- guinea pig illnesses -

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this was requested for me to do so I’m doing it. If you have any suggestions feel free to comment, whether its for my informational post series, review series, etc. please note their are lots of different illnesses and I could not get to ever single one. So this is part 1, if you would like a part 2 please comment and I will do so

╔═════ஓ๑dental problems :ocean: ๑ஓ═════╗

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dental problems are very common in guinea pigs. A piggy with dental problems may drool, which is now as ‘slobbers’. The most common cause of dental issues is misaligned teeth, which can occur because because of hereditary issues, injury, or malnutrition. A lack of vitamin C can also contribute to dental problems in guinea pigs. If it is quite painful guinea pigs may not eat or eat less. Though a lack a lack of appetite can be symbolic of other problems as well. A vet may be able to correct the problem by filling the piggy’s teeth, though further treatment may still be needed.

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╚═════ஓ๑ :ocean: ๑ஓ═════╝

╔═════ஓ๑scurvy :ocean: ๑ஓ═════╗

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scurvy which also means a vitamin c deficiency. Vitamin c is vital to the normal development and maintenance of skin, ts, and mucosal surfaces, such as the gums. It is also important for healing wounds. A lack of vitamin c also makes the body more prone to the development of diseases. This is also risky common in piggies. Like humans guinea pigs do not produce their own vitamin c, so they need to ingest it in order to get enough into their system. The symptoms of scurvy are weakness, lack of energy, limping, loss of appetite, a rough coat, weight loss, and diarrhea. Scurvy should be taken very seriously, and can be fatal. To prevent you piggy get scurvy make sure to feed veggies with vitamin c or tablets. You can get the water drops, but most piggies don’t drink the water when it doesn’t taste the same. Sometimes guinea pigs have trouble absorbing vitamin c from food, so you must give them vitamin c directly.

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╔═════ஓ๑pneumonia :ocean: ๑ஓ═════╗

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pneumonia is actually the leading cause of death in guinea pigs. It is generally caused by a bacterial infection. Guinea pigs can also naturally harbor these bacteria and may be asymptomatic (apparently healthy) carriers. some of the symptoms include wheezing, trouble breathing, discharge from the nose or mouth, weight loss, reddish eyes, and depression. You vet may treat it with medicine, including antibiotics, but it must be caught early. Stress, such as overcrowding, pregnancy, and the presence of other illnesses, increase the chance that the infection will develop, and young guinea pigs are most often not affected. Some guinea pigs my need to be hospitalized for additional ive care.

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╔═════ஓ๑diarrhea :ocean: ๑ஓ═════╗

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guinea pigs have a sensitive gastrointestinal tract. They have a very specific natural population of 'good' gastrointestinal bacteria (flora) critical to normal bowel function. If this normal bacterial flora becomes altered or unbalanced, 'bad’ (often gas-producing) bacteria can overgrow, produce painful gas, slow down digestion and food age through the intestinal tract, damage the intestinal tissues, release toxins, cause severe diarrhea, and in severe cases, death. This condition is referred to as gastrointestinal (or GI) stasis. In addition to bacterial infections, some intestinal parasites, like cryptosporidia and coccidia, can cause diarrhea. Other clinical signs that may occur with diarrhea are not eating, depression, dehydration, weight loss, and a low body temperature. If a guinea pig has those signs go to a vet immediately.

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╔═════ஓ๑tumors :ocean: ๑ஓ═════╗

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Guinea pigs get various tumors; skin and mammary (breast) tumors are particularly common. They can be benign or malignant (cancer). Any mass should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian. In many cases, surgical removal is curative.

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╔═════ஓ๑abscesses :ocean: ๑ஓ═════╗

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an abscess is a infected swelling containing an accumulation of pus and bacteria. Abscesses can affect lymph nodes, skin, muscles, teeth, bones, and internal organs. Since guinea pigs (and other rodents and rabbits) form thick pus that does not drain or get reabsorbed easily, most abscesses in these animals require surgical removal (debridement), followed by treatment with antibiotics chosen based on culture of the bacteria growing in the abscess. Some abscesses (like those involving the jaw and teeth) are more challenging to treat, as affected teeth and bone must be removed

along with all the infected soft tissues.

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╔═════ஓ๑urinary problems :ocean: ๑ஓ═════╗

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Guinea pigs are very prone to development of urinary calculi (stones or uroliths). These stones most often form in the bladder but may also form in the kidneys or ureters (tubes that drain the kidneys into the bladder). Stones may become lodged in the ureter or the urethra (the tube carrying urine from the bladder to the outside), causing a life-threatening obstruction.

Although uncommon, cystitis (bladder infection) occurs more often in female guinea pigs than males, and often stones develop in association with infection. Signs of urinary problems include anorexia (not eating), blood in the urine, straining to urinate, a hunched posture (with straining), and small, frequent urinations; if an obstruction occurs, the guinea pig will be unable to produce urine. Any guinea pig with signs of a urinary tract problem should be seen by a veterinarian right away.

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╔═════ஓ๑extra info :ocean: ๑ஓ═════╗

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just to let you know I did copy and paste some of it.

Source 1

Source 2

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thanks for reading!

-Maddie

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