Guinea pigs are the most popular pets in Brazil, these animals are not only very cute and calm, they are also very good at hiding that something is wrong with them, this is easily explained by the fact that they are prey and, in the nature, if they show something is wrong with them, it would be very surprising to a predator.
It’s very important that you recognize the behavior and normal state of your guinea pig, to easily recognize when something goes out of the ordinary.
- In this article by Animal Expert we will explain what are the most common diseases of the guinea pig.
- That is.
- The most common problems that arise in the veterinary clinic of exotic animals.
- Which serves these animals.
First of all, it is important to know that guinea pigs, like all other animals, can have problems of all kinds, affecting any of their body systems.The key to avoiding any problem is definitely to provide the best care to your piggy.
In addition to adequate housing, the basis of good health is the diet of your guinea pig, which must adapt to your age and health.
One of the most common problems with guinea pigs is the large size of teeth.Contrary to what most people think, guinea pigs don’t just have the 4 front teeth, indies’ bunnies actually have 20 teeth!
The molars of guinea pigs can only be seen with an otoscope, for example, because the cheeks of pigs are very oily, making it almost impossible to observe their teeth with the naked eye.
There are three main types of guinea pig tooth problems
Broken teeth: They can come from a diet low in vitamin C or from an accident, you should always lift your guinea pig properly to avoid such accidents.
Root proliferation: the teeth of the guinea pigs continue to grow, sometimes there is a proliferation of the roots of the teeth that can grow to the point of pressing the eyes of the piglet.
Dental malocclusion: In such problems, the cobaya teeth do not all grow in the same way, causing some to grow in excess and can also grow to the point where the guinea pig cannot eat.
Dental problems in pigs are not easily detectable, unless the problem is in incisors (the anterior teeth), the most common thing that is in the molars that you can’t observe, so it’s important to be aware of the symptoms that the piglet has a dental problem:
If your piglet has one or more signs of the ones we mentioned, you’re likely to have a dental problem, you should consult your exotic pet veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis and define a treatment.
The best way to prevent pork from having dental problems is to provide fresh, good quality hay that should always be available.In addition, vitamin C-rich foods help improve the overall health of your piglet and prevent scurvy, a disease we’ll talk about later., which can also cause dental problems.
Scabies is a very common problem in guinea pigs.The specific mite of this species is the Trixacarus caviae, which hides among the hair of the pigs causing itching and even pain.Most of the time, it’s asymptomatic, which means you don’t see the symptoms even though the mites are there.
The preferred areas of this parasite are the neck, thighs and abdomen.It is common for keepers to notice sores and red areas as a result of the itching caused by the infestation of this mite.
Here are the most common clinical signs of scabies in your guinea pig:
The guinea pig’s scabies are not transmitted to humans.However, it is highly transmissible in piglets, if your piglet has scabies, you must properly disinfect all the objects with which it came into contact.
Ringworm or dermatophytosis in guinea pigs is a fungal infection.The most common fungus in guinea pigs is Trichophyton mentapgrophytes.It is a type of disease common in young pigs housed in environments with poor hygienic conditions.Low immunity pigs are also more likely to develop it.this disease, as well as pregnant piglets and old guinea pigs.
The main symptoms of ringworm in guinea pigs are
The main way to prevent this disease is to properly clean the cage and the environment in which the guinea pig lives, the incubation period of these fungi is 7 to 14 days and releases spores that can remain in the environment, inactive, for several years.So never forget to clean the cage from your piglet.
Respiratory problems are also quite common in guinea pigs, so you should prevent your piglet from coming into contact with kitchen fumes, tobacco, deodorants, etc.
In addition, certain types of substrates greatly increase the risk of respiratory problems in pigs, such as cat litter, wood chips, etc. All types of substrates that have too much dust and that the piglet can inhale should be and avoided.
These are the most common clinical signs of respiratory problems in pigs:
Pododermatitis is an inflammation of the legs of the guinea pig. This problem is very painful for the guinea pig and unfortunately very common in animals in captivity.
The most common cause of these types of problems is the use of an inadequate substrate in the bottom of the cage. Guinea pigs are not anatomically prepared to walk on smooth and hard ground. They should walk on a slightly smooth surface, as you would. a The ideal is to use pellets suitable for guinea pigs, which have good urinary absorption power and come off on contact with them, another factor that favors the appearance of this problem is lack of hygiene, or a substrate that is not well absorbed and the pig’s feet are constantly wet.
Guinean bunnies, like humans, need to ingest vitamin C because they don’t produce their own.When there is a deficiency of this vitamin, they develop a disease called scurvy.
Most guinea pig foods are supplemented with this vitamin, so it is so important to buy a specific food for this species, in addition a daily dose of fresh vegetables will ensure the necessary intake of this vitamin.
Symptoms of this disease vary depending on the age of the animal, young guinea pigs may present joint problems and even paralysis of the hind legs, adult animals have less specific symptoms such as anorexia, lethargy, nasal and oral secretions and may develop other secondary diseases such as pododermatitis and dental malocclusion.
If your guinea pig has any of the symptoms of the disease mentioned above, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.It is best to choose a veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals, since not all veterinarians know this species.
It is important that you observe daily the signs and body language of your piglet, sometimes a small change in behavior can reveal that something is wrong, the sooner the problem is diagnosed, the better the prognosis, so regular visits to your trusted veterinarian are so important!
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis, we suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Other Health Problems section.