You may feel small, sharp slivers or chips of bone caught in your gum. Guinea pig bloat occurs when gas builds up in your pet’s gastrointestinal intestinal tract. Much like getting a splinter in your finger during a woodworking project, the piece of bone caught in the gums may feel rough to the tongue. In fact he might be overweight if you can't feel any other bones. Don't buy those premade cages that are way too small. When you are picking out a new bird, it is a good, quick way to assess body condition and avoid underweight (and possibly sick) birds.The keel is a long, thin, flat bone that protrudes at right angles from the chest wall (breastbone) of the bird. We WANT the pig's history withOUT having to poke back around on old threads. Check out my great ebook, very helpful for new guinea pig owner. Bone pain is an extreme tenderness or aching in one or more bones. Causes. Copyright ©2000 - 2015, Teresa Murphy, Cavy Spirit & Guinea Pig Cages. The Benefits of a Fish Protein Source in Pet Food and Treats. Do NOT start multiple threads for the same guinea pig. Pet Central dishes on common eye problems in kittens and how to treat and prevent them. Guinea pigs also get abscesses (accumulations of pus and bacteria) in lymph nodes, skin, muscles, teeth, bones, and internal organs. Guinea pig bloat occurs when gas builds up in your pet’s gastrointestinal intestinal tract. “Certain foods cause gas build-up and should not be fed to guinea pigs,” Dr. Hageman says. Ouch! Which vegetables and how many? With a reduced appetite, your guinea pig will lose weight. People may feel aches or pains in their bones for a variety of reasons. Learn about what might be causing your cat's neck scabs, how to treat them and prevent them. Quite honestly, he seems much more energetic since we made the switch to Oxbow. I feel good giving him an option without the fake colorings and ingredients in the pet food I was giving him previously. If you have just gotten him he might be underweight in which case you could feed him some critical care but honestly if you don't feel any other bones I wouldn't worry about it. A couple of days ago, my guinea pig was its usual self, but yesterday, she suddenly started to act different. He is due for his cheek stitch removal on Wednesday 2-3-10. When you handle your guinea pig, gently open its mouth to see the abscess. ... I’m worried about my sow she is pregnant and can feel pups move she is in her own cage with others right by her. Is This Normal: Why Do Cats Just Love to Knock Things Over? If so, that doesn't need a vet visit. A guinea pig’s pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. “Even if it isn’t bloat, there is a condition that needs to be treated.”. I was horrified I picked him up and held him close and put him back in his cage. The baculum, also known as the os penis, or penis bone, is something of a mystery.Read on to find out what it is, what it's for, and why you might want to … Calcaneal apophysitis is a fairly common cause of heel pain in active, growing children between the ages of 8 and 14. The ADMINs will edit your thread title for you if necessary. If your guinea pig has a fracture, the bone will need to be immobilized. Since the mouth can no longer close completely (due to overgrowth of the teeth), the hair under the chin may be wet. Younger guinea pigs may also develop skin tumors or leukemia, which is cancer of blood cells. “Any guinea pig that starts to go off food should be evaluated for bloat,” Dr. Hageman says. Calcaneal apophysitis — In this condition, the center of the heel bone becomes irritated as a result of a new shoe or increased athletic activity. If your guinea pig has a severe injury that will cause it severe pain and cannot be treated, your veterinarian may suggest compassionate euthanasia. What brand of pellets and how many? FLEECE LINER BEDDING - Fleece Liner Beddings are great for guinea pigs because it is 100% dust-free compared to wood and paper … Guinea pigs make great pets. A respiratory problem can make your guinea pig feel pretty sick and not in the mood to eat. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Which 2021 Grammy-Nominated Artist Is Your Pet? Guinea pigs are generally hardy, healthy animals but are susceptible to certain diseases. http://www.guinealynx.info/ovarian_cysts.html. Tumors are caused by an abnormal multiplication of body cells. Neither of mine can eat it without leaving huge white spots where their urine has dried. For our little cavys, however, this gas causes big concern. If I were you, I'd totally take all my pigs off romaine and just us red and/or green leaf lettuce. (This guide took me 1 year to write it, it’s a manual where you will find the … I feed my guinea pig daily, and I alternate the foods, like cucumber, carrot, apples etc, there is always dry food in the cage, and fresh hay, and sometimes I buy little food balls full of seeds and vitamins as a treat from the pet shop. Ovarian cysts can be felt by gently pressing over the guinea pig’s ovaries. Symptoms and Types CatChannel and CAT FANCY cat behaviorist Marilyn Krieger, CCBC, discusses how to keep cats from grabbing at food. Floor time is a vital part of your daily guinea pig care schedule. She got really skinny and lost alot of weight. Obtaining native fish species of North America may be harder than keeping them. Discuss treatment challenges. I'm not sure when my piggies (both pregnant) are due...I've had them 52 days now, so they are at LEAST that far along, but since I don't know exactly when they got pregnant before I got them I'm assuming the babies could come at any time now. It needs a diet change. Take Our Quiz, Cat Rescuer Sterling “TrapKing” Davis Wants You to Rethink Your Stereotypes About Cat Parents, A Literal Lifesaver: Debra Jo Chiapuzio Donates Pet Oxygen Masks to First Responders, These Carob-Mint Cookies for Dogs Are Inspired By One of Your Favorite Treats, This Instant Pot Dog-Friendly Stew Is All Kinds of Cozy, Keeping North American Native Fish Species. An abscess in a guinea pig can give a wide range of symptoms depending on its location. Also, if the infection spreads from the guinea pig's middle ear to its inner ear, your pet may display problems with its nervous system, such as walking in circles, rolling on the ground, head tilting, and a lack of balance. They also can give the guinea pig pain medication and encourage him to drink lots of water. The most common reasons why your jaw might be in pain. By power urine, do you mean powdery urine? One quality option is Oxbow Western Timothy Hay. Abscesses can also form in the mouth or jaw of a guinea pig. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. If you share your life with guinea pigs, you need to be aware of a serious, and sometimes fatal, condition known as guinea pig bloat. Many people worry when they experience bone pain because it can be a sign of bone … Ankle Fracture Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options CatChannel veterinary expert Arnold Plotnick, DVM, discusses medical conditions that could cause blood-tinged urine in cats. This condition can be very painful for your guinea pig and can worsen over night, so take action as soon as you observe any signs. If you have something NEW to talk about for a pig, please update your OLD thread for this pig. An abscess can be a sign of other underlying health issues, such as a soft tissue mass, bone degeneration or joint problems. I am going to be talking her to the vet this week because she has been having power urine. As far as benign skin tumors, trichoepitheliomas are some of the most common occuring in guinea pigs, especially younger guinea pigs, often forming at the base of the tail. To diagnose and treat tumors in guinea pigs, examine your guinea pig's body closely for raised or rounded lumps. Valentine’s Day Quiz: What’s the Perfect Gift for Your Pet? I was going to give my guinea pig a bath in the sink (last bath was about 2 months ago) He is about 6 months old and he quickly jumped from my hands and fell 3 feet from the sink he hit the rug on the floor and flipped over and squirmed on his back on the tile floor. She still eat's and drinks the same amount and walks around normally as well. My colleague Elizabeth, who has also adopted two guinea pigs, put it this way: “One thing I found difficult is that you have to convince your pigs to like you.” Guinea pigs put you through an approval process that’s similar to the way you treat people you meet on Tinder. You can feel her bones and … If, however, your guinea pig is initially nervous and appears scared, be patient and gentle when approaching it. Yet her tummy was normal and full. Veterinarians also recommend making sure that your pet’s water and food dishes are clean and that you monitor your guinea pig’s eating habits to catch anorexia at an early stage. Identify abscesses in your guinea pig’s mouth and jaw. Guinea pigs get various tumors, particularly skin and mammary tumors. It sounds like he is normal. If the abscess is in the mouth, teeth can be lost. Your guinea pig may look fine on one day, then have a large abscess the next day. Joined Feb 9, 2009 Messages 6,773 Reaction score 88 Points 745 Location glasgow. Removing a guinea pig’s lump can be challenging. Keep in mind that once a guinea pig has bloat, the condition is likely to happen again. “Any guinea pig that doesn’t eat for more than 36 hours should see a veterinarian,” Dr. Hageman advises. Feeling the Keel Bone . (This guide took me 1 year to write it, it’s a manual where you will find the answer of any question related to guinea pig pet). I took my gp Dillen to the vet and his lump was a smelly necrotic rotting (dying) fatty tumor It was successfully removed by an EXPERIENCED vet surgeon who can put guinea pigs under and bring them out of sleep successfully. They cannot make their own vitamin C and require supplementation or they may develop scurvy. But pet parents can take precautions against the condition, Drs. If the lump is infected, surgically removing it could release bacteria into the bloodstream, causing a serious condition called septicemia. If she really is bony, that's not normal. Oxbow pellets cause some pigs to have excess urinary calcium, and may be the cause of the powdery urine you see. If the guinea pig just has a laceration or infection, your veterinarian will likely prescribe medication and rest. Know the facts behind popular pet bird food myths regarding seeds, pellets, table foods and more. According to William Ridgeway, DVM, of Long Beach Animal Hospital in Long Beach, Calif., 10-20 percent of the guinea pigs he sees have bloat. The only effective treatment for ovarian cysts is spaying, in which the ovaries and uterus are both removed from the body. If you notice anorexia in your guinea pig or visible swelling around his rib cage, see a veterinarian immediately. What kind of hay? Most mammals experience intestinal gas from time to time; it’s a normal byproduct of digestion. Guinea pigs are some of the cutest and best pets that you could have. Bacterial infections; Respiratory diseases (e.g., … Other signs that can be attributed to guinea pig bloat include general weakness, decreased stool production, heavy breathing and restless movement. “These include all the cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) and bok choy. Yesterday when I was holding Willow I found out that I could feel her spine and hip bone's. Do you think I am overreacting or something is wrong with her? It’s commonly linked to diseases that affect normal bone function or structure. By letting you catch and hold them, it shows that they feel confident with you and consider you a protective and loving figure. The mouth of a guinea pig with malocclusion may hang slightly open. Take note of your guinea pig’s appetite. You really should take her to the vet to see if she has an ovarian cyst . Pick a set time each day, set up a guinea pig safe floor area with food and hideys, and give your cavy the exercise it needs. I'd take her off pellets for a week and see if things improve. What exactly are you feeding her? Abscesses in these areas can become large very quickly. “By the time the abdomen looks distended, the bloat is at a more advanced stage.”. “The prognosis for guinea pigs with bloat is always guarded,” Dr. Hageman says. My piggies are prone to these and they feel like hard peas. Copyright ©2000 - 2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd., vBulletin. Following the removal of a tooth, the bone in the adjacent area undergoes a natural process to mend itself for chewing. These theories include hairball impaction, gut adhesions from past abdominal surgeries, bacteria, parasites, viruses or stress. This is very imprecise and definitely not the best way to monitor your bird's condition over time. If drug therapy proves futile, your vet might perform surgery. Guinea pigs should be fed lots of timothy hay to keep their intestines moving smoothly.”. C&C CAGE - If you don't have the capability to build a DIY cage for your guinea pig, C&C cages are good for customizing cage layouts. “Guinea pigs are not able to pass gas through their intestines, so the gas just stays in the intestines and produces severe pain,” says Lori Hageman, DVM, owner of Ark Pet Hospital in Antioch, Calif. “Guinea pig bloat can be fatal if untreated because their intestines [have] stopped moving, and they stop eating.” Something else is taking up the calories she's taking in. Also, the pus within a guinea pig abscess has a thick, cheese-like consistency, making the typical abscess treatment—lancing and draining—ineffective in many cases. “There are many theories on the disease, but nothing has been definitely proven.”. If you are looking for some fun and interesting facts about guinea pigs to help with a homework project or maybe you are just really interested in them, then here are 50 Fun Facts About Guinea Pigs for Kids to get you started.. 50 Fun Facts About Guinea Pigs for Kids My guinea pig absolutely love this food. Besides being an excellent way to keep your guinea pig engaged in its environment, floor time is a great time for you to bond with your pet. By: Chewy EditorialPublished: April 9, 2008, BeWell / Wellness / Beware of Guinea Pig Bloat. Guinea pigs need continuous access to hay to aid their digestion and limit the growth of their teeth. Senior Guinea Pig. He may eat less, or not at all. By knowing what is most commonly seen, you can be better prepared to monitor for signs and symptoms that your guinea pig may be getting sick. Causes. When you feed him, observe how much he eats. It's likely a cyst, but it can also be a sign of tumors. Veterinarians can treat guinea pig bloat with anti-gas medications or antibiotics to get the gastrointestinal tract functioning normally. If left untreated, the ovarian cysts may continue to grow and could potentially burst, placing the guinea pig's life in danger. Anyway, I have been reading the the guinea pig's pubic bones will separate a centimeter or so a day or two before she gives birth. This pain occurs in the back of the heel, not the bottom. Guinea pigs need at least a Midwest sized cage to live comfortably. could it have gone bigger in a day? : Ridgeway and Hageman say. Guinea Pig Hay on Amazon.com. It sounds like that is a real possibility, and the cyst can burst. Fruit and vegetables: Fresh vegetables can be offered once a day and should be equivalent to about one cup total per guinea pig per day. How to Get Rid of Bad Dog Breath for the Freshest of Kisses, How to Revamp Your Dog’s Skincare Routine For Winter, Your Guide to the Best Dog Bowls and Feeders for Every Pup. “Guinea pigs are not able to pass gas through their intestines, so the gas just stays in the intestines and produces severe pain,” says Lori Hageman, DVM, owner of Ark Pet Hospital in Antioch, Calif. “Guinea pig bloat can be fatal if untreated because their intestines [have] stopped moving, and they stop eating.”. And while anorexia is mostly due to various forms of infections, inappetence is a common manifestation of several diseases and disorders, including lack of fresh water, an inability to chew properly, or exposure to extreme temperatures. Via Shutterstock.com/By Alexander Mozymov, By: Chewy EditorialPublished: August 24, 2015, By: Chewy EditorialPublished: June 26, 2017, By: Chewy EditorialPublished: May 1, 2013, By: Chewy EditorialPublished: May 7, 2015, By: Chewy EditorialPublished: January 1, 2011, By: Chewy EditorialPublished: May 1, 2014. … How Can I Stop My Cat From Stealing My Food? By the time most owners notice something is wrong, their pet has already lost a substantial amount of weight and may have what has been called "the slobbers". While they are usually healthy animals, there are a number of diseases that are considered the most common ailments pet guinea pigs. Next, brush your fingers through its fur to feel for any abnormal growths on the skin. However, Dr. Hageman says diet is a common culprit. ... it feels like a bone sticking out though, but i can feel it whatever position he is in now. 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All my pigs off romaine and just us red and/or green leaf lettuce of... Doesn ’ t eat for more than 36 hours should see a veterinarian, ” Hageman. An ovarian cyst a condition that needs to be talking her to the vet this week she... Stage. ” are prone to these and they feel like hard peas any guinea pig lets you hold,. The abscess is in now the bone in the mouth or jaw of a guinea or... Stool production, heavy breathing and restless movement the bottom, that does n't a. Abscess can be lost colorings and ingredients in the mouth or jaw of a fish Protein Source in food! The heel, not the best way to monitor your bird 's condition over.! Teresa Murphy, Cavy Spirit & guinea pig will lose weight, she suddenly started to different. Mouth to see if she has an ovarian cyst and could potentially burst, placing the pig... Between the ages of 8 and 14 how it adds to your dog 's nutrition, your... Treat them and prevent them excess urinary calcium, and the cyst can burst I 'd take! I 'd take her to the vet to see if she really is bony, that not... May eat less, or not at all large abscess the next day a variety of.... Pain in active, growing children between the ages of 8 and 14 surgeries bacteria! Needs to be immobilized mass, bone degeneration or joint problems develop skin tumors or leukemia which... Is always guarded, ” Dr. Hageman says diet is a common culprit couple of days ago, guinea...