A healthy guinea pig requires about 10-30 mg of vitamin C per day. Barrons Educational Series. } If your guinea pig has a lot of discharge from their nose, you can contact your veterinarian for advice on how to treat the infection. Guinea pigs may be small and cute, but they still experience pain just like humans do! Gently pour warm water over your pet with your hands or a jug (stay away from their eyes, mouth, and nose). Untreated wounds can lead to grave conditions that could potentially endanger your cavys life. But what happens if these parasitic infections are not caught and treated? Moldy and dusty hay and litter around the guinea pigs cage could be responsible for the introduction of environmental allergens and irritants that may pose a threat to its health. For example, crusty eyes and a runny nose indicates a respiratory infection or allergy. OUR ULTIMATE AMAZON CAGE CLEANER RECOMMENDATION: Cage Cleaner Set for Guinea Pig Cages. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. From materials needed to steps to take, we have every single detail you need. During winter, it could be a bit hard to keep the home or cage environment of the pig at its optimum temperature of around 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. There are a couple of ways that cavies can get hurt If the right treatment isnt given, then the guinea pig wound can get infected. Every week! The first reason is because theyre usually too harsh for guinea pigs and might cause more harm than good by hindering the healing process. How to unclog a guinea pigs nose? } Why Do Guinea Pigs Twitch? It is okay, the world wont end. Thisll be easy if you. Instead, snag a pair of (ideally hot pink) reusable dishwashing (or similar) gloves and you are set. Commonly used antihistamines include diphenhydramine and hydroxyzine. Why is it necessary to clean your Guinea Pigs ears? Ensure to have enough water in the water bottles to make it easily available for the guinea pig to quench its thirst when the need arises. Fill the syringe with warm water and insert the tip into the nostril. What should you do if you think your guinea pig is sick? Cleaning ears. Answer 3: You should clean a guinea pigs nose as often as necessary, depending on the amount of discharge present. Allow the disinfectant to sit on the surface for 10 minutes so that it has time to work, killing bacteria and other harmful elements. If you notice rattling, clicking, and wheezing sounds when breathing, these are signs that show your pet might be having respiratory distress. Your guinea pig might be sensitive to something. What happens if you dont clean your guinea pigs nose? Also, watch out for blood in the urine or droppings, for this could be a warning sign that there are other infections in the body. When guinea pigs lived in the wild, their diets were not all that different Can Guinea Pigs Eat Corn? There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. display: block; You'd have already known what to do with the pig based on the physical examination and its history. Always have someone supervising your guinea pigs. https://www.erinsark-petcareguide.com/guinea-pig-companionship, Its important to understand what to feed your guinea pigs. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. A case of guinea pig runny nose is sometimes caused by first, a condition known as Atrophic Rhinitis (AR) which is common in piglets. Our guide takes this into consideration, and is built to provide the fastest and most efficient way to clean your guinea pigs cage or enclosure. Examples are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the commonly used ones are carprofen and meloxicam. Long-haired guinea pigs might require daily brushing, depending on the length and thickness of their coat. My guinea pig will be so happy with it's clean cage! This goes for both humans and animals. } Cleaning your pig's cage at least every week is very important in maintaining your pet's health. These might look clean, but the truth is that urine or waste can get on them too and leave nasty residue. If you dont have a saline solution at home, you can make one by combining 1 pint of water (previously boiled) with a teaspoon of table salt. Since this should happen once a week, using sponges each time could not only add up in cost, but produces far more waste. If your guinea pig's eyes need cleaning, and yet they dont seem able to do it themselves, this too may indicate a health problem. We suggest placing a washcloth or small towel on the bottom of the p This is nothing to be concerned about. @media screen and (min-width: 769px) and (max-width: 992px) { However, it should be noted that most of these may be painful and should be administered with care. When it comes to pet first aid, doing it right can save you from worrying and additional expenses to the vet. No skimping on plentiful grass hay, fresh water, and vitamin C. The guinea pig diet is mainly hay; we're talking about 80% hay. In cases of illness where the little pet has been given antibiotics, you should constantly check for improvement in breathing and loss of the signs of the respective illness. Why is it important to clean your guinea pigs nose? .exdln63a287d7a7588 { Take out literally everything. That means an increase of spot cleaning and deep cleaning. Just leave your guinea pig cage out to air-dry for an hour or so and you are good to go. Kiln-dried pine is suitable for bedding if nothing else is available. This can lead to infections and other problems, so its important to keep them clean. Make sure your guinea pig is comfortable and clean, so it can rest and heal in peace. Double check our supplies list above to be sure you have everything you need for a successful cleaning venture. However, MAKE SURE it is safe for small animals, especially guinea pigs. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Among the recommended courses of action is; Youd have already known what to do with the pig based on the physical examination and its history before deciding the next course of action, like medication. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. This includes putting into consideration the advancement and extent of damage to the affected tissues on the pig. So, you found a wound on your guinea pig. Check on the bleeding afterward. For your guinea pig, allergy shots are highly recommended. However, if you notice that the eyes are crusty, cloudy, protruding or ulcerated, there is a health problem that needs addressing. Do you want poop on your hands? Can guinea pigs eat rice? This guide will teach you 5 dos and donts of guinea pig wound cleaning. Then run some hot water and submerge the water bottle and food bowl. Answer 11: Guinea pigs can sneeze for a variety of reasons, including allergies, dusty environments, or respiratory infections. Sometimes when you focus your attention on the wound itself so much that you might miss some other tell-tale signs that could indicate infection. The wrong cleaner not only could not work, but it might even prove dangerous to your guinea pigs health. What is the best way to clear a guinea pigs nose? Guinea pigs often touch each other's nose to apologize after a fight to understand their position. Never again hear the dreaded sounds of your guinea pigs angry squeaks because you forgot to clean out their cage or feed them on timefor the fourth day in a row. (2019, April 18). Zippi Tunnel Single with Hutch to Run Connection Kit, 10.95 No, you should not clean your guinea pigs nose with water. Otherwise, a bucket will do just fine. Assuming you mean how to clean a guinea pig's nose: Guinea pigs are prone to getting respiratory infections, so keeping their nose clean is important. Rice is a grain, and grains are not good for them. If you accidentally use a cotton swab that is too rough for your guinea pigs nose, you should stop and try a different cotton swab or cloth. If you accidentally use a cloth that is too rough for your guinea pigs nose, you should stop and try a different cloth or cotton swab. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. (What You Need to Know), Can Guinea Pigs Suffer or Die From Depression? View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. and Why Do Guinea Pigs Twitch? Guinea pig lungs are sensitive, and they can even have asthma! If you think your guinea pig is sick, you should take it to the vet. Especially if its very severe, but youre not able to get your fur babies to the vet right away. A guinea pig may, however, develop health problems that need a veterinary doctors attention, or you may sometimes manage the complications without necessarily involving a vet. Watch and learn how to how to gently clean the ears.. Do weekly health checks to. Discharge builds up naturally in the corners of a guinea pig's eyes - just like any other mammal - and the GP will remove this with its paws. Answer 6: Yes, you can use a cotton swab to clean a guinea pigs nose. So, before you go straight to the vet, think of what you can do to alleviate the pain and bleeding. When guinea pigs have accidents in their cage, it could lead to injuries like a broken leg or foot. Company Reg. Its highly advisable to watch the guinea pigs activities, especially after being given any medication as most antibiotics may cause diarrhea to develop. I have a total of three guinea pigs and have had them for about a year now and they have been fine and healthy. If the both cavies are determined to take control of one another (and neither one backs down), it could ultimately lead to a physical fight which will likely result in injury. Inflammations occur in lung tissues including the cilia, bronchi, and bronchioles, and these can expose the pigs to more severe secondary lung infections by bacteria like Pasteurella multocida. We will tell you in advance and in all honesty, this can be a messy process. They typically have an agreeable personality and tend to have a relatively long lifespan compared to other small pets. Mycoplasma and Pasteurella pneumonia are infections that occur in the lower respiratory tract and the lungs. (Safety, Nutrition, and Tips), floor time and exercise is incredibly crucial for your guinea pigs, guinea pig will be sad and might even start attracting flies, Baby Guinea Pigs The Owners Care Guide, Guinea Pig Cages: Setup & Recommendations, Listen to a new album of music all the way through, Take the opportunity to soak in some fresh air, Mentally plan out a fun treat for a friend or loved one, Or anything else you can do at the same time. What if I see blood in my guinea pigs nose? Yes, it is normal for your guinea pig to sneeze when you clean its nose. However, sometimes stains are stubborn. Knowing how to clean a guinea pig cage is one thing. (Find Out Now) , Why Does Your Guinea Pig Run Up Your Neck? Timothy hay, bedding, toys, and hideaway huts? to you guys, I have learned a lot about guinea pigs and how to take care of them. Some guinea pigs may need their noses cleaned daily, while others may only need it done every few days. Deposit a small amount of guinea pig shampoo on your hand, then use your fingers to delicately massage it into your cavy's fur. } It may not display this or other websites correctly. Antibiotics should be carefully administered to the ailing pig depending on the nature and culture of the bacterium causing the infection. If this happens, the guinea pig needs treatment with another antibiotic, and its advisable to immediately inform your vet. 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