Medical

  Any Guinea Pig's health can deteriorate quicker than you think. By the time you find or notice a problem, the illness may be life-threatening. Prompt veterinary care is very crucial to saving the life of a sick pet. When an illness is caught early, it can possibly be cured fairly easily. If you do indeed see any of the signs below, make sure to visit the vet as soon as possible, and by no means should you self-diagnose any of the following problems. Always consult a professional before taking action.

Here are some signs of illness and possible causes:

• Refusal to eat or drink (anorexia) -- URI, Malocclusion, other
• Weight Loss -- Malocclusion, other
• Labored breathing, wheezing -- URI, Circulatory Problems, other
• Rough or puffed-up coat/fur -- URI, other
• Crusty eyes, sneezing -- URI, other
• Dull and/or receding eyes -- URI, other
• Swollen abdomen -- Bloat, other
• No feces -- Anorexia, Bloat, other
• Blood in Urine -- UTI, Bladder Stones, Pyometra, other
• Unable to urinate -- Bladder Stones, other
• Bleeding from rectal area -- UTI, Bladder Stones, Pyometra, Retained Placenta, other
• Lethargy, hunched posture - URI, other
• Drooling -- Malocclusion, other
• Watery Diarrhea -- Diarrhea, other
• Limping, hopping, severe injury -- Vitamin or Mineral Deficiency, Arthritis, other
• Hair loss, excessive scratching -- Mange Mites, Fungal Infection, other
• Head tilt -- Ear Infection, Wry neck, other
• Loss of balance -- Ear infection, Injury, Poisoning, other
• Delivery problems -- Dystocia, Retained Placenta, other

Note: Any behaviour which is unusual for your Guinea Pig, e.g. Facing a corner and slow to respond, could be a very high indication that your pet is seriously ill.

Further Notes

The most common problems for new Guinea Pig owners often encounter:

• Mange Mites: a very painful parasitic infection which can be easily treated with ivermectin. If left untreated, it can be life threatening.
• URI: a bacterial upper respiratory infection which is generally treated with safe antibiotics in which are combined with care like hand feeding if the guinea pig isn't eating.
• UTI: (Urinary tract infections) can also be generally treated with antibiotics which are safe for piggies.
• Bladder Stones can cause urinary tract blockages. Boars (Male Guinea Pigs) are more vunerable due to their narrower ureters.