A few days ago I purchased a guinea pig, it is not my first time having one. This guinea pig seems freaked out; she goes through 2 minute phases of running, jumping, squeaking, and bad scratching fits. She does this a couple of times a day. Any ideas? Should I take her to a vet, or could it be something simple?
Thanks.
2007-10-29 12:33:30 · 9 answers · asked by Danielle D 2 in Pets ➔ Rodents
Ellenvega gave you excellent advice.
Mites are very painful for piggies, so please see that you have her treated asap.
2007-10-29 15:21:41 · answer #1 · answered by Justified 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've heard this already, but it bears repeating. Mites & other parasites are surprisingly common & some species of mites can eventually kill your little one if not treated.
Our guinea pig had parasites when we adopted him & our vet treated him with ivermectin & had us apply puppy Revolution as a preventative for awhile. Since I hold him every day, I had a couple of bites from those little little monsters myself & if it hurt me, I could only imagine what kind of torment they'd been doing to our piglet. Anyway, the problem was *very* quick & simple to treat & we have a much happier guinea pig now.
2007-10-30 00:09:24 · answer #2 · answered by Catkin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's probably scared, and needs time to adjust. However, the bad scratching fits seems to definetly indicate a mite infestation, which needs to be treated with ivermectin. A vet can do this, or you can follow the guidelines on Guinealynx.info and treat at home. Note: ivermectin will NOT hurt her even on the offchance she doesn't have mites. But do be careful of a vet doing a 'skin scraping' and then saying she doesn't have mites. Skin scrapings are often inconclusive.
Mites are very common in pigs, BTW, but are so easy to treat. But you need to use ivermectin, and not a 'flea powder' the petstores like to sell to unsuspecting folk.
Read:
http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/ivermectin_topical.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=30325
2007-10-29 19:42:29 · answer #3 · answered by ellenvega 3 · 11⤊ 0⤋
The first answer there gives you excellent advice on the possibility of mites and how to treat them :)
As for her being skittish, she's in a new place that she's never been before and she's probably terrified.
You need to be calm and gentle and patient with her. Get her used to having you around first before you try to pick her up or touch her. start out getting her used to having your hand in the cage and the sound of your voice. do this every few hours. eventually she'll stop running away when your hand is in the cage. just remember to move slowly. it takes time. eventually you can work up to touching her and when she stops being afraid of that, you can work up to picking her up and holding her.
it takes a lot of time and a lot of patience but it's very worth it in the end. guinea pigs can be very affectionate and loving creatures when they're socialized :) I just saw one of mine do his first "popcorn" lol
Enjoy her!
2007-10-30 14:45:13 · answer #4 · answered by craving_jinx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I gave a "thumbs up" to the 1st answer.
The piggy seems far from 'hand-tame' and being handled, and is under stress.
Be patient for a time of adjustment for her.
Also, if parasites are NOT her "itch fits" cause, then it's probably the stress freaking her out.
Be gentle and calm and soothing till she trusts you.
AND maybe another companion would make her more happy since cavies are family-oriented critters and crave same-species companionshi[p (another compatible female,.. wouldn't want an unwanted litter)
2007-10-29 19:50:17 · answer #5 · answered by deltadawn 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
the first answer seems to be good in regards to your piggy might have mites. if you bought it a petstore then mites are almost a garentee. go to a vet and have them treat it with inverctimin. that will cure the mites if your piggy has them but it wont hurt your gp if it doesnt have mites.
2007-10-29 22:17:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
She had just moved into a place. She is still getting used to her new environment.
Would you be settled into a new house in just a few days?
2007-10-29 20:50:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hola Lola!!
I'm sure she'll be fine
2007-10-30 00:39:32 · answer #8 · answered by captrs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what the 1st answer said
2007-10-29 21:30:20 · answer #9 · answered by ipj9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋