BLOOD IN URINE If you happen to notice squealing during urination then see blood or a pink tinge, your pig could have a bladder stone, kidney problems or a urinary tract infection. You need to cut back on the amount of oxalates you are feeding and get your piggy to a vet for proper treatment.
BRONCHIAL INFECTION Guinea pigs do a normal amount of sneezing, just like humans. If you notice an excessive amount then it could be a sign of a bronchial infection. TEATMENT: It would be wise to separate him from the others and start a regime of extra vitamin C. You can find guinea pig treats that are loaded with extra vitamin C at your local pet shop, or you could take a regular 50mg vitamin C tablet, cut it in half and feed it to him, or even put tang in the water. If it does not clear up in a few days, then he will need the help of a vet to make him well. If, however, you hear noisy or rattley breathing, you will most likely need antibiotics to make him well. If you or someone in your household is sick, then by all means take extra precautions for his health and start by giving him extra vitamin C, because pigs are very susceptible to bronchial infections such as cold, flu and pneumonia. If you are his primary caregiver and have no one else to care for him, then buy a mask to cover your face and make sure you wash your hands during food preparation or the handling of him. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so opt for the prevention. Symptoms of a respiratory infection include wheezing, sneezing, deep labored and/or rattled breathing, mucous discharge from the eyes or nose and little or no appetite. Deep labored breathing could also indicate pneumonia – get help immediately because he could die in a very short amount of time.
BUMBLE FOOT This is a bacterial infection of the footpad that can cause the entire foot to swell twice its size and eventual death if left untreated. It is usually caused by wet, unsanitary conditions or wire flooring. If you catch it in the early stages, then you can prevent it from becoming chronic. If it is left untreated, then the open sores begin to appear with black crusting and bleeding. The infection will travel into the bloodstream causing illness and eventual death. TREATMENT: Soak the foot for five full minutes twice everyday in Betadine solution. If the sore looks deep and infected, get to a vet immediately because it is well passed the soaking stage and he will need oral antibiotics to fight the infection in the body.
ENTERITIS Enteritis is inflammation in the intestinal tract, especially the small intestine. This is usually caused by parasites, moldy food, antibiotics or feeding him a diet that is high in starch and low in fiber. It imbalances the bacteria in the stomach and allows deadly toxins to be produced with an increase in gas production causing severe abdominal pain. Some of the symptoms are hunched up with ruffled fur, loss of appetite and soft stool. There is not much you can do for enteritis, except to keep him/her hydrated by syringe feeding water and critical care.
HEAT STROKE Heat stroke is the top killer among guinea pigs mainly from living in an aquarium. They are intolerant of heat and succumb to it very easily, especially if left in the hot sun. If you find him lying on his side and completely limp, death is inevitable. TREATMENT: If you should happen to catch it early enough, you can fill your sink with lukewarm water and put him in. Don’t make the water too cold or you will send him into shock. Be sure it is lukewarm. You will need to hold his head out of the water because he will not be able to. Try folding a dishtowel and placing it under his head, (if you don't fill the sink too full). Do not under any circumstances get his face wet, or you will drown him. Give him Pedialyte or Gatorade from an eyedropper about every 15 minutes. When the water starts to cool, take him out and wrap him in a warm, dry towel so he don’t catch a chill. Continue to give the Pedialyte or Gatorade until he looks like he is starting to come around. Start offering a vegetable or fruit, (iceberg lettuce, cucumber or cantaloupe would be best). Keep an eye on him for a few days to make sure there is no relapse and that he stays comfortable.Prevention is the best medicine and you can prevent heat stroke by keeping him in a cool place, providing cool water to drink, or lightly misting him with a spray bottle filled with cool (not cold) water.
MIDDLE EAR INFECTION The middle ear plays a very significant part in keeping equilibrium. The symptoms of an infection is obvious because he will walk with his head tilted to one side and will stumble often. If this is not taken care of immediately, the infection will cause permanent hearing loss with permanent head tilt and eventual death. Seek a vet's care pronto.
SCURVY Guinea pigs must have at least 10 mg a day of vitamin C in their bodies or scurvy will result. Beginning signs of it are usually loss of appetite and general weakness. TREATMENT: Start extra vitamin C helpings right away by cutting up a chewable vitamin C tablet into four pieces. Crush one piece between a tablespoon and a teaspoon, mix it with water or juice and administer with an eyedropper, or you can simply mix up some Tang and administer. Advanced signs of scurvy include, diarrhea, eye and nose discharge, enlarged or stiff limb joints resulting in hopping instead of walking, loss of weight, tenderness to touch, unwillingness to move because of weakness and a rough, puffed up coat. If your guinea pig shows any of these signs, then the lack of vitamin C has gone on too long and he will need a vet for possible vitamin C shots. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot overdose on vitamin C. The body will not absorb the excess, it will just be eliminated (ask any health care professional). However, scurvy can be prevented by feeding a good guinea pig pellet (it is vitamin C fortified) and also feeding a wide variety of fruits and vegetables everyday.
MALOCCLUSION Guinea pigs have 20 teeth that constantly grow making it necessary for them to chew frequently. They have two upper and two lower incisors, two upper and two lower premolars and six upper and six lower molars. Keeping hay available to them will help to keep their teeth ground down, thus preventing any problems. As some pigs get older, the teeth grow out of alignment causing them to overgrow because they cannot grind upon each other. This is a hereditary condition called malocclusion. In malocclusion, the lower molars curve inward and trap the tongue, and the upper molars curve upward and penetrate the roof of the mouth. This condition creates the effect of 'slobbers', in which the guinea pig drools constantly and eventually cannot eat. They become extremely thin and boney. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION! If left untreated, the cavy can starve or dehydrate and if treated too late it may not regain function of the damaged tongue. You will need to take him to the vet every four to eight weeks to have the teeth trimmed and/or filed. It is suspected that the mineral, selenium is involved and a change in diet may help. Some of the symptoms that your pig has overgrown teeth are drooling or wetness under the chin, chew as if something is stuck in the teeth, a grinding or grating sound when he chews, interested in food but does not eat, or no eating at all. This can become a major problem to the unobservant owner because sick pigs can lose the will to live and once this happens, they never regain it.