Importance of Checking the Health of Your Guinea Pig
Posted: Sunday, January 24, 2010
by Peter Dranitsin
Petes Original Art Inc.
Guinea pigs are prized for their being cute and cuddly. They are also quite easy to appease. Given a proper cage and toys, they easily get comfortable to a new home. As if to complement its good traits, guinea pigs are very susceptible to becoming sick or play host to bacteria and fungi.
Here are the most common maladies your guinea pig can have and how to prevent or cope with them:
Discharge, clear or purulent, from the eyes or nose could either be an allergic reaction or an infection. Purulence oozing out of your guinea pig's nose, eyes or ears warrants an urgent visit to the vet. This may be a telltale sign of an upper respiratory infection ( URI ). When nasal discharge is accompanied by coughing, labored breathing or wheezing of any sort, URI can lead to pneumonia.
To avoid diseases of the eyes, ears and nose, keep the cage clear of dust and pollen. As much as possible, replace the bedding daily.
In any case, professional opinion will be a great help. You should not try any kind of medication on your guinea pig unless you are sure of the cause of its illness.
Middle ear infections can also cause a staggered gait. In such a case, you will most likely see your guinea pig tilt its head to one side quite often. Poop and Mouth
Guinea pigs are hearty animals. To support its activities and need to chew, they eat almost nonstop. Lack of appetite in guinea pigs should not be treated lightly. When your guinea pig eats too slow or too little, it is time for a checkup.
Check the teeth for overgrowth and breakages. If you see any wound in the mouth, have the teeth clipped by the vet. Check for anything caught in your pet's teeth or inside the mouth. If you find nothing there, check the cage. Look for poop. If you don't find any, your pet may be having constipation. Have a checkup with your vet arranged while giving your pet plenty of fluids.
If you see watery excreta, however, give your pet enough fiber by feeding it hay and calling your vet for diagnosis. It would also help to get your pet some help from bacteria. Head for the nearest pharmacy and buy lactobacillus acidophilus. It should fairly be easy to obtain we use it too! In case of diarrhea, time is essential as a guinea pig can die of it within hours.
Pee
As soon as you see pink or red urine, take your guinea pig to your vet as soon as possible. It would most likely be caused by bladder stones that could, in turn, cause an infection.
Whitish urine is normal for guinea pigs but if your pet's urine is extremely white and sludgy, this may be due to excessive calcium intake. Lower the source of calcium in your pet's diet and you'll see he will be just fine. However, in a few cases, guinea pig urine may come with pus in it. When unsure, it is always best to ask your vet.
Parasites
Mites are one of the common parasites that can infest your cavy. Mites are of a special concern as they can burrow deep into the skin and may reach the spine of your pet.
If your guinea pig is having seizures without curling to one side, this might just be mite in the spine. Have your vet deal with them and your cavy will be okay. To look for mites, look for the brown spots they make. Mites themselves require microscopes to be seen. Mites can also cause itching. Excessive scratching on your pet's part can cause bald spots.
It is always best to be ready. Have the phone number of your vet posted near your guinea pig's cage just in case anything happens to it. Also, having regular checkups, about once a month, will prevent most diseases and treat others before they blow up.
Cedric James is a lifelong guinea pig lover. For more great guinea pig health information, visit http://www.guineapigsguides.com .
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