Common guinea pig illnesses and how to treat them and how to chose a good vet
Hi readers, I thought that this would be a good post with summer coming up. Remember that this is not a substitute for vetinary advice so always get your guinea pig to a vet if it has anything that I put as serious.
Wounds
This could happen when they're playing or if they get bitten. Always ask your vet for advice. Most minor injuries can be treated with a saline solution(salt and hot water, let the water cool down!). Serious injuries should be treated by a vet but try to keep the wound clean until you get there. Sometimes serious.
Parasites
Common parasites are: Lice, Mites and Fungal infections. Fungal infections can occur if they are stressed or passed from other animals like dog and cats. Treatments can involve: Medicated shampoo, Mild insecticide powder or small animal spot on preparation. Don't use cat or dog treatments as they can be fatal for guinea pigs. Serious.
Repository infections
Guinea pigs are prone to chest infections and if left untreated can be fatal. If they do recover they can still pass it onto other guinea pigs. They can also catch the illness from rabbits and puppies who carry the infection but aren't ill themselves. Guinea pigs are more prone to illness if kept in damp, overcrowded or fed the wrong diet. Serious.
Dental problems
As all of your guinea pigs teeth grow continuously through their whole life. To wear their teeth down they need hay, pellets, grass and veggies. To help their teeth make sure they have vitamin C and fibre. Serious.
Vitamin C deficiency
This can cause skin, teeth and bone problems. Good ways to make ssure they get Vitamin C is bell peppers and guinea pig pellets. Serious.
Eye problems
If your guinea pig has something in it's eye it will water and can look like it's eyelid has inflated. Bramble has had this so actually have experienced it and I know what to do. Make a saline solution the same way as for wounds and using a piece of cotton wool gently drip some onto the eye. The piggie probably won't like it but it should work. Non serious.
Choosing a good vet
Even though guinea pigs rarely need to go to the vet it always a good idea to go to one for claw and teeth trims. A good vet should know how to care for guinea pigs and other exotics. Go online and search vets in your area and go to their websites and see if they have info about their vets and what their specialise in. The best type of vet is an exotics vet who has studied them specially.
I hope you find this helpful,
Book Worm :)
Wounds
This could happen when they're playing or if they get bitten. Always ask your vet for advice. Most minor injuries can be treated with a saline solution(salt and hot water, let the water cool down!). Serious injuries should be treated by a vet but try to keep the wound clean until you get there. Sometimes serious.
Parasites
Common parasites are: Lice, Mites and Fungal infections. Fungal infections can occur if they are stressed or passed from other animals like dog and cats. Treatments can involve: Medicated shampoo, Mild insecticide powder or small animal spot on preparation. Don't use cat or dog treatments as they can be fatal for guinea pigs. Serious.
Repository infections
Guinea pigs are prone to chest infections and if left untreated can be fatal. If they do recover they can still pass it onto other guinea pigs. They can also catch the illness from rabbits and puppies who carry the infection but aren't ill themselves. Guinea pigs are more prone to illness if kept in damp, overcrowded or fed the wrong diet. Serious.
Dental problems
As all of your guinea pigs teeth grow continuously through their whole life. To wear their teeth down they need hay, pellets, grass and veggies. To help their teeth make sure they have vitamin C and fibre. Serious.
Vitamin C deficiency
This can cause skin, teeth and bone problems. Good ways to make ssure they get Vitamin C is bell peppers and guinea pig pellets. Serious.
Eye problems
If your guinea pig has something in it's eye it will water and can look like it's eyelid has inflated. Bramble has had this so actually have experienced it and I know what to do. Make a saline solution the same way as for wounds and using a piece of cotton wool gently drip some onto the eye. The piggie probably won't like it but it should work. Non serious.
Choosing a good vet
Even though guinea pigs rarely need to go to the vet it always a good idea to go to one for claw and teeth trims. A good vet should know how to care for guinea pigs and other exotics. Go online and search vets in your area and go to their websites and see if they have info about their vets and what their specialise in. The best type of vet is an exotics vet who has studied them specially.
I hope you find this helpful,
Book Worm :)
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