Diarrhea in guinea pigs is a relatively common disorder and, a priori, of little seriousness, but we should not stop paying attention to it because, if the diarrhea is intense, our guinea pig can become very dehydrated. quickly and this fact does constitute a veterinary emergency.
In this article on our site we are going to explain the causes of why a guinea pig has diarrhea Knowing them, we can largely prevent their appearance, then, as we will see in the following sections, many will depend on our care, such as food or veterinary care.
What is diarrhea?
By diarrhea we are going to understand the emission of liquid feces numerous times a day We can see them directly or notice that our guinea pig has the anal area stained. It is possible that diarrhea is the only abnormality that we appreciate, but, in other cases, depending on the origin of the diarrhea, we will be able to appreciate other symptoms.
If the condition of our guinea pig is good and the diarrhea is receding, we can consider it a one-off episode of no great importance. On the contrary, if our guinea pig is feeling down, doesn't eat or drink and the diarrhea remains, we should go to the clinic without wasting time veterinary since, as we have said, it could dehydrate quickly. In the following sections we will see why a guinea pig has diarrhea.
The importance of nutrition
Occasionally, our guinea pig may have diarrhea as a result of an inadequate diet. These animals need a significant supply of fiber to regulate their intestinal transit and, also very importantly, to wear down their teeth. As always, prevention is better than treatment, which is why the guinea pig's diet should follow the following recommendations:
- Approximately 75% should be made up of good quality hay, specifically for guinea pigs.
- About 20% should be feed for guinea pigs.
- 5% will be vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as chicory, cabbage or spinach. This vitamin is very important because guinea pigs cannot manufacture it themselves and its deficiency is responsible for a disease called scurvy.
- Fruits and cereals can be given but occasionally, as a reward.
- In some cases it may be necessary to use vitamin C supplements. Our veterinarian will guide us in this regard.
We must bear in mind that the needs of our guinea pig can vary depending on age or its condition. We must be aware to adapt your diet. Sometimes the food we offer our guinea pig is correct but diarrhea still appears. Why a guinea pig has diarrhea in these circumstances may be due to dietary changes that we have introduced abruptly or to the ingestion of food that is toxic to guinea pigs. If this is the reason, it is usually corrected in a short time. In any case, it is always important to introduce changes gradually. We will see other causes below.
The parasites
Another of the classic causes of diarrhea are internal parasites To avoid them, we should deworm our guinea pig following the instructions of our veterinarian. At this point it is important to bear in mind that this professional must be an expert in guinea pigs, since they differ from other animals more common in clinics, such as dogs or cats.
It is also important to use only the dewormers indicated by the veterinarian, so as not to run poisoning risks if we use unsuitable products or the we overdose Our veterinarian can observe the parasites under a microscope in a stool sample, which allows their identification and, therefore, their treatment. Why the guinea pig has diarrhea with parasites is explained by their effect on the digestive system. Deworming the diarrhea should subside.
The scurvy
When talking about the proper diet for our guinea pig we have mentioned the importance of a sufficient intake of vitamin C Its deficiency can cause scurvy in guinea pigs, a disease characterized by skin lesions, pain on handling or, also, diarrhea. In this case, the treatment will consist of vitamin C supplementation, as prescribed by our veterinarian, who will be in charge of making the diagnosis.
About vitamin C it is important to know that it can be easily degraded. This means that if, for example, we put it in the drinking bowl of our guinea pig so that it ingests it when drinking the water, it may not be consuming enough. The same goes for fortifiedfoods with this vitamin, which can be lost during storage. With scurvy we see that the explanation why our guinea pig has diarrhea can be closely related to its diet, hence the importance of taking care of the diet and offering fruits and vegetables recommended for guinea pigs.
Bacterial infections
It is also possible that the explanation for why our guinea pig has diarrhea lies in the bacteria that can proliferate in its digestive system. As always, it will be the veterinarian who diagnoses and treats. Keep in mind that some bacteria can be transmissible, so we must take extreme hygiene measures, washing our hands well after handling our guinea pig or its utensils.
It is also important to keep the bedding clean, removing faeces and changing it as often as necessary. In these cases, the guinea pig may present other symptoms, in addition to diarrhea, so it is important that we go to the veterinarian promptly to avoid complications as serious as dehydration
Side effects
Finally, sometimes the explanation for why our guinea pig has diarrhea lies in some medication that he may be taking. Diarrhea is usually one of the most common side effects. If this happens, we must notify our veterinarian so that he can assess the possibility of replacing the drug or even suspending its administration.
