Baby Guinea Pig Bought From Pet Store Is Not Eating or Drinking

Guinea pigs are easy to treat and, if handled frequently and gently, make great family pets. They are by and large hardy, healthy animals but are susceptible to certain problems and diseases. The following is a brief description of some of the more than common issues of guinea pigs, which include respiratory infections, diarrhea, scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), tumors, abscesses due to infection, urinary bug, and infestations by lice, mites, or fungus.

Respiratory Infections

Pneumonia is ane of the well-nigh pregnant diseases of pet guinea pigs and can be caused by several bacteria, including Bordetella and Streptococcus. Guinea pigs can naturally harbor these leaner and may exist asymptomatic (apparently good for you) carriers. These bacteria tend to exist 'opportunistic,' meaning they infect susceptible animals, multiply, and cause disease if the opportunity arises.

"Pneumonia is one of the near significant diseases of pet republic of guinea pigs."

Stress, such as overcrowding, pregnancy, and the presence of other illness, increases the adventure that infection will develop, and young animals are most often afflicted. The bacteria are spread past direct contact, aerosolized (airborne) particles, and on contaminated hands or other objects. Infected guinea pigs may be off food, have belch from the eyes or nose, sneeze, or have trouble breathing. Cultures of the ocular (eye) and nasal discharge can be taken to identify the causative organism so that the advisable antibiotics tin be prescribed. Some guinea pigs may need to be hospitalized for additional supportive care.

Diarrhea

Republic of guinea pigs have a sensitive alimentary canal (as exercise rabbits). They have a very specific natural population of 'good' gastrointestinal bacteria (flora) critical to normal bowel part. If this normal bacterial flora becomes altered or unbalanced, 'bad' (oft gas-producing) bacteria can overgrow, produce painful gas, slow downwardly digestion and food passage through the intestinal tract, damage the intestinal tissues, release toxins, cause severe diarrhea, and in severe cases, death. This condition is referred to as gastrointestinal (or GI) stasis. In addition to bacterial infections, some intestinal parasites, like Cryptosporidium and coccidia, can cause diarrhea.

Other clinical signs that may occur with diarrhea include anorexia (not eating), low, dehydration, weight loss, a low body temperature. Republic of guinea pigs with these signs need immediate veterinary attending and supportive care.

Sure antibiotics should never be used in republic of guinea pigs, as they upset their normal gastrointestinal bacterial flora and often lead to diarrhea. Antibiotics should be used in guinea pigs just nether the direction of a veterinarian familiar with guinea pigs. Antibiotics purchased over-the-counter in a pet shop should never exist given to guinea pigs, since they are often inappropriate.

Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency)

Republic of guinea pigs and primates cannot industry their own vitamin C; therefore, they must take in vitamin C in their diets. The majority of other animals can produce their ain vitamin C through their intestinal bacterial flora, just guinea pigs and primates are unable to practise this. Vitamin C is vital to the normal development and maintenance of skin, joints, and mucosal surfaces, such as the gums. Information technology is too important in the healing of wounds. As well as predisposing the republic of guinea pig to skin problems, a lack of vitamin C makes the trunk more decumbent to the development of other diseases, including infections. A republic of guinea grunter that has a rough hair glaze, is off his food, has diarrhea, is reluctant to walk, seems painful, has bloated feet or joints, or has hemorrhages and ulcers on its gums or skin, is likely to exist scarce in vitamin C.

"Republic of guinea pigs and primates cannot manufacture their ain vitamin C; therefore, they must have in vitamin C in their diets."

Guinea pigs need ten-50 mg of vitamin C per day, depending on the condition of the animate being (young, sometime, stressed, healthy, pregnant). Commercially available pellets made for guinea pigs contain vitamin C; withal, this vitamin is relatively unstable and breaks down or oxidizes very fast. Therefore, the pellets should be used upward or must exist replaced within 90 days of the date of manufacture. If your guinea pig develops signs of vitamin C deficiency, it is important to take him to see your veterinary as soon as possible. To prevent vitamin C deficiency, republic of guinea pigs should receive a vitamin C supplement, either as a tablet or liquid given by mouth, rather than in the drinking water, as the vitamin also breaks down rapidly in water and loses its dominance. Consult your veterinarian as to the best mode to supplement your guinea pig with vitamin C.

Tumors

Guinea pigs get diverse tumors; skin and mammary (breast) tumors are particularly common. They can be benign or malignant (cancer). Any mass should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian. In many cases, surgical removal is curative.

Abscesses

Abscesses (infected swelling containing an accumulation of pus and leaner) can affect lymph nodes, skin, muscles, teeth, basic, and internal organs. Since guinea pigs (and other rodents and rabbits) form thick pus that does not drain or become reabsorbed easily, most abscesses in these animals crave surgical removal (debridement), followed by treatment with antibiotics chosen based on culture of the leaner growing in the abscess. Some abscesses (like those involving the jaw and teeth) are more challenging to treat, as affected teeth and bone must exist removed along with all the infected soft tissues.

Urinary Problems

Republic of guinea pigs are very prone to development of urinary calculi (stones or uroliths). These stones nearly oft form in the float just may also class in the kidneys or ureters (tubes that bleed the kidneys into the bladder). Stones may get lodged in the ureter or the urethra (the tube carrying urine from the float to the outside), causing a life-threatening obstruction.

Although uncommon, cystitis (bladder infection) occurs more often in female guinea pigs than males, and often stones develop in clan with infection. Signs of urinary bug include anorexia (not eating), blood in the urine, straining to urinate, a hunched posture (with straining), and minor, frequent urinations; if an obstacle occurs, the republic of guinea squealer will be unable to produce urine. Any guinea squealer with signs of a urinary tract trouble should be seen by a veterinarian right abroad.

"Republic of guinea pigs are very prone to development of urinary calculi (stones or uroliths)."

Veterinarians diagnose urinary bug with a thorough history and concrete examination, including abdominal palpation (examination by feel), claret tests, urinalysis, and X-rays. Sick guinea pigs may crave hospitalization and supportive care, including intravenous fluids and syringe feeding, too as surgery to remove the stones. Regular, annual veterinary check-ups tin help detect bug, such as urinary tract stones, in guinea pigs before they develop into life-threatening emergencies.

Parasites and Skin Problems

Guinea pigs (especially young ones) are prone to ringworm, which is an infection of the skin with a fungus, non with a worm. Certain animals may exist ringworm carriers without showing whatever signs of illness. They can spread the disease to susceptible animals or develop illness themselves if stressed by overcrowding, poor nutrition, the presence of other diseases, or other environmental stresses. The skin affected past ringworm can be itchy, lose pilus, and develop crusty scabs. Ringworm lesions are found nearly commonly around the face up, head, and ears, only tin spread to the dorsum and legs. Later on diagnosis by your veterinary, affected republic of guinea pigs are treated topically and/or orally with anti-fungal medications.

"Guinea pigs can go fleas and lice; fleas are usually diagnosed by finding the adults or their carrion on the pare or in the fur."

Republic of guinea pigs can get fleas and lice; fleas are usually diagnosed by finding the adults or their feces on the peel or in the fur. Lice are oft diagnosed microscopically by observing either the adults or eggs (nits) in a sample of hair and pare debris. Lice eggs are laid on the pilus shafts, often around the confront, behind the ears, or over the shoulders. Mite infestations in guinea pigs can cause such intense itching that seizures tin event. With a mite infestation, the skin is crusty and raw from scratching, there is usually hair loss and secondary bacterial infection may result. These parasites are best treated with anti-parasitic medications prescribed by your veterinarian. Secondary bacterial skin infections should be treated with antibiotics.

Other Bug

Barbering is a trouble, usually associated with boredom, in which the guinea pig chews or barbers its own hair or the hair of its cage-mate, so that the barbered pig looks like it has been given a brush cut. Treatment involves providing the guinea pig with more than stimulation, redirecting its attention to other chewing activities past offering more hay or chew toys, and separating guinea pigs if they are barbering each other.

Pododermatitis, or bumblefoot, in which sores develop on the lesser of the anxiety from pressure level, is common in guinea pigs. Information technology occurs most ofttimes in overweight animals housed on wire-bottomed or dingy cages that abrade the feet, making them susceptible to chronic, deep bacterial infection that causes lameness and pain. Treatment is challenging, only with appropriate veterinary intendance, including surgery, foot bandages, and antibiotics, the problem can be alleviated.

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Source: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/guinea-pigs-problems

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