Giving your guinea pig medicine: the right technique, and the real risks

As herbivores, guinea pigs depend on the bacteria in their gut to digest their food. According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, they are sensitive to many antibiotics and other medicines that upset these bacteria: an antibiotic that is safe for another animal can cause them serious digestive problems, diarrhoea, loss of appetite or even death.

That doesn’t mean they can’t be treated: your vet carefully chooses medicines suited to the species, which is why you need a vet experienced with guinea pigs.

• Ask your vet how to give the medicine, when, and whether it can be mixed with a little food.
• Ask to be shown how during the appointment.
• Prepare the syringe before you fetch your guinea pig.
• Settle them somewhere quiet, on a towel on your lap, or get help: one person holds, the other gives the medicine.

• 1. HoldHold them firmly but gently, tucked securely against you or held by a second person.
• 2. Insert the syringeSlide the tip into the side of the mouth, just behind the incisors. According to the MSD manual, the syringe needs to go in far enough, or the liquid comes back out.
• 3. Push slowlyA little at a time, letting them chew and swallow in between.
• 4. RewardA favourite vegetable straight afterwards.

Never push it all in at once. For a cream, eye drops or a skin treatment, ask your vet to show you how.

• That they are eating their hay and vegetables, and drinking normally.
• Their droppings: plenty of them, well formed and dry. Fewer, smaller or soft droppings are a warning sign.
• Their weight: a weigh-in during treatment helps spot a guinea pig that is eating less.
• Their behaviour: a guinea pig that sits hunched, hides or no longer squeaks for food is unwell.

• Log every dose with the time: with several people and often several guinea pigs, it’s the only way to avoid a missed or double dose.
• In a group, make sure the right guinea pig gets the treatment.
• Give the treatment for the full prescribed course, unless your vet says otherwise.
• If a dose is missed, ask your vet what to do: never double the next dose without advice.
• Keep up the vegetables and fresh pellets: a sick guinea pig needs vitamin C all the more.

MyArk reminds everyone in the household of each dose at the scheduled time. Whoever gives the medicine ticks it off: the others can see it’s done, and the dose isn’t doubled.

• A reminder for each medicine, at the time and for the course prescribed
• Every dose ticked off with the time and who gave it
• The treatment kept in each guinea pig’s health record
• Current treatment on the pet sitter sheet, if someone else is looking after them