The health of guinea pigs can be very delicate, so it is important that we pay attention to the state of our pet.
There are very common diseases among this species and as owners, our responsibility is to be informed about them to help them if they suffer from any. Sometimes, some diseases can be fatal, so we must have an exotic veterinarian controlled to contact in case of emergency.
Do you think your guinea pig is sick? Is he behaving strange? If you notice that your rodent does not want to eat or drink, it is difficult to breathe, drools or limps maybe you should start to worry. Any unusual behavior is a bad sign. Here we explain some of the most common diseases and problems in guinea pigs.
Malocclusion is one of the most common diseases in these animals. It consists in that the teeth are getting bigger and bigger and they are not used in the proper way because they are not aligned. As a result, the teeth begin to grow on the opposite gums, causing injuries and infections. Due to pain, the animal stops eating and loses a lot of weight. The solution would be to go to a veterinarian to have them trimmed or removed if necessary.
Tapeworms and worms are other common diseases that guinea pigs can suffer from. In case we perceive that our pet has a swollen gut, we must check its feces to see if we find parasites. If so, the vet will prescribe a drug to eliminate them.
On the other hand, controlling the weight of our pet is very important to prevent obesity . Healthy guinea pigs usually weigh between a kilo and a kilo and a half. When our pet exceeds that weight, it is advisable to do a food reduction prescribed by an expert. Obesity is one of the most common diseases in these animals, so we must give them the appropriate foods.
Guinea pig diseases that are transmitted to humans
There are diseases that guinea pigs can transfer to humans, although the risk of contagion is quite low. They are not worrisome for people’s health but it is important to prevent them. Here we explain some of them.
– Lymphocytic choriomeningitis or also known as LCMV is frequent among rodents although the risk of contagion to humans is low. When this happens it is because your guinea pig has been in contact with a sick wild rodent. Usually people will not show symptoms, but some may have signs of fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle aches, or a stiff neck.
– Guinea pigs can also get leptospirosis when they come in contact with infected rodents. People, both adults and children, will recover quickly but often suffer from headaches, chills and muscle aches.
– And finally the salmonella that we can get through contact with feces. This disease in people is not usually aggravated and occurs in the form of fevers and diarrhea. It is important to wash all the fruits or vegetables that we give to our animal to avoid it.
To prevent diseases in guinea pigs and avoid contagion, the most important thing is to know the basic care and keep the cage clean . Although it may seem silly to many, remember that if you have a hand injury it is better to notify someone else or use gloves. The prevention of diseases in our pets is in sync with the commitment and responsibility that the owners have with them. Without commitment on the part of people, the health of pets cannot be guaranteed and, therefore, neither that of other members of the family.
