Also see: 25 Common Guinea Pig Health Issues to Be Aware Of
8 Causes of blood loss in guinea pigs
Chronic conditions, infection, and trauma can all result in blood loss, which can be difficult or even life-threatening if not treated promptly and effectively.
Pay close attention to any changes in your guinea pig’s behavior, as well as any other signs that may appear:
Table of Contents
Guinea pig blood in urine
Occasionally, blood in your guinea pig’s urine does not necessarily indicate that the blood is originating from the urinary system.
In female guinea pigs, the urethra opens in conjunction with the wall of the vaginal opening.
This can cause certain substances in the vagina to mix with the urine, which can result in bleeding from the cervix. As an illustration:
- Uterine Adenocarcinoma is the most common tumor in guinea pigs, accounting for approximately 80% of all tumors. A cancerous injury that develops on the uterus and causes the urine to become red and bloody. It is extremely rare for the tumor to spread. Surgery, on the other hand, is the only option for this condition.
- Dysfunction of the reproductive tract: In virgin female guinea pigs, this is the most common cause of hematuria, which is why guinea pigs should be spayed as soon as they reach sexual maturity. The increase in uterine tumors and tissues, such as adenocarcinoma, is one of the causes of the condition.
If you notice anything unusual in your guinea pig’s urine, your veterinary surgeon may recommend that you provide a urine sample so that a urinalysis and a dipstick test can be performed.
Fill a washbasin halfway with water and then place your guinea pig inside. When your guinea pig pees, use a syringe to collect the urine and dispose of it properly.
Symptoms of Hematuria
- Anorexia
- Abdominal pain on palpation
- Lethargy
- Frequent bruising from excessive clotting
- Development of tumor
- Perineal dermatitis
- Distended abdomen
- Enlarged bladder
- Difficulty urinating
- Weakness
Hematuria is a symptom of a disease rather than a situation in and of itself. It most often occurs as a result of issues involving the urinary tract or urinary bladder.
Also read: Red urine in guinea pigs (Causes+What to do)
Guinea pig bleeding from nose
Guinea pigs may experience only a single episode of bleeding from the nose, or they may experience it repeatedly. This is not a typical or common occurrence in the world of guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs suffering from nose bleeding are in serious danger and should be taken to the veterinary surgeon as soon as possible.
Periodic nose bleeding in guinea pigs can result in aspiration, hypoxia, hypotension, and even life-threatening cardiovascular complications if not treated promptly and effectively.
Epistaxis in guinea pigs is manifested by a variety of symptoms.
In addition to nose bleeding, epistaxis may cause the following symptoms and signs to manifest themselves:
- Nasal discharge
- Appetite loss
- Sneezing
- Excessive tear production
- Black stools (from digested blood) if blood is wiped out.
- Excessive production of saliva.
- Blood in stools, urine, or other body parts, if there is hemorrhage.
- Bloodstains on the front paws
Causes of Epistaxis in guinea pigs
The nose bleeding problem affects guinea pigs who have a weakened immune system and who live in unsanitary conditions, among other things. Nasal bleeding in guinea pigs can be caused by any number of factors, some of which are listed below:
- Fungal or bacterial infection
- Tooth root blemish
- Blood clotting problems
- Injury to the teeth by chewing on electric cords
- Tumor in the nasal cavity or space-occupying growths
- Foreign body in the nose, such as inhaled vegetable matter (grass and seed)
Diagnosis of Epistaxis in guinea pigs
Epistaxis can occur in guinea pigs as a result of a wide variety of fundamental problems. As a result, your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination. The differential diagnosis will almost certainly be required in order to determine the root cause of the problem. Your veterinarian will perform a chemical blood profile as well as a complete blood profile, which will include a blood count. Depending on whether or not the necessary clotting factors are available to stop the bleeding, the recommended blood clotting coagulation time will be given.
Hemorrhage and uncontrolled bleeding can occur when there are insufficient clotting factors in the blood. The following are examples of visible diagnostics:
The chest x-ray, for signs of cancer and respiratory system involvement.
The cheekbones are x-rayed, as well as the skull, to check for growths, injuries, and tumors. A CT scan and an MRI scan will be performed by your veterinarian to check for injuries or growths. If abnormalities are discovered in your guinea pig’s samples or nasal tissues, your veterinarian may recommend a biopsy to be performed on the samples or nasal tissues for bone marrow examination.
Blood and fluid samples will be tested for bacterial and fungal diseases, in addition to tissue samples.
Treatment of Epistaxis in guinea pigs
Early treatment of symptoms is possible. In order to prevent further complications, your veterinary surgeon may prescribe medications to increase the clotting time. These medications will help to stop the bleeding.
Medications such as antibiotics will be prescribed if there is an infection present. Additionally, the treatment will be determined by the final diagnosis.
Guinea pig bleeding from mouth
There are a variety of dental diseases that can result in bleeding from the mouth. Misaligned teeth are the most common type of disorder, and this is referred to as malocclusion.
Similarly, slobbers is a dental disease that develops when the teeth of a guinea pig become overgrown, making it difficult for the animal to chew. These dental diseases must be treated by a medical professional as soon as possible.
Also read: How to keep guinea pig’s teeth short
Causes
It should be noted that any discharge of blood in the guinea pig is not universal; therefore, this should be considered a serious issue.
Bladder stones, internal hemorrhaging, a dental problem, or chewing the stiff wire are all potential causes of bleeding from the mouth.
Treatment
If your guinea pig’s mouth begins to bleed, take him or her to the nearest veterinarian clinic right away.
Provide your guinea pig with plenty of hay and grass to chew on, unfiltered water, and vitamin C-rich foods to ensure a healthy lifestyle.
Top-Rated Guinea Pig Supplies: Our Top Picks! Recommended Guinea Pig Supplies: Our Top Picks!
Before you read on, here are some supplies for your guinea pigs that have been hand-picked by our experts and that you should add to your wishlist right away:
Guinea pig bleeding nail
In some cases, an injured nail can cause irritation, pain, and bleeding, as well as infection in the surrounding area.
In some cases, you may discover that your guinea pig’s nails have simply fallen off without any injury or blood.
Any swelling or redness in the feet of your guinea pig that appears within the first 48 hours is a telltale sign of bacterial infection and should be treated immediately.
Trim your guinea pig’s nails on a daily basis, as this is necessary so that your guinea pig is not able to dig and wear down their nails on the floor of your home.
If you don’t trim your guinea pig’s nails, they will curl and become too long, which will cause them to catch or tear on various objects.
Also: Guinea pig nails broke off(Causes+What to do)
Causes of bleeding nail
It is possible to cause bleeding by cutting your guinea pig’s nails too quickly or by cutting them too short.
The term “quick” refers to a vein that is located inside the nail of the guinea pig. In the event of an injury, it is a delicate area that can result in severe pain and bleeding.
They must be treated because they have the potential to spread infection. When your guinea pig’s nail bed is exposed to wet flooring for an extended period of time, he or she will develop a disease known as bumblefoot.
Treatment of bleeding nail
Animal nail clippers can be used, as they are specifically designed for this purpose.
Applying styptic powder to your guinea pig nails can help to stop the bleeding from their nails.
Cryptic powder can also be replaced with flour if desired.
Make an attempt to press the nail into a bar of soap.
You can use this method to stop minor bleeding by simply applying pressure to the nail tip.
Guinea pig bleeding from anus
Immediately take your guinea pig to the veterinarian’s office if there is any growth or bleeding in the anal or bottom area.
Understanding the anus can help you be more prepared if you notice any other signs of the anus, such as blood on the floor, straining in the litter box, or a mass sticking out from your guinea pig’s back end, among others.
Polyps
Polyps, which are caused by excessive growth of the mucous membrane in the rectum and which stick through the anal opening, are the most common problems with the anus.
Bruising or bleeding from the anus is the most common symptom of anal polyps. Even though polyps are not harmful in and of themselves, there is a chance that one will grow to be so large that it will completely block the rectum. Surgical removal is the only option available for treating this type of situation.
If there is inflammation in the anal or rectal tissue surrounding the polyp, it may appear that it is red, brown, or pink.
The reduction in fiber in the guinea pig’s diet has resulted in inflammation of the delicate tissue in the anus and rectum, which has caused the change in the texture and shape of its stool.
When there are a lot of polyps, feces may start to come out from between them. If there is no blockage in the anal or pain in the anal, you will only need to perform a thorough examination of the condition. Surgical intervention is required if the polyps are causing pain or obstructing the passage of stool.
Also read: GI stasis in guinea pigs
Papillomas
A papilloma is a small skin tumor that is not always harmful to the patient’s health. These lesions are usually white or pink in color and have a tendency to bleed easily.
A papilloma will form at the intersection of the rectoanal and will protrude from the anus of the bladder.
When a papilloma is small, it can be difficult to detect it unless pressure is applied to it or stool is passing through it. Papillomas become more noticeable as they grow in size and begin to protrude from the skin.
Papillomas can become crusty and develop into ulcers or become infected with an ulcer if left untreated. They can also grow to enormous proportions in order to suffocate the anus.
It is caused by the Shope papillomavirus and is characterized by its tendency to stick out. Nonetheless, the virus may cause an unwelcome growth in some pet guinea pigs, resulting in the need for surgical reduction of the growth.
Hemorrhoids
The polyp is composed of solid matter, whereas a hemorrhoid is filled with blood and is caused by the rectum or the anus. Although it is difficult to distinguish between the two, the polyp is composed of solid matter.
Hemorrhoids develop as a result of increased pressure on the vein, which can be alleviated by taking anti-inflammatory medications in large doses.
Hemorrhoids are uncommon in guinea pigs, and when they do occur, they are typically small.
They do not cause a significant amount of swelling to block the anus and, for the most part, resolve by themselves. However, if they grow to be too large, they will have to be surgically removed from the body.
Syphilis
Syphilis in guinea pigs is caused by the bacterium Treponema cuniculi, as well as lesions that resemble papillomas in appearance and are caused by papillomas in appearance.
Despite this, syphilis lesions in guinea pigs are most commonly found in the tissue surrounding the mucocutaneous junction of the anal opening, as well as the eyes, lips, nose, and urogenital regions of the animal.
During the early stages of the disease, lesions may appear raised and crusted on the skin. As the situation progresses, they develop into large papillary nodules that develop into or become affected by an ulcer and bleed as a result of the bleeding.
Guinea pig bleeding after neutering
Following neutering, the majority of male guinea pigs return to their previous levels of behavior and health.
However, there are some instances in which the remaining scrotal sac becomes engorged with blood. Additionally, the scrotum may become purple and enlarged as a result of this.
You can see blood leaking into the scrotal sacs of your guinea pig because of the incomplete cauterization of the vessels, which indicates that it is not always harmful to your animal.
A cold pack applied to the affected area may be recommended by your veterinary surgeon until the internal bleeding has stopped in your guinea pig.
It is important to check the stitches on your guinea pig on a regular basis to ensure that they are not coming out or being pulled by the animal.
If you notice any signs of external bleeding or if your guinea pig appears to be pulling at its stitches, call your veterinarian right away for assistance.
Guinea pig bleeding from nipple
Bleeding from the nipple can be a life-threatening condition. Guinea pigs have a single pair of mammary glands located in the groin area of their bodies.
These two glands do not function in the production of blood or lymph. It is possible that blood from the nipple will be a symptom of an infectious disease. In children, bloody discharge occurs only in extremely rare instances.
Causes of bleeding nipple
Breast cancer, bladder stones, mastitis, tumors, and inflammation are all conditions that can cause bleeding from the nipple to occur.
Treatment of bleeding nipple
The discharge from the nipple is frequently determined in the absence of an external cause, and ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic technique for determining the purpose of the discharge from the nipple in these circumstances.
An X-ray will also be useful in determining the root of the problem.
Guinea pig bleeding eye
Guinea pigs’ eyes can bleed when they are infected with a virus. Dental problems, which are particularly prevalent in guinea pigs, can also result in eye problems.
The eyeballs of some of the guinea pigs appear blue and bloodshot.
In addition, see: Red eye in guinea pigs (what you must know)
Causes of bleeding eye
Conjunctivitis is usually brought on by an irritant, an allergic reaction, or an infectious problem, and it manifests itself as pink or red guinea pig eyes.
Streptococcal infections, Pasteurella infections, salmonella infections, chlamydophila infections, and listeria infections are all caused by different types of bacteria. This disease can be brought on by an unsanitary enclosure as well as urinary ammonia in the bedding of the animal.
In addition, the other guinea pig who lives in the same enclosure may be responsible for the bloody eyes.
Treatment of bleeding eye
Antibiotic eye drops and oral antibiotics are recommended for the treatment of this infection in order to control the infection.
Wrapping your guinea pig in a towel and putting the eye drops in his eyes is the safest way to go about this. In the alternative, you can bring your guinea pig to a veterinarian’s office.
Before applying the eye drops, your veterinary surgeon will clean the affected area and remove any discharge by administering a light antiseptic eyewash to the affected area.
Also see: Guinea pigs develop an eye booger.
Conclusion
Blood loss in guinea pigs is a serious problem, but it can be resolved. There are numerous causes of guinea pig bleeding, including blood in the urine, nose bleeding, anal bleeding, trimming nails too short, mouth bleeding, anus bleeding, nipple bleeding, bleeding after neutering, and eye bleeding, among others.
Trauma, infection, and chronic diseases are the most common causes of blood loss in guinea pigs, and diagnosing and treating them is extremely difficult.
There are eight different reasons why guinea pigs lose blood. Blood in guinea pig urine is caused by a malfunction of the reproductive system and uterine adenocarcinoma, which is the first of these conditions.
In the second place, there is bleeding from the guinea pig’s nose, which is a serious problem that is caused by the guinea pig’s weak immune system and unsanitary living conditions.
Blood clotting problems, tumors, tooth root scarring, fungal infection, and other complications can result from bleeding from the nose, which can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your veterinarian.
Veterinary surgeons can treat the third symptom, which is mouth bleeding caused by the dental problem.
The fourth reason for nail bleeding is that it is caused by the application of styptic powder to the nail.
The fifth type of bleeding infection is caused by anus polyps, papilloma, hemorrhoids, and syphilis, all of which are known to cause bleeding infection.
The sixth one is suffering from post-neutering bleeding, which is not always harmful to your guinea pig and can be treated by applying a cold pack to the affected area to stop the bleeding.
The seventh reason is bleeding from the nipple, which must be addressed immediately because it can lead to severe infection.
One of the last is suffering from an eye infection, which can be caused by an unhygienic enclosure and urinary ammonia in the sleeping environment. Antibiotic eye drops and oral antibiotics are recommended for the prevention of this infection.
