Notes on Guinea Pigs

A guinea pig focused blog written by Ellie, The Guinea Pig Vet, to share useful information and updates to help all those who care for guinea pigs. Thank you for taking the time to read and for sharing posts on social media. Hopefully together we can help guinea pig owners across the world.

Jun 25

Can guinea pigs get cancer?

*Warning - Image of surgically removed uterine cancer included.* Like all animals, guinea pigs can develop cancer. As guinea pigs are...

Apr 1

My guinea pig is breathing heavy - let's talk about heart disease.

If you notice that your guinea pigs is breathing heavy or quickly, it is best to take them to a vet as soon as possible. A common...

Jan 24

What bedding is the best for guinea pigs

Many owners are unsure of what type of bedding is best for their guinea pigs. This blog doesn't tell you which is the best bedding, it...

Nov 26, 2020

Skin parasites and fungal infections in guinea pigs

Guinea pigs can suffer from a number of skin parasites or infections. These can cause hair-loss and itchiness (pruritus) and require...

Nov 17, 2020

Pain Relief for Guinea Pigs

Owners often ask me about pain relief (analgesia) for guinea pigs. Sometimes pain in guinea pigs can be hard to assess and there is no...

Oct 22, 2020

How to read a guinea pig poo

What should guinea pig poo look like and how should it smell?

Sep 5, 2020

Buzz, the guinea pig with a lump.

Buzz was presented to us in early August for a second opinion, with one of the biggest lumps we have ever seen! He had developed a...

Aug 11, 2020

My Guinea Pig Has An Abscess

Guinea Pig Abscesses: Abscesses in guinea pigs are relatively common, with the majority forming in the jaw area. These are usually caused...

Feb 3, 2020

Guinea Pigs and Conscious Dentals

I have been debating the pros and cons of conscious molar dentals on guinea pigs for a while.

Jun 14, 2019

Bladder Stones in Guinea Pigs

I’ve been asked many times about medical and dietary management of bladder stones in guinea pigs and especially Calcium:Phosphorous ratios.

Feb 13, 2019

Cystic Ovaries in Guinea Pigs

I thought I would talk about cystic ovaries since elective neutering has been a contentious issue. It is not yet routine in the UK to...

Nov 19, 2018

Slanted incisors

Guinea pigs, like rabbits, can be prone to teeth and jaw problems. This is mainly due to the fact that their teeth grow constantly. Signs...