There not many guinea pig health problems but the ones that do exist can be fatal to your cavy. Remember that these little creatures are quite fragile and what looks like something not too serious can actually kill the cavy. Don’t wait to see how his health progresses if you notice something’s wrong with him.
Watch out for these symptoms and if they arise, don’t ignore them.
• Sneezing and a runny nose. The guinea pig might be allergic to his bedding. Change it to another kind of bedding. If the sneezing and runny nose continues, see the veterinarian.
• Coughing and wheezing. This is likely an allergy to his bedding. Do the same as for sneezing and running noses.
• Diarrhea is a bad sign and you should take him to the vet right away.
• Sudden weight loss is also a bad sign and calls for an immediate trip to the vet.
• Pink pee might mean bladder stones. If the pee turns red, that means blood in his urine. Untreated, this can be fatal.
• Hair loss can be caused by ringworm, which can spread to humans. Get it treated as soon as possible.
• Ongoing scratching can be from lice or a fungal infection. If these are not treated, your guinea pig will become miserable.
The important thing is to pay attention to your guinea pig so that you know his routines and his usual behavior.
Watch for any changes in his behavior. When you play with him, ideally daily, just take a quick look at him. Make sure his eyes are clear. If an eye looks red or swollen, take him to the vet. Chances are there is something in the eye or it is scratched somehow. Check ears, skin, and feet to make sure everything is all right.
Another way of keeping one eye on the pig’s health is to check his poop. Guinea pig health problems can be reflected in the bowel movements the cavy has. A healthy bowel movement is firm and curved a little bit. Diarrhea is a signal that something is wrong–likely with his diet. Even if the bowel movements are really soft, keep a close eye on the pig. Bowel problems are like an early warning system.
While they are hardy, guinea pigs really do have small systems, and a little disruption can upset them much more than a person might expect. With a little attention and a lot of familiarity with guinea pigs, you will quickly learn to know minor guinea pig health problems from major ones.