Guinea Pig "Dalmatian Syndrome" Cautions

Dr. Debbye Turner Bell Tells Parents What They Need to Know About the Furry Critters Before Getting One for Kids

(CBS)  The Disney movie "G-Force" shows a squad of specially trained, computer-generated talking guinea pig spies coming to the world's rescue.

And, at the end of the movie, lots of kids are probably begging for a guinea pig. It's referred to as "101 Dalmatian Syndrome" -- and this time, the guinea pig will be the pet of choice.

But what should parents know about those cute little fur balls?

"Early Show" resident veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner Bell brought some guinea pigs to the set Monday to help educate parents and no, the ones with Bell didn"t talk!

Guinea pigs are in the rodent family. They come from the mountainous regions of Chile and Peru. Newborns are completely covered with fur with their eyes open. Guinea pigs are quite social and docile by nature. If they are handled appropriately, they rarely bite. But they are easily stressed. So they should picked up gently (hands under the chest and back legs) and held close to your chest, so they will feel secure. They are good pets for older kids who know how to be gentle and respectful of the pigs. Toddlers and infants are not good candidates for handling a Guinea pig. Children this young, will often squeeze the Guinea pigs too tight, or poke and jab them. This could cause great harm to the Guinea pig. An adult Guinea pig will grow to about 2 pounds and up to a foot long. Guinea pigs are not quiet. They can make a variety of sounds including squeaks, squeals, clicking, and purring.

While Guinea Pigs are not particularly difficult to care for, they do have some specific dietary and housing needs that should be addressed carefully. When you own a Guinea pig, you will need to provide:

-- Proper housing
-- Well-balanced diet
-- Gnawing log
-- Daily cleaning
-- Annual Veterinary exam

Guinea pigs should be fed a good quality pelleted food formulated for them. They need vitamin C, just like humans. You can supplement their diet with diced fruits and vegetables (kale, cabbage, romaine lettuce, carrots, celery, broccoli, apples, and grapes are good. All seeds should be removed from fruit.). But avoid high-sugar citrus fruits like oranges. All perishable foods should be removed from their dish after they are finished eating to prevent the danger and mess of spoiled food. They should receive fresh water daily, preferably in a drip container. Also, Guinea pigs' teeth grow continuous throughout their lives, so they must have a gnawing log (an untreated fruit tree branch) to chew on to prevent overgrown teeth, and infection.

Appropriate housing should be an enclosure made of plastic, or metal. It needs to be "chew-proof". Glass aquariums are not recommended, as they don't provide adequate ventilation. And wire cages are not good because they can irritate, even damage, the pig's feet. The cage should have an open top with walls too high for the guinea pig to climb out, at least 18 inches. The bottom should be covered with shredded, ink-free paper or commercial nesting material. Do not use sawdust or cedar shavings, as these can cause respiratory problems. Provide plenty of hay too. The Pigs will use this as food, bedding and a place to do their "business." Guinea pigs need plenty of space to move around. And they are messy! They typically scatter their bedding and food. There should be a place for the Guinea pigs to hide and get some peace and quiet. (an old, upside down shoebox works great) All waste should be cleaned out daily. Also, clean the food and water dish daily to prevent build up of bacteria and algae. The Guinea pigs housing should be kept in a calm place in the house, away from drafts, sudden temperature changes, and high-traffic, noisy areas. Guinea pigs are curious and playful, so provide plenty of entertainment like toys, wheel, and tunnels.

Long-haired Guinea pigs should be brushed regularly.

Guinea pigs can live 5 to 7 years or more. As previously stated, guinea pigs are social, so it's not a bad idea to have two. They'll keep each other company. Be sure to get two Guinea pigs of the same sex or you could easily end up with a whole bunch of the critters.

There are some common health issues with Guinea pigs. They can get submandibular abscesses (under the jaw). Hair loss may be due to a fungal infection (ringworm) or ectoparasites (mange). Heat stress and allergies can cause pneumonia. Diarrhea can occur when there is an abrupt change in diet, or antibiotics administered improperly. And excessive salivation (ptyalism) is usually due to overgrown teeth. So, regularly veterinary care is important.

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To adopt the hamsters you saw on the air please contact Sean Casey Animal Rescue

For much more on caring for guinea pigs:

Human Society

HealthyPets.com

American Veterinary Medical Association

[dragyn30]

Hey CBS! You really need to do some research before posting information like this!!

I had Guinea Pigs growing up and I have them now. While you do provide some OK advice, much of your advice will get a piggie hurt!

Like posted by lex122Guinea Pigs can cause people who suffer with allergies to react, and some reactions are very severe. Also they are correct about having a cage with a cover, while piggies are not known for climbing as they are somewhat afraid of heights, so do climb and climb very well! Glass tanks also trap the ammonia odors from waste and can cause respiratory issues.

There are wonderful wire cages with plastic bottoms that provide safe, wonderful homes for them pet stores like Petco and Petsmart carry a large selection and they can even be purchased online. They also carry foods and treat as well as little houses and chew toys specifically for guinea pigs. Like Erin McM mentions piggies do not use wheels or balls, their spines do not bend that way! There are "playpens" available to give them bigger space to run around with risking thier safety. When it is warm I have a harness and I take my piggy outside in the fresh air.


Anyone interested in getting a Guinea Pig I recommend either looking at www.petco.com or www.petsmart.com to see what is recommended and look at the consumer reviews they are helpful, and if you have a store neat you, just go there! The staff is helpful and they can show you how to care for a piggy. They also take in animals for adoption and you may be able to give one a good home!

You can also check your local animal shelter as they get small animals as well especially if a child grow bored and parents do not want to care for the animal or they had to give it up because of allergies.

DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! Guinea pigs are great pet, but do require daily care to keep them healthy, they need love and affection and they will give it back!

[ErinMcM]

Also, PLEASE mention that Guinea Pigs should NOT be put in balls or wheels typically used for hamsters. Yes, there are bigger wheels made, but these are for chinchillas. Guinea Pigs' backs aren't meant to bend that way and putting them in a ball with no escape could seriously hurt them. Some research suggests that this even shortens the domestic guinea pigs lifespan. If you want to keep your pet happy, healthy, and for a long time, please take caution.

[lex122]

Please stop saying GP's don't climb. They can climb out of the average wire/plastic cage. I read they could not climb and my pig CLIMBED out and fell down the stairs, hemorrhaged and died. The top of their cage should be covered.
Also, they require nail clipping which you "expert" did not mention.
Also, ALLERGIES, many people are allergic to the pigs or HAY they need, and, they can catch disease from people, so handwashing is a MUST. These are the sweetest animals and they deserve proper care and handling.