How do you treat a sick guinea pig?

Sick guinea pigs may require hospitalization and supportive care, including intravenous fluids and syringe feeding, as well as surgery to remove the stones. Regular, annual veterinary check-ups can help detect problems, such as urinary tract stones, in guinea pigs before they develop into life-threatening emergencies.

What can I give my sick guinea pig at home?

Can you save a sick guinea pig?

If your guinea pig has an illness that causes them to lose their appetite, you will need to use hand feeding to try to get them to eat. Many ill guinea pigs will also stop urinating or eliminating due to malnourishment. It is essential that your guinea pig consumes food and water to help them recover.

How do you save a dying guinea pig?

A dying guinea pig will become very weak and unable to feed or water himself as his death approaches. You can make his passing less uncomfortable by offering him water from a spoon, syringe, or water bottle. Blend or mix a guinea pig “smoothie” that contains hay, water and ground up pellets and feed it to him.

Can you give Pedialyte to guinea pigs?

Another way to re-hydrate is to use a children’s electrolyte solution. For example, Pedialyte should work, especially when mixed 50/50 with water. You can again syringe this to your guinea pig. You can also add a second water bottle with the 50/50 mixture.

Do guinea pigs feel pain when dying?

Death is not always painful for guinea pigs. Those that die of old age usually do so surrounded by their fellow guinea pigs. They feel safe, warm, and loved. If your guinea pig is alone, then it can still feel that way if you keep them close to you and comfort them.

What is the most common cause of death in guinea pigs?

Pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, is a frequent cause of death in guinea pigs. Pneumonia in guinea pigs is usually caused by bacterial infection (most often Bordetella bronchiseptica, but other bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Streptococcus zooepidemicus may also be the cause).

What noises do guinea pigs make when they are sick?

But Guinea Pig sized. Usually its nothing to worry about, however, if your piggy has signs of a cold you’ll need to get it checked by a vet. Symptoms can include runny eyes and nose, heavy breathing and coughing, a crackling sound from its chest and half closed eyes. Your piggy may also have other symptoms.

Why is my guinea pig lying on its side?

A guinea pig may lie on his side when he’s sick. … Signs of illness include lethargy, difficulty moving, heavy breathing, panting, runny nose, weepy eyes, diarrhea, vomiting or anything else that’s not normal for your guinea pig.

How long after a guinea pig dies does it go stiff?

Be aware that rigor mortis, the stiffening of the joints, typically begins within 10 minutes to three hours after death and can last as long as 72 hours.

Do guinea pigs cry?

Guinea Pigs do not cry in the conventional sense. While Guinea Pigs have an impressive emotional range, tears that form are often a natural response to keeping their eyes moist and healthy.

Why is my guinea pig limp and not moving?

He may have a vitamin C deficiency, which can contribute to making their back legs weak. It may also be some more serious ailment. Give him a cup of suitable fresh quality vegetables daily, some grass, unlimited quality fresh hay, guinea pig pellets, and clean filtered or spring water daily.

What happens when your guinea pig dies?

Leave your deceased guinea pig in the cage (or put them back if they died outside of the cage) so that your remaining guinea pigs can see him. They may ignore him or trundle up and lick him. Give them half an hour with their friend before you remove him from the cage.

What antibiotics can I give my guinea pig?

Antibiotics commonly used to treat bacterial pneumonia in guinea pigs are chloramphenicol palmitate (30-50 mg/kg PO q12h × 7-21 days) and trimethoprim-sulfa (30-50 mg/kg PO q12h × 7 days), and enrofloxacin (5-10 mg/kg q12h × 7-21 days).

Do guinea pigs get sick easily?

Guinea pigs are sensitive to cold air drafts and can easily develop an upper respiratory infection or even pneumonia if you have a baby guinea pig. They can even get Bordetella bronchiseptica from your dog, cat, or pet rabbit.

What is critical care for guinea pigs?

Critical Care is a premium recovery food which can be given to herbivores with poor nutritional status resulting from illness or surgery. This specially-formulated product contains all the essential nutrients of a complete diet as well as high-fiber timothy hay to support proper gut physiology and digestion.

Can I give my guinea pig human antibiotics?

In general, you should avoid giving your guinea pig any antibiotics unless you have been specifically directed to do so by a veterinarian that is familiar with your pet.

Can you give amoxicillin to guinea pigs?

Amoxicillin should not be used in pets that are allergic to it or other penicillins, cephalosporins, or other beta-lactam antibiotics. Do not use in rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, or other small mammals.

Can I give my guinea pig azithromycin?

Azithromycin and erythromycin were compared for efficacy in guinea pigs infected with an aerosol containing Legionella pneumophila. When administered intraperitoneally, azithromycin was very effective in the treatment of experimental Legionnaires’ disease.