From his twitchy nose to furry bum, here's a list of common diseases (and some) that your guinea pig may be susceptible to.

Illnesses in pocket pets like guinea pigs can be hard to detect. Prevention is paramount and pet owners like you can do a lot to keep your guinea pigs healthy.

1) Respiratory Infections

Such infections can occur due to

1. Exposure to small particles and aerosols in the air, e.g. fine powder from bedding/substrate. And because they tend to spend most of their time in the cage, poor ventilation will also increase the likelihood of infection.
2. Exposure to bacteria, e.g. Bordetella, Streptococcus. Such bacteria are opportunistic and causes pneumonia i.e. inflammation in the lungs.

Whether your guinea pig is susceptible to such infections depends on several factors. Animals who are stressed e.g. due to overcrowding, young guinea pigs and pregnant ones are more susceptible to infection.

Symptoms include:

• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Puffed up coat
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Nasal and/or Eye Discharge

2) Gastrointestinal Stasis (Ileus)

Healthy guinea pigs have a good natural microflora population residing in their guts. This maintains healthy bowel functions where they are always eating and pooping. The problem starts when harmful bacteria or parasites proliferate and slow down digestion. They can also produce toxins and gas buildup, causing bloat and significant decrease in gut motility (which means muscular contractions). These contractions are necessary to push digested food down the GI tract and out as waste.

Symptoms include:

• Lack of or no appetite
• Dehydration
• Diarrhoea
• Decreased faecal pellets or passing pellets that look small and dry
• Lethargy

*Note: If your guinea pig has not eaten or pooped for 24 hours, it is considered an emergency. Please bring him or her to see a vet immediately.

3) Scurvy

Guinea pigs need at least 10-50mg of Vitamin C in their daily diets because they can't manufacture their own. Vitamin C is important for the skin, joints and gums. It also promotes wound healing and boosts the immune system.

As such, Vitamin C deficiency i.e. scurvy, is a common ailment in guinea pigs.

Symptoms include:

• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy (reluctance to walk)
• Rough coat
• Swollen feet or joints
• Gum ulcers
• Skin ulcers

You can ensure your pet gets enough Vitamin C via supplements or Vitamin C fortified pellets.

4) Fungal Infection

Ringworm is a common culprit and it is a zoonotic disease. This means it can be transmitted to humans. Ringworm carriers can also be asymptomatic, meaning they do not show any symptoms described below but can infect others.

Most commonly found around the face, ears and on the head, symptoms include:

• Frequent scratching
• Crusty skin scabs
• Fur loss

5) Parasitic Skin Infections

Lice and mites can cause more than just itch and discomfort to your guinea pigs.

Lice are highly contagious. They live and lay eggs on your guinea pig's skin and hair.

Mites are also contagious but they are nastier. They tend to infect the genital and front legs area. They can also get under the skin and cause your pet a lot of pain. This condition is also known as Sarcoptic Mange.

Symptoms are a response to the horrible itch and include:

• Frequent scratching
• Biting (themselves)
• Thinning coat
• Fur loss resulting in bald patches

*Note: These parasites can affect you as well. If you suspect your guinea pigs may be infected, wear gloves when handling them and wash your hands thoroughly.

Bedding and hay can also harbour mites and lice, so be sure to throw these out and disinfect the cage if you have a case of this.

6) Bladder Stones and Infection

Guinea pigs are prone to bladder stones. There is no definitive cause for this condition, but calcium buildup (from a high calcium diet) is a likely contributor.

Stones can form anywhere actually, e.g. in kidneys and also urethras. If stones get lodged in the urethra, your guinea pig can be in a lot of pain.

Symptoms include:

• Reduced or no urination
• Straining to urinate
• Blood in urine

If you have more than one guinea pig, it is hard to notice urination problems. The best way to diagnose this common ailment is regular health check at the vet's every 6 months.

These are some of the more common ailments which can be bothering your guinea pigs. But infections can present itself it other forms such as redness, swelling, abscesses etc.

The best thing you can do is to be observant for any physical changes and if they are eating or pooping well. You can also check out this poop chart which gives you an idea of what is normal or abnormal guinea pig poop.

These little critters are more sensitive to small changes in their environment and diet. So it is better to bring them for a consult with your vet soon as you notice something amiss.

Gaia Veterinary Centre welcomes and sees pocket pets like guinea pigs, hamsters, rats etc. Book a consultation with us today, call 6950 4533 (Jalan Besar) or 6727 7511 (Parksuites, Holland Grove Rd).