Accepted Answer

Hello and thanks for researching this very important question!

I will warn you: once a Guinea Pig is sick enough to have this number of symptoms, the outlook is quite grave. A single viral illness can weaken the immune system enough to allow bacterial and fungal infections to develop throughout the body, and not leave enough resistance to make it through.

A six-year-old female may indeed have developed any number of cancers or uterine infections. An illness in a pet older than 4 years may just be the result of the natural course of a Guinea Pig's life cycle. Keeping her comfortable and warm is the best thing to do.

THINGS TO TRY AT HOME:

 

Guinea Pigs can be allergic or sensitive to many kinds of wood-based bedding...cedar is particularly toxic, but pine chips have been implicated in some cases of respiratory symptoms as well. If you use any kind of wood bedding, switch to one of the paper-based beddings available now (Carefresh is one popular brand).

 

Guinea Pigs are susceptible to a number of cold viruses and can become ill quickly from eating a diet that is lacking in vitamin C. Packaged pellets are a good source of protein, fiber and other nutrients, but Vitamin C is very fragile and decays quickly under warehouse and shipping conditions.

 

Please go to the pharmacy right away and get a pediatric vitamin C supplement (liquid)...give 50mg today and 25mg for the next 7 days (thereafter give 20 mg every day for your pet's lifetime).

 

Make sure your house is warm enough for a GP...raise the room temperature to 80F degrees while she is sick, then you can keep it at around 75F degrees once she feels better. If she feels too cold, she will not take any nutrients or water.

 

Also get some jars of baby food fruits and veggies so that you have some soft foods to feed with a dropper to keep energy and nutrition high. You can also melt the pellet food in some warm water to feed with a dropper or spoon.

 

Guinea Pigs can get fungal (yeast) infections in their respiratory tract and lungs...a dietary supplement such as Bene-Bac or Probiocin (found at better pet stores, Online, or at veterinary offices) can help combat this type of microbe, or prevent it from getting a hold in an already ailing pet.

 

If the eye crusts shut, use a warm-water compress (NOT HOT WATER) to gently melt the discharge until the lids are free.

 

These links will help you find medical assistance (not all medicines are safe to use in GPs, so you want to have Your Friend examined by doctors who know how to treat exotic pets):

http://www.cavyinfo.com/html/vet.htm

http://www.aracnet.com/cgi-usr/seagull/vetfinder.cgi

http://cavyspirit.com/vets.htm

If you need additional support at this time, please click "Reply", otherwise I thank you in advance for your "Accept", and will hold a Good Thought for you both.

 

 

Edited by Gen B. on 6/5/2009 at 2:28 PM

Expert:	Gen B.
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	6/5/2009

Retired Veterinary Technician

Dog, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Gerbil breeder / Reptile Keeper / Bunny-Ferret-Exotic Specialist