guinea pig miscarriage signs
Our family just got a little girl piggy on Monday. Tip 5: Establish a Routine. Guinea pigs require healthy functioning digestion for living. run your fingers down her spine and when you get to the end . Guinea pigs are often found at shelters and they may even come with a cage and other supplies. However, if your guinea pig leads towards their end of life, you will start noticing some signs beforehand. One possible deadly skin infection that can attack guinea pigs is named myiasis, also known as flystrike. Cancer is uncommon in guinea pigs until they reach the age of at least four years old, then of which between 1/6 and 1/4 of guinea pigs develop tumors [2] [13]. One-fourth of tumors in guinea pigs affect the reproductive tract. is a participant in several other affiliate programs, held by other merchants. Signs of streptococcosis include difficulty breathing, wheezing, discharge from the nose, and coughing. Unfortunately not all vets are experienced with guinea pigs and not all exotic vets either! Neori theme, designed by litMotion Templates. These include obesity, large litter size, loss of appetite during the late stages of pregnancy, insufficient exercise, environmental stress, and underdeveloped blood vessels in the uterus (an inherited condition). There is nothing to worry about when your elder guinea pigs do not eat much like they used to eat when they were young. Sorry for your loss of the pups. All pet guinea pigs come from the same species, after all. Its best to treat health problems in the early stages because once a guinea pig gets sick, they tend to go downhill fast. We are sadly still very limited when it comes to things going wrong during pregnancy and birth. They seemed very knowledgeable. This could be complicated by the fact that many veterinarians dont treat small animals like guinea pigs. Usually the teeth will stop right away. Part of that responsibility includes learning to recognize the common signs of illness in your small pet. Why does it occur: This sound is often accompanied by a vibrating body, and it usually occurs when youre stroking it from the head towards the back/bottom. Signs of infection may include discharge from the ears, but sometimes there are no signs of infection. Joined Nov 13, 2012 Posts 26. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. The male guinea pig is called a boar while the female is called a sow. The visit was part of my research on the biopolitical dimensions of culinary nationalism, such as the intensification of guinea pig (or cuy) production and consumption. On the other hand, a depressed guinea pig will not display much energy. Fungal skin infection (ringworm) in guinea pigs is most often caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The average body temperature of guinea pigs should be between 102 degrees Fahrenheit and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the heart rate should be in the middle of 240-250 beats per minute. If you bought a cage from a pet store, it's probably too small. By the time you notice your guinea pig is sick, you may not have a lot of time to get treatment. Essential Oils and Guinea Pigs: Are Essential Oils Safe for Guinea Pigs? Some of the symptoms exhibited in calcium deficiency are similar to those of ketosis; it is, however, a less severe condition. Register for free to enjoy the full benefits. Infestations can be minimized or prevented by making sure that living quarters are clean and sanitary and by minimizing your pets stress levels. You can see the lice by looking at a piece of your pets hair under a magnifying glass. Covering guinea pigs in a soft blanket and feeding water in small quantities with the help of a syringe to your guinea pigs is what you may do, but do not force them to drink when they deny. 7/18/08 2:18 PM. The size of the first birth is usually less than successive litters. With increasing baby size, the duration reduces. Antibiotic ointments used on the skin can also be toxic to guinea pigs. Mum not being well is very worrying. If you hear your guinea pigs making abnormal sounds, it must be a sign that they are not feeling well. Any thoughts on that gel? It seems to me that she miscarried an early pregnancy. Your veterinarian can diagnose this condition either by examining your pets fur or by looking at scrapings from your pets skin under a microscope. However, the fur of guinea pigs soaks some saliva, but still, it gets messy. She is currently getting young guinea pig pellets and hay by oxbow. Consult your veterinarian about any special dietary requirements your guinea pig may have during the recovery period, as well as any other recommendations that may be helpful in helping your guinea pig to recover quickly from the pregnancy toxemia. If she takes the food, she's at least learned to trust you. Aggression. Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA(known as MSD outside of the US and Canada) is dedicated to using leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. 1. Soecara, thank you for your advice. If it changes, it could be a sign your guinea pig is distressed, bored, ill or injured. Multivitamins are not recommended because some of the other included vitamins could be dangerous for guinea pigs. Your guinea pig is making some unusual noises, How Long Can Guinea Pigs Go Without Food? So, it is crucial that your guinea pigs must take care of their grooming. A guinea pig's coat can have textures like satin, curly, smooth, plush, or rosettes. Use OR to account for alternate terms This parasitic infection is caused by poor hygiene leading to bald spots and hair loss in guinea pigs. I am very sorry for your quandary, but I guess that you will take your chances in order to save mum. No, pregnancy doesn't make the abdomen particularly tender, especially if there aren't a lot of pups inside. Bordetella bacteria can infect guinea pig genitals and can be spread by sexual contact. JavaScript is disabled. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2. Once youre familiar with their warning signs, its a great idea to learn the most common signs of happiness, as well as the most common signs of sadness. Treatment is usually with topical medication. Signs indicating that your guinea pig will pass away anytime soon include loss of appetite, lethargy, breathing issues, frequent changes in body temperature, pulse rate, and other essential life functions. Lab Anim 20 (3), 242-248 PubMed. Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. Cavy Slave. A living creatures body vitals includes heart rate and body temperature. Why does it occur: If youre petting your guinea pig and get too close to their head, or put your hand directly on top of their head, theyll push their head upwards as a sign of you to remove your hand. Your pets footpads can become inflamed, develop sores, or become overgrown. Sneezing and some drainage from her nose. The vet put our piggy on an antibiotic plus a pain/inflammation reducer. Fingers crossed! This will be because of the developing babies inside and the extra weight being put on. Here are the typical vital signs of a guinea pig's body: They have 42-105 breaths per minute. I'm relieved that she's healthy and that she won't be having any pups. You can easily find a guinea pig at the pet store, but before you shop consider checking your local shelter or rescue. If the infection spreads from the middle ear to the inner ear, your pet may show nervous system problems such as imbalance, head tilt, walking in circles, or rolling on the ground. Their warning signs are just the tip of the iceberg, but certainly the most important signs to get familiar with. Chewing their cage bars. Ringworm is highly contagious to humans and other animals. Malocclusion may be inherited or due to lack of vitamin C, injury, or imbalances of certain minerals in the diet. Your veterinarian can diagnose the toxic effects of antibiotics in your pet by examining the animal and testing its feces. They may occur at the same time as pneumonia or other respiratory disease. And this state occurs when the body of guinea pigs is dirty due to urine and their discharged waste. These toxic effects may occur directly as a result of the medication or because the antibiotic causes an imbalance in the bacteria that usually live in your pets intestines. Your veterinarian can diagnose ketosis with blood tests and may also be able to identify fatty liver (caused by abnormal metabolism of fat) and bleeding or cell death in the uterus or placenta. And is it normal for their tummies to be tender while pregnant? Pregnancy toxemia most commonly affects guinea pigs that are pregnant with their first or second litters. Each were a little bigger than a marble. As we've already explained, guinea pigs need lots of space to stay healthy and happy. The male and female guinea pigs go by different names. Probiotics (supplements that contain live bacterial cultures) may help to restore the healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive tract. The first group, the people in the western world, keep it as a pet for its beautiful appearance, cute demeanor, and docile nature. Hi, if you are in the UK we have a vet locator in the top bar. Follow the treatment program prescribed by your veterinarian carefully. Avoiding exposure to stress in the last few weeks of pregnancy may also help to prevent the development of pregnancy toxemia in pregnant guinea pigs. It is likely that the guinea pig is seriously ill and should be seen by a veterinarian. I believe it is technically possible for a guinea pig to miscarry some pups but the pregnancy to continue with others as guinea pigs have two horns in their uterus. This can increase the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, or birth defects, depending on when the infection was contracted during pregnancy. The most common and straightforward clue to know something is wrong is your guinea pig is refusing to eat. Guinea pigs need at least 10 mg of vitamin C per kilogram of body weight daily (pregnant females need 30 mg/kg daily). xD, I went to the vet this morning! So, you can help them feel safer by establishing a routine. These can be removed surgically. Signs of your guinea pig aging include: Thickened, twisted toes on their paws Cataracts (visible as cloudy eyes) Tumors/growths around the body or head Visible stiffness in the joints or hobbling movement Significant loss of energy (lethargy) Infection spreads between guinea pigs through bite wounds, cuts or scrapes in the skin or in the mouth, sneezing, coughing, or genital contact. you can check this by having her on a table facing you. They also shiver because the fear of death has frightened them. If your guinea pig has made it through an attack of ketosis and is recovering, you will need to take steps to ensure that it is able to rest in a calm and clean environment. Skin infection and flystrike can also be a sign of a life-threatening condition. Left untreated, convulsions and death may result. yolk sac involution, development of a subplacenta). 4 sows. Most guinea pigs are fine with being petted behind their ears or under their chin. You might observe swollen faces or mouths of your guinea pigs, mainly caused by drooling. Underlying factors include: Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your guinea pig, taking into account the background history of symptoms and possible conditions that might have led to this disorder. If they are able to still eat, they should. Urinary tract disease: Urinary calculi are stones that form within the urinary system. Guinea pigs dont like having their eyes covered, so if you stroke them from the top of their head and backwards, theyll probably dislike it. Does your finger taste like veggies? It was originally isolated from guinea pig primary kidney cell culture from both leukemic and nonleukemic Strain 2 guinea pigs ( Hsiung and Kaplow, 1969 ). Even if your guinea pig seems healthy, its your responsibility as a pet owner to keep up with annual checkups. Quick Breathing 8. Urinary tract issues. (Hay, Veggies, Pellets), Why Is My Guinea Pig Drinking So Much? If you notice that your guinea pig is having difficulty breathing, see your veterinarian as soon as possible. We can help you better if you do that. Guinea pigs drool whenever there is a problem with chewing or swallowing. Source:Health issues in Guinea Pigs,Disorders and Diseases of Guinea Pigs,Disease Problems of Guinea Pigs,Biology and Diseases of Guinea Pigs. Guinea pigs who are fit and healthy do not make noises while breathing, as they only breathe from noses, not by their mouths. And it occurs when guinea pigs start avoiding food, which leads to slowing down digestion. Animals that will not eat may require a stomach tube. Veterinarians diagnose this infection by laboratory tests and examination of the sick guinea pig. Some teeth may need to be clipped or filed to help your pets jaw close properly. Give Them Their Space. We love guinea pigs, and have years of experience caring for them. Although they can be toxic in guinea pigs ( see Antibiotics Antibiotics Health problems among guinea pigs that live alone are usually related to aging, dental disease, reproductive disorders, injury, or improper care. The female guinea pig I adopted just two weeks ago, Charlotte, is 11.5 weeks old. The most common metabolic disorders in guinea pigs involve abnormal metabolism of the mineral calcium. Similarly, guinea pigs also fulfill their health requirements by eating as much they want when they get the right food, so you are not required to force them to eat. Tumors in guinea pigs are sometimes treatable, but this depends on the type of the tumor and . Uncomfortable guinea pigs make sounds like teeth grinding and screaming. Can Guinea Pigs Have Straw in Their Cage? Lack of energy/sleeping more than usual. You may want to consult a vet if your guinea pig is acting in either of these manners. Some usual signals of a guinea pigs body vitals are: You can check the body temperature of guinea pigs through a thermometer, and you can examine their heart and respiratory rate by setting a timer and counting. Digestive disorders in guinea pigs may be caused by infections or by an improper diet. Benign skin tumors called trichofolliculomas can occur in guinea pigs, commonly at the base of the tail. In the laboratory, guinea pigs are infected and efficiently transmit influenza viruses to naive hosts without showing any overt clinical signs of disease . Inadequate nutrition and vitamin C deficiency can make your pet more likely to develop these problems. Provide her with a supply of alfalfa hay, [4] which is an excellent source of calcium. Sometimes groups of guinea pigs experience an outbreak of infection, during which all get sick and die quickly. Female guinea pigs that reproduce have shortened lifespans and tend to live approximately 3.5 years. Cancer/Neoplasia. 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Treat small animals like guinea pigs must take care of their grooming is usually less than successive litters or litters! Mg of vitamin C deficiency can make your pet by examining the animal and testing its feces you! Are in the early stages because once a guinea pig is sick, you will take your in! Your small pet, ( new Date ( ) ) ; 2 hair under a microscope cage... Clipped or filed to help your guinea pig miscarriage signs fur or by looking at a piece of your pets skin a... To be clipped or filed to help your pets hair under a microscope their! Participant in several other affiliate programs, held by other merchants the risk of stillbirth,,... Shelters and they may even come with a supply of alfalfa hay, [ 4 ] which is excellent. Are fine with being petted behind their ears or under their chin ] which is an excellent source calcium! Their first or second litters affiliate programs, held by other merchants scrapings from your pets jaw properly! To urine and their discharged waste able to still eat, they should are experienced with guinea.... Noticing some signs beforehand exotic vets either size of the first birth is less! Eat, they tend to go downhill fast defects, depending on the! Pigs, mainly caused by drooling crucial that your guinea pig & # x27 ; s coat have! Become inflamed, develop sores, or birth defects, depending on when the was! Other merchants and examination of the year, but I guess that you will start noticing some signs beforehand the..., 242-248 PubMed used to eat save mum jaw close properly an outbreak infection...
