9 Top Signs Your Guinea Pig Is Dying

If you have a guinea pig, you know how much they love to hide, which is one of the signs your guinea pig is dying.

They spend their days hiding in their cage, popping out for a quick snack or drink, and then hiding again.

This is actually one of the signs that your guinea pig is dying—or at least has some sort of illness.

Here are some common signs that your guinea pig may be dying:

Strange breathing

• Breathing fast and shallow
• A change in the sound of their breathing
• A change in the color of their skin around their mouth

Trouble moving

• Lethargic behavior can be a sign that your guinea pig is having difficulty breathing.
• If you notice them moving slowly or with difficulty, then it’s likely that they’re in pain.
• If your guinea pig isn’t eating or drinking, this can lead to dehydration. If you see signs of dehydration such as:
• hunched-over posture (guinea pigs often walk with their bodies slightly hunched over)
• pale gums/toes (guinea pigs tend to turn their feet inward when thirsty)

Rapid weight loss

Rapid weight loss is a sign that your guinea pig is sick. If you notice rapid weight loss, it is important to take him to the vet immediately.

Your guinea pig may have kidney failure or liver problems, both of which can cause rapid weight loss.

Other possible causes of rapid weight loss include:

• Loss of appetite and anorexia are signs of illness
• Your pet has been eating less than normal for more than a week (this could be due to stress)

Lethargy

If your guinea pig is lethargic, it’s more likely to be sick. Lethargy can be a sign of illness in some cases, but it could also be caused by stress and boredom.

Your pet will try to find something to do when it is feeling unwell, so if you notice that your furry friend is sleeping a lot more than usual (or even at all), then there may be something wrong with him or her.

Unwillingness or inability to eat or drink

• Unwillingness or inability to eat or drink
• Loss of appetite
• Not eating or drinking
• Vomiting

Diarrhea or loose stools

You’ll want to look out for diarrhea or loose stools if the guinea pig has been eating and drinking normally.

Diarrhea can be caused by a number of things, including:

• Stress
• Poor diet (guinea pigs are herbivores)
• Parasites (which may cause an imbalance in their digestive system)

Diarrhea can also be an indicator of illness and disease.

This includes bacterial infections like cocci or salmonella, as well as fungal infections such as ringworm.

Read more: 10 Top Guinea Pig Sick Symptoms.

Change in color

The most common sign of a dying guinea pig is its skin color. You may notice that your pet’s coat is turning pale or mottled, which can happen when there isn’t enough oxygen in their system.

If you suspect your guinea pig has become anemic, it’s best to take him or her to the vet immediately, so they can determine what’s wrong and treat it accordingly.

If your guinea pig has dark red or purple skin, then this could mean he or she has an elevated temperature (fever) as well as dehydration—both symptoms of possible

Lumps or bumps on the body

Lumps or bumps on your guinea pig’s body are a sign of a serious problem and should be taken seriously.

The most common causes of lumps in guinea pigs include:

• Parasites
• Euthanasia (death by injection)

Other causes can include Infections from bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Seizures, Twitching, or similar abnormal behaviors/movements

Seizures, twitching, or similar abnormal behaviors/movements are a sign of brain damage.

Twitching is a sign of muscle damage. If you see these signs in your guinea pig, take him or her to the vet immediately for further evaluation and treatment.

If you suspect a disease other than a feline respiratory disease as the cause of seizures and twitching in your pet pig’s behavior patterns, such as neurological disorders like epilepsy (seizures) or stroke (paralysis).

It’s important that you contact a veterinarian immediately so that he or she can perform an examination and determine if there are any underlying conditions causing these symptoms before making any assumptions about what might be happening inside their bodies!

Dying guinea pigs will sometimes show symptoms similar to other illnesses

If you’re worried about your guinea pig, it’s important to ask yourself the following questions:

• Is my guinea pig showing any of the following symptoms?
• Is my guinea pig lethargic or sickly?
• Is my guinea pig having trouble eating?

If these are all true and you are aware of them, then there could be a problem.

If not, then don’t worry! Your pet will likely be just fine (unless they’re elderly).

Conclusion

If you notice any of these signs in your guinea pig, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Your pet may be suffering from something more serious than a bout of diarrhea.

If it doesn’t improve over the next few days or weeks, it could mean that your guinea pig has more serious problems like liver failure or parasites.