks or fights.

Skin complaints – these are very common, particularly mange, which is caused by a mite burrowing under the skin. Look for the symptoms: little raised spots which are itchy and cause your pet to scratch, and that leads to scabs and loss of hair. Always see your vet for a correct diagnosis and treatment.

Health Checks

Every guinea pig is different, and it's good to get to know how. Once you're familiar with your pets’ normal habits and behaviour, it will be easier to spot when they're ill.

You can help to maintain your pets’ good health by learning to do some simple health checks every week. It's a good way to increase the bond between you and these quick and easy checks are best done when your guinea pig is feeling comfortable and relaxed – you might find that an Excel Nature Snack helps.

And never forget: if in doubt, always consult your vet immediately.

Ears – gently look inside and make sure they're clean and free from mites and fleas.

Eyes – make sure the eyes are clear and shiny. Dull, swollen eyes are often a sign of illness and can lead to blindness.

Teeth – check to make sure there isn't any excessive drooling which can be a sign of dental problems. Be careful with this health check: your pet might not be comfortable with having its mouth inspected and may bite.

Feet – gently hold and feel the feet to make sure you pet hasn't injured itself. Check their claws too – they need to be clipped to keep them at a safe length; ask your vet to show you how to do this properly.

Fur – gently feel and look to check that there are no bald patches, no signs of mites or fleas and no injuries.

Weight – weigh your pet on a regular basis to see that it is maintaining a constant weight that is healthy for its age. Regular visits to your vet will tell you what the weight should be. Watching the scales is important – obesity is a serious illness that can lead to other health problems.