Care of Guinea Pigs

Guinea Pig facts

Life span	4-8 years
Weight	Males 1000-1200g Females 750-1000g
Sexual maturity	Males 9-10 weeks Females 4-6 weeks
Length of gestation	59-72 days
Litter size	1-6 pigs
Weaning age	3 weeks

Housing
Guinea pigs are best kept in a hutch, with either a large run connected to it or an entirely separate run for exercise and grazing.

The hutch should have an enclosed nesting area and a mesh fronted section also.

Guinea pigs are a prey species and thus can get nervous.  It is important to provide them with areas they can hide in and feel safe and secure.  Environmental enrichment is important and something as simple as a drain pipe lying in bottom of hutch can provide both entertainment and a secure hiding hole for the guinea-pigs.

Enclosures must be strong enough to exclude cats and foxes etc.  The floor of hutch should be covered with sawdust, shredded paper or hay.  It is important that it is soft.  Hutches should be cleaned at least 2-3 times weekly.

Diet
Commercial diets are readily available but ensure to supplement this with fresh vegetables and fresh hay.  It is important that guinea-pigs have access to either hay or grass all of the time to ensure their teeth “wear” at an even rate.
Most importantly, Guinea-pigs cannot make their own vitamin C.  They rely on receiving enough in their food.  If guinea-pigs are vitamin C deficient, you may need to add a supplement into their drinking supply.
Vitamin C deficiency may cause “scurvy”.  The symptoms include: shuffling gait, swelling of joints, depression, rough hair coat and poor wound healing.
Ribena is a great source of vitamin C.
Make sure guinea-pigs always have access to plenty of fresh water.

Breeding
Wait until females are 12-14 weeks old.  Your vet does pregnancy diagnosis by gentle abdominal palpation at 5 weeks or by ultrasound.
Gestation is variable (see above), but the general rule of thumb is: larger litter -shorter gestation.
Parturition usually lasts around 30minutes.   If a guinea-pig mates for the first time at over 9 months of age, separation of pubic symphysis may not occur and dystocia will result.  A caesarian section will be required.

Common health problems
See your vet for a comprehensive list of problems.

Dental disease
A common problem is overgrowth of teeth and malocclusion.  Signs include weight loss, salivation and anorexia.  A dental consultation will be needed to resolve this problem.

Skin disease
Parasites- mites. Trixacarus cavia, a sarcoptid mite, causes severe itching and skin infections due to self-trauma.  IVM is treatment of choice.

Pododermatitis
Ulceration of feet.  Usually due to rough cage flooring or inadequate cleaning.  Tx.  Resolve caging issues, debridement and bandaging of feet. Pain relief if required.

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