Guinea pigs are generally robust animals. However, there are a number of diseases that are considered to be the most common diseases in guinea pigs. Guinea pig owners should know them in order to be able to recognize and treat the first signs in good time.
All guinea pigs are different. The five most common diseases in the animals occur in different ways. It is important to pay attention to any deviation from normal in «Meeri», be it eating behavior, bowel movements, hair loss, swelling, scratching and much more.
1. Stomach and Intestinal Diseases: A healthy guinea pig eats and defecates normally. If it no longer stirs its food, if it defecates less or not at all, or if it has diarrhea, the cause must be investigated. This can be due, among other things, to poor nutrition, dental problems, changing the diet too quickly and viral infections.
Preventive measures:
- Administration of fiber-rich food
- Provision of sufficient juice feed and hay
- Avoid sudden feed changes
- Regular dental check-ups
2. Skin Problems: Guinea pigs are prone to fungal infections. Some animals can be carriers of the fungus without showing any signs of illness. Stressful influences such as insufficient nutrition, poor husbandry, stress from too many more guinea pigs can lead to the outbreak of the disease. The face, head and ears are most commonly affected. However, the fungal infestation can also spread to the back and legs. The spots are itchy, the guinea pig sheds hair there, and scabs usually form. Fungal infections can be spread to other guinea pigs as well as humans.
Preventive measures:
- Constant control of the animals
- Keep humidity at a healthy level
- avoid stress
3. Parasites: Fleas, lice, biting lice and mites are not uncommon in guinea pigs. While fleas and/or their excretions as well as lice and their eggs and biting lice can be easily seen on the skin and coat of guinea pigs, mites can only be diagnosed under a microscope. Signs of parasite infestation are usually severe itching, the infested guinea pig scratches heavily, it has bald spots and crusted skin areas. Guinea pigs may have acquired the parasites from other animals or even through the litter.
Preventive measures:
- Balanced nutrition
- Impeccable hygiene in the cage
- Check every new arrival for parasites and have them treated if necessary
- Regular parasite control
- Parasitic agents (after consultation with the veterinarian)
- Avoid stress (change group composition if necessary to avoid stress through ranking)
4. Uterus and Ovarian Diseases: Guinea pigs often develop diseases of the uterus and ovaries. Common occurrences are uterine infections, ovarian cysts and various cancers.
Preventive measures:
- An ovariohysterectomy (removal of the ovaries and most of the uterus) can be preventative. However, the decision on this should only be made after a discussion with the veterinarian!
5. Respiratory diseases: Guinea pigs can quickly develop an upper respiratory tract infection, in the worst case even pneumonia. Infections can spread from the guinea pig to other animals and vice versa and can also be triggered more quickly by stress.
Preventive measures:
- Keep the cage hygienically clean and clean
- Avoid any stress for the animal (moderate noises, no improper lifting
- Low-dust litter should not be dusty
- Avoid drafts in the enclosure
- Keep guinea pigs away from sick animals
- Wash hands before handling the guinea pig
- Balanced nutrition
urinary problems: Guinea pigs are very prone to urinary stones. These usually form in the bladder, but some form in the kidney itself. Urinary stones can accumulate in the ureter or urethra, resulting in a life-threatening blockage. Signs of urinary problems in guinea pigs are blood in the urine, the animal strains to urinate, adopts a hunched posture, painful noises are made during urination. If there is an occlusion, the guinea pig cannot urinate at all.
Preventive measures:
- A balanced diet
- Always fresh and low-calcium water from clean drinking bottles
- An always clean cage with dry bedding
- Keep the fur on the butt short and dry