Guinea Pig Health
Guinea pigs are surprisingly hardy and resistant to
 disease, providing they are kept in clean, hygienic conditions, free of
drafts and damp and receive a balanced diet. The occasional sickness may
develop however, and it is wise to be able to recognise the symptoms of
various disease and conditions so that quick action can be taken to cure
them. A sick guinea pig will sit moping in some corner, its body hunched
up and its fur standing out. Its eyes may be partially closed and it
will lack its usual exuberance. It may seem to have difficulty in
breathing or it may have diarrhea.
 Here are some number of diseases that a guinea pig
may have:
-
Wounds: may be cause by fighting between boars,
by being injured by other animals or by catching the skin on sharp
objects. The wound should be gently bathed with lukewarm water
containing a mild antiseptic; it should then be wiped as dry as
possible, before applying a little antiseptic cream.
-
Abscesses: These are large, soft lumps which are
caused by a build up of pus in an infected wound which may have gone
unnoticed. Sometimes the abscess will burst of its own accord. The
wound should be swabbed out with an antiseptic solution and treated
as for a normal wound.
-
Respiratory Infections: These have a range of
seriousness from the common cold to pneumonia. Left untreated, even
a common cold can develop into the more serious snuffles or even
pneumonia which is a potential killer. Animals showing difficulty in
breathing and having a nasal discharge should be isolated and kept
warm surroundings.
-
Enteric Diseases: These are caused by an attack
of pathogenic organisms in the gut which, in severe case, may cause
death if untreated. Symptoms of enteric diseases nearly always
include diarrhea. Such diseases are nearly always caused by bad food
or water so strict food hygiene is necessary to prevent them. All
guinea pigs suffering such diseases should be isolated immediately
in warm surroundings. Used bedding should be burnt and hutches
scrubbed clean with a solution of bleach.
-
Skin Diseases: Certain skin diseases causing loss
of fur may consist of eczema, mite infestations, or ringworm.
Infected, scabby areas should be bathed in a lukewarm antiseptic
solution and treated with the preparation recommended by your
veterinarian.
-
Parasites: These may be divided into two
groups, ectoparasites, such as fleas and lice, which crawl onto the
animals' skin and suck their blood, and endoparasites, such as
intestinal worms, which feed on the partially digested food in the
gut and which can cause anemia in severe cases. Severe worm
infestations should be referred to a vet who will recommend the best
treatment.
|
