When Your Guinea Pig Needs to See a Vet

One of the biggest mistakes a pet owner can make is waiting too long to see the vet. With guinea pigs, waiting too long can be especially serious since prey animals tend to hide their illness longer. Most people don't want to spend money when they don't have to and therefore don't go to the vet for every symptom they notice. However, some small signs of illness can actually turn out to be very serious. Before dismissing the idea of taking your sick guinea pig to the vet, read this article. Some problems can be treated at home, yet others will definitely require veterinary attention. Be sure that you can tell the difference; it could save your pet's life.

Seemingly Minor Symptoms Can Signal Major Problems

The problem with ignoring symptoms in guinea pigs is that seemingly minor symptoms can actually signal major problems. For example, when people see some eye boogers and maybe even hear a few sneezes, they often think that their guinea pig only has a cold or perhaps even allergies. However, these symptoms can easily prove to be deadly. Eye crusties and/or sneezing can signal an upper respiratory infection (URI) which can be life threatening if left untreated or not treated early. These same symptoms can also be signs of heart failure which is also ultimately deadly if left untreated. Yet to someone who doesn't know guinea pig illnesses (including many vets), eye crusties and sneezing seem pretty minor. You will need to see a vet to get a course of antibiotics for your pet.

If you've only had dogs and cats as pets before, your guinea pig's refusal to eat anything may seem pretty benign to you. However, guinea pigs are herbivores who are used to eating and pooping all day long. Their digestive tract is always moving and that is how it is meant to be. A blockage would be very serious for them. As would GI stasis (stopped up gastrointestinal tract). GI tract problems can be a problem in and of themselves or they can also signal even more serious problems. This is definitely the time for a checkup at the vet.

Guinea pigs can be rather odd in how they show signs of illness at times. If you notice your guinea pig squeaking while pooping or urinating, it may be a bladder issue such as a UTI (urinary tract infection) or even bladder stones. Most people have no idea that when their guinea pig squeals as it is defecating, it is actually a possible sign of having bladder stones. The two things do not seem to be related at all. Yet they are, and that is one of those weird signs fairly specific to guinea pigs. If you notice this, you need to get your guinea pig to the vet and demand x-rays.

The Easiest Way to Catch Illness Early

By far, the easiest way to catch an illness early is to weigh your guinea pigs weekly. Since guinea pigs hide their illnesses, by the time you notice symptoms it may already be a very progressed disease. Guinea pigs can easily hide the weight loss of one hundred or possibly even two hundred grams, but not if you're weighing them weekly. I highly recommend purchasing a gram scale so that you can monitor fluctuations in your pet's weight. Their weight will vary, so the sooner you start recording their weight when they're healthy, the better. You want to see what is normal for them. Typically, guinea pigs should not gain or drop more than 50 grams in one week. If your guinea pig loses 50 grams, be concerned. If there is a 100 gram or greater weight loss, see a vet as soon as you possibly can as this could be serious.

Problems You Can Treat at Home

If you notice hair loss on your pet, you might be able to treat this on your own. Most commonly, hair loss is caused by mites. Mites are microscopic so you're not going to see them. Some vets insist on skin scrapings, but those rarely find the mites they're looking for. Hair loss caused by mites is generally on the back of the guinea pig and is usually accompanied by a bit of dandruff. Ivermectin is available over the counter as a treatment for mites, but if you are uncomfortable dosing your pets on your own, see a vet. Mites can become serious enough to eventually be deadly.

Hair loss can also be fungal, in which case it is easily treatable. Fungal hair loss usually occurs on the ears, nose, and/or feet of the animal. The hair loss is often accompanied by a whitish crustiness. To treat, apply an anti-fungal cream such as Monistat or if you prefer a more natural approach, I have had great luck using gentian violet (although, it will turn the affected area purple for a considerable amount of time).

A word of caution on treating hair loss on your own: if the condition does not improve, you need to see a vet. Hair loss can also signal other problems, such as organ failure and hormonal problems. Generally, this hair loss is bilateral (on both sides) and will not be accompanied by dandruff or crustiness.

Wound care can also be completed at home as long as the wound does not require stitches. Cleaning with an antiseptic and possibly wrapping in gauze are things that you can do at home. Just make sure to carefully monitor the wound site for infection.

Minor bloat can be treated at home with baby gas drops such as simethicone. But remember that bloat can become deadly very quickly so if you are at all in doubt, get to the vet as soon as possible.

Problems You Should Never Try to Treat at Home

Some people will tell you that it is okay to treat dental problems on your own. These people use clippers and clip the front teeth of their pet that has a dental problem causing overgrowth of the front incisors. Aside from the fact that it is easy to fracture the tooth while you're doing this, there is a very important reason that even if you do this well, you should not be doing it on your own. Generally, if the front teeth are messed up and not growing properly, the molars are also going to be off alignment. To see the molars, you need to spread the cheeks away from them. Even if you have something to do this, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to plane the molars on your own. You need to see a vet if your pet has dental problems. Signs of dental problems include: drooling, inability to pick up or eat certain vegetables, and weight loss.

Problems requiring antibiotics also should not be treated at home. Even though there are now online sources where you can buy antibiotics, these sources are often questionable. Even if you do know how to dose the antibiotics on your own, you really should seek a vet to ensure that you get the proper antibiotics for the problem.

Get to Know Your Pets

Guinea pigs are prey animals and so they will hide their signs of illness as long as they can. However, if you know your pet's normal activities, you will be able to catch these signs of illness sooner. Notice how your guinea pig looks as it eats so that if it develops a dental problem, you will notice a difference. Take note of the amount of feces you see in the cage and if your pet should suffer a blockage you will notice the difference. Notice the texture of your pet's hair, their skin, and their nails so that if something changes you will be aware of the change. Waiting too long to see a vet can cost your guinea pig its life.