A health examination is an important part of keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy. We recommend 6 monthly veterinary checks.
At these visits we will discuss your guinea pig’s living arrangements, diet and preventative health care program.
A full physical examination, including faecal and dental exam will be performed. One of the most important parts of the physical examination is assessment of your guinea pig’s dentition. Diseases of the molars are all too common and prevention far better than treatment. Nail trimming is performed at these visits if required.
Listed below are descriptions of common laboratory tests that are recommended and can be performed during the Guinea Pig Health Examination. Many of these tests may be recommended for diagnostic purposes if your guinea pig ever becomes unwell and it is always ideal to have a ‘baseline’ or normal values for your pet to compare these to in times of illness.
| Test Type | How is the test performed? | What does the test show? | When is this test recommended? |
| Faecal examination | Microscope exam of the faeces | Parasites Bacterial levels Yeast levels |
All Guinea Pigs |
| Oral examination | Microscope exam of oral swabs | Bacterial levels Yeast levels |
Some Guinea Pigs |
| Haematology | Blood sample | Anaemia Infections Inflammation |
All Guinea Pigs |
| Biochemistry | Blood sample | Liver function Kidney function Calcium levels Blood sugar levels Electrolyte levels |
Some Guinea Pigs |
