Accepted Answer

Thank you for getting back to me. I was hoping the additional information would help to narrow down what might be wrong, but it hasn't. First of all, I'll give you a first aid measure to take. It will help no matter what is wrong. If you live in the United States, get some Pedialyte (made for human infants and available in discount stores and pharmacies). If you live in the UK, the product you'll want is Lectaid, sold in pet shops. Use a syringe to put it in the side of your guinea pig's mouth (not straight down the throat - that leads to aspiration into the lungs). for the first hour, give her some every ten minutes. After that, once per hour. This will help with dehydration, which can be life-threatening.

You'll still need to get to the cause of the problem. A dental condition, infection, or internal organ disease are all possibilities. you'll need a guinea pig-experienced vet to make a diagnosis. It will probably be necessary to take x-rays and do blood work. Here is where you can find a guinea pig/rabbit vet:

http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

It's best to try to find a guinea pig/rabbit vet because some vets who treat mainly dogs and cats aren't familiar with these animals' health conditions and sensitivities to certain medications. Continue giving the Pedialyte until you can get to a vet.

I don't recommend the vitamin C that goes in the water. For one thing, it makes the water taste bad, leading to failure to drink. For another, it deteriorates rapidly. It's better to use human products. Some guinea pigs will eat chewable vitamin C. You want to give about 25 mgs. per day. For those who won't eat the tablets, liquid formulas made for human infants can be put on a treat, such as a very small bite of whole grain bread. You can also get more vitamin C into her diet by feeding a greater variety of produce. Guinea pigs need about one cup of produce per day, along with all the timothy hay they want to eat and some pellets. Produce must be increased gradually so loose stools don't develop. Cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, collards, bok choy, broccoli, kale, and brussels sprouts tend to produce too much gas, and shouldn;t be fed often. Onions and garlic are not good, either. Tomatoes, red peppers, summer squash, and greens are are all good. Strawberries and kiwi are especially high in vitamin C. This link will take you to alist of recommended produce:

http://www.guinealynx.info/diet.html#vegs

This one has reliable information on feeding guinea pigs (scroll up/down for different topics):

http://www.guinealynx.info/diet.html#vegs

If you live in the USA, guinea pigs are not routinely spayed. They are not good surgical candidates. Spaying is usually done only when a problem develops. Breeding doesn't prevent problems with the female organs, and is very risky in itself. Baby guinea pigs are unusual in that they are born covered with hair, eyes open, and able to run around. They're quite adorable. Because the babies are born so developed, female guinea pigs are more likely to experience birth complications than many other mammals. Females older than 8 months who have never had a litter are especially likely to have problems. At this point, you shouldn't even consider breeding her.

I hope you'll be able to quickly schedule a vet appointment, and that your guinea pig will reach a full recovery. If you have more questions, just let me know by clicking on REPLY.

Anna

Expert:	Anna
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	8/19/2009

Pet Expert/Biologist

40 yrs.: herps, pocket pets, rabbits, poultry, dogs, horses. Biology degree. Volunteer vet assistant