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Health of a Guinea Pig

  • Thread starter Thread starter em1986
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em1986

I'm currently doing research into getting some guinea pigs and am trying to learn everything before I get them in a few months time.
I currently have 12 rats and I find that I am up against constant medical issues... now I have taken in all rescues so their health isnt excellent anyway and 12 is alot so I know it all mounts up!
But I was keen to find out what Guinea pigs health is like generally? Is there anything specific they suffer from?

For example, rats do suffer with resp issues, and they are very common - so I have to take them off to the vets, antibiotics.
Rats also tend to get tumours as they get older, this again is very common. For example: Holly my 20 month old rat, has had one tumour removed and now has another one so I'm having her spayed and her lump removed again next week.

With rats I dont have pet insurance as consultation is £14 and operations are around £120 but to be honest major operations like that dont come up alot (thankfully) ..so predominantly its checks, resp isses, infections, absesses...
Ive probably spent near on £1500 in vets fees the past year! But all in little sections.

Would you recommend getting pet insurance for guinea pigs?

Thanks for all your help!
 
Greetings.
Guinea pigs are fairly healthy animals.
Common health issues are
Skin problems: fungal infection and mite infestation.
Dental conditions. (A healthy pig does NOT need regular tooth trimming, if it does then there is NO need, whatsoever, for a general anaesthetic)
Cystitis and bladder stones.
Lumps and bumps are fairly common, eg cysts. (Malignant tumours are rare in guinea pigs.)
Overall it is cheaper not to get health insurance cover for guinea pigs. I have yet to come across anyone who has done so.
 
Rather than insurance members seem to prefer saving each month towards vets bills .
 
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