Animalscaretips
In the event of possible illness, it is absolutely imperative to take your guinea pig in for a veterinary appointment -- even if his routine annual examination was just a month ago. Always take medical emergencies into careful consideration when contemplating bringing a guinea pig into your home.
- Do guinea pigs need regular vet checkups?
- How much is a routine check up for a guinea pig?
- How often should you health check a guinea pig?
- What vet care do guinea pigs need?
- Do guinea pigs play with toys?
- Do guinea pigs need rabies shots?
- Are guinea pigs expensive to take care of?
- How much does it cost to own a guinea pig per year?
- Do guinea pigs need shots?
- Do guinea pigs throw up?
- What happens at a guinea pig check up?
- What is the most common cause of death in guinea pigs?
- What do guinea pig noises mean?
- How big does a guinea pig cage need to be?
- Does PetSmart trim guinea pig nails?
Do guinea pigs need regular vet checkups?
Keeping your guinea pig healthy
Little critters need checkups just like any other family pets. Take your guinea pig to a vet a few days after coming home, then schedule checkups once a year.
How much is a routine check up for a guinea pig?
Costs vary, but you should expect to spend between $40 and $50 per visit – you may need to do some research to find a vet that cares for small pets. Guinea pigs don't need vaccines, but you should consider spay/neuter surgery, especially if you plan to keep male and female guinea pigs together.
How often should you health check a guinea pig?
The best way to know if your guinea pigs are healthy is to do a daily health check for them. Check their face and eyes- check their eyes are bright and open, they don't have weepy eyes or a runny nose and their mouth is closed and clean with no teeth poking out.
What vet care do guinea pigs need?
Veterinary Care
We recommend yearly physical exams for all guinea pigs. Although guinea pigs do not require any vaccinations, we recommend routine veterinary care since physical exams may reveal disease in the early stages.
Do guinea pigs play with toys?
Toys help guinea pigs stay active and entertained, by stimulating both their minds and bodies1. "Having toys for guinea pigs helps keep them from getting bored and helps stimulate their brains, especially if the toys involve treats," says Keala Hepworth, Bunny House Supervisor at Best Friends Animal Society.
Do guinea pigs need rabies shots?
Canines, felines, equines, camelids, and swine must be current on rabies vaccinations. Rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and birds are exempted from the rabies vaccination requirement.
Are guinea pigs expensive to take care of?
Guinea pigs can be much more expensive than you might have guessed. Although they're small, their food isn't especially cheap, and much like rabbits, they'll need a regular supply of bedding and hay. Between the bedding, hay, pellets, and fresh produce, you're looking at $40-$60 in monthly costs.
How much does it cost to own a guinea pig per year?
$200-1000 per year
The annual cost of owning a guinea pig can vary, and it's totally possible to keep these small pets on a budget or to buy the best hutches and food that you can afford and keep your piggies in the lap of luxury!
Do guinea pigs need shots?
While guinea pigs do not require any vaccinations, it is recommended that you take your pet to a veterinarian familiar with guinea pigs at least once each year for a routine checkup.
Do guinea pigs throw up?
Unlike species that can throw up, like primates and carnivores, herbivores' stomachs aren't made for moving contents toward the esophagus. ... Coupled with less muscular diaphragms and a longer esophagus, guinea pigs are unable to effectively throw up.
What happens at a guinea pig check up?
Palpate the stomach and body (more gently if your guinea pig is older) Check the lymph nodes for swelling. ... Examine the coat for signs of parasites and for any scurf or small lumps, bumps, or cysts. Check nipples for any crustiness or lumps.
What is the most common cause of death in guinea pigs?
Pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, is a frequent cause of death in guinea pigs. Pneumonia in guinea pigs is usually caused by bacterial infection (most often Bordetella bronchiseptica, but other bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Streptococcus zooepidemicus may also be the cause).
What do guinea pig noises mean?
A deep, relaxed one means your guinea pig is content, while a higher pitched one is more likely a sound of annoyance. A shorter sounding, apprehensive purr may mean fear. Alternately, fear can be signaled by a high-pitched squeak or shriek.
How big does a guinea pig cage need to be?
One guinea pig: 7.5 square feet, or about 30”x 36”, is the bare minimum recommended, but bigger is better. (Keep in mind that guinea pigs are highly social, so it is best to have at least two guinea pigs who get along with each other.)
Does PetSmart trim guinea pig nails?
Unfortunately, Petsmart does not offer grooming services for guinea pigs. ... However, while PetSmart cannot groom guinea pigs, they do sell guinea pigs in stores, as well as a range of products such as food and accessories to help keep them happy and healthy.
