THE RABBIT AND RODENT WEB BOOK

Due to there being so many problems with Gunine Pig related illnesses i decided to include them in my topics. This is another reason to think before you breed

Abortion

Can be caused due to bad diet, accidents such as falls or deformities, problems with the foetus growing in the womb, stress, skin or internal diseases, sudden shock or sudden loud noises.Sows that abort in the last 3 weeks of pregnancy must be watched with caution for depression, as this could be early signs of Toxaemia or a Uterine infection, which must be acted upon quickly to avoid death.

Agalactia

 No milk is produced by the Sow leaving the babies to go hungry. If she continues not to produce milk a Vet visit is a must to stop the babies starving it may be necessary to hand rear in some cases.Starvation is obvious as the babies’ stomachs will not feel full and the babies will aggressively tried to feed, damaging the Sows nipples. A well-fed Sow should have no problems feeding her young, especially if she has a good supply of greens.

Induction

 Can be caused by a pregnant Sow mothering a hutch mates young or by a Vet who needs to start the labour as the Sow is having difficulties with her pregnancy such as dead babies in the womb or late a delivery.

Caesarean

This is open surgery to remove babies dead or alive from the womb if the Sow is not able to do so. Caesareans are life threatening, but a last resort to keep the Sow and babies alive.Caesarean survival is good but will depend on the individual Guinea pigs health.

Chewed young

This can be caused accidentally by a stressed or eager Sow when giving birth or tending to her newborn soon after during cleaning. If the young are severely chewed such as loss of limbs euthanasing the young may be the only option.

Cervical Lymphadenitis

Abscesses on the head and neck of young Guinea Pigs caused by streptococcal bacteria in the environment, which are very contagious but treatable with the use of antibiotics from a Vet. Surgery is sometimes needed if the abscesses are deep and re-infect.

Crooked legs

A deformity of tightened tendons, which can be genetic, causes the Guinea Pig to not be able to walk properly. Surgery correction is not really an option and if the Guinea Pig does not cope or becomes worse is best off being put to sleep.

Problems giving birth/Dystocia

This covers many complications such as a fused pelvis, narrow birth canal, illness such as Toxaemia or bad diet.The Guinea Pig must see a Vet immediately if she shows no signs of a litter after straining to give birth. This may end up in a Caesarean to prevent death of both the Sow and her young.

Alopecia

Alopecia is loss of hair. During late stages of pregnancy in Sows, it is caused by the pregnancy hormones building up. It is present in the abdominal area and on the flanks and is seen as plain bald patches symmetrically formed.This Alopecia can be passed on to the newborn Guinea Pigs but the fur loss will correct itself in both cases with a healthy diet and the correct vitamins such as vitamin B.Another cause of fur loss is that the Sow has Cysts on the Ovaries. Cysts on the Ovaries are caused by certain hormones, which are present at high levels, stopping eggs being released from the Ovaries, therefore they turn into Cysts.

Infertility

Both Boars and Sows can suffer from infertility. This can be caused by stress, ill health or infection of the genitals, Vitamin deficiencies, hormone imbalance, cancers or tumours, obesity, ovarian cysts in Sows, over breeding, old age or too young to breed. To make sure your Guinea Pigs are in good health, Veterinary advice should be sought to find out the cause of the infertility.

Keratitis

This is irritation of the Cornea. Guinea Pigs can develop a milky fuzzy patch over the cornea if they have a foreign body in the eye, in-turned eyelashes or have opened their eyes whilst still in the womb causing irritation and swelling.Guinea Pigs with this condition may need an antibiotic eye ointment or drop to heal the eye. The condition should not be left as the eye could be left scared and damaged if untreated.

Mastitis

This is an infection of the mammary glands, which connect to the nipples of Sows. The infection is caused by bacteria getting into damaged nipples whilst the Sow is feeding her young. The glands appear hard and sore and there is presence of a bloody or yellow discharge, which may also indicate abscesses. Due to the discomfort the Sow may seem under the weather and may stop eating. Milking out the troubled gland is one way of helping the discomfort but it is best to contact your Vet for advice on the best course of treatment, as antibiotics may well be needed.Another cause of Mastitis is mammary gland tumours; this can also be confirmed by your Vet.

Metritis

This is an infection of the Uterus, which is present soon after the Sow has given birth. The signs are bloody and yellowish pus like vaginal discharge. The Sow may be unwell and depressed and she may also develop Toxaemia. It is vital that the Sow gets immediate Veterinary attention if she is to survive the infection. In some cases where the infection is advanced or there are other complications present, removal of the womb is the Sows only chance of survival.

Ovarian Cysts

This is Cysts on the Ovaries that may cause infertility in Sows. Older Sows commonly have this problem. Sows with Alopecia (hair loss) and hormonal problems that are pregnancy related may have Ovarian Cysts too. Ovarian Cysts can cause pain in some Sows. The only option in this case is a Hysterectomy.

Hysterectomy

The Ovaries and Uterus are removed from the Sow due stopping unwanted pregnancies, to illness or removing Ovarian Cysts, which is causing pain to the Sow.

Paraphimosis

The Boars penis is outside the prepuce permanently. This can be due to foreign bodies or castration.Check for foreign bodies around the prepuce and remove and bath the area with boiled cooled water.If infection occurs seek Veterinary advice as the Boar can become infertile.

Extra toes/Polydactyly

 I have seen this in pet shop Guinea Pigs and in Self-blacks. It is an extra growth in the form of a hanging claw/digit. This is a genetic disorder that does not effect the Guinea Pig in anyway other that it can get caught so is best removed by a Vet. In some cases the extra claw/digit is hanging by a thread and drops of itself. It is best not to breed from these Guinea Pigs as it may re occur.

Post-partum sores

This is inflamed skin on the centre back caused by vitamin and nutritional deficiencies and/or the rump of the Sow after a long labour when the Sow cannot clean herself through exhaustion and is left by the owner instead of cleaning the areas that the Sow cannot. After bathing the area with boiled cooled water, an antibiotic skin ointment should be applied to heal the area.

Toxaemia

An internal illness during the later stages of pregnancy and after giving birth, which can kill both the Sow and her young.Ways in which the Sow can develop the illness are as follows:Bullying by fellow Guinea Pigs, Stress, obesity/lack of exercise, sudden change in diet, showing whilst pregnant and movement to other locations as well as Vitamin deficiency and Skin diseases such as Mange, which can cause severe stress.Through lack of oxygen in the Uterus, due to overcrowding in the womb, the litter dies and the Sow too becomes ill whilst the litter remains inside her.Also, malnutrition caused by lack of room in the stomach as the litter is large, and takes up the room stopping the Sow from eating enough to give nourishment to herself and her unborn litter. If obese this alternatively causes the Sow to live off her own fat and body reserves which causes her and her babies to weaken and her main organs to fail as her body reacts to the high fat intake and low nutrients intake.Survival of toxaemia is slim. The best way to prevent toxaemia is to give the Guinea Pig a good diet throughout and after pregnancy and make sure she is not obese, of the right age and in good health before deciding to make her pregnant.Signs of illness are depression, stillbirths, anorexia, convulsions, not eating or drinking and sudden death.

Premature babies

Premature litters can be due to birth induction if two females that are living together are sharing a litter. This can make the second Sow deliver her litter early.Other reasons for early litters are Stress, illness, weak young/litter or nutritional problems on the Sows behalf. Premature litters have little chance of survival if born before the 60th day, even if you try hand rearing the young.

Sore nipples

When a Sow has a large litter or there is lack or no milk being produce, the Sow can suffer from sore nipples. Lack of milk can be due to insufficient amounts of green vegetables in the diet. Therefore make sure there is a good supply of greens. Meanwhile the sore nipples can be bathed in boiled- cooled water and then camomile applied to sooth the soreness.If not caught early infection caused by the constant trying to suckle by the young can cause Mastitis.

Prolapse of the womb

The Uterus falls into the vagina after labour and needs Veterinary intervention to reposition the uterus or a hysterectomy is performed. This condition can be due to Dystocia (see below) or can be due to the Sow being too old to have a litter or generally unhealthy due to bad diet.

Haemorrhaging

Heavy bleeding due to the Sow going to abort her litter or Vitamin K deficiency for which an injection can be given by the Vet. With haemorrhaging immediate Veterinary attention should be sought as the Sow can become very ill and weak and may die.

Dystocia

Prolonged labour without delivery due to, fusion of the pelvic bone if a Sow is left without having her first litter by 6 months of age, narrow birth canal, large Pups, large litters or abnormal foetuses. In most cases a caesarean will be performed

Chlamydia psittaci or Inclusion body conjunctivitis

Young Guinea Pig Pups can develop this infection, which affects the eyes a few weeks after birth. As well as general signs of conjunctivitis red eye swelling is present. Antibiotics are needed to get rid of the infection. This illness can possibly be transmitted to humans so gloves should be worn when handling infected Guinea Pigs.

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