Slowness and fatigue. 2. When you first get your guinea pigs home give them time to settle before starting introductions. Other sounds to hear actively are breathing sounds, including sneezing, puffing, snorting, and wheezing. Hissing. A healthy appetite is a sign of happiness in a guinea pig . Loss of a companion is one of the most common reasons. Therefore, guinea pigs shouldn't be housed with rabbits, and should be kept away from dogs and cats.". Her abdomen is very tight, but no actually obvious contractions yet. 9. Blood in urine. 2. If your guinea pig: A) runs straight up to you and munches the food from your fingers without trying to scarper, then you are scoring high on the trust-o-meter! They nibble your shoes or hands. Contents [ hide] 1 1. Something about babies (or maybe just having companionship) helps an adult guinea pig feel happy again. This goes on day and night. Guinea Pig Care. This is not true for every case, but is something to keep in mind. You should keep your guinea pigs separate from one another in a different room for the first two to three weeks. Guinea pigs do not always handle heights well, so if you decide on a cage with multiple levels, make sure that the levels are fairly close together, to prevent serious injuries from falls. Telling mushroom poisoning apart from regular poisoning can be tricky, especially in guinea pigs who cannot straight out tell you their symptoms. Make sure you know the sex of your guinea pigs - if you are unsure, contact your vet. The guinea pig went back to the rescue and got adopted :) ↓↓↓Little Adventures Shop Links:↓↓↓ Guinea pigs affected by these illnesses may die suddenly without seeming sick. This can be a good thing. Teeth chattering is one of the more common unhappy guinea pig noises that you can distinguish between the others. Some signs that a guinea pig is sick are loss of appetite, weight loss, hunched posture, an abnormal walk or a limp, a belly that is unusually skinny or abnormally large, a change in the consistency of the hair coat, or difficulty breathing. This action is one of pure excitement and happiness. In this case, it is likely to be a cataract, which older guinea pigs are rather prone to develop. When your guinea pigs first arrive, they will run for cover when you approach their enclosure. 6. Vitamin C deficiency, also known as Scurvy, is a common disease in our pet guinea pigs. Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. Hold it in your hand. Even though your guinea might seem dead while actually being in shock, the fact that a guinea pig is in behavioral, anaphylactic, or hypovolemic shock alone can definitely lead to death. These short haired "cavies" come in many different breeds; the most popular among them is the American, which is characterized by a roman nose which is slightly rounded. It's an unfortunate fact of the pet trade that some genders are incorrectly assigned. When you replace all the items, move them around so that nothing is in the same place as it used to be. Steps to take before introducing unfamiliar guinea pigs. The smell is simply the result of accumulated waste, get rid of the waste, you get rid of the problem. Baby guinea pigs are born with their eyes opened, covered with fur, and ready to run around. Diarrhea. This area (e.g., bathroom, kitchen) should be new to both guinea pigs. 2. This condition can be very painful for your guinea pig and can worsen over night, so take action as soon as you observe any signs. Healthy guinea pigs have a steady routine throughout the day, where they relax, explore, and eat. If you gently touch the animal's belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. Drinking Water. 7. Ensure the hutch or cage is large enough - the minimum dimensions that Blue Cross recommends for two . Let them interact for a few hours. Introduce them on a neutral ground. The most common symptom of gastric distress in guinea pigs is diarrhea, as they are unable to vomit. Remember that a cold climate triggers a guinea pig's appetite. It may be accompanied by showing off teeth as an aggressive "back off". Let's explore each. facing a corner and being slow to respond. Make sure it is eating and defecating, wash your hands before and after handling, freeze your pet's bedding and food before use, and keep it away from drafts. To remedy this, have enough treats nearby to hand out to everyone. Flip the front of your pig with your left hand so that the dorsal thorax is against you, with the hind paws supported by the right hand, with the cavy facing away from you. If your guinea pig is happy and is given a . Hair loss, excessive scratching. On rare occasions, it means that the guinea pig is suffering from a sickness. You can also try immersing the guinea pig's hindquarters in water for a minute to soften the stool. Step 2: Take the sight and scent guinea pig approach. Maintaining weight. So, as long as your cavy possesses her usual enthusiasm for food, then it's definitely a sign that things are good-to-go. It is also very important for owners to pay attention to these conditions. Get some tasty grub (veggies or herbs will probably have the best effect). in the dishwasher. Shallow, rapid breathing or panting can be a sign that guinea pig is in pain - especially if the pain is particularly intense. 4. For example, they do not do well with giant wheels and exercise balls. Be aware of the following guinea pig stress signs: Hiding a lot and refusing to come out of the nest . One guinea pig is a lonely guinea pig, but when one more is added, the fun begins! Apply lubricant to your guinea pig's anal area. Your cavy friend is trying to look bigger and more threatening (as far as guinea pigs can look big and terrifying). 3. Teeth barring and hissing often go together. One of the most important things to keep track of, are their weights. With a bereaved, adult guinea pig: There's been many instances when a pet parent has paired a baby with a bereaved, older guinea pig - and guess what happens? Infected guinea pigs may be off food, have discharge from the eyes or nose, sneeze, or have trouble breathing. The guinea pigs didn't get along and so it was best to stop the bonding process. Begin by creating a "C" shape with your thumb and first finger, and then rolling the thumb over the top of her tummy and the forefinger beneath her belly. Quick Breathing. Good guinea pig care includes learning about some common mistakes made by well-meaning owners. One of the most obvious signs of your guinea pigs being bored is when they lose interest in all types of activities. Some guinea pigs will move away from their deceased mate, while others will nudge, nibble and vocalise to try to encourage their companion to move. These toys can cause injury. The most common cause of Bumblefoot in guinea pigs is an increase in pressure on the paws or lack of exercise. Guinea pigs are commonly kept in single sex groups, so a pair of males or a pair of females. Put hay and fresh veggies in the area, along with some towels (in case they get aggressive). Jun 1, 2014 . There are a lot of reasons for a Guinea pig to stop eating such as stress, lack of water, vitamin C deficiency, surgical procedure or illness, so you have to discover the cause on time to fix it, so your Cavy starts eating normally. ; With adults that have dominant personalities: Pairing an older . In this charming book about adding from one to ten, one additional guinea pig joins the group on each spread. Diarrhea. She has has a very small amount of blood, and she will not come out of the kitchen area. Your Guinea Pig Comes To Say Hello. The animal should be taken to the vet. Ensure the hutch or cage is large enough - the minimum dimensions that Blue Cross recommends for two . . To help monitor health, be sure to weigh your cavy weekly. in the dishwasher. Any behavior unusual for your pig, e.g. Be 100% sure of the gender of all guinea pigs you're introducing If you're not sure, ask the vet to check. 1. Rabbits, cats and dogs can carry this bacteria which can pass to guinea pigs and cause disease. Provide adequate living space. Guinea pigs hold grudges. Drastic reduction in appetite. There are many methods to bonding guinea pigs, and many experts have their own routine and things that have worked for them in the past. This page of the Omlet Guinea Pig Guide contains tips and tricks that give you the best chance of making those new introductions go smoothly. We decided to stop the introduction as it got too intense. Prepare a neutral area outside of the cage where the guinea pigs can meet each other. Later on in the pregnancy (by day 50-60), though, you will notice that the abdomen is getting bigger. They are drooling a lot. Along with a proper introduction, guinea pig cage size is one of the most important factors contributing to a lasting friendship. if you wish to raise any issues then please contact me directly.i never thought . It is just like the hissing noise that a cat makes. The drinking water you provide daily should be fresh & clear with no additives. If your guinea pig is over 8 months old, such complications are even more likely. Popcorning. "Any guinea pig that doesn't eat for more than 36 hours should . There are 13 recognized breeds of guinea pigs. "The signs can range from aggressive behavior, such as head tossing or teeth baring, to depression, lethargy and inappetence," Dr. Hageman says. In case you're wondering, here are 8 signs that your guinea pig loves you. 5. Start slowly, with two important senses - sight and scent. Failed Guinea Pig Introduction Lyrics. For instance, a 2 Ibs sow may augment up to 4 Ibs by the end of the pregnancy. Because healthy guinea pigs eat so consistently, they also tend to keep a fairly consistent weight. One of the most typical indicators of a dying guinea pig is a lack of appetite, which might explain why they aren't eating or drinking. Once you know the habits and personality of your pets, the first step to introduction is through scent. The situation is referred to as behavioral shock or . If this only happens once in a while, this behaviour is natural but if it happens regularly then it's very stressful for the bullied guinea pig, and it would be wise to separate them with the mesh trick. However, there are a few things we have found to look out for. Quick breathing can also be a sign of an upper respiratory infection. A two- or three-ounce loss may indicate the onset of a problem. Make sure you know the sex of your guinea pigs - if you are unsure, contact your vet. The Abyssinian has a very distinctive appearance. Bumblefoot is more common in larger guinea pig or giant guinea pig breeds such as the Rex, Capybara, and Cuy Criollo. 4. Once the two to three week quarantine period has passed, it's time to introduce the guinea pigs. You Can Feel the Babies. Use a vinegar and water solution to clean the Coroplast and throw all other items (pigloo, food dish, etc.) A guinea pig suffering from a serious medical condition can die within 24-72 hours. a longer gestation means less babies and the other way around :) in the last few weeks of pregnancy you . please note that i will no longer be taking any more comments on this video. Lie down, and they will climb onto you and explore. Parasitic Diarrhea . You may even notice your guinea pig's fur is fluffed up and poofy. Even one guinea pig needs 7.5 square feet. Coyotebd New Born Pup. Cultures of the ocular (eye) and nasal discharge can be taken to identify the causative organism so that the appropriate antibiotics can be prescribed. If you spot any of these signs, we recommend taking your guinea pig to the vet as soon as possible. The best way to keep your guinea pig healthy is to keep a close watch on your pet. Behaviour, Bonding and Bereavement . Guinea pigs are prey animals and very timid ones. They can die from being scared in almost an instant.