We cater to our friends with scales, shells, feathers and more!
Guinea pigs make charming companions and thrive as pets. However, it is a common misconception that they are low-maintenance. Guinea pigs have specific requirements that need to be met for them to lead long and happy lives. This includes an appropriate environment, specialised nutrition and preventative health care. They are not recommended as low maintenance pets.
We believe in providing a high standard of care for our rabbit patients and engage with specialists in a variety of fields to provide the highest quality care.
We offer all services for guinea pigs including:
- Emergency care
- Hospitalisation with dedicated ward and custom enclosures
- Annual health examinations and dental checks
- Desexing males and females
- Micro-chipping
- Laboratory testing – on-site pathologist and blood machines
- Diagnostic imaging – X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI and fluoroscopy
- Dentistry
- Surgery for minor and major procedures
- Behavioural investigations and management
- Direct access to other specialities including oncology, ophthalmology, cardiology and imaging
Illness in Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are prey species with very few defence mechanisms. They can often hide signs of disease until the problem has become very advanced and many injuries that initially seem minor, can also be very serious.
We recommend always erring on the side of caution when something seems unusual with your small herbivore and having them examined by a small mammal veterinarian.
Signs of illness or injury in guinea pigs:
- Less active, hunched or fluffed posture
- Refusing food, drooling, reduced appetite or inability to chew
- Reduced faecal production or changes to the size or shape of faecal pellets
- Diarrhoea or change in faecal consistency
- Changes in normal behaviours or routine
- Having difficulty moving, limping or not using a leg
- Breathing difficulties, discharge from the mouth or nostrils
- Sneezing, coughing
- Changes to one or both eyes (swelling, redness, discharge)
- Drinking excessively
- Urinating excessively or changes to the urine consistency or colour
- Seizures, tremors
- Bleeding, wounds, lumps or swellings
- Fur loss, itching
Bringing Your Guinea Pig To The Vet
Bringing your guinea pig to the vet can be a stressful time, especially when they are unwell or injured. SASH North Ryde has a dedicated Avian & Exotics wing to the hospital, exclusive for species like guinea pigs. This helps to reduce stress, keeping them away from cat and dog patients.
All patients need to arrive at the appointment in an enclosure. Usually, their normal enclosure is too large or difficult to bring in, so examples of other carriers include:
- Cat and dog travel carriers
- Clothes baskets or even thick cardboard boxes. It is recommended to cover baskets with a towel to ensure they feel secure
- A photo of the cage and surroundings can often be very helpful for the veterinarian.
- White or pale coloured fleece or fabric bedding is recommended rather than sawdust or hay.
Housing Your Pet
Although traditionally considered outdoor pets, guinea pigs will often be happier and healthier kept as indoor pets with supervised outdoor access.
Risks of being housed outdoors include:
- Predator attacks (snakes, foxes, cats, dogs)
- Escaping
- Heat stress and exposure to the cold
- Fly-strike
Guinea pigs prefer many areas to hide so they can feel safe.
Nutrition
Guinea pigs are herbivores and require a high fibre diet to remain healthy.
Their intestinal tract is designed to digest low calorie, high fibre grasses and feeding energy rich foods often leads to serious problems, including diarrhoea, dental disease and bloating The teeth of guinea pigs are constantly growing and they require abrasive food to keep them in normal alignment and prevent dental abnormalities.
Guinea pigs should be fed:
- 80% high quality hay (oaten, timothy, barley, pasture, wheaten types)
- 20% green leafy vegetables and herbs
- 10% pellets and other (high Vitamin C vegetables should be offered in small amounts)
Guinea pigs cannot make their own Vitamin C and will develop signs of scurvy if they are not provided with a diet that includes enough Vitamin C. Vegetables with a high vitamin C content include parsley, spinach and capsicum. Carrot, cucumber and oranges have relatively low amounts of vitamin C in comparison. A formulated tablet for guinea pigs is also available and should be provided if they are growing, pregnant or unwell.
Food that should not be to guinea pigs include:
- Lucerne hay or pellets made from lucerne (these contain high levels of calcium that can contribute to urinary problems in adult animals)
- Muesli or grain mix
- Dried fruit
- Seeds, nuts
- Onion, garlic
- Chocolate, sugary foods
Preventative Care
Desexing
Female guinea pigs should ideally be spayed when they are young. Female guinea pigs very commonly develop cystic ovaries and uterine tumours that can be prevented with desexing.
Castration in male guinea pigs eliminates the risk of testicular tumours. If performed early, many unwanted behaviours can be prevented and males can be more likely to cohabitate with other males if they are castrated.
Vaccination
There are no vaccines required for guinea pigs.
Hazards in the Home
SASH strongly advise Guinea pig owners learn about common household hazards that can be dangerous:
- Toxic food – avocado, onion, garlic, coffee, chocolate, rhubarb
- Toxic house plants – including azaleas, ficus species, oleander
- Poisons – rodent baits, cockroach or ant baits, snail bait
- Inhaled toxins – cigarette smoke, insect sprays
- Metal items – lead paint, galvanised wire, copper, rusty steel, coins, batteries, costume jewellery, electrical cords and wire
- Pet cats and dogs, wild rodents, snakes, foxes
