Why does my guinea pig keep getting abscesses?
Guinea Pig Abscesses: Abscesses in guinea pigs are relatively common, with the majority forming in the jaw area. These are usually caused by infection entering the tissues via the mouth of via the skin. Guinea pig teeth grow constantly, their teeth are called open rooted.
What should I do if my guinea pig has skin problems?
Be aware before introducing any new guinea pigs if they seem to have any skin conditions. Before introducing food or bedding into the cage, make a habit of freezing it for a day. The extreme cold temperatures will kill off any potential parasites that may have been lurking in the packages. Spaying your female guinea pig is definitely recommended.
How can you tell if a guinea pig has lymphadenitis?
Your veterinarian can diagnose lymphadenitis by conducting a physical examination of the infected guinea pig, and by taking a fluid sample from the swollen glands.
How to diagnose and treat urinary problems in guinea pigs?
Your vet can use an X-ray to examine your guinea pig for bladder stones, use a needle to draw a urine sample, and perform a physical examination. Calm your guinea pig before the physical examination or X-rays. Help your veterinarian get to the bottom of the problem by calming your guinea pig before any imaging and diagnostic tests.
What to do if your guinea pig has scurvy?
If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, contact your veterinarian immediately. Guinea pigs require vitamin C in their diets daily. They can develop scurvy if they are deficient in this necessary vitamin. Scurvy is characterized by difficulty walking, diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, listlessness, and/or discharge from eyes and nose.
What should I do if my guinea pig’s face is swollen?
All of these conditions must be treated by a vet. If you believe there was a good chance the dandelions your guinea pig ate had weed killer on them, that would also require a vet’s care, but facial swelling wouldn’t be a common sign of poisoning of this type. Antihistamines would only help if there is an allergic reaction occurring.
Why does my guinea pig have a swollen jaw?
Verified Hello, The two most common causes of facial swelling in guinea pigs are abscesses in the jaw or head, and dental problems. Check your guinea pig’s chin and mouth area. If she is drooling or the fur is wet, those are both signs of a dental problem.
Why does my guinea pig have a lump on her neck?
They can form anywhere on a guinea pig’s body, but the most common locations are the head and neck. An abscess in the neck could be a swelling of the lymph node in that area. Lymph nodes are small glands that help the body fight infection. An abscess can feel firm or soft.
How can I tell if my guinea pig has an abscess in his neck?
An abscess in the neck could be a swelling of the lymph node in that area. Lymph nodes are small glands that help the body fight infection. An abscess can feel firm or soft. Helpful? Identify abscesses in your guinea pig’s mouth and jaw. Abscesses can also form in the mouth or jaw of a guinea pig.
How do I know if my guinea pig has a spinal injury?
What signs may my guinea pig show? Spinal injuries typically manifest as hind limb paralysis. The guinea pig will drag its hind legs behind it but may appear to be otherwise totally normal! If the spinal cord is completely severed, the nerves may also be, and the guinea pig may not appear to be in pain.
Why does my guinea pig have scabs on his back?
Some parasites live under the skin of guinea pigs, including ringworm, which is a fungal infection. Scabs are most commonly found around the head, face and ears but can spread across the back and legs. Your vet can prescribe a course of anti-fungal medication to get rid of the infection.
What are the signs of scurvy in guinea pigs?
Symptoms include lethargy and unwillingness to move, painful joints, poor condition, weight loss, dental issues, bruising or hemorrhage, diarrhea, and a rough coat or alopecia.
What to do if a guinea pig has an abscess in its mouth?
It is almost always necessary for the abscess to be opened and cleaned, although some skin abscesses do resolve themselves. Abscesses in the mouth are difficult to treat as they can obstruct the back of the mouth if they suddenly swell with pus and the animal can begin to choke and will quickly die.
Why does my guinea pig have a pus filled cavity?
These can come up very quickly, because they are basically a pus-filled cavity which has arisen in response to a localized infection, caused possibly by a bite from another animal or a puncture wound. Sometimes they arise because of an infection in a joint or internal organ.
How can you tell if your guinea pig has an infection?
Infection spreads between guinea pigs through bite wounds, cuts or scrapes in the skin or in the mouth, sneezing, coughing, or genital contact. Your veterinarian can diagnose this condition by examination and laboratory tests. Antibiotics can be used, but antibiotics alone may not eliminate the infection.
What causes an abscess on a guinea pig?
Inform the vet of any wounds. Abscesses can be caused by injuries and open wounds on your guinea pig’s skin. Inform your vet of any incidents that may have contributed to your guinea pig’s abscess. Fights between guinea pigs can sometimes cause wounds that develop into abscesses.
How can you tell if a guinea pig has a cyst?
When you handle your guinea pig, gently open its mouth to see the abscess. If the abscess is in the jaw, you will see a large bump along your guinea pig’s jawline. Examine your guinea pig’s back for cysts. Guinea pigs can get several types of cysts, with the most common being a sebaceous cyst.
What does a lump on a guinea pig’s back mean?
Look around its head and neck for abscesses, which can be soft or firm and rise up from under the skin. A lump on your guinea pig’s back could be a cyst, which contains skin oils and is often the size of a pea.
Why does my guinea pig have a swollen area?
Cysts, tumors, hematomas, fibrous scars and granulomas can cause swellings that appear similar to an abscess. Bot fly larvae may cause swollen areas in guinea pigs housed outdoors.
