🐹Guinea Pig Health

Guinea Pig Health Guides

84 vet-reviewed articles on guinea pig health — symptoms, conditions, and when to see a vet.

Guinea pigs can't make their own vitamin C and hide illness until they're seriously unwell, so appetite loss or labored breathing always deserves prompt attention. These guides cover the most common concerns — dental disease, respiratory infections, and scurvy — and how to tell urgent from manageable.

🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 17, 2026

Trichofolliculoma in Guinea Pigs: Signs, Treatment & Cost

Trichofolliculomas are the most common benign skin lumps in guinea pigs, filled with keratin and hair. Learn signs, when to remove, and surgical costs.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 17, 2026
🩺Chronic & Systemic

Fatty Liver Disease in Guinea Pigs: Signs & Emergency Care

Fatty liver disease in guinea pigs can develop within 48 hours of anorexia in obese animals. Learn signs, emergency syringe feeding, and vet costs.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 16, 2026
🌿Skin & Coat

Ringworm in Guinea Pigs: Fungal Skin Infection Signs

Trichophyton mentagrophytes causes ringworm-like fungal skin infections in guinea pigs — crusty hair-loss patches starting at the nose and face. It is cont

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 16, 2026

Conjunctivitis in Guinea Pigs: Signs, Causes & Treatment

Guinea pig conjunctivitis can result from bacterial infection, vitamin C deficiency, dental root abscess, or Chlamydia caviae. A weeping eye not clearing i

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 15, 2026
🌿Skin & Coat

Guinea Pig Ringworm: Signs, Treatment & Keeping Humans Safe

Guinea pig ringworm causes crusty bald patches and is contagious to humans. Learn treatment options, decontamination steps, and how long it takes to clear.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 14, 2026
🩺Chronic & Systemic

Guinea Pig Adrenal Disease: Signs, Diagnosis & Treatment

Guinea pig adrenal disease causes symmetrical hair loss, skin darkening, and hormonal imbalance. Learn signs, diagnosis, treatment costs, and prognosis.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 14, 2026

Guinea Pig Vitamin E Deficiency: Signs & Prevention

Vitamin E deficiency causes muscle weakness and stiff gait in guinea pigs. Learn signs, dietary causes, treatment, and how to prevent white muscle disease.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 14, 2026

Guinea Pig Mites: Seizure-Like Itching, Ivermectin Treatment & What to Expect

Mange mites in guinea pigs cause violent seizure-like itching episodes. Learn to spot Trixacarus caviae, ivermectin dosing options, and when it's an emergency.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 14, 2026

Blood in Guinea Pig Urine: Bladder Stones, UTI & Uterine Disease Explained

Blood in guinea pig urine signals bladder stones, UTI, or uterine disease — not harmless pigment. Learn when to go to the ER and how to prevent calcium stones.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 13, 2026
🍽️Eating & Drinking

Guinea Pig Vitamin C: Best Foods & Signs of Deficiency

Guinea pigs can't make vitamin C and develop scurvy in weeks without it. Learn the best food sources, supplement options, and signs of deficiency.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 13, 2026
💨Respiratory

Guinea Pig Respiratory Infection: Signs, Causes & Emergency Care

Guinea pig respiratory infections are life-threatening — they can't mouth-breathe. Learn the warning signs, safe vs. dangerous antibiotics, and costs.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 12, 2026

Guinea Pig Dental Malocclusion: Signs, Treatment & Costs

Molar spurs and malocclusion cause weight loss in guinea pigs. Learn signs, why sedation is needed for diagnosis, and how often teeth are trimmed.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 11, 2026

Guinea Pig Bumblefoot (Pododermatitis): Signs & Care

Guinea pig bumblefoot is a painful footpad infection. Learn the signs, causes, treatment, prevention, and costs.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 11, 2026

Guinea Pig Ovarian Cysts: Symptoms & Treatment

Guinea pig ovarian cysts cause hair loss and a swollen belly. Learn the symptoms, why spaying helps, treatment, and costs.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 10, 2026
🚨Emergency

Guinea Pig Heat Stroke: Signs, First Aid & Prevention

Guinea pigs overheat fatally in mild warmth. Learn the warning signs, emergency cooling first aid, treatment, and prevention.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 10, 2026

Guinea Pig Pregnancy Toxemia: Signs & Emergency Care

Guinea pig pregnancy toxemia is a fast, often fatal late-pregnancy crisis. Learn the warning signs, emergency care, and prevention.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 9, 2026

Guinea Pig Vitamin C Deficiency: Signs & Prevention

Guinea pigs cannot make vitamin C and develop scurvy within weeks of deficiency. Learn signs, treatment, and how daily bell pepper prevents this.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 9, 2026
🚽Urinary

Guinea Pig Bladder Stones: Signs, Pain & Treatment

Urinary stones cause blood in urine, straining, and crying in guinea pigs. Learn why diet causes them, surgery costs, and long-term prevention.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 8, 2026

Guinea Pig Molar Spurs: Drooling, Appetite Loss & Dental Pain

Guinea pig molar spurs cause drooling, weight loss, and food dropping. Diagnosis requires sedated oral exam. Regular dental burring manages this lifelong c

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 8, 2026

Guinea Pig Salmonellosis: Signs, Treatment & Zoonosis Risk

Salmonellosis causes rapid, severe illness in guinea pigs — lethargy, bloody diarrhea, and high mortality. It is also transmissible to humans. Exotic vet e

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 7, 2026

Guinea Pig Bladder Stones: Symptoms and Treatment

Guinea pig bladder stones cause straining, bloody urine, and pain. Learn symptoms, why calcium diet matters, and when surgical removal is needed.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 6, 2026

Guinea Pig Mange: Trixacarus Caviae Signs and Treatment

Trixacarus caviae mange in guinea pigs causes extreme pruritus, seizure-like scratching, and hair loss. It is fatal if untreated — see a vet immediately.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 6, 2026

Guinea Pig Lymphoma: Lumps, Weight Loss, and What to Do

Lymphoma in guinea pigs causes firm lymph node lumps, weight loss, and lethargy. Mediastinal forms cause breathing difficulty. Diagnosis needs a biopsy.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 5, 2026

Guinea Pig Satin Syndrome: Why Shiny Coats Carry Risk

Satin guinea pigs are prone to osteodystrophy, a painful bone disease. Learn the warning signs, the coat link, and how to keep them comfortable.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 5, 2026
👁️Eyes & Ears

Guinea Pig Pea Eye: That Swelling Under the Eye

Pea eye is a usually harmless bulge under a guinea pig's lower eyelid. Learn how to tell it from a serious eye problem and when it actually needs a vet.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 4, 2026
🦴Mobility

Guinea Pig Arthritis Care: Pain Relief, Bedding, Weight

Guinea pig osteoarthritis quietly steals popcorning and mobility by age 3 to 4. Meloxicam, soft bedding, and weight control bring most pigs back.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 4, 2026
👁️Eyes & Ears

Guinea Pig Ear Mites: Symptoms, Treatment, Cross-Species Risk

Guinea pig ear mites cause head shaking, brown ear debris, and scratching. Ivermectin clears most cases; rabbit and cat housemates need treating too.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 3, 2026
🩺Chronic & Systemic

Guinea Pig Mammary Tumors: Signs, Surgery, and What to Expect

Mammary tumors affect male and female guinea pigs. Here's how to spot them early and why surgery while the lump is small matters so much.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 3, 2026

Guinea Pig Pyometra Signs: Uterine Infection in Older Sows

Pyometra in guinea pigs is bacterial uterine infection. Here's how to spot bloody discharge, abdominal swelling, and why spay surgery is curative.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 3, 2026

Guinea Pig Bumblefoot: Stages, Treatment, and Bedding Fix

Red, hairless, or scabby back feet on your guinea pig are bumblefoot — early bedding and weight fixes reverse most mild cases.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 3, 2026

Guinea Pig Ovarian Cysts: Flank Hair Loss and Surgery

Symmetrical flank hair loss and a swollen belly in an unspayed female guinea pig usually mean ovarian cysts — surgery is curative.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 2, 2026

Guinea Pig Conjunctivitis Causes: Eye Infections Explained

Guinea pig conjunctivitis is usually respiratory infection, hay foreign body, or vitamin C deficiency. Here is how to tell them apart and when to see the v

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 2, 2026

Guinea Pig Cystic Ovaries Treatment: Spay vs Drain vs Hormones

Cystic ovaries affect roughly 75 percent of unspayed sows over age 2. Here are the three treatment options and how to decide which is right.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 1, 2026
💨Respiratory

Guinea Pig Respiratory Infection: Signs, Causes, Treatment

Guinea pigs hide respiratory illness until it is severe. Nasal discharge, fast breathing, or clicking sounds need same-day exotic vet care.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthJun 1, 2026
🩺Chronic & Systemic

Guinea Pig Uterine Cancer: Signs in Older Sows

Bloody vaginal discharge or a distended belly in an older intact sow often means uterine adenocarcinoma. Surgery is curative if caught before spread.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 31, 2026

Guinea Pig Head Tilt (Torticollis): Causes and Recovery

A sudden head tilt in a guinea pig usually means an inner-ear infection or a stroke — both need same-day vet care to preserve recovery odds.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 31, 2026

Guinea Pig Ileus (GI Stasis): The Most Common Pet Pig Emergency

A guinea pig who stops eating or pooping has GI ileus — a true emergency. Acting within 6 to 12 hours dramatically improves survival.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 30, 2026

Guinea Pig Pregnancy Toxemia: Signs and Emergency Care

Pregnancy toxemia kills guinea pigs fast — usually in the last two weeks of pregnancy or the first week after birth. Here's how to spot it.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 29, 2026

Guinea Pig Bladder Stones: Signs of a Urinary Emergency

Bladder stones in guinea pigs cause straining, bloody urine, and crying out. A full obstruction is a same-day surgical emergency.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 29, 2026

Guinea Pig Bumblefoot (Pododermatitis): Signs and Treatment

Bumblefoot is a deep foot infection that starts with hair loss and swelling on the heels. Catch it early or it tracks into bone within weeks.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 28, 2026

Guinea Pig Stroke Signs: Recognizing a Neurological Emergency

Sudden head tilt, circling, or one-sided weakness in a guinea pig can be a stroke, an inner ear infection, or vitamin C deficiency — all of them urgent.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 28, 2026

Guinea Pig Cataracts: Cloudy Eyes Causes and Care

A cloudy eye in a guinea pig can be a cataract, a corneal ulcer, or an infection — and each needs different care. Here's how to tell them apart.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 27, 2026

Guinea Pig Scurvy: Vitamin C Deficiency Signs and Treatment

Guinea pigs can't make vitamin C and develop scurvy in 2-4 weeks without it. Look for stiff gait, rough coat, and bleeding gums. Here's how to treat and pr

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 27, 2026

Guinea Pig Bladder Stones: Symptoms, Surgery, and Prevention

Guinea pig bladder stones cause painful urination, blood in urine, and straining. Most need surgery. Diet helps prevent recurrence. Here's what to know.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 25, 2026

Guinea Pig Impaction Signs: Anal Impaction in Boars

Guinea pig anal impaction is common in older boars and shows a smelly soft buildup at the back end. Here is how to clean and manage it.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 25, 2026

Guinea Pig Cervical Lymphadenitis: Neck Lumps and Treatment

Guinea pig cervical lymphadenitis (lumps) is a bacterial neck infection that needs surgical removal plus safe antibiotics. Here is how it is treated.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 24, 2026
🩺Chronic & Systemic

Guinea Pig Fatty Liver: Pregnancy Toxemia and Hepatic Lipidosis

Guinea pig fatty liver, often pregnancy toxemia or hepatic lipidosis from anorexia, is a critical emergency. Here is how to recognize it fast.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 24, 2026

Guinea Pig Fungal Infection: Signs, Ringworm, and Treatment

Guinea pig fungal infection usually means ringworm. Here is how to spot the bald patches, treat it safely, and stop the spread.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 22, 2026
💨Respiratory

Guinea Pig Open-Mouth Breathing: An Emergency Warning Sign

Open-mouth breathing in guinea pigs is never normal. Here's what it signals and why you need exotic vet care immediately.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 22, 2026

Guinea Pig Blood in Urine: Causes, Bladder Stones, and What to Do

Blood in guinea pig urine often signals bladder stones or UTI — both require prompt exotic vet care.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 20, 2026
🚨Emergency

Guinea Pig Heatstroke: Signs, Emergency Care, and Prevention

Guinea pigs overheat easily and heatstroke can kill within hours. Learn the signs, emergency cooling steps, and how to keep your guinea pig safe.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 20, 2026

Guinea Pig Pregnancy Signs: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Guinea pig pregnancies are often unplanned and risky. Learn the signs of pregnancy, when veterinary care is needed, and how to prepare for birth.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 19, 2026

Guinea Pig Barbering: Why Your Guinea Pig Is Losing Fur and What to Do

Barbering — when guinea pigs chew each other's fur — causes patchy fur loss and stress. Learn why it happens and how to stop it.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 19, 2026
🚨Emergency

Guinea Pig Heat Stroke: Signs, Emergency Care, and Prevention

Guinea pigs are highly vulnerable to heat stroke. Learn the warning signs, what to do immediately, and how to keep your guinea pig safe in warm weather.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 18, 2026

Guinea Pig Abscess: Signs, Causes, and Why Exotic Vet Care Matters

Abscesses in guinea pigs appear as firm lumps under the skin and require exotic vet care. Learn the signs, typical locations, and why they're treated differently than in dogs or cats.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 18, 2026
💨Respiratory

Guinea Pig Sneezing: Causes, Upper Respiratory Infection, and When to Worry

Guinea pig sneezing can be normal or the start of a dangerous respiratory infection. Learn to tell the difference and when to act fast.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 17, 2026

Guinea Pig Not Pooping: Causes, GI Stasis Risk, and What to Do

A guinea pig not pooping for 12+ hours is a potential emergency. Learn the signs of GI stasis, what causes it, and why time matters so much.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 17, 2026
👁️Eyes & Ears

Guinea Pig Ear Infection: Signs, Causes, and Treatment

Guinea pig ear infections cause head tilting, scratching, and balance problems. Learn to spot the signs early and why exotic vet care is essential.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 16, 2026
🚨Emergency

Seizures in Guinea Pigs: Causes, Signs, and Emergency Action

Guinea pig seizures can be caused by vitamin C deficiency, heat stroke, ear infection, or hypoglycemia. Learn what a seizure looks like and what to do immediately.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 16, 2026
🌿Skin & Coat

Guinea Pig Ringworm: What Those Bald Patches Really Mean

Guinea pig ringworm causes circular bald patches, red scaly skin, and itching. It's contagious to humans. Learn symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 15, 2026

Guinea Pig Dental Disease: Symptoms of Malocclusion and What to Do

Dental malocclusion is one of the leading causes of weight loss and anorexia in guinea pigs. Learn the signs and how it's treated.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 15, 2026
🩺Chronic & Systemic

Guinea Pig Heart Disease: Signs, Symptoms, and When to See an Exotic Vet

Guinea pig heart disease causes lethargy, breathing difficulty, and weight loss. Learn to recognize the early warning signs and when it's urgent.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 14, 2026

Guinea Pig Pneumonia: Signs, Causes, and Why It's an Emergency

Guinea pig pneumonia signs are easy to miss until it's serious. Learn what to watch for and why this respiratory illness needs immediate exotic vet care.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 14, 2026
🦴Mobility

Guinea Pig Arthritis: Signs, Care, and When to See an Exotic Vet

Senior guinea pigs often develop arthritis. Learn the signs, how to make your guinea pig more comfortable, and when to involve an exotic vet.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 13, 2026

Guinea Pig Ovarian Cysts: Signs, Causes, and Treatment Options

Hair loss on the flanks and a pear-shaped belly are classic guinea pig ovarian cysts signs. Learn what to watch for and treatment options.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 13, 2026

Guinea Pig Bumblefoot (Pododermatitis): Signs, Treatment, and Prevention

Guinea pig bumblefoot (pododermatitis) is painful but often preventable. Learn early signs, treatment, and how to keep your guinea pig's feet healthy.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 12, 2026
🚽Urinary

Guinea Pig Bladder Stones and Urinary Sludge: Signs and Treatment

Guinea pig bladder stones and urinary sludge cause pain and straining. Learn the signs, causes, and what to expect from treatment.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 12, 2026

Guinea Pig Mites: Signs, Treatment, and Prevention

Guinea pig mites cause intense itching and hair loss. Learn to identify a mite infestation, how it's treated, and how to prevent reinfestation.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 11, 2026
🌿Skin & Coat

Guinea Pig Hair Loss: Causes, Ringworm, and When to See a Vet

Guinea pig hair loss can be ringworm, mites, hormonal cysts, or barbering. Learn to identify each cause and when your guinea pig needs exotic vet care.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 11, 2026
👁️Eyes & Ears

Guinea Pig Eyes Closed: Why It Happens and When It's an Emergency

A guinea pig with eyes closed or partially closed is often a sign of illness or pain. Learn when it's urgent and what to do right away.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 11, 2026

Guinea Pig Scurvy: Vitamin C Deficiency Signs and How to Treat It

Guinea pigs can't make their own vitamin C. Learn to recognize scurvy signs — swollen joints, bleeding gums, poor coat — and how to treat it.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 11, 2026

Lethargic Guinea Pig: Causes and When to See an Exotic Vet

A lethargic guinea pig is nearly always sick. Learn the urgent causes — respiratory infection, GI issues, vitamin C deficiency — and when to act fast.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 10, 2026
💨Respiratory

Guinea Pig Respiratory Infection: Symptoms, Causes, and Urgent Warning Signs

Guinea pig respiratory infections are rapidly fatal if untreated. Learn the symptoms, causes, and why this is always an exotic vet emergency.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 10, 2026
👁️Eyes & Ears

Guinea Pig Eye Infection: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Red, swollen, or discharge-filled eyes in guinea pigs need prompt exotic vet care. Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 10, 2026
🤮Digestive

Guinea Pig Bloating: Signs of Gas, GI Stasis, and When It's an Emergency

A bloated guinea pig is a medical emergency. Learn to recognize gas and GI stasis before it becomes life-threatening.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 10, 2026

Guinea Pig Vitamin C Deficiency: Signs of Scurvy and How to Fix It

Guinea pigs can't make their own vitamin C. Deficiency causes scurvy with serious symptoms. Learn the signs and how to prevent it.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 9, 2026
🍽️Eating & Drinking

Guinea Pig Not Drinking Water: Causes & How to Help

A guinea pig not drinking water can quickly become dehydrated. Learn the causes, how to check hydration, and when to seek exotic vet care.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 9, 2026
🌿Skin & Coat

Guinea Pig Skin Problems: Mange, Ringworm & What to Watch For

Guinea pig skin problems like mange and ringworm are common and treatable. Learn the signs of serious skin disease and when to see an exotic vet.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 9, 2026
🤮Digestive

Guinea Pig Diarrhea: Causes, Warning Signs & Care

Guinea pig diarrhea can be caused by diet changes, bacterial infection, or parasites. Learn what's serious and what to do to help your guinea pig.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 9, 2026
🦴Mobility

Guinea Pig Limping: Causes, Bumblefoot & What To Do

Guinea pig limping can signal bumblefoot, vitamin C deficiency, arthritis, or injury. Learn the causes and when to see an exotic vet.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 8, 2026
🍽️Eating & Drinking

Guinea Pig Losing Weight: Causes, Warning Signs, and What to Do

Unexplained weight loss in guinea pigs is almost always a sign of illness. Learn the causes and why weekly weigh-ins matter.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 8, 2026

Guinea Pig Wheezing: Causes, Symptoms, and When to See a Vet

Wheezing in guinea pigs often signals a respiratory infection. Learn the causes, symptoms, and when it becomes an emergency.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 8, 2026

Guinea Pig Teeth Chattering: What It Means and When to Worry

Guinea pig teeth chattering is usually a warning signal. Learn when it's communication vs. a sign of dental pain or illness.

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🐹Guinea Pig HealthMay 8, 2026
🍽️Eating & Drinking

Guinea Pig Not Eating: Causes, Warning Signs, and What to Do

A guinea pig not eating is a medical emergency. Learn the causes, warning signs of GI stasis, and when to see an exotic vet.

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