Illness and Ailments

Important disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian, nor do I have any veterinary experience. This page is not intended to be a replacement for proper veterinary care. There is no substitute for taking your guinea pig to a competent, exotics vet that is experienced in treating guinea pigs. This information is provided for reference only, and you should always consult your vet if you suspect that your guinea pig may be ill.

Guinea pigs, like many small mammals, are very fragile animals. When illness sets in, it is good practice to get the cavy to an experienced guinea pig vet right away. This page is not intended to be a replacement for veterinary care; rather, it is intended as an introduction to the various ailments that can afflict guinea pigs.

Signs of illness

Usually, the first signs of illness in your guinea pig will be a loss of appetite and lethargy. Although not all illnesses affect the guinea pig in the same way, if you see your cavy huddled in the corner of the hutch, refusing to eat or drink, it is almost always indicative of a serious affliction. Being herbivores, guinea pigs eat almost constantly, and metabolize food very quickly. If, for any reason, they stop eating, it should be considered a very serious condition, as the guinea pig could die in a matter of hours. Some illnesses can also cause diarrhea, which is even more serious. Diarrhea can dehydrate a guinea pig very quickly, which can also cause death if not treated right away.

Some illnesses, however, start gradually with a few symptoms and then progress to the more advanced stages. These symptoms can include wheezing, discharges from the eyes or nose, and hair loss. Other afflictions, such as cysts or bladder stones, are not necessarily related to a particular illness or infection, and have their own symptoms that may be more difficult to spot on casual inspection.

As a general rule of thumb, watch your guinea pigs regularly, and get to know their normal behavior patterns. If you start to see behavior that differs from the usual routine, then it could be a sign that an illness is setting in. Watch their droppings and their pee for deviations from the norm, and keep an eye on their daily appetite. There's no sure-fire way of detecting illness, and not every symptom is the sign of a disease, but it's always better to err on the side of caution.

Precautions

If you suspect that one of your cavies is ill, it is wise to isolate the cavy immediately as a precaution against infecting the rest of your herd. This sick guinea pig should have it's own water bottle and food dish that is not shared with the other animals. After handling the sick cavy, you should wash your hands with an antibacterial soap.

It is important that a sick cavy be kept in a room where the temperature is warm, and constant. Provide plenty of hay for insulation, and take extra care in protecting the guinea pig from drafts. If a guinea pig has respiratory difficulties, some owners will line the cage with a eucalyptus-based product, such as Vick's VapoRub. Though this won't cure any infections, it will relieve the symptoms somewhat. You can also apply a little bit of eucalyptus oil on their nose and their fore paws, but don't put it directly on their fur. Sticky fur makes a guinea pig miserable. Applying it to their feet, however, will result in their re-applying the eucalyptus if and when they try to rub it off their nose, and is a good trick for keeping the ointment where it will be most effective.

Last, don't make any major diet changes while your guinea pig is ill. Stability and an established routine will keep stress levels down, and make the cavy more comfortable. If your guinea pig isn't eating at all, then you should contact your vet right away.

Symptoms and ailments

We'll focus this discussion on symptoms, since that is where most people begin when they suspect that their guinea pig is ill. Again, this is not intended to be a replacement for competent veterinary care, but rather as an introduction to common afflictions.

Sneezing, nasal discharge

Some sneezing is actually normal for guinea pigs, though excessive sneezing could be the sign of a respiratory complaint. Certainly, any time you see discharges from the nose, or the guinea pig regularly wiping its nose, it is most likely related to a respiratory or sinus infection.

Contrary to popular belief, guinea pigs do not catch colds; the cold and flu in humans are caused by viruses, but in guinea pigs, most respiratory problems are caused by bacteria. It is also possible to have a fungal infection in the nasal passages, but this is more rare.

Some sneezing and nasal discharges are merely allergic reactions that can be caused by soft wood beddings (such as cedar and pine) or dusty hay. Some guinea pigs are even allergic to certain hays, including timothy.

Coughing

Like sneezing, some coughing is normal in guinea pigs. Most of the time, coughing is brought about by a minor irritation in the windpipe, possibly caused by inhaling dusty hay or something similar. More serious would be constant coughing, which could be the sign of an infection or illness. Kennel Cough, in particular, is a rather serious illness in guinea pigs, and can actually be transmitted between species, including dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. If any coughing is accompanied by other respiratory problems, particularly wheezing, then it is most likely a sign of a respiratory infection.

Wheezing, labored breathing

Wheezing and labored breathing are usually a symptom of a respiratory infection, and should be treated very seriously. Typically, they are indicators of congestion (phlegm or fluids) in the respiratory system that could easily develop into pneumonia. If your guinea pig has these symptoms, you should take him or her to a competent vet right away.

Scratching

Scratching is also normal for guinea pigs, though excessive scratching can be a sign of a parasitic infection, such as lice or mites. Less common are fungal infections, which can also cause hair loss.

Lice are fairly easy to kill; a bath in a pyrethrin shampoo will almost always solve the problem, though it should be noted that lice eggs don't go away so easily. Often times, it will take two baths, about a week or two apart, to completely eradicate lice from a guinea pig. The first bath kills the existing lice, and the second kills the lice that hatch from the first batch's eggs. You can obtain a pyrethrin shampoo from your vet, who will instruct you in its use. Lice are also fairly easy to spot: they resemble tiny, brownish worms that crawl around through the hair near the surface of the skin.

Mites are more difficult to kill. They are also hard to spot initially, as they can't be seen with the naked eye. There are some home-remedies for eliminating mites, but most people opt for veterinary care, which usually involves injections of Ivermectin.

Contrary to popular belief, fleas are not a big problem with guinea pigs. For some reason, fleas don't care much for the species, and usually aren't present for very long if they do take up residence.

The hutch should always be cleaned and disinfected when dealing with parasites.

Diarrhea, soft stool

Diarrhea is an extremely serious condition in guinea pigs, as they can dehydrate and die quickly if the diarrhea persists. If you recently fed your pet a large amount of vegetables, or a new vegetable, that can be the cause. Try backing off the wet foods for a day or two to see if the problem clears up. Feeding lots of grass hay, such as timothy, can help keep your guinea pig's digestive system in balance.

If your guinea pig is on antibiotics, then the diarrhea could be caused by enteritis. Antibiotics work by killing bacteria, and can and do kill off the good, digestive bacteria in the stomach. If this happens, then it becomes more difficult for the guinea pig to properly digest its food.

No matter the cause of diarrhea in your guinea pig, you can provide some basic treatment immediately that will help him or her recover more quickly. Take a half-capsule of lactobacillus acidophilus (available at any pharmacy or health-food store), and dissolve the powder in 1 cc of water. Using an open syringe (a syringe without the needle), feed the resulting liquid to the guinea pig by inserting the end of the syringe into its mouth, behind the incisors and from the side. Be sure to feed the acidophilus slowly, so they don't accidentally choke on it and send the fluid into their lungs.

The lactobacillus acidophilus is a bacteria-growing culture that will accelerate the growth of the good, digestive bacteria in the guinea pig's stomach. Although many people suggest feeding yogurt for the same reasons, it is important to note that acidophilus as less is needed for the same results.

If your guinea pig is put on antibiotics, you should always give supplements of acidophilus as a preventative measure.

Milky-white urine, bladder sludge

The urine of guinea pigs typically has a slightly milky appearance to it, but if the urine is very white, and leaves white deposits after it dries, then it can be an indicator that your guinea pig is getting too much calcium in its diet. This can lead to bladder stones in some pigs.

Pink urine (blood in urine)

This can be an indicator of uroliths (bladder stones), which is a very serious condition. Get the guinea pig to a vet right away, and reduce the calcium in his or her diet. Lots of water can help prevent the formation of stones, and cranberry juice can actually help break down stones that have already formed. Cranberry juice is often times prescribed for humans who are suffereing from stones for thie very reason. Cranberry juice also kills off the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections, as an added bonus.

It is believed that the formation of bladder stones is not caused by dietary factors alone. In other words, high calcium levels in a guinea pig's diet will not automatically cause bladder stones. Rather, there is evidence to suggest that there are genetic factors that make guinea pigs more susceptible to stones, and that high calcium levels in these pigs' diets can cause their formation very easily. If your guinea pig is prone to forming stones, then you will need to carefully monitor the calcium that is in their diet, and avoid foods that supply calcium in significant amounts. The biggest offender of high calcium levels is pelleted feed, which is alfalfa-based. In these cases, it may be necessary to eliminate pellets completely from the guinea pig's diet. Your vet will be able to provide you with more information.

Hair loss

Hair loss can be caused by a variety of problems. Mites are once source: they burrow under the skin, and hair will fall out around the resulting sores as the guinea pig furiously scratches the afflicted region. Also, if your guinea pig is bitten, cut or otherwise hurt such that a scab forms, the hair will typically fall out in the vicinity of the wound as the skin heals. Some pregnant sows may lose patches of hair during the period of gestation. Far more serious are ovarian cysts in sows, and fungal infections such as ringworm, both of which can cause massive hair loss across the body.

Stiff joints, difficulty walking

If your guinea pig is having trouble walking, it could be a symptom of scurvy, which is caused by a vitamin C deficiency. You should make sure that your guinea pig is getting at least 10 mg of vitamin C a day to prevent scurvy. If the condition develops, you will need to go see your vet; the guinea pig may need an immediate source of vitamin C, possibly by injection.

Watery eyes

This can be caused by allergies or by irritants in the eye. Contact your vet for directions on bathing the eye to remove the irritant. More serious are eye sores caused by cysts on the eyelids, which will need to be removed by a veterinary surgeon.

Tilted head, difficulty walking

If your guinea pig is tilting its head to one side and is having difficulty walking, it could be an indicator of a middle ear infection. This is a very serious condition, and you should get your guinea pig to a competent vet right away.

Seizures

Generally speaking, there are two "styles" of seizures in guinea pigs. If your guinea pig's seizures involve them lifting their head straight up in the air (without a "tilt" to one side), then the seizures could be caused by mites. Some varieties of mites burrow deep into the skin, and can affect the nervous system, causing these seizures.

If the seizure causes the guinea pig to "tilt" their head to one side, and/or curl their body, then it is most likely not related to parasites. These seizures can be caused by a variety of factors: everything from genetic seizure disorders to dietary problems. Start off by taking your guinea pig to a vet to have a blood test done. Abnormal levels of sugar, calcium, phosphorus or potassium can all be responsible, as can other blood-related factors. Some guinea pigs, however, do have seizure disorders, and they can be genetic or idiopathic (ie, having no known cause). Brain tumors are also a possible cause, though these are very rare. The frequency and severity of the seizures will determine whether or not they will need to be treated with anti-seizure medication.

Most seizures involve, in addition to the head lift or tilt, twitching of the muscles and eyes. The eye twitching can last for several minutes after the seizure has passed, as can some of the head tilt. Some guinea pigs will also vocalize during or after the seizure, with load squeals or screeches.

Eating poop

This is actually not a sign of illness at all, but some inexperienced owners may not realize that it is, in reality, an essential part of guinea pig nutrition. Guinea pigs create special, moist droppings that are stored in a small "sack" just inside the anus. These droppings are rich in vitamins and proteins that are essential for the cavy's health.

Other health concerns

There are some health concerns that you will want to be aware of that aren't necessarily related to an illness or an infection. Some of these are described below.

Broken toenails

Toenail breaks typically happen when the toenails have grown too long and brittle, but can also be caused by accidents even if kept trimmed to the proper length. If the toenail breaks such that the quick is cut, you should treat the wound with some quick-stop, if available, and dab some iodine or hydrogen peroxide on it periodically to prevent infection.

Sometimes, the toenail can break off completely, exposing the bone of the toe. In these cases, it is important to go see a vet to have the wound inspected, as it is likely that an abscess may form due to bacterial infections, requiring antibiotics.

Broken teeth

If a tooth breaks, then you will need to make feeding arrangements for your guinea pig, as it will not be able to eat hard foods. Most owners will puree pellets, fresh greens and their soft poops and feed with an open syringe. Always consult your vet in these cases for assistance and advice.

Impaction

If boars are not getting enough fiber in their diet, they may face impaction problems as they grow older. Impaction occurs when feces hardens just inside the anus, making it impossible for the boar to pull out the soft droppings that it needs to eat. This lump must be removed. Smear petroleum jelly inside the anus, wait an hour, and then squeeze the lump out. This will be somewhat painful for the boar at first.

There is some evidence to suggest that a regular diet that is high in fiber can prevent impaction. The best source of fiber is a grass hay, such as timothy.

Excessive tooth length

The guinea pig's teeth are usually worn down naturally by eating hard foods. If your guinea pig's diet is too soft, his or her teeth may grow to excessive lengths. It is best to take the guinea pig to a vet to have the teeth trimmed back. Until then, you may have to syringe-feed your guinea pig if he or she can't eat on his or her own.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke typically occurs when a guinea pig is housed in a cage with insufficient ventilation, or when they are caught out in direct sunlight for too long. It can also occur on extremely hot summer days, even if the cavy isn't in the sun. Typically, a guinea pig with heatstroke will have a chest that is wet from saliva. It may also run excitedly back and forth, while panting and trembling all over.

Heatstroke can kill guinea pigs very quickly, but if you can get to them in time, they can recover. First, move them to a cooler location and offer them room temperature water (drinking cold water can cause a system shock that will kill them, just as it can in humans). Dip their limbs in cool, but not cold, water, and wrap cool, damp cloths closely around the body.

Home | Care Guide | Web Links | Cavy Corner | Aahhh Baby Guinea's