If you're a pig lover, you may want to adopt a guinea pig if you don’t already have one. In terms of appearance, Guinea pigs resemble rats and mice, but have physiologic and anatomic dissimilarity that exposes them to various unique disorders and diseases.
In this article, we shall look at the many disorders and diseases of Guinea Pigs that you must know about to save their life, including:
- Bumblefoot (ulcerative pododermatitis)
- Skin disorders
- Eye and ear disorders
- Digestive problems
- Nutritional disorder
- Dental problems
- Pneumonia
- Pregnancy Toxemia
- Tumors and cancers
Although these are the most common diseases of guinea pigs, they are not the only ones to be aware of. Each guinea pig is unique, and its environment, diet, and other factors determine its potential issues.
Read on for the most common health issues in guinea pigs and more!
9 Disorders and Diseases of Guinea Pigs You Must Know
Disorders and diseases in guinea pigs could vary based on genetics, cage cleanliness, age, diet, stress levels, and weather, among other factors.
Interesting Read: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Broccoli?
Did you know that Guinea pigs feel emotions? Well, that means that Guinea pigs living alone are likely to suffer from stress and age-related diseases.
Young guinea pigs (under five years old) are less likely to develop tumors. Many guinea pigs living in the same cage will likely suffer from certain bacteria and viruses.
Taking preventive measures is necessary, as it's more complicated to treat diseases in Guinea pigs than other pets due to their antibiotic sensitivity.
Let’s look at the most common diseases in guinea pigs.
1. Skin Disorders
Skin disorders in Guinea pigs can be itchy and extremely uncomfortable. They’re often easily noticeable as hair loss or patches.
Some of the most common skin disorders in Guinea Pigs include lice, fur mites, ringworm, Pododermatitis (affects the feet), and mites.
Ringworm
Trichophyton mentagrophytes is the major cause of skin disorders in Guinea pigs. Ringworms are contagious in animals through contact or contaminated bedding and other items. The skin infection can become more severe or inflamed if treatment is delayed.
However, if your Guinea pig has no other underlying health issues, stays in a clean cage, and feeds on a balanced diet, ringworms can disappear on their own, but it may take some time.
Treatment could help speed up the healing process. Ringworm treatment typically includes oral antifungal medication and antifungal shampoos. Rinses may also be necessary, depending on the pig’s condition or the veterinarian’s preference.
If the affected Guinea pig shares the cave with other pigs, don’t wait too long. Consult a Veterinarian for treatment to prevent the disease from spreading to healthy animals.
Interesting Read: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Peas?
Ringworm is a contagious disease, so separate the sick Guinea Pigs to prevent the spread of ringworm to the healthy pigs. Also, wear disposable gloves when handling the sick Guinea Pig. If you don’t have gloves, thoroughly wash your hands with warm water and soap after handling the infected Guinea pig.
Regularly sanitize the pig’s housing while treating it to prevent re-infection.
Expert Tip: Regular Guinea Pig grooming may help spot issues before they worsen. Also, regular visits to a good vet could greatly help prevent skin disorders and other diseases, which could help save a lot of money or your Guinea Pig’s life.
Fur Mites
There are different types of mites. Your Guinea pig might get infested with fur mites by sharing bedding and other items with infested pets. Some don’t affect the skin but cause hair loss, others cause no signs, and others cause severe inflammation.
When the fur mites that cause hair loss and inflammation infest the Guinea Pig’s skin around the neck, inner thighs, and shoulders, the fur beneath those areas can be crusty or thickened and sometimes oily or dry.
Due to inflammation, a heavily infested Guinea pig might become restless, run around the cage, lose weight, or become weak. Lack of treatment could lead to convulsions, in severe cases, the death of the Guinea pig.
Vets diagnose fur mites by examining the Guinea pig’s skin scrapings under a microscope or the pet’s fur. A vet can inject an infested pig or prescribe topical medications.
Fur mite infestations are among the disorders and diseases of Guinea pigs that can be prevented or minimized by ensuring minimal stress levels in your pet and keeping their housing clean.
Hair Loss (Alopecia)
Alopecia has multiple causes in Guinea pigs, including age, stress, dietary supplementation in younger individuals, and social conflicts.
Weaning Guinea pigs may experience hair loss as their coats transition to a coarser texture. Alopecia (hair loss) may be caused by social conflicts between older and younger Guinea pigs housed together. You can easily detect this if you notice bite marks on other pigs.
Separate your senior, adult, and younger Guinea pigs to prevent social and supremacy fights, which could also result in stress among the inferior ones. Besides social and supremacy fights, Guinea pigs can get jealous of each other and start fighting.
Guinea pigs also chew on each other’s hair or their own when bored. This habit is referred to as barbering.
Also, when bored, guinea pigs can chew on toilet paper rolls. Keep your Guinea pigs active and engaged with toys to prevent boredom and barbering.
You don’t have to spend a lot on toys. You can use toilet paper tubes or cut veggies and hide them around the cage for them to ‘discover.’
Creative Fox, a Quora contributor, has implemented this creative method and SAYS, “I have learned that cardboard tubes are really great toys for guinea pigs, my girl pumpkin in particular loves toilet paper tubes! Cut them up and stuff treats or veggies or even hay, they love it! heck, sometimes I give them just the tubes and that will entertain them for a while! My boy Scooby loves to play with strips of paper! He tosses them around and tears at them! It’s safe for them and it’s a way to reuse them!
Another good thing is simply rearranging the cage to give them something new to check out! A fun way to give veggies is cutting them up and “hiding” them around the cage, putting them on hides they can see the top of, under things, spread around the cage, just nothing too complex, because while they are adorable… our sweet guinea pigs aren’t the brightest creatures…”
A spacious and properly ventilated housing is ideal, as it provides enough room for them to play, hide, and explore.
Lice
Usually, the main cause of lice among Guinea pigs is a dirty cage, bedding, toys, and other things your buddy is exposed to. However, r/guineapigs, a contributor at Reddit, ensured that Wilbur was clean, his cage and bedding were also clean, but there was still a reinfestation.
Here’s what r/guineapigs says, “Wilbur has lice (again) and I'm at my wits end 🙁 My 3-year old piglet just can't seem to get a break from skin problems. He's had running lice, ear fungus, and a sebaceous cyst all in the last year, and yesterday I discovered he has lice again 🙁
I gave him a bath last night with his GP shampoo and brushed out as many louse as I could with a nit comb, but I would love some advice on the best course of action to make him comfy (and minimize the spread) until his vet appt in a few days.”
From the comments, we learn that even after ensuring that your Guinea pig's bedding, toys, cage, and everything else around him is clean and properly sanitized, your buddy could still be infested by lice.
At this point, ensure that the hay you're ordering isn’t infested with lice, that your Guinea pig isn’t roaming around lest it intermingle with infested pigs, and that the pig doesn’t have an underlying health issue compromising its immune system.
Topical Ivermectin kills lice, but you should never use it until your vet has advised you to do so.
2. Bumblefoot (Ulcerative Pododermatitis)
Bumblefoot is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation on a Guinea pig's footpad. Various bacterial species, including Escherichia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas, cause it.
Staphylococcus aureus enters the Guinea pigs’ footpads through scrapes and cuts. It’s common in pigs’ housing that features wire bars or abrasive flooring and poor sanitation.
This bacterium is also common in obese Guinea pigs.
Bumblefoot is also one of the disorders and diseases of guinea pigs that should be treated immediately, as delay can lead to arthritis, swelling of the lymph nodes, protein buildup in the internal organs, and tendon inflammation.
Call your vet to examine the condition and, if necessary, do a laboratory test to diagnose the Guinea pig.
In addition to administering medical treatment, your vet will likely suggest a smooth-floored cage with better sanitation and soft bedding.
Medical treatment varies depending on the severity of the situation. In severe circumstances, a vet may suggest amputation of the affected area. For a less severe bumblefoot infection, the vet may soak the affected pig’s paws in a mild cleansing solution before applying bandages.
The vet may further administer antibiotics and pain relievers.
3. Eye and Ear Disorders
Eye and ear disorders in Guinea pigs can result from cataracts, infections, or ulcers. They can progress very fast, so they need immediate medical attention. You can tell your guinea pig has eye problems if you notice eye discharge, redness, cloudy eyes, or weeping eyes.
If you notice your Guinea pig constantly tilting its head, rolling on the ground, having a poor appetite, moving in circles, or massively losing weight, consider checking if it has an inner ear infection. A severe ear infection could also cause deafness.
Saskia at the Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue demonstrates how to tell if your Guinea pig is deaf and blind. Check out their video.
Sometimes, ear infections could occur alongside pneumonia or other respiratory ailments.
Contact your vet immediately if you notice open-mouth breathing.
Based on the prevailing circumstances, your vet could perform a CT scan or a skull X-ray (radiography) to examine the fluid in the guinea pig’s inner ear.
If the X-ray reveals that the ear infection is severe, your veterinarian may conduct surgery to puncture the eardrum and remove the pus or fluid.
If your guinea pig is experiencing difficulty breathing due to the infection, it may need to be hospitalized for a few days.
If the infection isn't severe, your veterinarian may administer antibiotics and anti-inflammatory therapy for several weeks.
Ear and eye infections in guinea pigs can be transmitted through aerosolized particles and direct contact with contaminated objects or hands.
So, even though there are things guinea pigs like to do with humans, such as cuddling, enjoying fur-brushing sessions, and leaning on your chest, avoid contact if it has an infection.
Young guinea pigs, expectant ones, those sharing a cage with infected ones, and those staying in crowded areas are highly prone to ear and eye infections.
So, if your Guinea pigs and rats live together, isolate them to prevent infections. Also, expectant guinea pigs should be isolated from the others. Do the same to young guinea pigs. Infected guinea pigs should be isolated until they’ve fully recovered, and you must wait for the vet’s approval.
4. Digestive Problems
Guinea pigs may experience digestive issues due to an improper diet, bacterial or parasitic infections, or viral infections.
One of the major signs of a digestive problem in guinea pigs is diarrhea. Other signs include decal staining of the pig’s fur around their anus, dehydration, loss appetite, loose stool, restlessness, weight loss, dull eyes, and fever.
Other signs of digestive disorders and diseases in guinea pigs include pain when you touch their abdomen, low body temperatures, hunched posture, and a rough fur coat.
Guinea pigs love strawberries. Unfortunately, they contain plenty of sugar, which is not ideal at this time. Withdraw strawberries and other sugary fruits for a while unless your vet suggests otherwise.
Additionally, reduce grain intake and increase fiber in the diet. Probiotics can help restore the pig’s bacterial balance in the digestive system. Hay, such as the Oxbow Animal Health Timothy Hay Bungalow—Large, is a great choice because it contains fiber, but you can also supplement it with commercial guinea pig feed.
Can you give guinea pigs dog food? You ask. As much as it’s possible, it doesn’t mean it’s right! There are so many risks involved. You'd better be safe than sorry!
Give your piggy enough water, too.
If the guinea pigs aren’t taking enough fluids, the vet could inject them with fluids to prevent dehydration.
Prevent further digestion issues by regularly cleaning and sanitizing the guinea pig’s housing, bedding, pets, and other objects. Remove any leftover food and replace the drinking water with fresh, clean water.
5. Nutritional Disorder
Nutritional disorders are nutrient-related conditions and diseases in guinea pigs that result from either an excess or a deficiency of certain nutrients in the diet.
Vitamin C deficiency was a major nutrient-related disorder in guinea pigs because their bodies could not produce it.
However, according to the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine, modern formulated diets contain stable vitamin C.
However, it’s worth noting that if your Guinea pig’s diet lacks vitamin C, their bodies won’t produce collagen, a protein necessary for healthy blood vessels, skin, and joints.
Consequently, your guinea pig could start bleeding under the skin, have difficulty walking, and have swollen joints. Other issues associated with a lack of vitamin C include muscle and brain problems, a rough coat, weight loss, illness, diarrhea, lameness, and fatigue.
In severe situations, a guinea pig could die.
To prevent vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs, give them a diet rich in vitamin C.
Fortified diets are said to have vitamin C, but be careful. Vitamin C found in fortified diets isn't very stable. Vitamin C in fortified diets breaks down when exposed to light, moisture, and heat.
It is also worth noting that these feeds lose half of their vitamin C within 3 months after manufacturing.
Also, avoid giving your guinea pigs multivitamins, as some vitamins can be toxic.
Consider adding vegetables and fruits to their diet. Remember, fruits are high in sugar, so moderation is key!
Some of the fruits you can include in their diet are strawberries. Other fruits and veggies rich in vitamin C include oranges, red cabbage, green (bell) peppers, broccoli, turnip greens, parsley, and kale.
Add 10 mg of vitamin C to the guinea pig diet for every kilogram of body weight.
If your guinea pig is expectant, provide about 30 mg per kilogram of body weight per day.
Add 10 mg of vitamin C to the guinea pig diet for every kilogram of body weight.
If your guinea pig is expectant, provide about 30 mg per kilogram of body weight per day.
If your guinea pig has a vitamin C deficiency even after feeding it enough per day, there’s likely an underlying health issue preventing its absorption in the body.
Another issue could be that it’s not feeding properly and does not eat enough food to maintain a sufficient daily nutrient level.
Your vet could inject the recommended amount of vitamin C daily or ask you to add enough portions to the pig’s diet.
6. Dental Problems
Guinea pigs’ teeth grow continuously throughout their lifetime. Sometimes, guinea pigs’ teeth may overgrow, making it challenging to chew food properly.
Your guinea pig could also bleed in the mouth due to strained chewing, lose weight due to inability to feed, or have a sinus infection due to abscesses in the tooth roots.
If you notice that your guinea pig is drooling (slobbering), it might be experiencing pain while swallowing or chewing, and its teeth may be improperly aligned.
Improper molar teeth alignment may result from mineral imbalance in the pig’s diet, passed on from the mother pig to their young ones due to vitamin C deficiency, or injuries in the mouth.
The front teeth may look okay in most cases, but the molars may be improperly aligned if your pig is drooling.
Call your vet to inspect the guinea pig’s mouth and determine if you should file or clip some teeth so the jaw closes correctly.
Regular visits to the vet’s office might be necessary if the problem recurs.
7. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is the number one killer among guinea pigs. Pneumonia is also referred to as inflammation of the lungs and can be caused by a bacterial infection.
In the event of an outbreak or to prevent one, separate the sick guinea pigs from the company of others. Also, keep the tanks and cage clean at all times.
Several bacteria, including Streptococcus zooepidemicus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, can cause pneumonia in guinea pigs; however, the most common culprit is Bordetella bronchiseptica.
Adenovirus can sometimes cause pneumonia in guinea pigs. However, it is not as common as the bacteria I’ve mentioned above.
If you notice that your guinea pig is having difficulty breathing, has a pink eye (conjunctivitis), is oozing, sneezing frequently, or has a discharge through the nose, seek medical help quickly.
There are more signs to look out for, but if these are the only signs you see, don’t conclude that your piggy has pneumonia. Fever, loss of appetite, depression, or weight loss are also common indications of another ailment.
Vets examine the pig's lungs using an X-ray to look for signs of pneumonia. Other tests may include examining the nose or eye discharge.
Based on the sickness's cause or the sick piggy's situation, your vet may prescribe antibiotics if the sickness was due to a bacterial infection or recommend oxygen therapy if your piggy struggles to breathe. Fluids may be included in the treatment to prevent dehydration.
Sometimes, the vet may recommend adding vitamin C to the pig’s diet or administering it through a syringe if the pig struggles to eat.
8. Pregnancy Toxemia
There are two forms of pregnancy Toxemia: the circulatory form and the fasting form.
The circulatory form of pregnancy toxemia: Results in a decrease in arterial flow to the abdominal organs due to compression of the aorta.
Fasting form of pregnancy toxemia: It is caused by the systemic accumulation of fat stores due to low intake of carbohydrates.
The two forms of Pregnancy Toxemia commonly occur in lactating or pregnant piggies, sometimes even in boars and non-gravid females.
Pregnancy Toxemia isn’t one of the most common diseases of guinea pigs. However, obese guinea pigs are at a higher risk than their lean counterparts.
Pregnancy Toxemia syndrome starts in the last fourteen days of gestation. Some of the clinical signs include stillbirths, depression, dehydration due to unwillingness to drink water, convulsions, weakness, anorexia, lassitude, muscle spasms, coma, dyspnea, loss of appetite, and lack of coordination or clumsiness.
The affected piggy’s urine may contain high levels of protein and ketone, and may have a pH of 5 to 6.
A pig exhibiting these signs may die within 5 days if no medical attention is given or the treatment is ineffective.
Sometimes, a guinea pig may not exhibit signs and may suddenly die.
Diagnosis of Pregnancy Toxemia is based upon necropsy, history of the pig, urinalysis, or clinical signs.
9. Tumors and Cancers
Cancers and tumors are deadly diseases in guinea pigs, but they commonly occur between the ages of 4 and 5 years.
T¼ of tumors in pigs affect their reproductive tract, and they’re commonly found in the uterus or the ovaries.
Female and male guinea pigs are susceptible to mammary gland cancer. Most tumors require surgery to remove. The most common tumor in guinea pigs is trichofolliculomas, a type of Benign skin tumor. This tumor commonly occurs at the base of the guinea pig’s tail and is commonly associated with hair follicles.
Benign skin tumors can be removed through surgery.
One of the most deadly cancers is cancer of the blood, commonly known as leukemia. Younger guinea pigs are commonly prone to this type of cancer or skin tumors.
Lymphosarcoma, a malignant cancer, may cause Cavian leukemia.
The most common signs of malignant cancer include an enlarged liver, lymph nodes, or spleen, or a scruffy coat.
A vet may examine the fluids in the chest cavity or lymph nodes, or conduct a blood test to determine the next course of action.
Unfortunately, your guinea pig will likely live only a couple of weeks after diagnosis.
What Antibiotics Can Guinea Pigs Have?
Antibiotics are commonly used to treat many guinea pig ailments, but most piggies are sensitive to their effects.
Some antibiotics, especially those used in the treatment of pneumonia, cause an imbalance in some of the bacteria found in the piggy’s body.
Antibiotics likely to cause bacterial imbalance include lincomycin, chlortetracycline, penicillin, clindamycin, ampicillin, vancomycin, tylosin, erythromycin, and tetracycline.
You can tell the antibiotics have adverse effects on your piggy if it starts to have diarrhea, its temperatures go down, or it loses its appetite.
If you continue the medication, your piggy is likely to die within seven days!
Discontinue the meds and contact the vet immediately. Give your guinea pig lots of fluid to help flush out the toxic antibiotics if possible.
Sadly, sometimes your guinea pig might not show any signs of toxins after taking antibiotics, but could die within a week.
If possible, and especially if your guinea pig lacks sufficient nutrients, such as vitamin C, request that your vet return after one or two days after the treatment.
During the visit, he can determine if your guinea pig responds well to the treatment or if further action is needed. In most cases, the vet can quickly test the pig's feces to determine if the antibiotics have adverse effects.
Also, avoid antibiotic ointments used on the guinea pig's skin, as they can be toxic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Illnesses Can Guinea Pigs Get?
Guinea pigs can contract many illnesses, and some can be fatal if treatment is delayed. Some common disorders and diseases of guinea pigs include bumblefoot (ulcerative pododermatitis), skin disorders, eye and ear disorders, digestive problems, nutritional disorders, pregnancy toxemia, tumors and cancers, dental problems, and pneumonia.
What Is the Number One Cause of Death in Guinea Pigs?
The number one cause of death in guinea pigs is pneumonia. Cancers and tumors are fatal, but not as common as pneumonia.
Some tumors can be removed when detected early, and cancers can be treated if detected early enough.
What Do You Give an Ill Guinea Pig?
An ill guinea pig needs treatment as soon as possible, and you should ensure that it remains hydrated, especially if it's unwilling to eat.
Ensure that its diet contains enough vitamin C every day. If the piggy is dehydrated while you wait for the vet to arrive, give it fluids every thirty to sixty minutes.
Keep your guinea pig’s housing clean and ensure it remains warm, unless its temperature is elevated.
Find an Accredited Vet
A guinea pig needs regular medical checkups. Regular medical checkups could be the only thing you need to save your pregnant pig, boar, or young one.
Take that opportunity to ask questions or raise any concerns regarding your guinea pig’s health.
A certified guinea pig veterinarian is the best person to consult, as they possess the necessary equipment and expertise for treatment.
If you’re a new guinea pig parent or are looking for a more qualified vet, Find Accredited Veterinarians here based on the country of residence, state, guinea pig species, and accreditation category.
