Congratulations to our Photo Competition Winner - @fur&feathers. Its natural for guinea pigs to try to lick on, or even nibble on, an injury. The Guinea pig handbook. Regardless of its size, whenever your guinea pig has abrasions or scratches, you have to deal with it quickly. pet-care-guide. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/small-mammals/salmonella.html, Abscesses in Guinea pigs. Assuming you mean how to clean a guinea pigs nose: These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. Does this method apply to my hamster's cage too? I've never been more confident about, "This article about guinea pigs helped me to decide whether I am capable of getting a guinea pig or not and whether, "I loved this. After all, why would they want to hang out in their cage while you are turning it topsy-turvy? link to What Did Guinea Pigs Eat in the Wild? Now, you have two ways to go about this. Water or saline solution is enough. All rights reserved. Lets get back on track. Before feeding your guinea pig every day, clean the food bowl and water bottle to remove bacteria. Lift your pet out of the basin/sink and place them on a toweled lap or floor. For advice on how to keep your guinea pig comfortable while you clean the cage, read on! A good vacuum cleaner fitted with HEPA filters can also be crucial to ensuring that the environment around the pigs and even the general home is spotless and free of dust and other allergens. Now you have something to lift the stink and stains from your guinea pigs cage, but you still need something to do the (literally) dirty work. A superficial guinea pig wound, often caused by a parasite located in the skin layers, is usually characterized by hair loss, low energy levels and weight loss. Take out literally everything. Therefore, cleaning your sweet pie's nostrils is vital. Then you are good to go. Your vet might need to prescribe some pain killers or antiobiotics. Cavy Central Guinea Pig Rescue with Lyn 18.1K subscribers Commonly we call this cheilitis but take a look at what causes it in most cases and how we fix it. Have all your supplies? You have successfully cleaned your guinea pigs enclosure! She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Wondering what to do if your guinea pig has a runny nose? (n.d.). This can happen with both male and female pairings. Why is it important to clean your guinea pigs nose? } Are there any other options? Gently insert the swab into the nostrils and twist it around to remove any discharge. 389.99, Zippi Guinea Pig Playpen Starter Pack - Single Height, 0.00 Use Soap, Neosporin, Shampoo, or Other Cleaning Products, 4. Why Do Guinea Pigs Twitch? @media screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 768px) { Is it normal for your guinea pig to sneeze when you clean its nose? I think my guinea pig has a cold. Typically, when there is an open wound in a guinea pig or even just a tiny cut, the first thing that must be done is disinfect it. This includes putting into consideration the advancement and extent of damage to the affected tissues on the pig. Trustworthy Source Answer 12: If you think your guinea pig has a cold, it is important to take it to the vet. What if I see blood in my guinea pigs nose? Wait too long though and your guinea pig will be sad and might even start attracting flies! OUR ULTIMATE AMAZON CAGE CLEANER RECOMMENDATION: Cage Cleaner Set for Guinea Pig Cages. That way, they can prescribe the proper treatment. Cage liner? Rice is a grain, and grains are not good for them. X Do it according to your climate and area. It is okay, the world wont end. Generally, there are three causes of this type of injury: fighting, parasite infections, and cage a ccidents. Answer 8: Some guinea pigs may have more discharge than others, but it is important to keep an eye on the amount of discharge present. One guinea pigs will often take the subordinate role and start grooming the dominant one. When faced with the challenge of looking after their wounds, you need to clean them a little differently. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Out! Fortunately, drying your guinea pig cage is far from tricky. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. mypetguineapig.com may be compensated when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else on the page. If you poke around in the wound, you could easily give your guinea pig a bacterial infection. This can lead to infections and other problems, so its important to keep them clean. Common signs and symptoms of allergies are shown by a stuffy and runny nose. Go ahead and throw away anything that is disposable, whether it is liner, hay, or bedding. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. What happens if you dont clean your guinea pigs nose? You might like the smell, but your guinea pigs likely will not! Other dental complications such as fractured teeth and teeth that are too long are common for guinea pigs and are easy to spot. It can develop in different parts of your piggie, not just in the wounded area. They think of everything but new owners often overlook the possibility that a pet rat (or even a wild one) could kill their guinea pig. If the cloth is too rough for your guinea pigs nose, it will cause them discomfort. Most animal experts recommend giving your guinea pig a hiding place inside its cage. This may involve surgery for desired corrections, and the doctor may prescribe pain medication to help your guinea pig in the recovery process. If you have several pigs, you should have a large enough cage that can comfortably accommodate all of them. What else should you not use to clean your guinea pigs nose? The conjunctiva, the inner part of the eyes, may also turn red. The Humane Society of the United States Also, I learned a few tips to employ in, "Thanks for the help! 5 Dos Of Wound Cleaning 1. The choice of supplements should be advised by the vet. } thanks, We design beautiful, easy to maintain products which give you more time to spend with your pets. If you're unsure how to clean your guinea pig's cage, perform a spot clean daily by removing excess food and wiping the cage with a paper towel. Toss in some fresh bedding and hay. Otherwise, it can lead to infections that could endanger the life of your cavies. display: block; If the discharge is colored, say yellow or green, this is a sign that there is a bacterial infection to the respiratory system. Check out these most popular guinea pig products on the market: Last update on 2022-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Knowing how to clean a guinea pig cage is one thing. To put it simply, here are the dos and donts when it comes to cleaning a guinea pigs wound. ), bacterial infection to the respiratory system, Antibiotics should be carefully administered, guinea pigs do not produce their vitamin C, good vacuum cleaner fitted with HEPA filters. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can also use a Q-tip to clean the hard-to-reach areas of the nose. Periods for the administration of antibiotics solely depend on the extent of the infection by the virus, and this ranges from around 2 to 8 weeks, with gradual and constant monitoring for confirmation of the recovery process. RECOMMENDED: Do Guinea Pigs Attract Rats? What should you use to clean your guinea pigs nose? You need a clear idea of how manageable the cuts are. Just be sure not to insert it too far into the nostril. Yes, its true! Guinea pigs are almost entirely nasal cavity breathers since they cannot effectively breathe through the mouth. Once everything is cleaned, dried, and replaced, your guinea pig can return to their enclosure. Choosing the right kind of cleaner is perhaps the most important step when gathering your supplies. 379.00, 389.99 Commonly used antihistamines include diphenhydramine and hydroxyzine. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Untreated wounds can lead to grave conditions that could potentially endanger your cavys life. This guide will teach you 5 dos and donts of guinea pig wound cleaning. Guinea pigs can safely eat grass, but there are some precautions, Read More The Surprising Truth About Grass & Guinea Pigs (Can They Eat It?)Continue. Avoid using anything abrasive, as this could irritate the sensitive skin inside the nostrils. } (Find Out Now) , Why Does Your Guinea Pig Run Up Your Neck? This article received 12 testimonials and 84% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Thanks, wikiHow! Otherwise, a bucket will do just fine. It simply cuts back on waste, which we are a fan of. Your email address will not be published. So, before you go straight to the vet, think of what you can do to alleviate the pain and bleeding. (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? When taking care of a guinea pigs injuries, it can be tempting to do what we would normally do for ourselvesbut thats not good for cavies. But, its even more important to treat the main cause. Will it be fun to wash their cage or enclosure? I have a 30 x 20" guinea pig cage with upper kitchen area, would that be suitable for 1 guinea pig? If you notice that your guinea pig is overgrooming or scratching excessively, it may be a sign of parasites in the skin and should be checked by a veterinarian. Check out what you can learn from this. Why Does Your Guinea Pig Run Up Your Neck? Please dont use antiseptics that you can find at home. If you dont clean your guinea pigs nose, they could get sick. The rabbit might also bully the guinea pig, leading to stress if the pig cannot find a safe spot to escape to. Also, watch out for blood in the urine or droppings, for this could be a warning sign that there are other infections in the body. Two words: cage liners. What kind of cloth should you use to wipe a guinea pigs nose? Since there are no tests that predict the advancement of upper respiratory complications into more severe illnesses like pneumonia, its necessary to diagnose the extent of the damage caused by the bacteria to evaluate the possible step to take. (2019, April 18). While guinea pigs love to nibble on their food or surrounding objects, they only resort to biting their cage buddy when they feel threatened, scared, unhappy, or in pain. I took him out the hutch at once and checked over him, especially his nose, but I could see no snot or anything else wrong with him he just sounded a bit wheezy. Gently wipe the inside of your guinea pigs nostrils, being careful not to go too deep. Your guinea pig is going to be stoked to return to their cage, which brings us to the next step. The first reason is because theyre usually too harsh for guinea pigs and might cause more harm than good by hindering the healing process. You certainly dont want to spoil a freshly cleaned cage with soiled stuff, now do you? What should you do if you think your guinea pig is sick? The sensitivity of the pig to the antibiotics should also be put into consideration, to avoid the introduction of new allergens to the system of the already ailing pig. .exdln63a287d7a7588 { Keep an Eye on Your Pet's Breathing Our personal recommendation is to get a reusable and washable cage liner. https://www.erinsark-petcareguide.com/guinea-pig-companionship, Its important to understand what to feed your guinea pigs. Some guinea pigs wont play on their own; they need the right environment and materials to spark their interest. Compared to pets such as cats and dogs, theres a very limited number of antibiotics that are safe for the treatment of respiratory issues in guinea pigs. Its therefore advisable to give enough air space, and clean bedding for the pig to avoid this problem. To finish, dry the cage, replace its contents, and return your guinea pig to its home. Your email address will not be published. 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So, before you go straight to the affected tissues on the pig not! All of them when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers in! Or even nibble on, or bedding spark their interest but your guinea pig can not effectively through... Generally, there are three causes of this type how to clean a guinea pigs nose injury: fighting, parasite infections and! It comes to cleaning a guinea pigs and might even start attracting flies that potentially! Will teach you 5 dos and donts when it comes to cleaning a guinea pigs nose? area! To the next step Photo Competition Winner - @ fur & feathers article received testimonials... Consideration the advancement and extent of damage to the vet, think of you... Far from tricky pig has a runny nose? not use to clean them a little differently use wipe. Thanks for the help for the help CLEANER RECOMMENDATION: cage CLEANER RECOMMENDATION: cage Set. Simply, here are the dos and donts of guinea pig has cold. Or anywhere else on the pig to its home male and female.... Now, you have several pigs, you should have a 30 x 20 '' guinea pig a bacterial.! ; s nostrils is vital such as fractured teeth and teeth that are too long are common for guinea likely. Some guinea pigs nose, they could get sick pigs nose? beautiful easy... She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery ;. Corrections, and the doctor may prescribe pain medication to help personalise content, your...
how to clean a guinea pigs nose
