A Guide to Common Skin Issues in Small Pets
A comprehensive guide to identifying, preventing, and treating common skin problems in small exotic pets, including urine scald, mites, ringworm, and bacterial infections, with species-specific advice.
61 docs tagged with "guinea-pigs"
← View All Tags
Bloat in Guinea Pigs
Bloat, also known as Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), is a sudden, life-threatening condition that can affect guinea pigs. It occurs when the stomach fills with gas and, in some cases, twists on itself (volvulus), cutting off blood supply to the stomach and other organs. This is a severe medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary intervention. Understanding the signs and acting quickly can be the difference between life and death.
Bordetella in Guinea Pigs
Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that causes respiratory disease in a variety of animals. While it is most commonly known as a cause of 'kennel cough' in dogs, it can be a life-threatening...
Bumblefoot in Guinea Pigs
Learn about bumblefoot (pododermatitis) in guinea pigs — causes including heart disease, warning signs, treatment, and how to prevent this painful foot condition.
Cancer in Guinea Pigs
A guide to cancer in guinea pigs, covering the common types like skin tumors and lymphoma, and the importance of veterinary diagnosis for any new lump or bump.
Caseous/Cervical Lymphadenitis in Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are beloved pets known for their friendly and gentle nature, but like all animals, they can be susceptible to a variety of health issues. One condition that can affect them is Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL), a bacterial infection that causes swelling and abscesses in the lymph nodes. This disease can be serious and requires prompt treatment to avoid complications.
Coccidia in Guinea Pigs
Understand coccidia in guinea pigs — what it is, how it spreads, symptoms to watch for, how it's diagnosed and treated, and how to prevent it.
Common Health Issues in Guinea Pigs
An overview of the most common health issues affecting pet guinea pigs, including their absolute need for Vitamin C (scurvy), GI stasis, bladder stones, and bumblefoot.
Dangerous Foods and Treats for Guinea Pigs
Many common foods and treats can be dangerous or even fatal for guinea pigs. Learn which foods to never feed your guinea pig and why their sensitive digestive systems require careful dietary choices.
Dangerous Plants for Small Pets: A Regional Guide
Global dangerous plants infographic
Dangerous Toys and Products for Guinea Pigs
Many toys and products marketed for small animals are unsafe for guinea pigs. Learn which items to avoid and what safe, enriching alternatives you can offer instead.
Dental Health in Guinea Pigs
A comprehensive guide to dental disease in guinea pigs, covering the anatomy of their continuously-growing teeth, causes of malocclusion, how to recognize early warning signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Diabetes in Guinea Pigs
Learn about diabetes mellitus in guinea pigs — causes, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and how diet and lifestyle changes can help your guinea pig live well.
E. cuniculi in Guinea Pigs
Learn about Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) in guinea pigs — what it is, how it spreads, symptoms including head tilt and seizures, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Ear Infections in Guinea Pigs
Learn about ear infections in guinea pigs — causes, warning signs including head tilt and loss of balance, diagnosis, treatment, and how to prevent them.
Ectopic Ovarian Tissue in Guinea Pigs
A guide to ectopic ovarian tissue in guinea pigs, a condition where ovarian tissue is found outside the ovaries, often causing hormonal issues even in spayed females.
Entropion in Small Pets
A comprehensive guide to entropion — the inward rolling of the eyelid — in small pets including rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. Covers causes, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Essential Supplies for Guinea Pigs: A Helping All Little Things Guide
Bringing home a guinea pig (or better yet—a pair!) is an exciting and joyful experience. To set your new friends up for a happy, healthy life, it’s important to have the right supplies ready from day...
Eye & Vision Issues in Guinea Pigs
A guide to common eye and vision issues in guinea pigs, including conditions like fatty eye and pea eye, as well as injuries and age-related changes.
Fetal Arrhythmia in Guinea Pigs: What It Is and What It Means
Pregnancy in guinea pigs can be a delicate time, requiring close monitoring and appropriate veterinary care. One rare but important condition that can arise is fetal arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat detected in a developing fetus. While unsettling to hear about, understanding this condition can help owners and rescues make informed decisions.
Fleas in Guinea Pigs: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Fleas are common parasites that can affect various pets, including guinea pigs. While these small, wingless insects are more frequently associated with cats and dogs, a flea infestation can cause...
Fly Strike in Guinea Pigs
Fly strike, also known as myiasis, is a serious and often fatal condition that affects guinea pigs. It occurs when flies lay their eggs on a guinea pig, and the hatching maggots begin to feed on the...
Gastrointestinal (GI) Health in Guinea Pigs
An essential guide to gastrointestinal (GI) health in guinea pigs, covering their sensitive digestive system, the causes and signs of life-threatening bloat and GI stasis, and the importance of a high-hay diet.
Giardia in Guinea Pigs
Learn about Giardia in guinea pigs — what it is, how it spreads, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and how to prevent this intestinal parasite.
Grooming Your Guinea Pig
Grooming is an essential part of responsible guinea pig care that goes beyond just keeping them looking their best. Regular grooming sessions are an excellent opportunity to bond with your pet and...
Guinea Pig Care
Plain, quality pellets are best for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs under 6 months old should be fed an Alfalfa pellet and hay-based diet. Do not feed your guinea pig any food with artificial coloring,...
Guinea Pig Poop
Guinea pigs have sensitive digestive systems, and looking at their poop is the best way to quickly determine how your guinea pig's system is functioning. It's also one of the reasons why it's so...
Home Health Care for Your Guinea Pig: A Helping All Little Things Guide
Guinea pigs are hardy little creatures, but they rely on attentive caregivers to keep them healthy and comfortable. Performing regular home health checks is one of the most important things you can...
Introductions and Bonding
How to safely introduce small pets to each other — covering quarantine, scent swapping, neutral space introductions, and warning signs for all HALT species.
Is a Guinea Pig Right for Me and My Family?
Guinea pigs are gentle, social, and surprisingly communicative little animals — and they are one of the most rewarding small pets you can share your home with. But like any pet, they come with real...
Know Your Guinea Pig Breeds
From the sleek and smooth to the curly and long-haired, guinea pigs come in a wonderful variety of breeds, each with its own unique look and grooming needs. While personality is individual, some...
Lice in Guinea Pigs
Learn about lice in guinea pigs — the species involved, how to identify them, symptoms, treatment options, and how to prevent infestation.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, and while it may be rare in guinea pigs, it’s a serious health condition that pet owners should be aware of. Early detection of lymphoma can significantly improve the chances of managing the disease and providing your guinea pig with a better quality of life. Understanding the nature of lymphoma, recognizing the early signs, and seeking timely veterinary care are crucial steps in ensuring the best possible outcome for your guinea pig.
Mastitis in Small Pets
An overview of mastitis, a painful infection of the mammary glands, in small pets. Learn to recognize the signs, understand the causes, and know when to seek immediate veterinary care.
Microphthalmia in Small Pets
A comprehensive guide to microphthalmia (abnormally small eyes) in small pets, covering its genetic causes, species-specific presentations in rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats, and how to manage affected animals.
Mites in Guinea Pigs
Understand mites in guinea pigs — the different species, symptoms including intense itching and seizures, diagnosis, treatment with ivermectin, and prevention.
Neurologic Diseases in Guinea Pigs
An overview of neurologic diseases in guinea pigs — including E. cuniculi, inner ear infections, stroke, and Vitamin C deficiency — with symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Nutrition Information for Guinea Pigs
A balanced and appropriate diet is the single most important factor in maintaining the health and well-being of your guinea pig. Unlike many other small pets, guinea pigs have specific and unique...
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are a common health issue in female guinea pigs, especially as they age. These fluid-filled sacs form on the ovaries and can lead to discomfort and health complications if untreated. Here’s everything you need to know about detecting, treating, and preventing ovarian cysts in guinea pigs, as well as why the flank approach is often preferred for surgical removal.
Parasites in Guinea Pigs
A guide to common parasites affecting guinea pigs, with a focus on the intense itching caused by sarcoptic mange mites, as well as lice and the fungal infection ringworm.
Parasites in Guinea Pigs
A comprehensive guide to internal and external parasites in guinea pigs, including identification, treatment, and prevention strategies.
Pelvic Dystocia in Guinea Pigs
An essential guide to pelvic dystocia in guinea pigs, a life-threatening birth complication, explaining why breeding females over 7-8 months of age is so dangerous.
Playing with and Training Your Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs are social, curious animals that thrive with daily enrichment and gentle training. Learn how to engage your guinea pig's natural instincts through play and positive reinforcement.
Pneumonia in Guinea Pigs
A comprehensive guide to pneumonia in guinea pigs, including the critical warning that guinea pigs often show no cough, asymptomatic carriers, diagnosis by x-ray, and treatment.
Proper Handling of Guinea Pigs
Proper handling is fundamental to building a trusting relationship with your guinea pig and ensuring their safety. As prey animals, guinea pigs can be naturally skittish and may be frightened by...
Respiratory Issues in Guinea Pigs
A guide to respiratory infections in guinea pigs, covering the common bacterial causes, signs of illness, and the importance of prompt veterinary treatment.
Safe Treats for Small Pets
A comprehensive guide to safe and unsafe treats for all small pet species, including rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, ferrets, hedgehogs, mice, and degus.
Satin Syndrome in Guinea Pigs
Satin guinea pig
Scurvy (Vitamin C Deficiency) in Guinea Pigs
Everything you need to know about scurvy in guinea pigs — causes, symptoms, treatment, and how to ensure your guinea pig gets enough Vitamin C.
Sexing Guinea Pigs
Correctly identifying the sex of a guinea pig is a crucial skill for any owner, breeder, or rescue. It is the only way to prevent accidental and unwanted pregnancies, which can be dangerous for...
Spine Issues in Guinea Pigs
A guide to spinal issues in guinea pigs, highlighting their fragile skeletal structure and the severe risks posed by improper handling, falls, and the use of exercise wheels.
Stroke in Guinea Pigs
Understanding strokes in guinea pigs — causes, symptoms, emergency response, treatment, and recovery.
Taking Your Small Pet Outside Safely
Outdoor safety infographic for small pets
The Ideal Guinea Pig Habitat
Creating a safe, spacious, and enriching environment is one of the most important responsibilities of a guinea pig owner. The right habitat directly impacts their physical health and mental...
Understanding Clubbed Feet and Limb Deformities in Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are known for their sweet personalities and unique charm—but some arrive into rescue with visible physical challenges, including limb deformities commonly referred to as "clubbed feet." Understanding this condition is key to providing these special-needs pigs with the quality of life they deserve.
Understanding Guinea Pig Behavior: A Guide for Owners
Guinea pigs are highly vocal, social animals with a rich repertoire of sounds and body language. Learning to read their cues is one of the most rewarding parts of guinea pig ownership.
Understanding Guinea Pig Coat Color Genetics
Guinea pigs are known for their stunning diversity of coat colors and patterns, from solid black to intricate brindles and dalmatians. This variety isn't random; it's the result of a fascinating and complex world of genetics. Understanding the basics of coat color inheritance is not only interesting for curious owners but is also critical for responsible breeding and rescue advocacy to prevent serious genetic health problems.
Understanding Lethal White Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are beloved companions known for their sweet nature, vocal personalities, and varied appearances. But within the world of guinea pig care, there’s a little-known and serious condition that deserves more awareness—lethal white syndrome.
Urinary and Bladder Issues in Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs may be small, but they have complex needs—and that includes their urinary health. Bladder and urinary tract issues are common in guinea pigs and can range from mild to life-threatening....
What to Know about Hairless or "Skinny" Pigs
Hairless guinea pigs, most commonly known as "Skinny Pigs," are a unique and increasingly popular variety of cavy. Their striking appearance, lacking the typical fluffy coat, makes them stand out, but it also means they have specialized care requirements that potential owners must be prepared to meet. Understanding their unique needs is essential to providing them with a healthy and happy life.
Worms in Guinea Pigs
A guide to intestinal worm infestations in guinea pigs — types, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.