Health and Feeding of guinea pigs
Health
Diseases
Feeding Guinea Pigs
Guinea Pig Breeds
American
Abyssinian
Peruvian
Silkie
Teddy
White Crested
Satin Breeds
Cross Breeds
Description of Guinea Pig Colors.
Tortoise Shell
Tortoise Shell And White
Himalayan
AMERICAN
The American cavy is the most common breed available and it is also the easiest to groom. The coat of the American cavy is short and smooth, lying close to the skin. Grooming is a simple as rubbing the hair from head to rump with your hand.
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ABYSSINIAN
The Abyssinian cavy is not as common as the american. The coat of the Abyssinian is short but wiry and has a distinct growth pattern.The Ayssinian's hair grows in whorls and ridges that stick out from the body.The whorls are called rosettes. On a good, showable Abyssinian there must be two shoulder rosettes, four saddle rosettes, two hip rosettes, and two rump rosettes. All of this makes for some special grooming procedures that can take a little time.
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PERUVIAN
The Peruvian cavies have long, smooth coats. The hair grows from the shoulders over the sides and rump and over the head and face. The hair paarts down the middle of the back. If you can't tell the front from the back, you're probably looking at a good Peruvian. The Peruvian's hair takes a great deal of time to care for even when the cavy is young. A Peruvian must have its hair wrapped often and even be bathed and blow-dried.
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SILKIE
The Silkie guinea pig also has a loong, smooth coat, but the head and face are not covered by the long hair, and there is no part down the middle of the back. The Silkie also needs to have its hair wrapped often and to be bathed and blow dried. Grooming a Silkie guinea pig can require a lot of time.back to top
TEDDY
The Teddy is a very popular breed of guinea pig. A Teddy has a short, wiry, kinky coat that sticks out from the body. The coat has a very plush feeling much like a good stuffed teddy bear. Routine grooming of this breed is as simple as rubbing the hair backward from rump to head, but deep cleaning with combs and brushes takes more time.back to top
WHITE CRESTED
The White Crested Cavy has a short, smooth coat like the American, with a single white rosette on the forehead. Grooming a White Crested is much like grooming the American--rubbing the hair from shoulder to rump with your hand. A little extra care if needed for the single rosette.back to top
SATIN BREEDS
There are American Satin, Abyssinian Satin, Peruvian Satin, Silkie Saitin, and Teddy Satin guinea pigs. Satins are just like the above-mentioned breeds except that they have a hollow hair shaft that gives the hair a wonderful sheen. Grooming Satins is the same as grooming the other breeds as described above.back to top
CROSS BREEDS
Cross breed guinea pigs may have long hair, or short hair, or an unusual combination of hair growth. Crossbreeds are guinea pigs whose parents are of different breeds. Crossbreeds usualy do not reproduce young with their destinct characteristics of markings, texture, type, size, coat pattern ect..While most crossbreeds are not eligible for showing they do make very cute pets.back to top
TORTOISE SHELL
The color Tortoise Shell is made up of patches of red hair and patches of black hair, with ideal distribution in a checker board pattern. Clear and distinct deep red and black patches, the more the better. Eyes-Dark.back to top
TORTOISE SHELL AND WHITE
The color of Tortoise Shell and White is made up of paatches, of red, black, and white hair. It ideally alternates from one side to the other, with a dividing line at the center of the back and belly, running from head to hindquaters. Eyes--Dark.back to top
HIMALAYAN
The body of the animal is to be as white as possible. The markings should be on the nose, feet, and ears. Marking should be a rich, velvety black, the denser the better. Eyes--Pinkback to top
HEALTH
Prevention is the best medicine.Your guinea pig will be healthier and will be less expensive to care for if you take steps toprevent illness or other problems.
Keep your guinea pig's cage clean and dry.
Keep your guinea pig out of drafts.
Keep your guinea pig at the proper and constant tempertaure.(65-75 degrees farenhite)
Make sure your guinea pig has plenty of fresh air(eg.wire cages provide that as aqurauims with covers prevent it.)
Give your guinea pig fresh pellets and water daily,
Give your guinea pig a good source of vitamin C daily.
Give your guinea pig plenty of light.
Keep your guinea pig's toenails clipped.
Examine your guinea pig often to find problems early.
Never Never!! use any of the following with guinea pigs.
Penicillin or any penicillin derivatives or synthetics. Theese are toxic to a guinea pig's digestive tract,resulting in death.
Ampicillin.
Ceclor.
Keflex.
Lincomycin.
Spectinomycin.
Cabenicillin.
Erythromycin.
Any product for dogs, cats, or animal (flea powder,shampoo,ect.)That is not sepecifically recommend for guinea pigs.
Also never use Lysol, because it leaves a toxic residue even after being rinsed.
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FEEDING GUINEA PIGS
A Guinea Pigs health depends on a balanced diet that includes Guinea Pig pellets (which are readily available at your local pet or feed store) fresh foods that provide vitamin C, alfalfa for protein and roughage, and fresh water.
PELLETS:
Guinea Pig pellets are formulated to meet the particular nutritional needs of guinea pigs. Rabbit pellets do not have vitamin C, Which is very important to a guinea pig's diet. They also have to much of other vitamins that can cause illness in guinea pigs. The same is true to all other rodent foods, hamster ect.. Unlike many other rodents, guinea pigs do nmot normally eat a lot of grains and seeds, and lots of this is not good for them.You should never leave your guinea pigs food dish empty.
WATER:
fresh water every day is as important as feed pellets and daily citamin C. If a guinea pig does not have fresh water, it will not eat. A quinea pig that does not eat is soon a very sick guinea pig.A plastic water bottle with a metal sipper tube is best for guinea pigs. The sipper tube should be metal and not glass because guinea pigs, have a natural tendency to chew as they drink, and they can break a glass sipper tube.
ALFALFA:
Alfalfa is especially good for guinea pigs as a source of protein and roughage. Pet shops sell alfalfa in cubes, or may be purchased in small amounts from pet shops or by the bale at feed stores.
SALT:
When the weather is very warm it is a good idea to give your guinea pig a salt spool, Your guinea pig will decide if it needs the salt. Hang the salt spool1 to 2 inches above the floor of the cage with a wire that wont't rust or with a with a purchased salt spool holder.
SPECIAL TREATS:
You can give your guinea pig small amounts of special treats from time to time, but don't overdo it. Be careful that it's pellets and vitamin C sources remain the majority of its diet. For treats guinea pigs like lettuce and other leafy green vegetables, such as kale, spinach,and celery. They also like carrots, apples, pears,grapes,berries,raisins, and yogurt covered raisins. back to top
Guinea Pig Related Links
BACK TO BUNNIES BY MALACHI RABBITRY
ILNESSES AND CONDITIONSS
Absecess
Signs/symptons: Hard lump under skin, may be warm to touch, hair loss on lump. may have appearance of a large pimple, may be open deep wound with drainage or discharge.
Cause:Bacterial infection in wound that does not drain properly, thus preventing healing.
Treatment: Carefully remove hair over and surrounding the abscess.
Clean the surface on and around the abscess with an antiseptic scrub (such as Betadine Scrub).
Use a sterile lancet to carefully open the abscess.
Use a large syrninge without a needle to flush the abscess with hydrogen peroxide, Betadine Scrub, or a mixture of the two untill the abscess is completely clean.
Fill the abscess with Panolog Cream, Nolvasan Ointment, or other antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin.
Place warm, damp compresses on the abscess for 5 to 10 minnutes, 2 to 3 times a day and reapply ointment.
Open the abscess (remove any scab) if necessary to clean and reapply ointment once a day until healed. This allows the abscess to heal from the inside.
Malachi's Guinea Pigs
