I n t r o d u c t i o n
This page was formed in dedication to Claire Margerison. Her Guinea Pig Poppy was fighting an infection in her eye, possibly cataracts, where she goes blind in one of her eyes. We hope she all does well to fight this problem . . .
This page is deticated to Poppy and Claire Margerison. Get well soon Poppy!
S o i s m y C a v y s i c k ?
| Symptoms | Treat At Home | Consult a Vetrinarian If... |
|---|---|---|
| Sits around listlessly, no sqeaky greeting. | Boredom, nedds more affection or companionship. Needs more exercise. | Weight loss, diarrhea, apathy, and loss of appetite. |
| Caked secretion by the lower jaw. | Not enough use of teeth, needs more chewing materials. | Irratation of the skin, hair loss, scabs by or on the mouth, refuses food. |
| Dosn't want to eat. | Wrong kinds or spoiled foods, not enough fresh water, soaked beddding, room is the wrong temperture. | Diarrhea aometimes with blood, hunched-up posture, apathy and dry nasal secretions. |
| Diarrhea | Diet has changed, food or water is to cold, habitat is too humid or cold. | Dosn't want food, sunken eyes, weakness, apathy and emaciation. |
| Constipation or trouble urinating. | Not enough exercise, defective drinkin bottle, sudden change from greens to dry foods. | Fever, dragging hind limbs, spasms and difficulties breathing. |
| Sneezing and coughing. | Drafts, reaction to bedding or cleaning agents, dusty or spoiled hay. | Apathy, lack of breath, nasal backup, weight loss. |
| Watery eyes, red or swollen lids. | Dust or other particles in eye, injury from scratching, irratation from hairs entering the eye. | Sensitive to bright light, conjunctivitis with swelling and reddening, bulging eyes. |
| Accelerated breathing. | Overheating, fear, stress. | Inflating of the cheeks, flank breathing, bluish gums. |
| Lots of scrathing. | Lack of sanitation, bad grooming habits | Skabs, ulcerations, cramping, head tilting. |
| Lameness, unwillingness to move. | Nails to long, wrong bedding. | Dragging hind feet, can't bear weight on back legs, can't balance very well. |
| Minor bleeding. | Superficial skin lesions | Spasms, bite injuries. |
| Areas of hair loss. | Not enough vitatmins, hair biting because of not enough fiber. | Round hairless spots, bilateral symmetrical hair loss. |
W h a t d o I d o ?
When you realize something is wrong with your Guinea Pig, you should . . .
~ Go on internet and search the symptoms. That is how I figured out what one of our Guinea Pigs, Annie, had. If their symptoms are too severe, skip to the next step.
~ Next, after you find what the problem MAY be, consult a vet.
~ Talk with them over the phone, tell them about the symptoms, and what the probem may be. Take their suggestioins to mind.
~ If it is serious, go to the vet! Sometimes their are life or death situations.
Guinea pigs are delicate creatures. Malnutrition can lead to scurvy(a common lack of Vitamin C
disease) and less exercise can lead to a depressed guinea pig. If you want to ensure the healthiest
guinea pig possible, make yourself positive you can spot any danger that poses a threat to them.
Poll Questionair
