GUINEA PIG MANAGEMENT MANUAL - Benson Institute

4. OTHER DISEASES
a) Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is a bacterial infection in the eyes, caused mainly by soil, dirtiness, and
ammonium gases produced by urine. Sometimes it is the result of hits or fights inside of the
corral or other infections.
b) Tympany
Tympanism is usually caused by quick changes in food or feeding of warm or fermented forage
that is not aired out.
Remedies like olive oil applied every 3 hours can be used, until the animal eliminates all that
he/she has ingested. However, the animal is usually lost during the process.
SANITARY MANAGEMENT
Guinea pig management should include a sanitary program to stop the yield from being reduced,
given the diseases and mortality as a consequence.
The following steps are recommended as sanitary precautions:
• The corral should be closed
• Lime or other disinfectants should be placed at the entrance doors
• There should be restricted entrance to the corral area
• If you have some sick animals, the best alternative is to eliminate them by burning them
etc. so that they do not infect the rest of the animals
• The dead guinea pigs should be removed in plastic bags and buried or burned
• A daily checkup of the animals conditions should be conducted
• The floors and walls should be cleaned periodically
• Treatment should be arranged for the sick animals
Daily Routine
• Clean floors and pathways
• Eating and drinking devices should be cleaned
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