GUINEA PIG WEEKLY HEALTH CHECKLIST

Guinea pigs are prey animals and are very good at hiding illness or health problems they may have.  It is important to give your guinea pigs regular health checks as simple illnesses or injuries can quickly develop into critical medical emergencies.  As a guide it is a good idea to check your guinea pigs weekly either during a cuddle session or even when you are cleaning out their cages.

The following is a basic guide on what you should look and feel for when carrying out your guinea pig’s health check. 

·         Check your guinea pig’s weight – Mature pigs should weigh similar each week.  Immature pigs should be slightly heavier than the previous week or at least similar.

·         Your guinea pig should be fit and active. Any changes in usual behaviour can be a sign of illness.

·         Look at the eyes for any discolouration or crustiness/discharge.

·         Check nostrils for any discharge. Has your guinea pig been continuously sneezing?

·         Look around the mouth for sores. Check front teeth to see if wear and growth of both upper and lower teeth are evenly aligned. Check for any drooling/smelly breathe (can indicate teeth problems).

·         Listen to your guinea pigs breathing for any raspy/odd noises.

·         Check nails to see if they need trimming.  (This should be done at least once a month).

·         Examine under your guinea pig’s feet to see if they are dry, inflamed or have any cuts or scabs.

·         Check your guinea pigs bottom to make sure it is reasonably dry and there is no diarrhea or smell.  Inspect droppings to make sure they are normal.  Check male guinea pigs genitals for any foreign objects that may be protruding such as hay or sawdust, and remove these.

·         Does your pig have any scabs or lumps on their body?  Check by stroking your guinea pig from head to rear, then neck to chest looking and feeling for any scabs and lumps.  Check around the eyes and nose and behind/under the ears.

·         Check your guinea pigs skin and hair for any bald patches, coat thinning/dullness, hair loss, dandruff, mites, objects stuck to the hair shafts, sores, cuts or wounds.  To do this use your index finger and starting at the pig’s rump, draw your finger through its coat towards its head so you can see down the hair shafts to the skin.

·         Finally give your piggy a good brush or comb and check if there is any looseness of coat or more than average hair loss. Piggies generally love this attention and it gives you very good social contact with them.

Emergencies

Contact a vet immediately if your guinea pig shows signs of the following:

·          Bleeding that won’t stop

·          Makes a ‘raspy’ or odd noise when breathing, has laboured breathing

·          Seems to be in obvious pain and discomfort

·          Has gone off food and/or won’t eat or drink

Written by Rachel Findlay (ACS Brisbane Shelter Volunteer and Foster Carer)

Photos by Bonnie Wright (Border Small Animal Rescue)