Make your own mush for force feeding
- Soaked or powdered pellets
- Brew of hay (soak hay with boiling water and take the brew)
- Vegetables (some kind of)
- Grass
- Herbs
What do you feed a guinea pig in an emergency?
Purchase recovery food for your adult guinea pig, if possible. Oxbow Critical Care for herbivores is a great emergency food to feed to sick or critical guinea pigs. You can purchase emergency food from most leading pet stores, or your local veterinary clinic.
What can a vet do for a sick guinea pig?
Vets are trained to care for a sick guinea pig. They can help your sick guinea pig with things like a general health check-up, hair loss, appetite loss, scratching, or diarrhea.
How do you feed a baby guinea pig with diarrhea?
You should try to hand feed your guinea pig plain food pellets softened in water with minced parsley, vegetables, and carrots. You can also combine pet slurry with wheat grass juice or natural cranberry juice to make it more appetizing.
What do guinea pigs need to be healthy?
For your guinea pigs to be happy and healthy, they need plenty of the following in their diets: A constant supply of grass and/or grass hay (such as Timothy, Oaten, Barley, or grassy hay). Fresh leafy green vegetables & herbs should be fed daily.
What can you do for a sick guinea pig?
4:1512:26How to Look After a Sick Guinea Pig: Not Eating or Pooping?! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMedications. Rather than things that can be most helpful for a guinea pig who isn't eating. But ifMoreMedications. Rather than things that can be most helpful for a guinea pig who isn't eating. But if you don't have an exotics vet. Available.
How do you force feed a sick guinea pig?
1:203:23How to Syringe Feed Critical Care to Your Rabbit, Guinea Pig ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIntroduce the tip of the syringe. Gently into the side of the mouth. And deliver a very small amountMoreIntroduce the tip of the syringe. Gently into the side of the mouth. And deliver a very small amount at a time ensuring that the pet swallows.
How do you treat a guinea pig with a cold at home?
Colds in guinea pigs If your guinea pig shows any signs of a cold, such as a runny nose or sneezing, keep him warm and provide plenty of water. If the symptoms don't clear within a couple of days, get him along to your local vet to rule out a more serious condition, such as pneumonia.
How often should you feed a sick guinea pig?
every 2-4 hoursAs a general rule most guinea pigs that are unwell would receive critical care every 2-4 hours. If your guinea pig doesn't like the critical care mix you can try a different flavour or add a small amount of a safe vegetable or fruit flavoured baby food to the mixture.
How long can a guinea pig go without eating?
So, how long can guinea pigs go without food and water? Healthy guinea pigs shouldn't go over 8 hours without food. They won't starve in this time, but they can develop potentially fatal GI stasis or other health issues. Healthy guinea pigs may go up to 24 hours without water.
What are the signs of a guinea pig dying?
Lack of Appetite. Guinea pigs that are very ill will refuse to eat, and may show signs of weight loss if the appetite loss has persisted for some time. ... Bad Urine and Feces. ... Fever. ... Respiratory Problems. ... Eye Condition. ... Poor Coat Condition. ... Mobility Issues. ... Lethargy.More items...
What is a natural antibiotic for guinea pigs?
You can feed him live culture yogurt or lactobacilli acidophilus capsules dissolved into water. Always give your guinea pig the acidophilus supplements at least an hour before you give him an antibiotic so that the supplemental bacteria will not be eliminated.
What does guinea pig sick look like?
Affected guinea pigs may be anorexic, lethargic, weak; move with difficulty and appear painful when moving. They may also have diarrhoea and a rough coat, among other symptoms. Vitamin C deficiency causes the guinea pig severe pain and discomfort and is a preventable condition.
What noises do guinea pigs make when they are sick?
But Guinea Pig sized. Usually its nothing to worry about, however, if your piggy has signs of a cold you'll need to get it checked by a vet. Symptoms can include runny eyes and nose, heavy breathing and coughing, a crackling sound from its chest and half closed eyes. Your piggy may also have other symptoms.
How do you rehydrate guinea pigs?
You can hydrate your guinea pig by immediately doing the following:Offering your guinea pig his water bottle.Feeding him/her water via an eyedropper or medicine dropper (if he/she is unable to drink on his/her own).Offering veggies that have high water content, i.e. cucumber, iceberg lettuce, melon.
Can you give guinea pigs sugar water?
Claire W said: Hi, please do no feed your piggy sugar water. You're right and guinea pigs shouldn't have a lot of sugar.
How can you tell if a guinea pig is dehydrated?
An ill guinea pig may not drink enough water on its own to do well. Your guinea pig may be dehydrated if you see any of these problems: thick sticky saliva, crusty eyes, poor appetite, small amounts of dark colored urine, or hard dry fecal pellets.
How do you tell if a guinea pig has a cold?
Symptoms include labored and/or rapid breathing, discharge from the eyes and nostrils, lethargy, inappetance, sneezing, and coughing. Upper respiratory infections are commonly seen in newly acquired guinea pigs.
How do you treat a respiratory infection in guinea pigs?
bronchisepta infection is often treated with the help of systemic antibiotics. If your guinea pigs is very weak, supportive fluid therapy and supplementation with oral or injectable multivitamins may be required.
Why does my guinea pig have a runny nose?
Check breathing: Guinea pigs often suffer from respiratory illnesses, which may be life-threatening. Take immediate action if your guinea pig is having trouble breathing → Go straight to the vet! Other signs are sneezing, watery eyes and a runny nose → Go to the vet within 24 hours!
Can guinea pigs survive in the cold?
The RSPCA advise that temperatures below 15 degrees are too cold for Guinea Pigs, and that they should be kept indoors. Therefore, if you choose to let your Guinea Pig live outside in the winter, you should make a few changes to his hutch and environment to keep him warm and happy.
How to take care of a sick guinea pig?
Once you bring your pig home, follow your vet’s treatment plan, which may include medications such as pills or antibiotics.
What is the best medicine for guinea pigs?
Give your pig pills with a hemostat. Your guinea pig may need to be given vitamin C pills if they has a vitamin C deficiency. A hemostat is a scissor-handled clamp that is used for compressing bleeding blood vessels. You can find them at medical supply stores or online.
How to give guinea pig eye drops?
Place your guinea pig on a table facing away from you to give them eye drops. If your guinea pig develops eye issues, the vet may prescribe eye drops. You can administer eye drops by placing your guinea pig on a table, facing away from you. Then, hold the bottle dropper above and behind their head.
How to give a guinea pig liquid medicine?
1. Use a syringe to give your pig liquid medication. Liquid medication may be prescribed for a respiratory bacterial disease or for a digestive disorder. If the vet prescribes liquid oral medication for your guinea pig’s illness, you will need to use a 1cc syringe with no needle to give your pig the medication.
How to get guinea pigs to go downhill?
1. Let the vet examine your guinea pig as soon as they become ill. Once guinea pigs get sick, they can go downhill fast. If you notice any signs of illness in your guinea pig, bring them to the vet right away.
Why do guinea pigs get sick?
Guinea pigs often contract an illness due to improper care, an improper diet, or interaction with another guinea pig who has an infectious disease. You should talk to the vet about your pig’s symptoms and your care procedures for your pig, as it can help them to determine the cause of their illness.
How much water should a guinea pig drink?
Adult guinea pigs should consume about 6 grams of dry feed/100 grams of body weight and 10 to 40 ml water per 100 grams of body weight.
Why do guinea pigs have low vitamin C?
Vitamin C deficiency is caused when levels of this important vitamin are not adequate in the diet; this is because – unlike most animals – guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C, which is important for growth and repair of tissues within the body.
Why do guinea pigs get respiratory infections?
Respiratory infections are fairly common in guinea pigs. Most are caused by bacteria which are commonly found in normal, healthy guinea pigs. These bacteria are ‘opportunistic’ and take advantage if your guinea is sick for any other reason, such as due to scurvy or because overcrowding, pregnancy, or poor environment are causing stress. Young guinea pigs and old guinea pigs are also more at risk. Making sure housing is dry, clean, and not too dusty can reduce the risk of pneumonia in guinea pigs.
What are the kidney stones in guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs are also prone to urinary stones or ‘calculi’ – a serious condition. Most frequently these are found in the bladder but can also form in the kidneys. These stones can become lodged and cause blockages, which can be life-threatening.
What to feed guinea pigs to prevent infection?
Your vet may also advise a high fiber diet, including lots of timothy hay and supplementation with vitamin C, which is very important for fighting infection. After initial treatments, having regular checkups and tooth trimming (where necessary) should allow your guinea pig to recover from and avoid future dental disease.
What is the best diet for guinea pigs?
A well-balanced diet, with plenty of greens, is also critical in ensuring that your guinea pigs remain disease-free. Enough vitamin C and fiber are vital to your guinea pig’s health. Check your guinea pig’s skin for any tumors or abscesses that may develop.
How to treat bumblefoot in guinea pig?
Treatment generally includes vitamin C supplementation, bandaging, antibacterial therapy, and pain relief. Generally bumblefoot sufferers have a good prognosis if the case is mild or caught early. If not, and if your guinea pig has developed osteomyelitis, more stringent measures may be indicated.
How to help a sick guinea pig with gastric upset?
All of these are best done in a veterinary clinic. Stress is also a major factor in how quickly your sick guinea pig recovers from gastric upset. Therefore, it’s best to keep him or her in a warm, dark and quiet room to reduce stress. Your vet may also administer an anxiety reducing medication.
Why does my guinea pig have hair loss?
Hair loss in guinea pigs can have several causes. Firstly, if your female guinea pig is pregnant , she may suffer hair loss during the late stages of her pregnancy. While this may be typical, do talk with your vet about this, as nutritional supplementation may help.
Why do guinea pigs vomit?
The most common symptom of gastric distress in guinea pigs is diarrhea, as they are unable to vomit.
How to tell if a guinea pig is sick?
Look for signs your guinea pig is sick. Check for changes in the following: 1 Activity level 2 Temperature 3 Weight 4 Hair loss 5 Diarrhea and changes in waste production 6 Skin irritation (rednes, swelling) 7 Tumors and abscesses 8 Eyes, ears, nose, and mouth 9 Sick guinea pig sounds – wheezing, clicking, sneezing, coughing 10 Behavior changes
Why are guinea pigs bottomless pits?
Guinea pigs are built that way: their digestive system starts to shut down if they haven’t eaten for several hours. The lack of food also damages their liver, so it’s important to get food into them if they’re not eating on their own.
What happens if a guinea pig runs laps?
But many illnesses are subtle. If a guinea pig who runs laps every morning abruptly stops their daily run, it may be worth looking into. Sulking in corners, sitting puffed up more than normal, drinking a ton of water, suddenly becoming aggressive or getting picked on — any of these can be a sign of illness.
What to do if guinea pig stops eating?
If your guinea pig is refusing to eat, you'll need to prepare an emergency food. This article will show you how.
How long can you keep guinea pig milk in the fridge?
Store the milk in a refrigerator for up to 2 weeks , and feed to baby guinea pigs every 1-2 hours.
How long does it take for a guinea pig to produce milk?
The mother sow generally doesn't start lactating or producing milk until 24 hours of the birth. Within this time, it's normal for the guinea pig pups not to consume anything.
Can you feed Oxbow to guinea pigs?
Oxbow Critical Care for herbivores is a great emergency food to feed to sick or critical guinea pigs. You can purchase emergency food from most leading pet stores, or your local veterinary clinic. Supreme Science Recovery is another alternative to Oxbow. Otherwise, Emeraid Herbivore can be fed to critical guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs choke?
There is a risk of aspirating or choking your guinea pig due to the difficulty of controlling how much food goes into their mouth with a bigger syringe. You can purchase a syringe at your vet office. Otherwise, a pet shop or drugstore will likely sell something similar.
What to feed guinea pigs?
Other foods that are good to fed guinea pigs a few times a week include broccoli, cabbage, endive, carrot tops, Brussels sprouts, kale, silver beet, mint, and fruits such as apples (but with no seeds), mango, and papaya. Provide your guinea pigs with a dietary source of Vitamin C because (like humans), guinea pigs cannot synthesise Vitamin C ...
What is the best vitamin for guinea pigs?
Provide your guinea pigs with a dietary source of Vitamin C because (like humans), guinea pigs cannot synthesise Vitamin C from other food substances. Vitamin C rich foods such as leafy green veggies and capsicums (green, orange, and red) should be fed to your guinea pigs daily.
Why should guinea pigs have hay?
The hay should ideally be contained in a hayrack or basket to prevent it sitting on the enclosure floor and getting contaminated by your guinea pigs’ waste and becoming damp, dirty, and mouldy; this is unhygienic and could make your guinea pigs sick.
How long should guinea pigs eat hay?
The hay that you feed should be available 24 hours a day and of good quality; dry, sweet smelling, and not contain any mold, mildew or fungus.This is paramount in providing a complete diet and encourages the guinea pigs to chew for long periods of time.
Can guinea pigs eat caecum?
Please note that it is normal for guinea pigs to eat their soft, nitrogen-rich faeces that are derived from their caecum after they pass them (coprophagy). This does not indicate any kind of dietary deficiency or abnormality and guinea pigs should be allowed to do this.
Do guinea pigs eat roughage?
Guinea pigs are natural herbivores and would spend their time foraging and grazing in small herds in the wild. They need to be fed the types of food they have adapted to eat. Their teeth are continuously growing, which is one of the reasons why they need plenty of roughage to chew; this wears down their teeth and helps prevent serious dental ...
4 Steps To Syringe Feed Guinea Pig
Syringe feeding a guinea pig is a matter of following the proper steps and showing discipline. It demands caution since you may aspirate and kill your pet in the process of trying to save its life.
What If the Guinea Pig Refuses to Eat the Mixture?
It’s not uncommon for guinea pigs to refuse to eat a syringe-fed food even after you attempt to prepare their favorite formula. It can be a frustrating and terrifying situation, especially since no one is ready to lose their pet.
How Long Can Guinea Pigs Go Without Food?
Guinea pigs are one animal that requires chewing something more often. They frequently eat to keep their gut open. Is it possible by any means for guinea pigs to go without food?
FAQs
Your guinea pig is likely to refuse eating or drinking if there is an ongoing dental problem, or it may be sick of another disease. See your vet right away to know what’s the problem.
In Conclusion
Syringe feeding in guinea pigs is a typical life-saving technique. You aim to keep your animal pet alive, and its gut from closing down, hoping that it will soon be okay.
