Mara

Gastrointestinal stasis

SignsNot eating hay, small/few/no droppings, bloated belly, tooth grinding, lying motionless

PreventionOffer unlimited hay at all times to ensure fiber. Avoid fruit- or grain-heavy diets and sudden feed changes. If it has not eaten for half a day, see the vet the same day

Malocclusion

SignsDrool-wet chin, dropping food, pawing at the mouth, bent or overgrown incisors, facial swelling, weight loss

PreventionKeep it chewing on a hay-based diet. Check the incisors monthly; if it chews on fencing, revise the enclosure. Seek dental treatment early

Vitamin C deficiency

SignsBleeding gums, reluctance to walk, swollen joints, dull coat, slow wound healing, lethargy

PreventionCaviids are thought unable to make enough on their own; give leafy greens or bell pepper daily. Old pellets lose potency

Capture myopathy

SignsUnable to stand after being chased, staggering, rigidity, labored breathing, reddish-brown urine, sudden death hours to days later

PreventionNever catch it by chasing. Restrain quietly with guide boards or a dark box. Keep capture work short and in the cool hours

Pododermatitis (sore hocks)

SignsRed, hairless, raw or scabbed soles, favoring a foot, reluctance to shift weight

PreventionAvoid hard concrete or wire-mesh floors; provide soil or thick hay. Never leave the floor damp; keep it dry every day

Hypothermia / frostbite

SignsShivering, curled up and motionless, cold white ears or toes, sluggish response, reduced appetite

PreventionSomewhat cold-sensitive; below 5°C, always provide a heated shelter. Eliminate drafts and wet floors; check ears and toes daily

Leg fracture

PreventionDo not startle or chase. Remove steps and holes from the running path, and use fencing with mesh too small for a leg to enter. Support the legs when lifting

First aidDo not touch the leg or apply a splint. Confine it in a small box to limit movement, darken and keep warm. See the vet the same day without fail; immediately if it cannot stand

Collision with fencing

PreventionAvoid clear panels and thin wire; use fencing in a visible color. Keep dogs and visitors away from the fence. Avoid sudden loud noises

First aidNosebleed, staggering, or seizures suggest head trauma: rest it in a dark box and go to the vet immediately. Press bleeding with clean gauze

Cracked or torn claw

PreventionAvoid overly hard floors and wire mesh, and remove gaps that can catch a claw. Check claw length and cracks monthly; have the vet trim overgrowth

First aidPress with gauze for several minutes to stop bleeding, then move it to a clean floor away from soil or sand. If bleeding does not stop or the claw is torn out at the root, see the vet the same day

Bite wounds / lacerations

PreventionDo not house incompatible individuals or separate pairs together. Keep away from dogs and cats; regularly inspect fencing for splinters and protruding wire

First aidRinse under running water and press with clean gauze. For deep wounds, split skin with tissue visible, or bleeding that will not stop, see the vet the same day and ask about sutures

Salmonellosis

RouteHand to mouth after touching droppings, soiled floors, or feed bowls

PreventionAlways wash hands after care. Wash feed and water bowls daily, dispose of droppings outdoors; children and the elderly should take extra care

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteDirect contact with hairless patches or skin

PreventionIf you find round hair loss or dandruff, do not touch bare-handed; see the vet. Use gloves for care, replace bedding hay, and disinfect in sunlight

Leptospirosis

RouteWater or soil contaminated with urine of rats and other wildlife

PreventionKeep rats out of the outdoor enclosure and remove leftover feed. Change water daily; do not touch mud with cut hands

Tick and flea bites

RouteExternal parasites picked up outdoors bite people

PreventionKeep grass short and keep stray cats and wildlife out. Check the coat weekly; have the vet treat any parasites

Food

• Unlimited grass hay such as timothy at all times. Over 80% of the diet
• A small amount of guinea pig pellets by body weight, 1–2 times a day
• A small daily portion of vitamin C sources such as leafy greens and bell pepper. Fruit only in tiny amounts

Water

• Fresh water at all times. Several heavy ceramic dishes or large bottles
• Watch for freezing in winter and spoilage in summer; change at least twice a day

Toys & play

• A straight running track with gentle curves. Avoid sharp-angled walls
• A digging area or sandpit. Thick branches to chew and piles of hay
• A small rise or flat rock with a clear view for sunbathing

Nest, bed & hideout

• A wooden shelter that fits the pair. Two exits so it can never be cornered
• Thick hay on the shelter floor; add a heater and insulated cover in winter

Bedding & litter

• Soil, turf, thick hay or straw is ideal. Bare concrete causes pododermatitis
• It uses a particular corner as a latrine; clean that spot daily
• Always cover mud with dry soil or hay; never leave a damp floor

Cage / housing material

Fine wire mesh or board fencing at least 1.5 m high. Bury the base to prevent digging out

Size & space

At least 20–30 m² per pair. Large enough for a straight full-speed run

Layout

• Round the corners so no wall sits at the end of the running path; keep obstacles off the track
• Separate the shelter, feeding area, and latrine; keep the shelter away from foot traffic
• Always provide shade, rain cover, and sun so it can choose for itself

Placement notes

• Indoor keeping is unsuitable since it cannot run. Outdoors, keep away from neighbors' barking dogs and roads
• Add screening to block the sight of dogs, cats, and visitors outside the fence

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No walks needed, but let it run freely in the enclosure for several hours daily
• Do not take it out on a leash or in your arms. A startle can cause dislocation or fracture
• Take several days to acclimate it to new places or people; chasing games are forbidden

Temperature & humidity

Temperature15–25°C is comfortable. Below 5°C and above 30°C require countermeasures

Humidity40–60%. High humidity and wet floors cause skin disease

Summer & winter

• Summer: shade and airflow; provide cool tiles or frozen water bottles
• Winter: heater in an insulated shelter, thick hay, and protection from drafts and snow

Nail trimming

Wear down naturally when running on soil or sand. Do not force-trim overgrown or cracked claws; have the vet do it

Brushing, skin & coat care

Light brushing with a soft brush during molting. Check for skin redness, hair loss, and dandruff at the same time

Other care

Check incisor length and bite monthly. Also check daily for cold ears and toes and the condition of the soles

Protection from predators

• Bury the base of the fence at least 30 cm deep against dogs, foxes, raccoon dogs, and raccoons
• Net the top, as crows and kites target young and feed
• Clear droppings daily and keep grass short against mosquitoes, flies, and ticks

Foreign-body ingestion

Keep plastic bags, string, and plastic fragments out of the enclosure. Check fallen leaves and plantings for toxic plants. It cannot vomit, so any ingestion means a same-day vet visit

Being stepped on

It rests lying down for long periods, hidden in grass, so watch your footing during work. Keep machinery and bicycles out

Getting pinched

Legs and heads easily get caught in fence and shelter doors. Use outward-opening doors, close them quietly, and use mesh too small for a leg

Falls

Legs break easily when jumping down from platforms or rocks. No steps over 50 cm high; landing surfaces should be soil or hay

Escape

It jumps well and can clear a 1.2 m fence. If it escapes, do not chase; place feed and a shelter where its mate's calls can reach, wait quietly, and notify the police and public health center

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and relax; push the bitten part inward to ease the pressure of the teeth
2. Have a second person drape a dark cloth over its head from behind to block its view
3. The moment the jaw loosens, withdraw quietly and let it retreat toward the shelter
4. Do not chase; leave the area until both you and the animal have calmed down

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water for 5 minutes and disinfect. See a doctor if deep, swelling, or feverish. Check the animal's legs as well

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight, time of last meal, condition of droppings, any panic episode. Find a clinic that treats large rodents in advance

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and watch the ears and nose. No movement means unresponsive
• Count chest rises. Normal is about 20–40 per minute
• Feel the pulse at the inside of the hind leg. Normal is about 100–200 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press firmly with clean gauze for at least 5 minutes without letting up
• For leg bleeding, wrap in a towel and apply pressure only; do not tie tightly
• For a bleeding claw, press flour against it if no styptic powder is available

Transport

• Line a hard large-dog carrier with hay and cover it with a dark cloth
• Lift while supporting the legs; if a fracture is suspected, carry the whole box level