Knöddelmeister: Information

The following Symptoms are important indicators that show that there is something wrong with your pig. The list here shows you the symptoms I experienced with my own pigs. There are others, but I never saw them. A visit to the vet is highly recommended should one of the signs occur! Links for further information are on the bottom of this page.

Reduced Eating
When the piglet all over a sudden doesn't eat as much anymore, or won't touch the normal favorites then you need to start to worry. With a very high likelyhood something is wrong. Very often the pig will sit in a corner with closed eyes, hair puffed up. It can be very dangerous for guinea pigs when they are not eating. Their body isn't made for starvation. In a very short time the liver cells can break down, which will worsen the condition. The time frame is about 15-20 hours only. If your pig stops eating, you need to hand feed! This can be very difficult since cavies don't want to eat when they are sick. You need to go to the vet quickly so the proper treatment can be started. The reason that my pigs stopped eating was typically an infection.
Labored Breathing/Stuffed Nose/Wheezing/Increased Sneezing
Each one of these symptoms is to be taken seriously. Should your pig have a stuffed nose and/or sneezes more often you should start to watch it very closely. Very easily a cold can grow out into a full URI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection). If the breathing is labored, your pig might have a URI already. Quick treatment is crucial. You should go to the vet right away. Untreated, your pig's chances for survival are extremely low.
Blood in Urine, Whining while Urinating
These can be signs of a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) or a bladder stone. UTIs can be treated, very successfully, with the right antibiotics. Bladder stones need to be removed by a seasoned vet. In any case you need to go to the vet to start the proper treatment.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is often a sign of illness. The reason can be an infection, bad food etc. When the diarrhea occurs only once and your pig does not show any other signs of illness, watch it closely. You should remove fresh food and stick to pellets and hay for a couple of days. Should you see any other signs of illness, you need to go to the vet as soon as possible. Your animal will probably be dehydrated, so you need to give water or unflavored Pedialite. Best thing for starters is to give it oral via a syringe (of course without needle!). I like to give smaller amounts more often (3 cc every 30-45 minutes). Should your pig have stopped to eat you also need to hand feed. Sometimes pigs cannot tolerate a medication very well which can also lead to diarrhea. In any case, you need to go to the vet to start the correct treatment.
Constipation/Bloat
According to some literature constipation is rather rare in guinea pigs. I used to have a pig which was constipated once in a while. In this case your pigs belly is bigger and hard and the animal is in discomfort. Constipation can have different reasons and you should go to the vet to have it checked out. Also, the vet will have ways to have your pig pooping again. Pigs can also be bloated, which can have serious consequences for your little friend. The belly will be very big and hard (sort of like a drum). Don't mess with it and go to a vet ASAP. As a first treatment you can give Simethicone (get one which is approved for babies, use the smaller baby dose).
Drooling (Wet Chin)
This is often a sign of teeth problems. When the teeth grow too long or are not aligned correctly anymore you pig will start to drool. The animals show a lot of interest in food, but they don't eat (although it can look like they do - when you watch closely hay won't disappear in the mouth). Untreated your pig will starve to death. There can be several reasons why the teeth are out of alignment: age, genetics, Vitamin C insufficiency, heart problems etc. You vet needs to determine the reason and start treatment. You pigs teeth will need to be trimmed. Seasoned vets in Europe can do this without sedation, while most of their American colleagues will do it while your pigs is sedated. This has to do with tools one cannot get in the US (that's what I heard, which doesn't have to be true though).
Excessive Scratching/Dandruff
Excessive scratching is often a sign that the animal might have something going on with the skin. The scratching can be caused by mites, fungus, or other causes. Dandruff in addition to the scratching is often caused by mites. It is recommended to have someone experienced look at the pig to determine if some infection or mite infestation is the cause of the discomfort.

Information - Symptoms