Dogs are very complicated animals that have a lot of emotions. It can often be very difficult to fully appreciate exactly how your pet may be feeling and what can sometimes trigger unwanted dog behaviours. The team at Avenues Vets have some helpful advice on dog behaviour below including where to seek help in Glasgow.
The first port of call if you are seeing unwanted dog behaviours should be your Vet. They will give your dog a full health check to see if there are any medical issues that could be a factor. Book a consultation with one of our Vets here in Glasgow.
What your dog is trying to tell you
Facial expressions and body posture can say a lot about how a dog is feeling in a scenario. This is a good place to start when trying to understand your dog better.
Take a look at the Guide (link below) created by the RSPCA; you can see that when a dog sits with a relaxed body posture, smooth hair, mouth open and relaxed, ears in a neutral position, a wagging tail and eyes in a normal shape, they are happy. With a few subtle changes, such as a lowered head, ears back, tail tucked in and not making eye contact, the dog is worried.
Download the RSPCA’s Guide to Dog Behaviour
By understanding these expressions and postures and the subtle changes between them, you can get the best picture of how comfortable the dog is and how you should then approach them.
Unwanted dog behaviours
Vet Nicola Armstrong advises that whilst understanding posture and emotions of pets is important, there are behaviours that may be dangerous or unwanted such as:
- Food aggression
- Barking aggressively at other dogs/people approaching
- Jumping up
- Fear of certain things
- Reactive at other dogs in different scenarios
- Not wanting to be handled in certain ways
The list of unwanted behaviours can be extensive and subjective as behaviours can be interpretated and tolerated differently. This will depend on who you are, your lifestyle, and what your expectations of your pet are.
Sometimes, a bit of help can be needed to make sure that behaviours are not becoming uncontrollable and causing a pet distress, and to train your pet to behave in a more desirable way.
Getting help for your dog in Glasgow
Pet owners may start by looking for help from a behaviourist or a dog trainer – two very different professions. It is important to understand the differences between both to understand who you may need help from. A behaviourist is looking at why an animal performs a certain behaviour, often a behaviour that is unwanted and if left could cause further complications later. A trainer is looking to teach a dog how to do certain behaviours, this could be anything from the basics of ‘sit’ and walking on a lead, to more advanced commands.
If your pet is doing something that concerns you then you will most likely need to seek a behaviourist. However, it is very important that your dog is assessed by a Veterinary Surgeon first before seeking a behaviourist’s services. This is because many unwanted dog behaviours such as reactivity and aggression can start because of pain or another type of medical issue. For example, if your dog knows they have sore elbows and a dog coming near them to play will cause them pain, your dog may become reactive because of this.
Contact us to book a Vet consultation for your dog at our Glasgow practice.
Once your pet has been assessed by one of our Glasgow Vets, a decision can be made on whether the problem behaviour is truly a learned behaviour, or if there is any indication of a medical issue behind it.
If you do need to search for a dog behaviourist or trainer in Lanarkshire it is important to understand that these professions are not regulated. Therefore, you want to be confident that whoever you are taking your dog to is adequately qualified and experienced.
The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) and the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) are good places to start as their members are certified and accredited to a certain level.
Ultimately, it will be extremely beneficial to you and your dog to make sure you understand what they may be trying to tell you. Simple expressions can show you when a situation could escalate.
If you ever have concerns about your dog’s behaviour, book an appointment with one of the Vets at our Glasgow practice to get initial advice. It is best not to leave these things to fester as problems can become worse down the line and cause further stress to both you and your pet.
With summer just around the corner, you may be thinking about holiday plans. If you are taking your dog away with you, planning what they will need for the trip ahead of time will help to ensure your holiday is ‘smooth sailing’ or at the very least, you’ll be prepared for most eventualities. To help you, the dog-loving staff at Avenues Vets have put together some advice for your dog-friendly summer holiday below.
If you need to update your dog’s vaccinations, flea & worm treatment, or anything else before your trip, book an appointment at our Glasgow vet practice.
Book a pre-holiday appointment
Taking your dog on holiday this summer
Taking your dog on holiday with you can be an exciting idea; not only do you get the enjoyment of bringing them along for the fun and not being apart from them, but your dog will get to experience lots of new sights and smells! To help you prepare for a happy and easy dog-friendly holiday, take a look at The Avenues Vets’ list below.
Dog-Friendly Holiday Prep List
Car travel
- Safety – Use a harness, seatbelt, and car seat, or a crate; ensure you can take toilet breaks without leaving your dog in a parked car on hot days
- Sickness – Get your dog used to car travel in advance; talk to us if they have severe travel sickness on 0141 643 0404
- Comfort – Plan plenty of toilet & refreshment breaks for your dog along the way; travel early or late to avoid the heat wherever possible
Suitable living accommodation that allows pets
- Safety – Will stairs or outdoor steps be a hazard? Is there an enclosed garden?
- Comfort – Where will your dog sleep and go to the toilet (if there is no garden)?
- Damage – Could your dog damage light-coloured furnishings?
- Camping – Will your dog be safe in your tent with you at night?
Essentials – Take first aid kits, local Vet contact details for your destination, food supplies, bowls, bedding, any medication they are on including scheduled flea & worm treatments, doggy shampoo and towels, plenty of poop bags, lead & collar (with ID tag), and anything else your dog usually has.
Sun safety – Take pet sunscreen, make sure your daytime plans don’t put your dog in the hot sun for long periods; always take water on your trips out and provide shade.
Daily plans – Are there lots of dog-friendly places to go? Check local dog beach bans. It’s normally a ‘no-no’ to leave your dog unattended in holiday accommodation.
Parasite prevention – Up-to-date worming, flea, and tick control, and vaccinations
Overseas travel – Your dog will need an Animal Health Certificate, rabies vaccine (at least 21 days before travel), a health check by an Official Veterinarian (OV) qualified to certify pets ‘fit to fly’, and potentially other documents and treatments depending on your destination(s).
So, there you have it, The Avenues Vets’ comprehensive planning guide for a fun, safe, and easy dog-friendly holiday this summer. We hope you and your dog have a fantastic time away and our team look forward to hearing all about it at your next visit to our Glasgow veterinary practice.
Remember, if your dog needs anything before you go, or you just want them to have a health check to put your mind at rest, get in touch to book.
After two years of summer ‘staycations’, this year we’re expecting a lot of people to be considering longer holidays away from home. For cat owners, this raises the age-old challenge of how to look after their cat during the holidays.
As you basically have three options – live-in care, day visits, or using a cattery – we thought we’d ask the nursing team at Avenues Vets to offer a few tips on what to look out for, depending on the option you choose. If you’re opting for a cattery, and you don’t already know your cat’s vaccination status, call us to check.
Whichever cat holiday care option you decide on, you should make arrangements early to give yourself the best chance of finding the perfect solution for your cat. Use our cat holiday checklists below to help with your research.
Cat sitting services in Glasgow
Daily visits can be made by a neighbour or professional pet sitter. Live-in care is similar, but your cat will benefit from company and can live almost as normal. Check with the sitter to ensure they offer:
- Regular visits/interaction: Cats should be visited or played with at least twice daily so make sure this is agreed and your cat sitter is up for it
- Meals: The volume and routine should ideally be the same as if you were at home
- Water: Fresh water must always be available
- Litter: Cat litter trays should be cleaned twice daily, especially during warm weather
Choosing a responsible cat sitter in Glasgow
You’ll feel much more reassured while you’re away if you know that someone with knowledge and experience is looking after your cat. Our vet nurse, Linsey, says you should check:
- References: If it isn’t someone you know, get contact details for some of their clients
- Knowledge: Ask if they can spot signs of ill health and deal with specific issues
- Skills: If your cat needs regular medication, ensure they can administer it
- Quality time: The person should be happy to offer adequate companionship
- Insurance: If your sitter is a professional, they should be insured, so check their docs
Catteries in Glasgow
If you’re going for the cattery option, then personal recommendation and a pre-stay visit to check the place out is a must. When you visit, talk to the staff and get a feel for how they will take care of your cat. They should be welcoming, ask plenty of questions about your cat, and allow you to have a good look around the cattery. When viewing the facilities, you should check:
- The general cleanliness of the units, litter trays, and feeding bowls
- Ask yourself if the cats look happy, content, and adequately stimulated
- Check indoor and secure outdoor areas for your cat to exercise (if they need both)
- Look for adequate ventilation and ensure the accommodation has a working smoke alarm
- Check for any obvious escape routes and raise them with the staff
Finally, properly run and licensed catteries should insist on seeing an up-to-date vaccination card, showing recent vaccinations against cat flu and enteritis. If they do not, go somewhere else.
Guinea pigs, like all small furries, are not natural travellers. Taking them away from home can be stressful for everyone. So, if you need to get your guinea pig from A to B this summer, why not follow our Vet Nicola’s advice on minimising stress and maximising the chances of a successful trip for you and your pets?
Nicola’s Small Furry travel tick list:
- Get a suitable pet carrier
Your furry pal is going to need a place to rest, hide, and maybe even play. Get a highly rated pet carrier and make sure it’s big enough for them to move around in, but small enough so they don’t get thrown around. It’s got to be chew proof too.
2. Get them used to it
Don’t wait until the day and just put them in and go. Your pets will be much less stressed if you get them used to their travel carrier by letting them play around in it for a week or two before you travel. You could also start with short journeys around the block to see how they handle it and if you need to make any changes to their setup.
3. Plan ahead
Before you travel, have a think about the trip. Do you have enough food & water? Can you travel at a cooler/quieter time of day? How will you clean up any mess? Can you take a route that doesn’t have speed bumps or involve a fast road? Taking a few minutes to think these things through will make the trip less stressful.
4. Stick together
If your pet has a pal, then make sure you take them both on the journey. They will naturally lend each other support.
5. Taking your pet on public transport
If you’re planning on using public transport, first check their rules of carriage, then do a few practice-runs at quiet times. Finally, make sure you travel when it’s cool.
There you go, for the very few times you’ll be moving your guinea pig, you now have all the basic info you need to make the journey less stressful for everyone.
The advice above is good for most small furries. However, if you do feel like you need species specific advice, please call our team at Avenues Vets on 0141 643 0404 and we can talk through your pet’s specific needs.
If your dog has been microchipped, do they need to wear a collar and ID tag? If your dog always wears a collar and ID tag, do they need to be microchipped? Veterinary Surgeon Nicola Armstrong, is here to clear up any uncertainties on this topic.
The short answers are Yes and Yes, if you don’t want to risk being prosecuted and fined. But what are the other costs of non-compliance?
Why microchip dogs?
June is National Microchipping Month and the perfect time to remind dog owners about this topic. Since 2016, there has been a UK law on microchipping dogs from 8 weeks of age. This is typically done by the breeder, who must then update the microchip log with the new owner’s information.
A microchip might be tiny (about the same size as a grain of rice), but its purpose is mighty, explains Nicola. If your dog should ever go missing and isn’t wearing their collar and tag, a microchip can make all the difference in reuniting you. Vet practices, dog wardens, and some animal rescue centres can use a microchip scanner to reveal the owner’s details. This is also really helpful when a stolen dog has their microchip routinely scanned.
For dogs picked up as strays or scanned by the dog warden for something else, owners have 21 days to get them microchipped before a criminal prosecution is actioned with a fine of up to £500.
It is also a legal requirement to keep your contact information up to date, and extremely helpful in reuniting you and your dog.
If for any reason your dog has not been microchipped, or you just want to have their microchip scanned and the details checked, contact our Woodside Avenue team on 0141 643 0404 who will be happy to help.
Dog ID tags UK law
According to the Control of Dogs Order 1992, all dogs must wear a collar and ID tag when out in public, which must detail their owner’s name and address. This dog ID tags UK law applies whether your dog is on a lead or not. Contravention of this order is an offence and risks a fine of up to £2000.
If your dog is involved in an altercation, an accident, or runs off, a dog ID tag is the quickest way for someone to contact you about your dog.
Dog ID tags can be quite small, especially if you have a small dog. Nicola advises that phone numbers can be helpful on there too and recommends having your own version of this engraved:
SMITH, 10,
EXAMPLE DRIVE
WV11 8HG
07770 123456
A phone number can be very useful on a dog tag – and don’t forget, the tag has two sides that can normally be engraved.
On the topic of dog thefts, which have risen significantly since the first COVID lockdown, some of The Avenues Vets’ clients have told us their top tips for dog ID tags:
- Don’t have your dog’s name engraved on their ID tag – this will and give thieves a head start
- Include CHIPPED & NEUTERED on the tag if it will fit as this may put thieves off – many dogs are stolen for breeding
So, why not put microchipping and ID tag at the top of your to-do-list, and give your dog the best chance of a swift reunion with you whilst staying on the right side of the law?
You are probably familiar with dogs and cats being microchipped, but what about rabbits? With it being National Microchipping Month in June, our Glasgow veterinary team are here to tell you everything you need to know about microchipping rabbits.
Contact us about rabbit microchipping
Is your rabbit secure in your home and garden? You would hope so, but rabbits are inquisitive creatures and their curiosity can get them into trouble.
What would you do if your rabbit got lost? Rabbits do not typically wear a collar & ID tag so with no identification, anyone finding your pet would not know who or where to return them to. This is why microchipping rabbits is a good idea.
What is rabbit microchipping?
Microchips are tiny electronic devices that contain all the data needed to trace you if someone finds your lost pet. A microchip is about the same size as a grain of rice. It is implanted just under the skin (usually between the shoulder blades) via an injection. Microchips are designed to last for life and should cause no bother to your pet. If an animal is deemed large enough, our team at Avenues Vets can microchip them – ask us about microchipping your rabbit.
How is microchipping helpful?
A microchip stores a unique code, which is matched to the owner’s details on a central online database. Avenues Vets and other veterinary practices, as well as some animal rescue centres, have special microchip scanners to reveal the code. If you do not keep your contact details up to date on the central database, it may not be possible to reunite you with your rabbit.
Benefits of rabbit microchipping
Microchipping is currently the most effective way to reunite pets with their owners if they are brought into a vet practice or animal shelter without an ID tag – this could be due to a successful escape attempt or if a stolen pet is recovered. With no way to identify the owner, pets are typically put up for rehoming.
Pet theft isn’t just a dog and cat owner issue. Since the start of COVID, pet thefts across a variety of species have risen. In 2021, Darius – the world’s largest rabbit – was stolen from his garden hutch in Worcestershire. Read the BBC news story about Darius here.
The Government Department of Environmental Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published a Pet Theft Taskforce policy paper in September last year, which outlined measures being taken to tackle the rising number of pet thefts. One of the proposed measures is to have vet practices scan all new pets at their first appointment. You can read the full DEFRA report here.
The bottom line is, without any form of identification, pets have little to no chance of being reunited with their owners should the worst happen. Rabbit microchipping is a low-cost, simple way to give your pet rabbit a traceable form of identification and give you peace of mind.
You have probably heard the old saying about cats and curiosity being a dangerous combination, so how do you give them any kind of safety net as they embark on a life of adventure? Identification, that’s how.
June is National Microchipping Month, so whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat, read on to discover why all cats in Lanarkshire need a microchip, by law, in 2022.
Find your lost cat
While some cats probably shudder at the thought of leaving their favourite sofa, let alone the back garden, other cats can wander for miles. What all cats have in common though, is the ability to get picked up by a helpful passer-by or an animal warden for looking lost and taken to a veterinary practice or rescue centre.
Most cats don’t wear a collar and ID tag so without any form of identification, reuniting the two of you could be impossible. When the owner cannot be found, cats are typically put up for rehoming.
The team at Avenues Vets recommend cat microchipping as the best way of ensuring your feline friend can be quickly reunited with you. Contact us to book a cat microchip appointment.
New cat microchip law UK
‘Lost & found’ isn’t the only reason our Glasgow veterinary team recommend cat microchipping.
DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has announced that cat microchipping will become compulsory in the UK in 2022 as part of a larger animal welfare action plan. The move is aimed at making more cats identifiable, in turn helping with issues such as cat thefts, strays, and deceased cats left by the road following traffic accidents.
This new law, which will carry a fine of £500 for non-compliance, is welcomed by many cat charities including Cats Matter and Cats Protection.
As part of the legislative changes, all cats over 20 weeks of age (unless there is an animal health or welfare reason certified by a Vet) must be microchipped by law. This coincides with the typical age kittens can be neutered from, so both procedures can be done by our team here at Avenues Vets before your kitten ventures outside. If your cat is already neutered, microchipping only takes a few minutes. Call us for more information on 0141 643 0404.
What does cat microchipping involve?
Microchips are tiny electronic devices, no bigger than a grain of rice, which are injected under the skin on the back of a cat’s neck. The procedure is quick and perfectly safe.
Your cat’s microchip carries your unique registration number, which links to a database where all your contact information is stored. One of our Glasgow veterinary surgeons or nurses, and staff at some animal shelters, can scan the microchip and access the database to get your details.
It is likely to also be an offence to not keep your contact details up to date on the database, as it is with dogs. And why wouldn’t you? Out of date contact details are no use to your cat!
Don’t delay, book your cat’s microchipping today
At Avenues Vets, we recommend that owners get ahead of this new law and get their cat microchipped as soon as possible. The unthinkable could happen today and a microchip could make all the difference in reuniting you with your cat.
Cats are very inquisitive creatures and often get themselves into trouble as a result. Head Vet Nicola Armstrong and the team at Avenues Vets know this only too well having seen many cat emergencies over the years.
It is always better to be prepared for cat emergencies – pop our number in your phone if you don’t have it already. You may want to give it to your neighbours, family, friends, and your holiday cat sitter too if you have one.
Here’s our number: 0141 643 0404
See all our contact information
Dealing with Common Cat Emergencies
According to Nicola, some of the most common cat emergencies include:
- Road traffic accidents
- Wounds / bleeding
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Poisoning
- Seizures
- Heatstroke
- Stings
Below is some more information on each cat health problem and what you need to do in the event of an accident.
Cats and road traffic accidents
With many cats spending lots of time outdoors in Lanarkshire, road traffic accidents are always a possibility. Injuries can range from a gentle knock that gives the cat a mild concussion, to more severe broken bones, wounds, or impact to their organs. It is important to ensure that you follow DR ABC’S advice;
- Danger – ensure it is safe for you and the animal before you assist them
- Response – check if they are responsive to you talking
- Airway – is their airway clear?
- Breathing – are they breathing?
- Circulation – do they have a pulse or heartbeat?
- Send – get someone to find help
If there is an obvious bleed, you can use clean material and pressure to slow blood loss – read more about this below. Never try to ‘set’ or straighten a broken bone yourself. It is important that any cat suspected of being hit by a vehicle is checked over by a Vet to ensure there is no internal damage or risk of shock from the trauma. Call Avenues Vets on 0141 643 0404.
Blood loss
Wounds or any bleeds should be treated as a first-aid measure to reduce the amount of blood loss. If they are bleeding use a wound pad, a clean towel, or bandaging to press on the wound to help reduce the amount of blood loss and get them to a Vet straight away. Contact your Vet first to let them prepare for your cat’s arrival and injury needs.
Burns
Burns often occur when cats jump onto hot cooking surfaces; they can also come from freshly tarred roads, surfaces treated with bleach or other chemicals, electrical sources, or being scalded by hot liquids. If your cat has a burn (not chemical), run cold water over it for a minimum of 5 minutes before getting them to the Vet – try placing a damp cloth over the burn and adding cold water, or immersing the burned area in cold water – be careful as most cats don’t like water. Do not apply any creams to the burn and ensure your cat is kept warm and calm to avoid shock. For chemical burns, wear gloves, goggles, and other safety gear and contact our Vets for first aid advice.
Cat poisoning
There are many different poisons that can harm cats with some of the most common being antifreeze, rat poison, paracetamol, and lily plants. If your cat has potentially been poisoned move the item away from them immediately. Always call your Vet straight away and be ready to take your cat there quickly so that treatment can commence without haste. Do not try to make your cat sick as this can make things worse. If they have rolled in something such as oil or have lily pollen on their fur, put a buster collar or shirt over them so that they can’t lick and ingest the poison and try to wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Seizures
Cats can have seizures for many different reasons. If you ever see your cat having a seizure do not pick them up or put anything over the top of them. Turn off any stimulants such as TVs or Radios. Make the room dark and remove anything they may hurt themselves on. Time the seizure and contact our Veterinary team.
Heatstroke and your cat
Heatstroke is common in the summer months, particularly if your cat has managed to become trapped somewhere it is very hot, like a shed or greenhouse. If they are exposed to intense prolonged heat use tepid running water to help cool them down. Do not put any damp towels over them, keep them in a cool area, ensure they have access to plenty of water, and phone the Vet – 0141 643 0404.
Treating insect stings
Again, because of cats’ inquisitive nature, they often end up getting stung. If this has happened, pull (or scrape using a credit card) the sting out and apply either bicarbonate of soda to a bee sting or diluted vinegar to a wasp sting. The area may be very swollen and inflamed so apply an ice pack. If the sting is anywhere near your cat’s eyes, mouth, or throat contact our Vets as any swelling here could potentially close airways.
You will never stop cats from being adventurous and unfortunately, having accidents. Our Vet Nicola recommends the best thing you can do is to be prepared – know how to apply basic first aid techniques as described above and always have our number to hand.
Call us in an emergency on 0141 643 0404.
Preparation can mean the difference between life and death in first aid scenarios, according to our Vet, Nicola Armstrong. This is why the team at Avenues Vets are recommending that all dog owners in Lanarkshire get themselves a pet first aid kit.
First though, check out our First Aid Tips for Dog Adventures – a guide to recognising conditions that need first aid and immediate veterinary care. Download it via the button below and save it on your phone. You could share it with friends & family by email or on Facebook too.
Download our Dog First Aid Guide
Whilst as owners we should aim to get our pet veterinary care as quickly as possible in an emergency, there are often scenarios where this is problematic. Imagine that your location or circumstances prevent you from getting to the clinic quickly, or your dog’s injury is life threatening and needs an interim measure to protect them before they can travel.
Nicola advises that having a pet first aid kit to hand is crucial in being able to offer vital support when it is needed most. It also gives you piece of mind that you have the tools available to help your pet in the first instance.
Pet first aid supplies – what should your kit contain?
There are many different types of pet first aid kits. How comprehensive yours need to be will depend on what you are doing or where you are. If you are fairly local, you may carry a smaller kit compared to being on a holiday away from local amenities.
Useful pet first aid supplies include:
- Bandages – different types (first aid courses can teach how to bandage properly)
- Blunt-ended scissors
- Wound wash – saline preferable
- Cotton wool
- Tweezers
- Tick removal tools
- Wound dressing
- Self-adhesive tape
- Vinyl gloves / alcohol gel for sanitising hands
- Foil blanket
- Thermometer
- Antiseptic wipes
- A blanket to use as a stretcher
- Any medication your pet receives
- Details for your local Vets – here are ours
- Details for local vets for the area you are visiting
Having this equipment to hand means you are well prepared for the most common emergencies – download our dog first aid tips to learn what these might be.
Why some of the above items are so important
Nicola explains that different types of bandages can help to stop bleeds, slow down blood loss, or protect a wound whilst transporting your pet. Tweezers can help you remove thorns or stings; never remove any big items that could be going through an artery, and use a special tick removal tool for dog ticks. Gloves and alcohol gel will help to ensure you are clean when cleaning wounds with the saline.
When it comes to blankets, Nicola shares why you need two types in your pet first aid kit. Foil blankets are useful for helping to keep your pet warm and preventing shock after a trauma. Using a blanket as a stretcher is also very important for any injuries to the spine or limbs. If you can carry your pet on a stretcher, they will be more supported and comfortable then carrying them in your arms.
Keeping details of both your Vet practice and a local Vet if you adventuring far from home, will mean you are not frantically searching for the details of an emergency Vet.
Learn your DR ABCS
Whenever faced with an emergency always remember DR ABCS:
- Danger – keep safe from the environment or your pet; a scared dog or any other animal may lash out
- Response – check if your dog is responsive by calling their name
- Airway – is their airway clear?
- Breathing – are they breathing?
- Circulation – do they have a pulse or heartbeat?
- Send – send someone to go and find help
Always ensure wherever you go, no matter how close to home you are, that you carry your pet first aid kit. Also, remember to replace items you have used – there is nothing worse than needing something in an emergency and it not being in your kit!
Nicola’s final piece of advice for dog owners in Lanarkshire, is to learn how to recognise common dog health emergencies – download & share our helpful guide below.
Like any pet, guinea pigs can have health problems that require urgent veterinary attention. As part of National Pet Month, which promotes responsible pet ownership, the clinical team at Avenues Vets have put together a list of emergency conditions and lifesaving advice for guinea pig owners.
This is not a comprehensive list; it is better to err on the side of caution and phone our Glasgow veterinary surgery for advice if you notice anything of concern with your guinea pig. Any non-descript symptoms such as lethargy, depression, and a decrease in appetite should always be acted on.
Call us if you need us on 0141 643 0404.
See our location & contact information
Life-threatening guinea pig health problems
Gut Stasis
Gut stasis in guinea pigs is a very serious, life-threatening condition caused by other stressful or painful conditions. Common factors include a sudden change in diet or a lack of fibre, an obstruction in the gut, dental disease, traumatic injury, dehydration, boredom, or loneliness. The gut comes to a standstill and the normal passage of food through the gut does not occur.
Symptoms of gut statis include not eating, passing less or no droppings, a bloated or painful abdomen and not wanting to move. This list is not exhaustive, so you should phone our veterinary surgery straight away if you have any concerns on 0141 643 0404. Treatment can include medication to help the gut to move again (unless there is an obstruction in the gut), often pain relief too, alongside fluid therapy and syringe feeding. While this can help to get the gut moving again, any underlying health problems that contributed to the gut stasis will need to be addressed.
Respiratory problems
If you notice your guinea pig has breathing problems, you should phone our Glasgow surgery immediately. They might be breathing more quickly or more laboriously than usual, possibly alongside a discharge from their nose, sneezing, a loss of appetite, and lethargy (amongst other symptoms). Our Vets will carry out a clinical examination and may do further diagnostic tests. There are several things that can cause respiratory problems in guinea pigs including pneumonia, which can be fatal, so early diagnosis and treatment are vital.
Trauma
Like any pet, guinea pigs can suffer from injuries due to trauma. The cause of trauma can be unknown, or due to falling, being dropped by accident when handled, fighting with other guinea pigs, or attacks from larger pets. If you witness any trauma occurring, or you see any signs of injury such as wounds or lameness, you will need prompt guinea pig health care from our Vets – contact us.
Birth
If you have a female guinea pig that you know to be pregnant, or think may be pregnant, it is advisable to monitor her carefully throughout the pregnancy – especially when she is close to giving birth. This is particularly true if she is over seven months of age and has not given birth previously; her pubic symphysis will have fused and so the birth canal will be too narrow for a natural birth. Therefore, a C-section will be needed to ensure the safety of your guinea pig and her pups. There are other potential complications with giving birth so it would be prudent to have a conversation with one of our Vets in advance about what to look out for.
As we mentioned earlier, this is not an exhaustive list of guinea pig health problems and like any pet, acute illnesses can occur at any time – poisoning from plants or food is definitely one to watch out for. The best advice that The Avenues Vets’ clinical team can give guinea pig owners, is to stay vigilant and if you notice anything unusual or concerning, call us.
Call us on 0141 643 0404.
