5 Common Diseases Found In Hamster And Guinea Pig

Poor diet and environmental stress often contribute to our little furry friends’ susceptibility to common illnesses.

Diarrhea (wet tails in hamsters)

• Symptoms: Soft, watery or greenish mucous-like stools.
• Possible Causes: Sudden change in diet, too many greens, stress, antibiotics, infections bacteria, insufficient roughage in diet.
• Remedies: Stop all feeding of fresh greens. Give lots of hay. Make sure your hamster or guinea pig drinks more water as dehydration can kill. Consult a vet immediately in severe cases.

Malocclusions (overgrown teeth)

• Symptoms: Dental disorder involving excessive incisor growth. Occurs when incisors biting surfaces do not meet.
• Possible Causes: Calcium deficiency and hereditary factors.
• Remedy: Take your pet to the vet to have its teeth trimmed.

Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs)

• Symptoms: Muscle weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, swollen limbs, weight loss, and discharge from eyes or nose.
• Possible Cause: A guinea pig requires about 10mg of Vitamin C per kilogram of body weight daily. Add Vitamin C supplements to its food or water.
• Remedy: Ensure adequate Vitamin C intake until condition returns to normal. It’d be best to take it to a vet first to confirm the possible cause and proper dosage.

Skin disorders

• Symptoms: Bald patches. Skin may be inflamed and scaly.
• Possible Causes: Wide range of possible factors, including ringworm.
• Remedy: Consult a vet to get a proper diagnosis.

Barbering (commonly in guinea pigs with excessive self-grooming behavior)

• Symptoms: Coat has a chewed, jagged, uneven appearance.
• Possible Causes: Boredom, hunger, or dirty cage.
• Remedies: Give your guinea pig more hay and chew toys, and change the bedding!