Guinea pigs are small rodents that are often domesticated and kept as pets. Despite their name, guinea pigs do not have any relation to the pig family. The small animal is often referred to as a cavy and does not exist naturally in the wild any more. The guinea pig is a popular pet because the small animals are docile and are responsive to those who handle them and feed them. Guinea pig breeding has become a competitive sport for many and many breeders will develop new breeds of guinea pigs as they mix different coat colors.
Guinea pigs live an average of four or five years, but in the past have been reported to live as long as eight years if they are cared for. The animals thrive in groups and enjoy company. They are relatively smart and can learn how to navigate complex paths for food. They can accurately remember a learned path for months, and are surprisingly good swimmers. The animals participate in social grooming and also groom themselves. When guinea pigs decide that it's time for a washing, a milky white substance will secrete from their eyes. The animals rub this into their hair. Male guinea pigs often chew at each other's hair as a sign of dominance.
Guinea pigs cannot see as well as humans can, but they have a wider angle vision and can see in partial color. They have well developed sense of smell, hearing and touch. The animals make a variety of sounds, including chirping, purring, rumbling, whining, chattering, squealing, and whistling or wheeking. When a guinea pig squeals, this communicates that he or she is frightened or in pain.
Guinea pigs can be plagued by many different ailments, and it is very important that you take care of your cavy if you want him or her to live a long and healthy life. Domestic guinea pigs can develop respiratory tract infections, and sometimes grow abscesses due to infection. These abscesses can usually be found in the neck after hay is embedded in the throat. Guinea pigs often suffer from infections by lice, fungus, or mites. They can also develop diarrhea problems, or scurvy. Scurvy is characterized by a Vitamin C deficiency and sluggishness.
Mange mites may hide in a guinea pig cage and cause the animal to lose hair. If your cavy is constantly scratching or is unusually aggressive when touched, then he or she may be afflicted with these mites. The mites can also cause a cavy to develop seizure. Running lice are another insect that may plague your guinea pig. If your animal is losing hair you may want to get the situation checked out- some cavies will lose their hair when they have ovarian cysts.
If your guinea pig is constantly sneezing, you will also want to keep an eye on this. While it isn't abnormal for a cavy to sneeze every once and awhile, consistent sneezes may be a warning that your pet has pneumonia. If your pet has pneumonia and torticollis, it could be fatal. Torticollis is an illness that causes a guinea pig to develop a wry neck.
The animals can also suffer from genetic abnormalities. Abyssinian guinea pigs commonly develop congenital eye disorders and problems with their digestive systems. Guinea pigs can sometimes suffer from "waltzing disease" which is a deafness coupled with the tendency to run in circles, palsy and tremor conditions. If you have a guinea pig and are curious about abnormal behavior or need a medication for your animal, then you need to contact a local veterinarian today and schedule a checkup for your pet!