My young female guinea pigs hum. Is spaying necessary for them?

I didn't see that you mentioned how old Lilypad is, but this could be a sign of a medical problem. Cystic ovaries are very common in guinea pigs, and their presence can result in behavior changes. Additionally, other medical problems, such as urinary issues, can also result in urine spraying/urinating more frequently than normal. I would recommend having Lilypad examined by a veterinarian. They can perform a thorough examination, and may recommend radiographs (x-rays) or a ultrasound depending on what is found. From there, they can make recommendations for treatments. I hope that gives you a place to start, and I hope that your sweet guinea pig feels better soon!

Hello. Hair loss in an older female guinea pig is often related to cystic ovaries. The abnormal ovary produced hormones that cause the hair to fall out, usually on the trunk, back or belly. Sometimes, hairliss can be from over grooming, parasites, a thyroid condition, or if the Guinge is rubbing on somethin in the cage. Since she doesn’t sound itchy or inflamed, and she’s an older female, i would be suspicious of cystic ovaries. I would recommend taking Guinge to see a veterinarian who can do a physical exam, feel her belly for possibly cystic ovaries, and if needed do an ultrasound to identify and assess the ovaries. If they are indeed cystic, they can either be treated surgically with removal of the ovaries, or with injections of hormones to reduced the cyst size and activity (though these injections need to be given every 4 weeks or so). Hopefully it’s something simple! Good luck!

this is definitely not normal, it is likely to be a uterine infection which can be life threatening if left untreated. treatment with antibiotic would probably be the first option but it is often not successful, in such a case a surgery to have the uterus removed would be needed.

yes, pot bellied pigs often get uterine tumors and they are also difficult to deal with when they go into heat. Find a vet who is willing to do this--I have spayed several and treat them just like a dog or a cat under anesthesia.

Thanks for reaching out about Freya and including photos. One of the dermal conditions guinea pigs get are dermal cysts, which rarely heal without surgical (although minor) removal. They tend to "pop", heal and then grow again. Guinea pigs are also prone to ovarian cysts which can cause some skin/hair conditions and are itchy. A veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question. Poor Pinky. You can see a swollen vulva when in heat, but she is still quite young. Typically guinea pigs do not become sexually mature until they are two months of age, and she is still younger than that. That makes me wonder if there is something else going on with her, and the lethargy also points to a possible illness. If her vulva is swollen, she could have an infection like a UTI. I'd take her into the vet first thing tomorrow for a health check. I hope this helps!

Hi there. I'm sorry to hear about Oreo's cyst. I have to be honest with you. Guinea pig's are one of the most difficult anesthesic patients, and can have a lot of complications while under anesthesia and following the procedure(s). It may be difficult to find a veterinarian who will do this surgery at a low cost for that reason. In addition, veterinarians who are experienced with exotic species do know a lot of different techniques for putting a tube in the airway for surgery (intubation), the safest drug protocols, and the most updated techniques for the surgeries themselves. I would call Oradell Animal Hospital. They have an exotics veterinarian on staff. They are my #1 recommendation. If the cost they give you is too high, they can probably give you some recommendations for other veterinarians in the area who may perform surgeries on guinea pigs. I hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck!