A healthy, happy Guinea Pig

A Guinea Pig can get ill and die very quickly if they are not looked after properly.

Check list:

Make sure your Guinea Pig has:

Bright, shiny eyes
A shiny, glossy coat
Strong, healthy teeth
Has a healthy appetite
Clean and dry underneath
Clean ears
 
Make sure you Guinea Pig doesn't have:

Loose droppings
Runny nose
Bald patches
Lumps
Scabs

Note: If your Guinea Pig looks sick is acting strangely or you are worried about him/her in any way get them to the vet as soon as possible.

Check their weight regular as weight loss can be the first sign of illness.

This list shows the items all piggy owners should have to hand at all times, in case of emergency.

Charcoal tablets - Poisoning.
Liquid paraffin - Poisoning, constipation and bloat.
Gripe water - Bloat
Aloe Vera gel - Skin problems.
Gentian violet - Mouth sores
Lavender essential oil - Antiseptic. Calms behaviour.
Aspirin - Stroke.
Brolene eye drops and ointment - Eye problems.
Dioralyte - Diarrhea
Cystoprin or any sodium citrate based human cystitis powders - Cystitis.
Hydrogen peroxide, (up to 9 %) - Flushing out abscesses.
Arnica tablets - Shock
Diocalm or Immodium - Anti diarrhea medicine.
Tea tree oil ear drops - Ear mites.
Eurax - Anti itch cream
Sudacreme - For small skin lesions
Metatone - Builds up appetite after illness
Critical Care/Recovery Formula - For pigs who cannot eat normal food, after illness etc.
Sudafed Decongestant - For congested breathing
Daktarin Oral Gel - Sooths sore mouths/throats
Vital eyes - Sore eyes
Vicks Vapour rub - Congested nose and snuffles
Rescue Remedy - Calms piggies down if they get stressed

Common Ailments:

Abscesses - An abscess is a pocket of pus which is formed from dead tissue cells after an injury which becomes infected by germs.

Barbing - Sometimes Guinea Pigs nibble and eat their own coat or that of a cage mate.

Cysts - There are various kind of cysts that guinea pigs suffer from but the most common is the Sebaceous Cyst.

Cystitis - is an infection of the bladder it can cause a piggy much distress and pain whilst urinating.

Diarrohea - Too many veggies can cause this, but it can be caused by other things seek vets advice if you are concerned.

Ear infection - Usually caused by parasites in the ear.

Fungal Infections - often starting on the face as areas of patchy, itchy hair loss.

Hair loss - Usually due to Mange Mites, Fungal or other Parasites. Ivermec is the prefered treatment.

Impaction - This condition is most common in older boars. The muscles have weakened and they are no longer able to expel the soft caecal pellets that accumulate in the perineal sack. You can help you piggy be smearing a small amount of mineral oil inside the anus with a Q tip. Then gently squeezing the bottom side of the anus to ease the impacted mass out.  Regular checks will ensure your piggy isn't in discomfort.

Malocclusion - Maloccluded teeth are teeth that have not worn properly and over grow. Check out this link to find out more about cavy's teeth.

Scurvy - Can develop if a cavy doesn't get enough Vitamin C. A Guinea Pig can't make their own so he must eat foods every day with it in.

Static - This is a mite that clings to the cavy's fur usuall around the back end. It is harmless but unsightly. It can be easiy removed by spraying with Anti Mite Spray from any good pet shop.

Tumours - You may notice a lump on your piggy's body and there may be bleeding.

To be continued...