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Think Guinea Pig is Ill

  • Thread starter Thread starter NocturnalRapport
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NocturnalRapport

I bought two male baby guinea pigs last Tuesday.

One is slightly bigger than the other one and has spent the past week asserting dominance over the smaller one. He struts around slowly, constant rumbling noises, mounting etc.

The smaller one doesn't seem to mind and just walks around squeaking happily to himself.

They're both popcorning quite a lot, especially in a morning when the food is refreshed. This morning they went nuts and were leaping into the air, diving around the cage and chasing each other. They seemed fine and very happy.

However, I held the bigger one earlier and noticed his bum is quite sore. It's red and blistered. Whenever I go near him he chatters his teeth, rumbles etc and today began teeth chattering at the smaller pig. He also seems to be moving around less and less and his movements are starting to seem slow and awkward.

What is wrong with him?

And, if he was ill, would he still be popcorning?
 
Are the blisters on his rump, or actually around his genitals and bum? My thoughts at the moment, just based on what you have explained, lean towards urine scald, which may be a secondary problem caused by cystitis.
What bedding are they on?
 
They're on one side of his genitals.

They're on woodshavings and hay. I have introduced apples and bananas to them in the past couple of days, could it be that I have given them too much new food to get used to? I've noticed no diarreah.
 
I'd remove the woodshavings as these can absorb the natural oils from the piggie's feet. You can put newspaper down with hay over the top. You could have a look at the housing section on the forum as there are many different options with reviews. I'm sorry I can't help with the blisters. I'd probably pop him to the vets for a check up though :)
 
Try cutting out acid foods for a while such as apples. They can commonly cause lip sores and if the piggie lickes himself elsewhere it can cause sores there too. Try veggies rather than fruit for a while. I'd take him to the vet though that's for sure. Good luck :)
 
Fruit should only be given sparingly....once a week say as a small treat...as the other poster said I would just feed veg and change the bedding...
 
Agreed. In the meantime, try some kamillosan (available from chemist, it is actually a nipple cream for human breastfeeding mums) to soothe the area. Althogh petshops STILL recommend woodshavings, they are NOT recommended as can cause nasty skin sores and respitory infections. Lots of other bedding to choose from!

If he still seems poorly after 24 hours, pop him along to the vet for a check up. Be sure to bring his friend too as company as any separation can lead to them rejecting eachother!
 
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