Guinea Pigs
Origins
Guinea pigs or cavies are native of Southern Central America and northern
and Northwestern South America. They were originally being raised for food
and pets by the Central Americans. They were first introduced to Europe in the
Sixteenth Century by explorers taking them back with them. While European
never developed a taste for eating them they did breed them into certain traits that
they liked. These breeds included: the Smooth Coat, the long-hair, the Rex, and
the rosetted.
HousingA proper house is needed for a Cavie to live and play. It should have an area of 1.4
sq. ft. for one or two animals and at least eight(8) inches tall. It must have a solid bottom and
plenty of ventilation for air. They also need clean, dry bedding in the bottom of the
bottom of their cage. The best bedding are alfalfa, timothy, or clover hay which
They can also chew on. Try not to use cedar bedding because it wreaks havoc on
their lungs. The bedding should be changed at least once every three days to keep
them from laying in their own mess. You may want to add a block of pine or ash
wood for your Guinea pig to chew on. They also like hidey boxes to sleep in. Finally,
it is good to have a dish to put their food into instead of spreading it all over the cage.
Feeding Your Cavie
Guinea pigs are vegetarians. The only vegies they can not eat is red cabbage. As
a rule they can eat any vegetable or fruit that you can. Lettus should not ever be used
as a main course since it has no nutritional value. There are many good supplements
on the market for Guinea pigs. If you are buying in large quantities be sure that you
have something to seal the extra food since it will loose its nutrient values. They
also need fresh water every day. The best way to supple this is with a gravity fed
water bottle.
Handling Your Pet
Make sure that when you pick up your Guinea pig that you put one hand under its
legs. Since they like caves and holes let them put their nose at the bend of your arm.
Guinea pigs do love to be handled so let them out daily. Since they enjoy to chew
on anything they get near keep a watchful eye on them. This will save your furniture
from being chewed on.
Breeding
Guinea pigs can have 2 or 3 babies in a litter several times a year. A male can sire
young after it is five weeks old. A female can breed a few weeks after birth. However,
this may stunt her growth and prevent her from attaining full maturity. You may keep
this in mind if you keep your Guinea’s together. If you are planning on selling or
showing your pet’s offspring make sure not to mix the breeds. Breeders and judges
at shows are interested in certain traits that are looked for in a quality domestic Guinea.
Medical Care for Guinea Pigs
Lice--Lice are small bugs that can be seen moving around the roots of the hair. This can be treated with a shampoo or spray containing pyrethyrines. This must be applied every 6(six) days for three weeks weekson account lice can live for up to 14 days.
Mites--These are small bugs that live under the skin so shots or oral medication will be needed. A veterinarian will give invemection shots for several weeks. You can use invemection paste for horses in small pea doses once a week for three weeks. The only danger of this is you may over dose your Guinea pig.
Worms--Seen as white streaks in the Guinea pig’s droppings. Please take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.
Vitamin C Deficiency--signs of deficiency includes stiffness, difficulty walking, even paralysis. Some of the foods you can give to supplement your animals diet is red and green bell pepper, kale, leaf lettus and other green vegies.
Diarrhea--This is something to really watch since it can kill your pet within a day. This can be caused by several different things such as: bacteria, too many green vegies, and a change in the brand of food you give them. Ways to correct the problem is to cut back the greens, or add the new brand of food in with the old one until the change is complete. In most cases Timothy hay in large quantities can help. If the problem keeps up take them to the vet immediately.
Respiratory Distress--This could be caused by the animal being in a draft, getting too cold, or simply being stressed. Some of the signs include sneezing, runny noses, and possibly a clicking noise in the chest. when it breathes. Your Guinea pig will need an antibiotic so take them to a vet as soon as possible.
Enteritis--Leading cause of death that could be could. Symptoms include a low temperature, which causes the pig to remain immobile, listless, not eating, or drinking. First, put him on a heating pad and give him anti-gas liquid made for infants such as Sumethicone. Next, give him pedialyte and get them to the vet as soon as possible.
Ovarian Cysts--This is a bacteria filled sack that forms on and kills the cavies by bursting. The symptom includes a baldness on both sides of its body. This will be just forward of the hips on the abdomen. Surgery is the recommended procedure for this illness.
Bumble Foot--The symptoms include swelling and slight redness in the foot. This is potentially dangerous so treat with antibiotics immediately.
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