Dental Care

Problems with the constantly-growing front teeth (incisors) are common in rabbits. Proper dental care will help prevent these sorts of problems.

Dental Malocclusion

Malocclusion of the teeth is usually inherited in rabbits but can be minimised with proper care.

All of a rabbit's teeth, the incisors, premolars, and molars, grow throughout the life of the rabbit. This growth is normally kept in check by the normal wearing action of chewing and grinding of opposing teeth. However, problems with overgrown teeth can occur when the teeth are positioned unevenly in the jaw. This is known as malocclusion. Malocclusion is probably the most common inherited disease in rabbits and leads to overgrowth of incisors (front teeth), resulting in difficulty eating and drinking.

Your veterinarian can anesthetise a rabbit with malocclusion and trim the teeth to minimise problems.

Occasionally, the cheek teeth overgrow and cause severe tongue or cheek wounds.

Dental Abscesses

Infection of the tissue surrounding a tooth may lead to abscesses. These can be caused by foreign objects (often plant material) that become embedded between the tooth and gum, exposure of the sensitive tissue at the center of a tooth (pulp) following tooth trimming, or other diseases or dietary problems. Several teeth are commonly affected. Pulling of the abscessed tooth may be necessary, along with procedures to prevent regrowth of the tooth.

Eye and Ear Disorders

Signs of conjunctivitis (pink eye) include fluid oozing or dripping from the eye, inflammation of the lining of the eye, and redness around the edge of the eyelids. These infections are usually caused by bacteria, such as Bordetella or Streptococcus species, that cause general upper respiratory system disease (see Guinea Pigs: Lung and Airway Disorders). Treatment may include antibiotic eye drops and antibiotics that affect your pet's whole body. An easy way to administer eye drops is to wrap the guinea pig securely in a towel first. As always with guinea pigs, watch your pet's reactions to the medication carefully.

Ear infections are rare in guinea pigs. When they do occur, they are usually the result of bacterial infection. They may occur at the same time as pneumonia or other respiratory disease. Signs of infection may include pus or discharge from the ears; however, sometimes there are no signs of infection. In severe cases, the animal may become deaf. If the infection spreads from the middle ear to the inner ear, your pet may show signs of problems with its nervous system, such as imbalance, tilting head, walking in circles, or rolling on the ground. The usual treatment is to help alleviate signs. Treatment for the ear infection itself does not usually work.

Metabolic Disorders

The most common metabolic disorders in guinea pigs involve abnormal metabolism of the mineral calcium.

Hardening of the Organs (Metastatic Calcification)

Guinea pigs that suffer from metastatic calcification (a hardening of the internal organs that spreads throughout the body) often die suddenly without any signs of illness. This condition usually occurs in male guinea pigs that are more than 1 year old. If your pet does have signs, they can include weight loss, muscle or joint stiffness, or increased urination (as part of kidney failure). The cause of this condition is uncertain, but is probably related to diets that have too much of the minerals calcium and phosphorus and not enough of the minerals magnesium and potassium. Most high-quality commercial guinea pig feed are formulated to contain the correct amounts of these vitamins and minerals. Check the nutritional information on the package label before buying pellets for your guinea pig, and do not give additional vitamin or mineral supplements.

Pregnancy Toxaemia (Ketosis)

Ketosis, also known as pregnancy toxaemia, occurs when a guinea pig's body produces too many ketones, which are a normal byproduct of metabolism. There are many causes of pregnancy toxaemia in guinea pigs. These include obesity, large litter size, loss of appetite during the late stages of pregnancy, not eating enough, not exercising enough, environmental stress, and underdeveloped blood vessels in the uterus (an inherited condition). This problem usually happens in the last 2 to 3 weeks of pregnancy, or in the first week after a guinea pig gives birth. It most commonly affects guinea pigs that are pregnant with their first or second litters.

Although it occurs most often in pregnant female guinea pigs, ketosis can also happen in obese guinea pigs (male or female). A guinea pig may die suddenly of ketosis without ever demonstrating signs of illness. In other cases, a sick guinea pig has worsening signs that can include loss of energy, lack of appetite, lack of desire to drink, muscle spasms, lack of coordination or clumsiness, coma, and death within 5 days. Ketosis may cause fetal guinea pigs to die in the uterus.

Your veterinarian can diagnose ketosis by a blood test, and may also be able to identify a fatty liver and bleeding or cell death in the uterus or placenta. Treatment does not usually help, but options include giving your pet the medications propylene glycol, calcium glutamate, or steroids. However, once a guinea pig starts showing signs of this illness, the outcome is usually not good. To prevent ketosis, make sure your pet eats a high quality food throughout pregnancy, but limit the amount of food you give your pet in order to prevent obesity. Preventing exposure to stress in the last few weeks of pregnancy may also help.

Calcium Deficiency (Pregnant Females)

Because pregnancy and nursing require extra nutrients, pregnant guinea pigs may develop a sudden calcium deficiency. This happens most often in obese or stressed guinea pigs, or guinea pigs that have already been pregnant several times. The deficiency usually develops in the 1 to 2 weeks before, or shortly after, giving birth. In much the same way as in guinea pigs with pregnancy toxaemia (see Guinea Pigs: Pregnancy Toxaemia (Ketosis)), guinea pigs with this condition may die suddenly without signs, or may get sick slowly, with signs such as dehydration, depression, loss of appetite, muscle spasms, and convulsions. Your veterinarian will be able to identify similar problems as in a guinea pig with pregnancy toxaemia, except they will likely be more severe. Guinea pigs with calcium deficiency should be treated with the mineral calcium gluconate. To prevent calcium deficiency, feed your pet only high-quality commercial guinea pig feed.

Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory diseases in guinea pigs can quickly become serious. If you notice that your guinea pig is having difficulty breathing, see your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, is the most 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). In rare cases, it may be caused by a type of virus known as adenovirus. All of these infectious agents can cause illness without leading to pneumonia (see below).

Signs of pneumonia include:

• oozing or discharge from the nose

• sneezing

• difficulty breathing

• guinea pigs with pneumonia often suffer from inflammation of the eyes (commonly called pink eye)

• fever

• weight loss

• depression

• loss of appetite

Sudden death can occur when there are outbreaks among groups of guinea pigs. Your veterinarian can diagnose pneumonia from an examination or from special tests performed on the fluid that may be oozing from your pet's eyes or nose. X-rays may also show pneumonia in the lungs.

In general, treatment for a guinea pig with pneumonia is really treatment for the signs of pneumonia instead of the pneumonia itself. This can include administering fluids (to ward off dehydration), forced feeding if necessary, oxygen therapy to help with breathing, and vitamin C. If the pneumonia is caused by bacterial infection, your veterinarian will likely prescribe longterm antibiotics. Although they can be toxic in guinea pigs (see Guinea Pigs: Antibiotics), certain antibiotics are safer than others, and your veterinarian may select one of these if needed. Commonly, the antibiotic is compounded into an oral suspension, which should then be given as directed. Watch any guinea pig receiving antibiotic treatment carefully. If the antibiotics cause diarrheoa, the treatment should be stopped immediately and your veterinarian contacted. If you have more than 1 guinea pig, preventing and controlling outbreaks of pneumonia requires keeping your pets and their cages or tanks clean at all times, and removing guinea pigs that are sick from the company of the others.

Bordetella bronchisepta Infection

Guinea pigs without signs of illness may be infected with these bacteria in their nose or throat. Sometimes there can be an outbreak among groups of guinea pigs, during which all get sick and die quickly. Infection can be transmitted from one guinea pig to another when droplets are sprayed into the air by sneezing or coughing; in its genital form, infection can also be transmitted by sexual contact. Other animals, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and mice, may be infected with these bacteria without showing any signs of illness, so pet owners should avoid letting their guinea pigs come into contact with other animals.

Streptococcosis

Guinea pigs may be infected with the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria without seeming sick. The bacteria can cause a sudden illness in previously healthy guinea pigs when they become stressed or stop eating; this can lead to death. One guinea pig can infect another by direct contact or by sneezing or coughing. Signs of streptococcosis include enlarged lymph nodes and difficulty breathing. Your veterinarian can spot other signs of infection with this bacteria, such as inflammation of the inner ear or eardrum (otitis media), inflammation of the joints (arthritis), and inflammation of the lining of the lungs, heart, abdomen, or uterus. He or she can diagnose streptococcosis based on these signs, other examination findings, and laboratory tests. Certain antibiotics can prevent one sick guinea pig from spreading the infection to other guinea pigs, but guinea pigs that do not seem sick may still be infected.

Adenovirus Infection

There is a type of adenovirus that is specific to guinea pigs. It may cause pneumonia (see Guinea Pigs: Pneumonia), but many guinea pigs have this virus without any signs of illness and are called carriers. Carriers can suddenly become sick as a result of stress or anaesthesia. This occurs more often in guinea pigs that are young, old, or that have immune systems that are not working properly. Guinea pigs do not usually die from this virus, but those that do die often die suddenly without seeming sick. Signs of illness are similar to those seen in other viral or bacterial infections and include breathing difficulties, discharge from the nose, and weight loss.

Skin Disorders

Skin problems in guinea pigs are often first noticed as patches of hair loss. Several underlying problems can lead to hair loss, including infestations of fur mites or lice, ringworm, or fighting between incompatible animals. Another skin problem, pododermatitis, affects the feet.

Mites

Severe infestation by mites may cause hair loss or itching along the rear end of a guinea pig's body. Some types of mites cause no signs, others cause hair loss but do not seem to affect the skin, and still others burrow into the skin and may cause intense itching, hair loss, and skin inflammation. This latter type of mite usually infects the inner thighs, shoulders, and neck. The skin underneath the affected fur may be dry or oily and thickened or crusty. In severely affected animals, the affected areas may become infected, which can cause the animals to lose weight, have low energy, or run around the cage. Left untreated, convulsions and death may result. Guinea pigs catch mites from other guinea pigs or from objects that are contaminated such as bedding. Your veterinarian can diagnose this condition either by examining your pet's fur or by looking at scrapings from your pet's skin under a microscope. To treat mites, your veterinarian will probably prescribe a powder or spray to be applied to your pet's skin or give your pet a series of injections. Infestations can be minimised or prevented by making sure that living quarters are clean and sanitary, and minimising your pet's stress levels.

Lice

Guinea pigs that are infested with lice do not usually have signs, but in severe cases lice can cause itching, hair loss, and inflammation of the skin around the neck and ears. You can see the lice by looking at a piece of your pet's hair under a magnifying glass. To treat lice, your veterinarian will probably prescribe a powder or spray to be applied to your pet's skin. To prevent this condition, keep the guinea pig's cage clean and sanitary.

Ringworm

Skin infections in guinea pigs are most often caused by the fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and less often by Microsporum species. The primary sign of ringworm is bald patches, usually starting at the head. The bald patches generally have crusty, flaky, red patches within them. When these patches appear on the face, it is usually around the eyes, nose, and ears. The disease may also spread to the back. A guinea pig can catch ringworm from another guinea pig or from contaminated objects such as bedding.

Your veterinarian can tell if your pet is infected with this condition by looking at the red patches on its skin, by shining a special ultraviolet light on its skin, or by a laboratory test. Ringworm usually goes away on its own if you take good care of your pet and keep its cage or tank clean and sanitary. The red, flaky patches can become infected, which causes them to become inflamed and pus-filled. Treatment is a 5- to 6-week course of an antifungal medicine called griseofulvin given by mouth. If there are only 1 or 2 bald patches or red, flaky areas that have not spread, they can be treated by applying an antifungal ointment recommended by your veterinarian every day for 7 to 10 days.

Ringworm is highly contagious to humans and other animals. If handling an infected guinea pig is necessary, you should wear disposable gloves or wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling.

Barbering

Guinea pigs may chew or tear their own or each other's hair as a result of conflicts between adult males or between adults and juveniles. This is referred to as barbering. When this happens, the hair loss tends to be in patches, and there may be evidence of bite marks or skin inflammation underneath the fur. Barbering may be prevented by separating affected animals, minimising stress, weaning baby guinea pigs from their mothers early, and feeding animals long-stemmed hay. Hair loss can also be caused by genetic problems or problems in metabolism, or the body's breakdown of food into energy; this is especially true in female guinea pigs that have been used for breeding. Young guinea pigs that are weaning from their mothers may have hair thinning as their coat changes to coarser adult fur, or if their diet does not have enough protein.

Pododermatitis (Bumblefoot)

Your pet's footpads can become inflamed, develop sores, or become overgrown over the course of many months. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are often the cause and can enter your pet's feet through tiny cuts or scrapes. Factors that increase the risk of infection include obesity, wire floor caging, poor sanitation, and injury. When pododermatitis lasts for many months, it can lead to serious complications such as swelling of the lymph nodes, arthritis, inflammation of the tendons, and a buildup of a protein called amyloid in the kidney, liver, hormone glands, spleen, and pancreas. Your veterinarian can diagnose this condition by examining your guinea pig and by doing laboratory tests. If it is detected early, the condition may be treated simply by switching your pet's living quarters to ones with a smooth bottom, improving sanitation, and changing the bedding to softer material. Your veterinarian will likely clean any wounds, clip the hair around the affected areas, and trim any overgrown nails. Affected feet should be soaked in an antibiotic solution, and antibiotic ointment should be applied. In severe cases, animals may need antibiotics and pain medications. Guinea pigs that do not respond to therapy may require amputation of the affected area to avoid more serious complications.

Reproductive Disorders

Common reproductive problems in guinea pigs may involve the ovaries or mammary glands. There is also a metabolic disorder associated with improper calcium levels during pregnancy.

Ovarian cysts are very common in female guinea pigs between 18 months and 5 years of age. The cysts usually occur in both ovaries, but occasionally only the right ovary is affected. The cysts can often be felt in the abdomen. Other signs may include loss of appetite, energy, and sometimes hair loss on or around the abdomen. To confirm the diagnosis, your veterinarian may use ultrasonography or x-rays. The only effective treatment is spaying (removing the ovaries and the uterus). If left untreated, the cysts may continue to grow and could potentially burst, placing the guinea pig's life in danger.

Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary glands. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection. This often occurs during the period when a female guinea pig's offspring are suckling. Injury—such as cuts or scrapes in the skin—can make it easier for bacteria in the environment to enter the body and cause infection. Mastitis is a painful and serious condition. The milk glands become painful and enlarged, warm, firm, and bluish in color. Without prompt treatment, the infection may spread to the guinea pig's bloodstream and cause fever, lack of appetite, depression, dehydration, a lack of milk production, neglect of offspring, and death. Milk may be thick or bloody and clotted. Your veterinarian may treat mastitis with appropriate antibiotics. To prevent this condition, make sure your pet is well taken care of, its living quarters are clean and sanitary, and its bedding does not cause irritation.

Bordetella bacteria can infect guinea pig genitals and can be spread by sexual contact. Infection can cause infertility, stillbirth, or sudden death of guinea pig fetuses in the uterus.

Because pregnancy and nursing require extra nutrients, pregnant guinea pigs may develop a sudden calcium deficiency. (For a more detailed discussion of Calcium Deficiency, see Guinea Pigs: Calcium Deficiency (Pregnant Females).)

Dystocia (difficulty giving birth) in female guinea pigs is caused by the normal stiffening of the tough fibrous cartilage which joins the 2 pubic bones. When the cartilage (the symphysis) stiffens, it limits the spread of the pubic bones. If the symphysis has not been stretched by a previous birth, the female will be unable to deliver her offspring normally. Cesarean sections are very risky for guinea pigs and the survival rate for the mother is poor. The safest option is to either breed the female between 4 and 5 months of age or prevent pregnancy altogether by housing male and female guinea pigs separately or by spaying and neutering.

Nutritional Disorders

The most common nutritional disorder in guinea pigs is a lack of vitamin C. Loss of appetite also occurs and is usually a sign of another problem such as disease or problems with the teeth.

Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy)

Like people, apes, and monkeys, guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C. If they do not get enough of this vitamin in their diet, their bodies' supply of vitamin C disappears quickly. This can cause problems with blood clotting and with the production of collagen, a protein necessary for healthy skin and joints. Reduced collagen can cause problems walking, swollen joints, and bleeding under the skin, in the muscles, in the membranes around the skull, in the brain, and in the intestines. Guinea pigs with a vitamin C deficiency may be weak, lack energy, and walk gingerly or with a limp. They may have a rough hair coat, lose their appetite, lose weight, have diarrheoa, become ill, or die suddenly. Your veterinarian can diagnose vitamin C deficiency by finding out what your pet's diet is like, and by examining your pet, looking especially for bleeding or joint problems.

Some Fruits and Vegetables with High Vitamin C Content:

• Turnip greens (260 milligrams per cup)

• Kale (192 milligrams per cup)

• Parsley (140 milligrams per cup)

• Green peppers (120 milligrams per cup)

• Strawberries (100 milligrams per cup)

• Broccoli florets (87 milligrams per cup; broccoli stems contain no vitamin C)

• Cabbage (50 milligrams per cup)

• Oranges (50 milligrams per cup)

Some guinea pigs may develop a vitamin C deficiency even when they get enough vitamin C in their diets. This can happen if they have other illnesses or problems that prevent them from eating enough or prevent their bodies from absorbing vitamin C properly. Treatment includes giving your pet vitamin C daily, either by mouth (as directed by your veterinarian) or by injection for 1 to 2 weeks. Multivitamins are not recommended because your pet may have problems with some of the other vitamins contained in them. To prevent vitamin C deficiency, guinea pig food should contain at least 10 milligrams of vitamin C daily (30 milligrams for pregnant females).

Appetite Loss

Loss of appetite can happen for many reasons, including disease, recovery from surgery, exposure to drafts, not having access to enough fresh water, not being able to chew properly because of an underbite or overbite, and a condition called ketosis, in which your pet's body produces too much of one of the byproducts of digestion. Changes in the type of feed or water, or in the bowl or bottle that your pet eats or drinks from, may also trigger loss of appetite. If nothing is done for a guinea pig that is not eating, its condition may worsen very quickly, resulting in liver problems and death. Ketosis, which may be irreversible, can develop even in guinea pigs that begin to eat again. Your veterinarian will determine appropriate treatment, which may include giving your pet special foods such as a commercial hand-feeding formula or regular pelleted chow that has been ground up, vegetable baby foods, and vitamin C. Guinea pigs that refuse to eat may temporarily need to be force-fed by your veterinarian or by you if longer-term care is needed.

Digestive Disorders

Digestive disorders in guinea pigs may be caused by infections or by an improper diet.

Diarrheoa

Many types of bacteria, viruses, and parasites can upset a guinea pig's digestive system. Some signs that your pet's digestive system is upset are:

• diarrheoa

• weight loss

• loss of energy

• lack of appetite

• dehydration

Guinea pigs affected by these illnesses may die suddenly without seeming sick. Others may have a range of signs such as lack of energy, lack of appetite, rough fur coat, staining of the fur around the genital area with faeces, loose stools, hunched posture, lack of energy, dull eyes, dehydration, weight loss, pain when the abdomen is touched or pressed, fever, or a low body temperature.

Treatment for diarrheoa is usually the same, no matter what the cause. Roughage (fiber in the diet) should be increased and grains and sugars decreased. One way to do this is to provide hay in addition to commercial guinea pig feed. Feeding your guinea pig plain yoghurt with active cultures, or a commercial supplement called a probiotic with live cultures, may help to restore the healthy balance of “good” bacteria in its digestive tract. Check with your veterinarian regarding the use of yoghurt. It is important that your pet drink enough water. If your guinea pig will not voluntarily drink sufficient water, your veterinarian may provide additional fluids by injection. Antibiotics should only be used when absolutely necessary because their use can worsen the imbalance of bacteria in the digestive tract. Follow the treatment program prescribed by your veterinarian carefully. Keeping your guinea pig's bedding, water bottle, and housing clean and sanitised and promptly removing uneaten food can help prevent infection by reducing the level of disease-causing organisms.

Dental Disease

Guinea pigs drool whenever there is a problem with chewing or swallowing. This condition is sometimes referred to as slobbers. The cause is usually a problem with the alignment of the teeth (called malocclusion). Malocclusion may occur due to heredity, lack of vitamin C, injury, or imbalances of certain minerals in the diet. The teeth of guinea pigs grow continuously throughout the animal's life. If the teeth or jaws do not meet properly, the teeth often become overgrown and chewing food becomes difficult. As a result, your pet may develop weight loss, bleeding from the mouth, or abscesses in the roots of its teeth that may spread infection to the animal's sinuses. These kinds of problems are very common in guinea pigs.

If your pet is slobbering or drooling, your veterinarian will evaluate this problem carefully. The molars in the back of the mouth are often the cause of this problem, even though teeth in the front of the mouth may seem normal. Some teeth may need to be clipped or filed to help your pet's jaw close properly. If the problem continues, monthly dental visits with your veterinarian may be necessary.