常見豚鼠疾病：飼主須知
豚鼠容易出現特定健康問題，包括維生素C缺乏、呼吸道感染和牙齒問題。
Guinea pigs make wonderful pets but are prone to several specific diseases that owners should recognize early. Unlike many mammals, guinea pigs cannot synthesize their own vitamin C and must obtain it from their diet. Dental problems, respiratory disease, and parasites are also common. RVC provides care for guinea pigs and other small mammals. Call +853 6677 6611.
- Guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C — dietary intake is essential
- Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy: joint pain, bleeding gums, poor coat
- Dental disease is common due to continuously growing teeth
- Respiratory infections are often caused by Bordetella or Streptococcus
- Mites (Trixacarus caviae) cause intense itching and hair loss
- Guinea pigs hide illness well — subtle changes indicate serious problems
Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy)
Guinea pigs need 10-30mg of vitamin C daily (more if pregnant or ill). Good sources: bell peppers, parsley, kale, broccoli, and guinea pig pellets fortified with vitamin C (but vitamin C degrades within 90 days of opening the bag). Signs of deficiency: rough hair coat, lethargy, swollen joints, bleeding gums, reluctance to move, and bruising. Treatment: oral vitamin C supplementation and dietary improvement. Injectable vitamin C may be needed for severe cases.
Dental Disease
Guinea pig teeth grow continuously throughout life. Proper wear requires unlimited hay (timothy, orchard grass) — hay provides the abrasive fiber needed to grind teeth down. Signs of dental problems: drooling, wet chin (slobbers), difficulty eating, weight loss, dropping food, and favoring one side of the mouth. Overgrown molars can develop sharp spurs that cut the tongue and cheeks. Treatment: trimming or filing teeth under anesthesia by an experienced vet.
Respiratory Infections
Guinea pigs are susceptible to bacterial respiratory infections, especially Bordetella bronchiseptica and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Stress, poor ventilation, and overcrowding increase risk. Signs include: sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing, wheezing, labored breathing, and lethargy. URI can progress to pneumonia quickly. Treatment requires antibiotics safe for guinea pigs (not all are — penicillin and some others are toxic). Supportive care includes nebulization, fluids, and nutritional support.
Parasites and Skin Problems
Trixacarus caviae (mange mites) cause severe itching, hair loss, crusting, and seizures in heavy infestations. Diagnosed with skin scrapings or tape preps. Treatment: ivermectin or selamectin. Lice (Gliricola porcelli, Gyropus ovalis) cause milder itching and are species-specific (don't affect humans). Fungal infections (ringworm, Trichophyton mentagrophytes) cause circular patches of hair loss with scaling. Guinea pigs can carry Bordetella without symptoms but transmit it to rabbits (which can be fatal).
- Not eating or drinking for 24 hours
- Weight loss or ribs/spine becoming prominent
- Difficulty breathing, sneezing, or nasal discharge
- Excessive itching, hair loss, or skin crusting
- Lethargy or hiding more than usual
- Soft stool or diarrhea persisting more than 24 hours
RVC provides care for guinea pigs and other exotic pets. If your guinea pig seems unwell, don't wait — small pets decline rapidly. Call +853 6677 6611.
+853 6677 6611