Guinea pig case method: 50 questions

Saturday, 3 p.m. A 3-year-old English male has not touched his hay or pellets since the morning feeding. He ate normally last night. He sits motionless in a corner of the cage, and the droppings on the floor are clearly smaller and fewer than yesterday. You occasionally hear him grinding his teeth. Room temperature is 25°C.

What is the most appropriate action for the owner in this situation?

1. Hold his favorite bell pepper to his mouth and patiently wait until he eats
2. Place hay and water close by, keep him quiet and warm, and arrange a vet visit the same day
3. Assume constipation, syringe lukewarm water into his mouth and massage his belly to get droppings out
4. Decide to go to the hospital first thing tomorrow morning if he still is not eating by night, and leave him for now

AnswerB. Place hay and water close by, keep him quiet and warm, and arrange a vet visit the same day

ExplanationIn a guinea pig, "not eating, small droppings, teeth grinding, not moving" is classic GI stasis; the gut stops moving and it becomes life-threatening as it progresses. If the last meal was last night, more than half a day has already passed, meeting the manual's rule of seeing a vet after 12 hours without eating. The correct answer is to place hay and water nearby, keep him quiet and warm, and see a vet the same day, or emergency care if at night. Just holding a favorite food and waiting loses time. Pouring liquid in on your own judgment risks aspiration, and firmly massaging the abdomen is close to contraindicated. Leaving him until the next morning is the most dangerous; stasis worsens hour by hour.

IssuesThe owner missed the early sign of reduced appetite from last night, and even after noticing the change in the morning, waited until afternoon thinking "he will eat eventually." There was no habit of checking dropping size and quantity daily, and the owner lacked knowledge that stasis is an emergency.

ImprovementAt each daily feeding, check how much hay is gone and the size and number of droppings, and keep a log. Share the rule "see a vet after 12 hours without eating" with the family, look up in advance an exotic-animal hospital that accepts after-hours emergencies, and post the contact on the refrigerator.

Weekday, 8 p.m. When you pick up a 4-year-old female, the fur from her chin to her chest is soaked. Over the past few days she has increasingly been putting hay in her mouth and dropping it, and when weighed she is 60 g lighter than last week. She moves her mouth as if chewing but does not seem to swallow. She eats pellets, but the hay is barely going down.

Which combination of most likely condition and response is correct?

1. She is only drooling from the heat, so turn up the air conditioning and watch for a few days
2. Malocclusion is suspected; get a dental exam as soon as possible from tomorrow onward
3. Assume mouth ulcers and treat by applying human mouth-ulcer ointment to her gums with a cotton swab
4. She has come to dislike hard hay, so switch to only soft vegetables and pellets

AnswerB. Malocclusion is suspected; get a dental exam as soon as possible from tomorrow onward

ExplanationA drool-wet chin, dropping hay, chewing without swallowing, and weight loss are the classic symptoms of malocclusion in guinea pigs. The teeth grow continuously for life, and overgrown molars injure the tongue or cheeks and prevent eating. The owner cannot open the mouth and treat it, so the correct answer is to get a dental exam and treatment at an animal hospital as soon as possible. A loss of 50 g or more in one week meets the threshold for a vet visit. Blaming the heat and leaving it lets the weight loss progress and may trigger stasis. Human ointment has unknown ingredients and cannot be used on guinea pigs. Stopping hay in favor of soft food means the teeth wear even less and the problem worsens.

IssuesShe had been dropping hay for several days, yet the owner assumed she was eating. Weighing was not a habit, so noticing a 60 g loss was delayed. Understanding of the basic physiology that the teeth grow continuously was insufficient.

ImprovementWeigh once a week and record it, and set a rule to see a vet at a loss of 50 g or more. Make hay at least 80% of the diet and review overfeeding of pellets and vegetables. Since vitamin C deficiency also harms the teeth, confirm daily supplementation and get a molar check-up every six months.

Sunday morning. A 5-year-old female hunches her back on the toilet and lets out a high-pitched squeal each time she urinates. There are reddish urine stains on the pee pad, and she keeps licking her rear. She has an appetite but moves sluggishly. Komatsuna has been cheap lately, so you have been giving her a generous amount daily.

What action should the owner take today?

1. Assume the red urine is pigment from the komatsuna, cut back on vegetables, and observe for about a week
2. To relieve the pain, crush a human painkiller finely, mix it into water, and have her drink it
3. Save the urine-stained pad and photograph it, and see a vet the same day for a urine test
4. To empty the bladder, press firmly on her lower abdomen and squeeze the urine out

AnswerC. Save the urine-stained pad and photograph it, and see a vet the same day for a urine test

ExplanationSquealing when urinating, bloody urine, licking the rear, and a hunched back are signs of urinary stones or cystitis in guinea pigs. Daily large amounts of calcium-rich komatsuna are a risk factor for stones. The correct answer is to save the urine with the pad, photograph it, and see a vet the same day for a urine test and X-rays to check for stones. If you assume pigment and watch for a week, a stone could lodge in the urethra and stop urine; no urine for a full day becomes a life-threatening emergency. Human painkillers have unknown dosage and safety and are dangerous. Pressing hard on the lower abdomen risks bladder rupture and must never be done.

IssuesThe owner did not know the risk of overfeeding high-calcium vegetables and let price skew the diet. The owner was at risk of self-interpreting a clear abnormality, bloody urine, as pigment, and lacked understanding that guinea pig urinary disease can deteriorate rapidly.

ImprovementKeep high-calcium foods such as komatsuna and alfalfa to small amounts and combine red bell pepper as a vitamin C source. Check the water bottle level daily to ensure adequate hydration. Look at the pee pad daily to observe urine color and volume, and make it a habit to photograph, save, and see a vet immediately when anything is abnormal.

A winter evening. A 1-year-old male walks dragging a hind leg, and the area around his knee looks swollen. You do not recall him falling or hitting anything. His coat has become dull, and his gums look red and seeping. For the past 2 months you have been too busy to give vegetables, and you have been using discounted rabbit pellets.

What is the most appropriate judgment in this situation?

1. Vitamin C deficiency is strongly suspected. Give bell pepper and see a vet the same day for tests
2. Judge it a sprain, wrap the leg in a bandage to immobilize it, and rest him in the cage for 2 weeks
3. If it is vitamin C deficiency, crush one human vitamin tablet, dissolve it in water, and keep giving it
4. The joint just hurts from the winter cold, so turn up the heater and wait until spring

AnswerA. Vitamin C deficiency is strongly suspected. Give bell pepper and see a vet the same day for tests

ExplanationLimping, swollen joints, a dull coat, and bleeding gums with no injury strongly suggest vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), a condition specific to guinea pigs. Guinea pigs cannot make vitamin C in the body, and rabbit pellets have no added vitamin C, so 2 months of deficiency can cause illness. The correct answer is to give fresh vegetables such as bell pepper while seeing a vet the same day for blood tests and proper supplementation. Assuming a sprain and bandaging misses the cause and can impair blood flow through compression. Human supplements have unknown dosing with risks of overdose and additives, and must not be continued on your own judgment. Blaming the cold and leaving it will worsen until he cannot walk.

IssuesThe owner disregarded the fundamental physiology that guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C and substituted rabbit pellets. There was a 2-month gap with no vegetables, and the changes in coat and gums were not noticed early.

ImprovementAlways use guinea pig-specific vitamin C-fortified pellets and give small amounts of red bell pepper or komatsuna daily. During busy periods, set up a system so supplementation never lapses, such as chopping bell pepper on the weekend and refrigerating it in portions. Check the gums and gait once a month.

August, 2 p.m. You return from an outing to find the air conditioner off and the room thermometer reading 32°C. A 2-year-old Abyssinian is lying down, breathing rapidly with his mouth open and drooling. His ears are hot to the touch and he responds poorly when called. The water bottle has barely gone down, and the cage was by a window that gets the afternoon sun.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Submerge his body in a basin of ice water to bring his temperature down all at once
2. Move him to a cool room, wrap his body in a damp towel, and direct a fan at him
3. Turn on the air conditioner, give him water, and watch until the next morning
4. Syringe a large amount of refrigerator-chilled water into his mouth

AnswerB. Move him to a cool room, wrap his body in a damp towel, and direct a fan at him

ExplanationOpen-mouth rapid breathing, drooling, limpness, and hot ears are classic heatstroke in guinea pigs; left untreated it progresses to seizures and death. First move him to a cool room, wrap his body in a damp towel and direct a fan at him to lower his temperature gently, and offer water little by little. Even if he seems to recover, internal organ damage remains, so see a vet the same day. Submerging in ice water causes sudden vasoconstriction and shock, and the body temperature actually fails to drop, which is dangerous. Watching until morning with only the air conditioner leaves organ damage to progress. Forcing large amounts of cold water causes aspiration and a sudden temperature drop.

IssuesWhen going out in midsummer, there was no backup for an air conditioner failure and no way to check the room temperature remotely. Awareness that guinea pigs are prone to heatstroke above 28°C was lacking, and no cooling aids were kept near the cage.

ImprovementRun the air conditioner 24 hours in summer, and keep an aluminum plate and a frozen water bottle in the cage in case of a power outage or mis-operation. Use a logging or smart thermometer so you can check the room temperature from outside, and put the cage in the coolest room when you go out.

A 4-month-old female adopted from a pet shop last month suddenly twists her body and leaps at night, scratching violently and continuously. She has hair loss, dandruff, and scabs on her back. She occasionally stiffens and thrashes as if having a seizure, so the family worries it is epilepsy. The bedding has not been changed in 2 weeks.

What is the most appropriate action for the owner?

1. Judge it an epileptic seizure, keep filming, and watch until the seizure subsides
2. Apply a small amount of dog flea-and-tick spot-on to the back of her neck and treat at home
3. Suspect a skin disease such as mites, change the bedding, and see a vet today or tomorrow for tests
4. Assume dryness is the cause and rub human moisturizing cream over her whole body

AnswerC. Suspect a skin disease such as mites, change the bedding, and see a vet today or tomorrow for tests

ExplanationIntense itching, hair loss, dandruff, and scabs in guinea pigs are classic signs of skin disease from mites or fungus; with sarcoptic mites in particular, the itching is so severe that the animal thrashes as if seizing, which is easily mistaken for epilepsy. Newly adopted animals often bring infections, and damp bedding worsens it. The correct answer is to change the bedding to keep things clean and see a vet today or tomorrow for a mite test and proper parasite treatment. Assuming a seizure and just filming prolongs suffering and worsens the skin. Dog spot-on products are dosed for a completely different body weight and risk poisoning. Human moisturizer is ingested by licking, does nothing against mites, and the infection spreads. Sarcoptic mites also transfer to people, so handle with care.

IssuesThe new animal was not quarantined and observed, and bedding changes were infrequent, delaying detection of the skin disease and prevention of worsening. Lack of knowledge risked misidentifying itch-driven thrashing as epilepsy, and the owner did not grasp that skin disease can be zoonotic.

ImprovementQuarantine new animals for 2–3 weeks, observe skin and behavior, and get an early health check. Keep bedding dry and clean, changing damp parts daily. Handle itchy animals with gloves, wash hands with soap after touching, and see a dermatologist if a family member develops a rash.

At the weekly Sunday weigh-in, a 7-year-old male has dropped from 1,050 g last week to 980 g. He looks normal and seems to be eating hay, but he is active less than before and often sleeps in a corner of the cage. The number of droppings is unchanged, but they seem a bit smaller.

What is the most appropriate response to this weight change?

1. Consider it natural thinning with age, double his pellets, and wait for next week's weigh-in
2. The weight loss meets the threshold for a vet visit, so see a vet within a few days for a full exam
3. Judge it summer fatigue and give high-calorie foods such as yogurt and fruit daily
4. He looks fine, so do nothing until an obvious symptom appears

AnswerB. The weight loss meets the threshold for a vet visit, so see a vet within a few days for a full exam

ExplanationFor guinea pigs, a loss of 50 g or more in one week is the threshold for a vet visit, and a 70 g loss exceeds it. In senior animals, hidden diseases such as dental problems, kidney disease, tumors, and chronic vitamin C deficiency often first appear as weight loss. Even if he looks normal, the correct answer is to see a vet within a few days for dental, blood, and X-ray exams. Increasing pellets and waiting misses the cause and invites obesity and nutritional imbalance. Dairy like yogurt and fruit are unsuitable for guinea pigs and cause diarrhea and GI upset. Waiting for obvious symptoms lets the disease progress and narrows treatment options.

IssuesRegular weighing was a good habit, but the owner had no criteria for interpreting the numbers and risked assuming thinning was natural with age. Reduced activity and the change in droppings were not linked to the weight loss.

ImprovementWrite the rule "see a vet at a loss of 50 g or more in one week" on paper and post it next to the weight chart. Get senior animals a check-up every six months and keep records of dental and blood status. Photograph dropping size so changes can be compared.

A spring weekend. Since yesterday, a 2-year-old female's droppings have lost their shape and become soft, and the cage is soiled. Last week you switched her abruptly to a new brand of pellets and also tried giving her wild greens picked from the garden. Her appetite is a little reduced, but she is eating hay. The fur around her rear is soiled with droppings.

What is the most appropriate response at this stage?

1. Give a small dose of human anti-diarrhea medicine, continue the same diet, and observe
2. Assume too much fluid, remove the water bottle, and restrict water
3. Stop the new foods, return to a hay-based diet, and see a vet the same day, bringing droppings
4. Soft droppings are common in spring, so just clean the floor and leave it for a week

AnswerC. Stop the new foods, return to a hay-based diet, and see a vet the same day, bringing droppings

ExplanationAn abrupt diet change and wild greens of unknown origin are classic causes of soft droppings and diarrhea in guinea pigs, and soft droppings are a symptom that warrants a same-day vet visit. The correct answer is to stop the new foods, return to a fiber-rich hay-based diet, and see a vet the same day with droppings for parasite and bacterial testing. A soiled rear invites dermatitis and fly infestation, so spot-wash with lukewarm water and dry. Human anti-diarrhea medicine can stop gut motility and cause stasis, and is close to contraindicated in small animals. Restricting water during diarrhea causes rapid dehydration, which is fatal in a small body. Leaving it for a week causes dehydration and loss of strength, and if infectious, spreads to cagemates.

IssuesThe pellets were switched all at once rather than gradually, and garden greens with possible pesticide or animal-waste contamination were fed. The owner did not understand how heavily a diet change burdens guinea pig digestion and did not know soft droppings warrant a vet visit.

ImprovementWhen changing diet, mix the new food into the old gradually over 1–2 weeks. Do not give wild greens, or only try washed, verified-safe ones in small amounts. Check droppings daily and keep the rule that soft, small, or few droppings mean a same-day vet visit. Do not leave the rear soiled; keep it clean with spot washing.

A winter night. A 3-year-old male whose cage is by the window has had a runny nose and repeated sneezing for several days, and tonight there is a wheezing sound with each breath. He has eye discharge and his appetite has dropped. Cold air comes in through a gap in the window, and because a humidifier is running, humidity is over 75%.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Assume a cold, give him warm water with honey dissolved in it, turn up the heating, and put him to bed
2. Suspect respiratory disease, move him to a warm, draft-free spot, and see a vet by tomorrow
3. Humidity is high, so open the window to ventilate and let the cold air clear his nose
4. Crush a small amount of human nasal allergy medicine, mix it into pellets, and observe

AnswerB. Suspect respiratory disease, move him to a warm, draft-free spot, and see a vet by tomorrow

ExplanationRunny nose, sneezing, breathing sounds, eye discharge, and reduced appetite are symptoms of respiratory infection, and respiratory disease in guinea pigs progresses quickly and becomes dangerous once it reaches pneumonia. The correct answer is to first move him away from the drafty window to a draft-free spot at 18–24°C, bring humidity back to 40–60%, and see a vet by tomorrow for appropriate treatment such as antibiotics. If breathing becomes rapid and open-mouthed, see a vet immediately. Honey is high in sugar, hard on digestion, and no cure. Opening the window to cold air robs body heat and worsens things. Many human nasal medicines contain ingredients dangerous to guinea pigs and must never be given.

IssuesHousing conditions that invite respiratory disease, temperature swings by the window and a humid environment, were left as they were. The owner did not see a vet at the runny-nose stage days earlier, so symptoms progressed to audible breathing. The humidity guideline was unknown.

ImprovementKeep the cage away from temperature swings at windows and entryways, raised off the floor in a draft-free spot. Install a thermo-hygrometer and maintain 18–24°C and 40–60%. Decide to see a vet if a runny nose or sneezing lasts 2 days, and share with the family that rapid or open-mouth breathing means an immediate vet visit.

Sunday, 11 p.m. A 6-year-old male has left no urine marks on the pee pad since last night, and today he has repeatedly sat on the toilet with his back hunched, squeaking softly each time he strains. His lower belly feels hard and distended to the touch. His appetite has also dropped. Your regular vet is closed.

What is the most appropriate judgment at this point?

1. The urethra may be obstructed; find an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital and go right now
2. Assume dehydration, mix sports drink into the water bottle, have him drink it, and wait until morning
3. Wait until your regular vet reopens, warming his lower abdomen in the meantime to encourage urination
4. The bladder is full, so press his lower abdomen with both hands to squeeze the urine out

AnswerA. The urethra may be obstructed; find an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital and go right now

ExplanationNo urine for a full day, squeaking in a urination posture, and a hard, distended lower belly indicate a likely urethral obstruction from a stone, an emergency in guinea pigs requiring an immediate vet visit. If the obstruction continues, bladder rupture or acute kidney failure can kill within hours to a day. Even if your regular vet is closed, the only correct answer is to find an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital and go right now. Mixing in sports drink does not relieve the obstruction and the sugar and salt add strain. Waiting until the next day or later lets kidney damage progress, and warming does not move the stone. Pressing the lower abdomen to squeeze carries an extremely high risk of bladder rupture and must never be done.

IssuesThe owner noticed no urine since last night yet let nearly a day pass. No alternative hospital for closed days had been researched, and knowledge was lacking that urinary obstruction is an emergency that becomes life-threatening within hours.

ImprovementResearch at least two emergency hospitals that see small animals at night and on holidays, and note their phone numbers and directions. Check the pee pad daily and record urine volume and color. Limit high-calcium foods and ensure plenty of water to prevent stones. Make it a habit to see a vet the same day at the stage of squealing when urinating.

September, 7 a.m. Yesterday the room reached 29°C in the heat, and from evening there were leftover pellets. This morning, a 4-year-old female is curled up and motionless, and her belly is tight and distended to the touch. She has passed almost no droppings and is grinding her teeth. The last time she ate properly was yesterday at noon.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Massage her belly hard and for a long time to release gas, and wait until she eats
2. She has not eaten for over half a day and has abdominal distension, so see a vet right when they open, or go to emergency care now
3. Push sweet fruit such as apple or banana into her mouth to stimulate appetite
4. Watch until evening, and if she still is not eating, see a vet the next day

AnswerB. She has not eaten for over half a day and has abdominal distension, so see a vet right when they open, or go to emergency care now

ExplanationMore than half a day since the last proper meal, together with abdominal distension, fewer droppings, teeth grinding, and immobility, indicates advanced GI stasis with possible bloat. The stress of heat is a compounding factor. This meets the manual's rule of an immediate vet visit after 12 hours without eating, so the correct answer is to see a vet right when they open, or go to emergency care now if it is night or early morning. Hard, prolonged abdominal massage is dangerous when the gut is distended with gas, risking rupture and severe pain. Sweet fruit increases gas in the gut and worsens things. Waiting until evening is a fatal delay in a disease that worsens hour by hour.

IssuesThe room reached 29°C the day before, and the beginning of reduced appetite was missed in the evening. Awareness of the link between heat and stasis, and that stasis is a life-threatening emergency, was weak, so even faced with the serious symptom of abdominal distension the owner might have chosen to wait and see.

ImprovementKeep the air conditioner running in September, when late-summer heat often exceeds 28°C. If there are leftovers at the evening feeding, check droppings and the abdomen without waiting for morning, and see a vet immediately if she has not eaten by morning. Note the contacts of your regular vet and an emergency hospital, and keep a carrier ready with hay so you can leave at once.

A winter night. Six months ago you switched the cage floor to a wire grate to make cleaning easier. A 5-year-old male who is on the heavy side at 1.4 kg has recently been reluctant to walk; when you pick him up and look at his feet, the heels of both hind feet are red and swollen, and one has a scab. His nails are also overgrown and curling.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Remove the wire floor, lay soft bedding thickly, and see a vet for the swelling and scab rather than treating them yourself
2. Peel off the scab, apply antiseptic, wrap a bandage, and keep him on the wire floor as before
3. Reluctance to walk is just aging, so make the cage smaller so he does not move
4. Assume calluses and apply over-the-counter corn remover and observe

AnswerA. Remove the wire floor, lay soft bedding thickly, and see a vet for the swelling and scab rather than treating them yourself

ExplanationWire floors, obesity, overgrown nails, and damp flooring are the leading causes of footpad inflammation (pododermatitis) in guinea pigs, and left untreated, infection reaches the bone and becomes incurable. At the stage of scabs or swelling, the correct answer is to see a vet rather than treating it yourself, and at the same time remove the wire floor, lay soft bedding thickly, trim the nails, and start weight loss. See a vet within a few days, or the same day if there is bleeding or he cannot walk. Peeling the scab and bandaging worsens infection, and leaving the wire floor causes recurrence. Shrinking the cage worsens obesity, and immobility prolongs pressure on the footpads. Human corn remover contains keratolytic agents that damage the skin and may cause poisoning if licked.

IssuesThe owner prioritized ease of cleaning and chose a wire floor without knowing that wire floors are unacceptable for guinea pigs. Obesity and overgrown nails were also neglected, and there was no habit of checking the footpads regularly.

ImprovementUse a wooden or plastic grate with a thick layer of paper chips or a cloth mat on top, and change urine-damp parts daily. Trim nails and weigh monthly, and limit pellets to 3–5% of body weight for weight loss. Check the footpads for redness whenever you pick him up.

In the evening, while you were standing and holding a 2-year-old female watching TV, she suddenly struggled and fell from your arms to the floor. The height was about 1 m. Right after the fall she ran back to her cage, but 10 minutes later she is dragging her left hind leg and squeals in protest when you try to touch it. There is no visible bleeding.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Since she could run on her own, judge there is no fracture and watch until next week
2. Splint the leg with a chopstick and bandage, and give human medicine as a painkiller
3. Do not splint; pad a carrier with towels, keep her still, and see a vet the same day
4. Pull and bend the leg to check the range of motion and confirm the pain

AnswerC. Do not splint; pad a carrier with towels, keep her still, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationA 1 m fall is more than enough to cause a fracture or spinal injury in a guinea pig's small body, and it is not unusual for pain and swelling to appear later even if she could run right after the fall. Dragging the leg and squealing when touched suggests a fracture, so the correct answer is for the owner not to splint it but to restrict movement in a towel-padded carrier and see a vet the same day for X-rays. If the limbs do not move, see a vet immediately. Judging she is fine because she could run and leaving her a week lets the bone heal displaced, leaving pain and a gait disorder. An amateur splint worsens bone displacement, and human medicine is dangerous. Pulling the leg to check range of motion moves the fracture and extends the damage.

IssuesThe owner held her while standing, not in a position to set her down on the floor when she struggled. Awareness was lacking that guinea pigs freeze or suddenly struggle when alarmed, and that falls while being held are the main cause of fractures.

ImprovementAlways sit on the floor to hold, support the chest and rear with both hands, keep her low, and keep it brief. Put her down on the floor as soon as she shows signs of struggling. Never put her on a sofa, bed, or table. After a fall, watch her gait for several hours even if she seems fine, and see a vet the same day if anything is abnormal.

You keep two 6-month-old males in the same cage. At night, you rush over at the sound of loud squealing and chasing and find one has a bite wound on the back of his neck, seeping blood. The other is agitated and chattering his teeth. They had always gotten along, so you are surprised.

What is the most appropriate action?

1. Keep them in the same cage to let them make up, and let the wound dry naturally
2. Separate them into different cages at once, press the wound with clean gauze, and see a vet the same day
3. Scold the one who bit as punishment and shut him in a dark box to reflect on it
4. Apply a generous amount of human wound ointment and see a vet on your day off next week

AnswerB. Separate them into different cages at once, press the wound with clean gauze, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationMale guinea pigs begin fighting fiercely over territory from sexual maturity at around 5–6 months, and can suddenly bite each other even if they got along before. Bite wounds readily become abscesses with pus under the skin, so the correct answer is to separate them at once to prevent another attack, press the wound with clean gauze to stop the bleeding, and see a vet the same day for cleaning and antibiotic treatment. Watching while they stay together leads to another fight during the night and worse injuries. Scolding or confining is not understood by the animal and causes stress-related illness. Human wound ointment is ingested by licking, cannot prevent infection under the skin, and by a vet visit a week later the abscess will have grown.

IssuesThe owner did not anticipate fighting between males after maturity and may not have provided hideouts and feeding spots for two. There was no spare cage or plan to separate based on compatibility, and the signs of conflict (chasing, teeth chattering) were missed.

ImprovementCarefully assess compatibility between males after maturity and separate without hesitation if conflict appears. Place more feeding spots, water, and hideouts than the number of animals, spaced apart, and always keep a spare cage. If housing together, choose a compatible same-sex pair and consult a vet about neutering.

A weekend morning. While trimming the dark nails of a 3-year-old female, she struggled and you cut too deep; blood is dripping from the tip of the nail. The guinea pig startled and ran, leaving a trail of blood spots on the floor. There is no styptic powder in the house, but there is flour and clean gauze.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Keep rinsing the wound under running water to clean off the blood and wait for it to stop on its own
2. Press with clean gauze for a few minutes, and if it does not stop, press flour onto it to stop the bleeding
3. Finish trimming the remaining nails the same day, then stop the bleeding all at once
4. Spray alcohol on the wound to disinfect, wrap an adhesive bandage, and leave it

AnswerB. Press with clean gauze for a few minutes, and if it does not stop, press flour onto it to stop the bleeding

ExplanationFor bleeding from a nail cut too deep, the correct first aid is to press firmly with clean gauze for a few minutes, and if it does not stop, press styptic powder or flour onto the nail tip, matching the manual's response to nail bleeding. Most stop within a few minutes, but if the nail is broken at the base, the bleeding does not stop, or blood keeps dripping, keep pressing and see a vet. Continuous rinsing prevents clotting and prolongs bleeding. Continuing to trim the other nails causes severe stress and fear, and she may struggle and get cut deeper. Alcohol is a strong irritant that increases pain, and an adhesive bandage cannot be wrapped on a tiny foot and may be chewed and swallowed.

IssuesThe owner tried to cut deep in one go despite dark nails making the quick hard to see, and restrained a struggling animal alone. There was a lack of preparation, starting trimming without styptic powder, and insufficient knowledge of calming and restraint.

ImprovementTrim dark nails a little at a time over several sessions, and for nails with a visible clear part, stop short of the quick. Have styptic powder and gauze at hand before trimming, and if possible work in pairs with one person restraining. If it is difficult, have the vet trim them, and make it a monthly routine.

At night, the moment you closed the cage's sliding door after returning him from floor time, there was a shriek. A 1-year-old male's right front foot was caught between the door and the frame. You opened the door right away, but the tip of the foot is swollen and red, and he walks holding it up. One toe appears bent in an unnatural direction.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Straighten the bent toe yourself and tape it to the neighboring toe
2. Do not touch the foot; keep him still in a carrier and see a vet the same day, or emergency care if at night
3. Hold ice directly on the foot for 30 minutes to reduce the swelling
4. It was only a light pinch, so watch until morning; if he can walk, there is no problem

AnswerB. Do not touch the foot; keep him still in a carrier and see a vet the same day, or emergency care if at night

ExplanationSwelling and a deformed toe after being caught in a door very likely mean a fracture or dislocation. Guinea pig feet are delicate, and trying to straighten the toe yourself lets bone fragments damage nerves and blood vessels, so the correct answer is not to touch it, restrict movement in a towel-lined carrier, and see a vet the same day, or emergency care at night, for X-rays and proper immobilization. Holding ice directly for 30 minutes risks frostbite and hypothermia in a small body, and with the foot numb, pressure adds tissue damage. Leaving it until morning increases swelling and pain, and the deformity may set. Limbs that do not move or are dragged also meet the criterion for an immediate vet visit.

IssuesThere was no habit of checking the position of the limbs before closing the cage door, and the owner did not know that guinea pigs are prone to getting caught in doors. Awareness that their delicate legs fracture easily was also lacking.

ImprovementAlways check the position of the limbs and body before closing a cage door or room door. During floor time, put a stopper on the room door and arrange the pen so he cannot approach closing doors. Post the emergency hospital's contact on the cage and keep a towel-lined carrier within easy reach.

A January morning. You had laid a panel heater across the entire cage floor with only a single thin towel on top and left her for the night. In the morning, looking at the belly of a 6-year-old female, the skin is red and raw, with part of it whitish and hard. She does not show much sign of pain, but she will not move off the heater.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. She is not in pain, so judge it minor, lower the heater temperature slightly, and continue
2. Apply human burn ointment or oil to the area and observe while keeping her warm
3. Move the heater to cover only part of the cage, do not touch the area, and see a vet the same day
4. Keep cooling the area for a long time with a towel soaked in ice water to take away the pain

AnswerC. Move the heater to cover only part of the cage, do not touch the area, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationLow-temperature burns damage deep into the skin even at around 40°C with prolonged contact, and redness or white, hard areas are already signs of a deep burn. Guinea pigs do not dig burrows and tend not to move away from a warm spot, so a heater across the entire cage removes any escape and causes accidents. The correct answer is to first move the heater to cover only part of the cage so she can get away, put nothing on the area, and see a vet the same day for treatment. Lack of pain suggests nerve damage. Human ointment or oil risks infection and poisoning from licking, and does nothing for a deep injury. Prolonged ice-water cooling causes hypothermia and is actually dangerous in small animals.

IssuesThe panel heater was laid across the entire cage, in a configuration where the animal could not escape the heat. The barrier between heater and body was thin, and the owner did not know the mechanism of low-temperature burns or that guinea pigs, which tend to stay put, are especially prone to them.

ImprovementIn winter, place the heater under only part of the cage so she can always choose between a warm spot and a cool spot. Put a thick mat over the heater and check the surface temperature with a thermometer. When covering the whole cage, watch for temperature differences and ventilation, and make it a habit to check the belly skin morning and evening.

On a weekend afternoon, you set up a pen in the living room and let a 2-year-old female play, when the family cat, who was supposed to be in another room, slipped in through a gap in the door and pounced on the guinea pig's back. You pulled them apart at once, but there are two small puncture-like wounds on her back with slight bleeding. The guinea pig is frozen and motionless, breathing rapidly.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. The wounds are small, so disinfect, put on an adhesive bandage, and watch for a few days
2. The risk of infection from bacteria in the cat's mouth is high, so press with gauze and see a vet right now
3. She is in shock, so rub her body vigorously to stimulate her and force her to run and move
4. She is scared, so introduce her to the cat to get her used to it and prevent future accidents

AnswerB. The risk of infection from bacteria in the cat's mouth is high, so press with gauze and see a vet right now

ExplanationPuncture wounds from a cat's canines are deep even if they look small, and bacteria from the mouth (such as Pasteurella) enter under the skin, so in a small animal like a guinea pig infection can spread within hours and cause sudden death from sepsis. In addition, freezing and rapid breathing indicate shock from a predator attack. The correct answer is to press the wounds with gauze to stop the bleeding and see a vet right now in a dark, quiet carrier for antibiotics and shock treatment. Disinfecting, bandaging, and watching for days is the most dangerous choice, as infection progresses under the skin. Vigorous rubbing or forced movement worsens shock. Introducing her to the cat increases fear; to a guinea pig, a cat is always a predator and coexistence is impossible.

IssuesWhen doing floor time in a home with a cat, the door to the cat's room was not securely closed. Awareness was lacking that a cat is a predator to a guinea pig and that even a small bite can be fatal. Despite the pen, the gap in the door as an entry route was not anticipated.

ImprovementIn homes with dogs or cats, keep the guinea pig in a separate room and put a lid and latch on the cage. During floor time, securely isolate the cat in another room and double-check that the door is closed. Share with the family the rule that any contact with a predator means an immediate vet visit.

In the morning, a 1-year-old female's hind toe was tangled in a frayed thread from the old cloth mat lining the cage. You hurriedly cut the thread and freed her, but the tip of the toe is swollen and purple, and she holds the foot up. The thread seems to have been wound quite tightly, and you do not know how long it had been tangled.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Consider it resolved since the thread is off, and keep using that mat
2. The swelling will go down once blood flow returns, so massage and warm the toe and watch for a week
3. Impaired blood flow may cause tissue death, so see a vet the same day
4. Prick the swollen part with a needle to drain the blood, disinfect, and bandage

AnswerC. Impaired blood flow may cause tissue death, so see a vet the same day

ExplanationWhen a thread is wound tightly around a toe and stops blood flow, swelling and purple discoloration remain even after removal, and the tissue can die, resulting in loss of the toe. Especially when you do not know how long it was tangled, the correct answer is to see a vet the same day for assessment of blood flow and treatment. Removing the thread does not necessarily resolve it, and using the same mat causes a recurrence. Massaging and warming the toe damages the injured tissue, and leaving it for a week lets tissue death and infection progress. Pricking with a needle to drain blood only invites infection and bleeding and does not improve blood flow. The manual also calls for caution about cloth lint and fraying, and for preventing nails and feet from catching.

IssuesThe old, frayed cloth mat was kept in use rather than replaced. Awareness was lacking that cloth items also pose a risk of guinea pigs swallowing lint and require daily inspection. Observing the cage morning and night might have allowed earlier detection.

ImprovementDiscard cloth mats as soon as the edges fray, and avoid terry cloth with looped threads. Check for frayed threads and the animal's feet at each daily change. Consider switching to bedding that does not tangle, such as paper chips. Have a rule to see a vet the same day when an abnormality is found.

In the evening, a 3-year-old male keeps rubbing his mouth with his front paws, and there is a little blood-tinged drool at his mouth. He suddenly began to resist partway through eating hay. When you peek into his mouth, a hard hay stem appears to be stuck in his gum, but he struggles and you cannot confirm.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Probe deep into the mouth with tweezers and pull the hay out by force
2. Since the mouth cannot be examined, do not force it open; see a vet the same day for treatment
3. Remove all hay until the bleeding stops and give only pellets and vegetables for a few days
4. Rubbing the mouth is just a habit, so watch for a few days

AnswerB. Since the mouth cannot be examined, do not force it open; see a vet the same day for treatment

ExplanationWhen a hay stem or awn pierces the gum or cheek, a guinea pig rubs his mouth and produces blood-tinged drool. Forcing instruments into a struggling animal's mouth can injure the mouth, push the object deeper, and get the owner bitten. A lodged foreign body becomes an abscess if left, so the correct answer is not to force the mouth open but to see a vet the same day for safe removal. Mouth problems can be indistinguishable from early malocclusion, so a vet's check of the molars is needed. Removing all hay for a soft diet lets the teeth overgrow and invites GI stasis. Dismissing the mouth-rubbing as a habit and waiting days lets infection spread and leads from reduced appetite to stasis.

IssuesThe owner was inclined to treat the mouth problem personally and did not understand the danger of oral procedures on a struggling small animal. The owner may have chosen hay with many hard stems or not checked hay quality.

ImprovementChoose hay with few overly hard stems or sharp parts, and loosen it lightly by hand before feeding to remove foreign matter. Set a rule to see a vet the same day for mouth abnormalities (drooling, mouth rubbing, dropping hay). Always leave oral procedures to the vet and never put fingers or instruments in the mouth at home.

An 8-year-old child tried to pick up a 2-year-old female and grabbed her tightly, and the guinea pig bit the child's finger and would not let go. The child is crying in pain and trying to shake the hand free. The guinea pig is also squealing with her body rigid. The parent nearby is unsure what to do.

What is the most appropriate first response for the parent?

1. Pull the child's hand hard to shake the guinea pig off and drop her to the floor to release
2. Tap the guinea pig's nose to startle her into opening her mouth
3. Have the child stop moving, quietly rest the bitten hand on the floor, and wait for her to let go
4. Splash water to startle her, then throw her into the cage to reflect on it

AnswerC. Have the child stop moving, quietly rest the bitten hand on the floor, and wait for her to let go

ExplanationWhen a guinea pig bites and will not let go, the correct response is to stop moving the bitten hand, quietly rest the hand on the floor, stroke her back with the free hand to calm her, and without putting fingers near the mouth, wait a few seconds for her to release. Shaking the hand free breaks teeth or injures the jaw, and a fall leads to fractures or spinal injury. Tapping the nose, splashing water, or throwing her in strengthens fear and distrust, leads to more biting afterward, and injures the animal. Once released, return her to her house and leave her alone for a while; wash the person's wound under running water with soap and disinfect, and see a doctor for deep wounds, swelling, or pus.

IssuesAdults had not taught the child in advance that grabbing tightly and lifting while standing is the handling guinea pigs fear most. The correct way to release a bite had not been shared with the family, so there was a danger of shaking free in a panic.

ImprovementWhen a child holds her, an adult accompanies and teaches sitting on the floor and supporting the whole body with both hands. Make grabbing, chasing, and sudden lifting off-limits. Write the 4 steps for a bite (stop, floor, stroke, wait) on paper and post it, and always wash and disinfect after a bite.

The rainy season. A 4-year-old Peruvian whose brushing you skipped for 2 weeks has developed a large mat on her belly; the skin is pulled, red, and raw, with a small wound and a moist, weeping area in part. The mat is damp with urine and smells. You tried to cut it with scissors, but she moved and it was dangerous.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Give her a full bath, untangle the mat while wet, and let her air-dry
2. Avoid treating mats close to the skin yourself; see a vet today or tomorrow for treatment of the wounded area
3. Hold her down firmly so you do not cut the skin and cut the whole mat off in one go
4. Apply human anti-itch cream to the wound; the mat can be cut once it grows out

AnswerB. Avoid treating mats close to the skin yourself; see a vet today or tomorrow for treatment of the wounded area

ExplanationIn long-haired breeds, mats pull the skin and cause rawness and wounds, and when kept damp with urine there is a risk of dermatitis, fungal infection, and in summer fly eggs being laid. Cutting a mat tight against the skin with scissors frequently cuts the thin skin along with it, so the correct answer is to avoid self-treatment of the wounded area and see a vet today or tomorrow for clipping and skin treatment. Guinea pigs do not need full baths; a wet mat clumps even tighter and causes hypothermia and skin disease. Holding her down firmly and cutting in one go leads to the typical accident of cutting the skin. Human anti-itch cream is ingested by licking, and leaving the mat, the cause, makes things worse.

IssuesLong-haired breeds need daily brushing, yet it was neglected for 2 weeks, and the rainy-season humidity plus urine-soiled bedding worsened the skin. The owner made the dangerous decision to cut with scissors without knowing where the mat ended and the skin began.

ImprovementBrush long-haired breeds such as Peruvians daily, and keep the fur around the rear and belly trimmed short to prevent urine soiling. Spot-change bedding daily to keep it dry, and keep humidity at or below 60% in the rainy season. When mats form, work only on parts away from the skin a little at a time, and leave those tight against the skin to the hospital.

At night during floor time, as you headed to the kitchen, you stepped on the belly of a 3-year-old male who was clinging to your feet. He shrieked and ran off, but then crouched in a corner of the cage, breathing shallow and fast. There is no blood visible around his mouth, but when he tries to stand, his hind legs seem to have no strength.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Put him in a dark box until the pain passes, and see a vet if he still cannot walk tomorrow
2. Internal organ or spinal injury is suspected, so keep him still without moving him and go to emergency care right now
3. Hold both hind legs and move them to check whether they work
4. Assume he is fine if he can eat, and hold bell pepper to his mouth to make him eat

AnswerB. Internal organ or spinal injury is suspected, so keep him still without moving him and go to emergency care right now

ExplanationWhen a person's weight lands on the abdomen, a small guinea pig is highly likely to have organ rupture, internal bleeding, or spinal injury, and hind legs with no strength are a serious sign of spinal injury. Shallow, rapid breathing indicates pain, shock, or chest and abdominal injury. Limbs not moving after a fall or crushing meets the criterion for an immediate vet visit, so the correct answer is to move him as little as possible in a towel-lined carrier and head to emergency care right now, even at night. Waiting until tomorrow lets internal bleeding progress until it is too late. Holding and moving the legs extends spinal or fracture damage. Whether he can eat does not indicate severity, and making him eat is itself a stressor.

IssuesThe owner did not know that guinea pigs tend to cling to your feet and that trampling accidents are common, and walked without looking down during floor time. The play area was not partitioned with a pen and overlapped with the path people walk.

ImprovementPartition floor time with a pen, separate from where people walk. Even when tending inside the pen, always check your feet and make a habit of looking down when walking. Check under the sofa and cushions before sitting. Note the emergency hospital's contact and decide in advance that any crushing accident means a vet visit regardless of symptoms.

During floor time, a 1-year-old female slipped through a gap in the pen, crawled under the sofa, and has not come out for over 30 minutes. It is too dark to see underneath, and when you reach in, she runs further back. The sofa is heavy, and moving it could crush her. The family suggests driving her out with a stick.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Drive her out by force from the back with a stick or vacuum cleaner
2. Lift and move the sofa, and catch her when she comes out startled
3. Place the scent of a favorite food and a dark box near the exit, keep the room quiet, and wait for her to come out
4. Leave her to come out on her own, go out as is, and check at night

AnswerC. Place the scent of a favorite food and a dark box near the exit, keep the room quiet, and wait for her to come out

ExplanationGuinea pigs do not jump but squeeze into gaps, and when frightened they retreat further back. As the manual's escape response says, the correct answer is to place the scent of a favorite food (such as bell pepper) and a dark box near the exit, keep the room quiet, and wait for her to come out on her own. The dark box gives reassurance as a hideout. Driving her out with a stick or vacuum causes her to freeze or bolt in fear, risking getting stuck inside furniture or tangled in cords. Lifting and moving the sofa leads to crushing or pinching accidents. Leaving her and going out risks her chewing cords under the sofa or a family member unknowingly sitting on the sofa and crushing her. Once she comes out, check her body for injuries.

IssuesThe pen had a gap, and the owner had not anticipated that guinea pigs squeeze through gaps. Hazards in the floor-time area such as under the sofa and cords were not blocked off in advance, and the family had not agreed on what to do if she escaped.

ImprovementSet up the pen at least 40 cm high with no gaps, and block the space under sofas and beds in advance with boards or cushions. Put cords away and supervise constantly during floor time. Inform the family not to chase an escapee but to lure her with scent and a dark box, and to check her all over once caught.

A winter night, you let him have floor time without putting away the kotatsu heater's extension cord. You hear a snap and smell something burnt, and find a 2-year-old male lying beside the cord with the area around his mouth blackened. His body is rigid and his breathing is shallow. The cord is still plugged into the outlet.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Immediately pick up the guinea pig with bare hands and pull him away from the cord
2. First unplug the cord to cut the power, then check breathing and response and see a vet immediately
3. Pour water on the burned mouth to cool it, then observe and see a vet the next day
4. If he does not seem to feel pain it is minor, so return him to the cage and warm him

AnswerB. First unplug the cord to cut the power, then check breathing and response and see a vet immediately

ExplanationIn an electrocution, touching a live animal or wire with bare hands electrocutes the rescuer as well. The correct answer is to first unplug the cord to cut the power, secure safety, then call his name and touch his body to check response, and check breathing by the rise and fall of the chest. If there is no breathing, perform CPR while seeing a vet immediately. Electrocution causes not only mouth burns but can trigger pulmonary edema hours later with sudden breathing difficulty, so a same-day vet visit is essential even if it looks mild, and waiting until the next day is dangerous. Pouring water on the burned mouth does nothing for internal damage. Pain cannot be judged with nerve damage, and warming him in the cage misses changes in his condition.

IssuesThe owner neglected the basic step of removing cords before floor time and let him play around the kotatsu in winter, where live cords are concentrated. The owner did not know about rescuer safety in an electrocution or the delayed danger of pulmonary edema.

ImprovementBefore floor time, always put away all cords or make them physically unreachable with cord covers and the pen. Change the play area during kotatsu and heater season. Share with the family the procedure of cutting the power before touching in an electrocution and the same-day vet visit. Review the CPR procedure in advance.

You repurposed a two-story rabbit cage and installed a 30 cm-high loft. In the morning, a 5-year-old female appears to have fallen from the edge of the loft to the floor and lies on her side in a corner of the cage, not moving. When called, her eyes move, but she only moves slightly, dragging her hind legs. Droppings are crushed beneath her body.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Rub her body to stimulate her, encourage her until she stands, and have her walk on her own
2. Remove the loft to make the cage flat and let her rest for a few days to recover
3. Give a small amount of human fever-and-pain medicine as a painkiller before seeing a vet
4. Lift her flat on a towel, move her to a carrier, and see a vet right now

AnswerD. Lift her flat on a towel, move her to a carrier, and see a vet right now

ExplanationGuinea pigs are not jumping animals and easily suffer spinal injury or fractures from a fall off a rabbit loft. Limbs not moving or dragging after a fall meets the criterion for an immediate vet visit. The correct answer is to slide a towel under her body, lift her flat without bending the spine, move her to a carrier, cover it to keep dark, and see a vet right now. Rubbing her body to make her stand moves the injured area and worsens paralysis. Removing the loft is right as prevention, but a few days' rest is too late for this injury. Human fever-and-pain medicine causes serious side effects in guinea pigs and must never be given.

IssuesA two-story rabbit cage was repurposed for a non-jumping animal, without anticipating that a tall step would lead to a fall. The owner did not know the manual's housing basics that steps should be low and tall levels risk falls.

ImprovementKeep the cage flat, and if adding levels, limit them to low platforms and gentle ramps. Review the safety of products made for other animals, such as rabbit cages, before repurposing. After a fall, observe for several hours even if she can move, and share with the family the rule to see a vet the same day if her gait is abnormal.

A summer afternoon, you put a shallow basin of water in the floor-time area to help him cool off. In the few minutes you looked away, a 1-year-old male fell into the basin and was struggling in the water. When you pulled him out he was soaked and limp, spitting water from his mouth, breathing weakly and irregularly, and his body is cold.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Tilt his head downward to let water drain from his mouth, dry him with a towel while keeping him warm, check breathing, and see a vet immediately
2. Blow hot air from a hair dryer at close range to dry him quickly
3. Put him in the sun to dry naturally until he perks up, and watch until the next day
4. Press his abdomen hard repeatedly to squeeze the water out of his mouth

AnswerA. Tilt his head downward to let water drain from his mouth, dry him with a towel while keeping him warm, check breathing, and see a vet immediately

ExplanationGuinea pigs are poor swimmers and panic and drown even in shallow water. Once pulled out, tilt the head slightly downward to let water drain naturally from the mouth and nose, check inside the mouth, wipe him dry with a towel to prevent hypothermia, and check breathing and response. If breathing stops, move to CPR, and in either case see a vet immediately. Inhaled water can cause pneumonia or pulmonary edema hours later, so a same-day vet visit is essential even if he seems recovered. Hot air from a hair dryer at close range causes burns and sudden temperature change. Putting him in the sun invites heatstroke in summer, and waiting until the next day misses lung complications. Pressing the abdomen hard causes organ damage and aspiration of vomit.

IssuesFor a guinea pig that does not need bathing, the owner took the inappropriate approach of setting out a water-filled container as a heat measure. There was no awareness that a few minutes of inattention is enough for a drowning accident, or that small animals develop lung complications after drowning.

ImprovementHandle heat with 24-hour air conditioning, an aluminum plate, and a frozen water bottle, and never put water-filled containers in the floor-time area. Do not look away during floor time. Confirm in advance the rule that a drowning means a same-day vet visit even if he can move on his own, and the procedure for checking breathing.

On the way home from the animal hospital, the carrier door came off in the parking lot and a 3-year-old female ran under a car. Cars come and go in the lot, and there are stray cats around. The guinea pig is frozen under the car, and as you approach she inches further back.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Reach under the car and chase her around trying to catch her
2. Leave the spot, fetch treats from home, and search again
3. Keep calling her name loudly to startle her into running out, then catch her
4. Ask nearby cars to stop, quietly ready a towel and carrier, block her escape routes, calm her, and secure her

AnswerD. Ask nearby cars to stop, quietly ready a towel and carrier, block her escape routes, calm her, and secure her

ExplanationA guinea pig that escapes outdoors is surrounded by deadly dangers such as cars, crows, and stray cats. First explain the situation to nearby drivers and ask them not to move, do not chase her, quietly block her escape routes, and use her tendency to freeze when alarmed to gently cover her with a towel and secure her. Placing the carrier nearby and waiting for her to enter the dark space on her own is also effective. Chasing makes her bolt toward the road. Leaving the spot risks her being killed the moment you look away, by a car starting or a cat attacking. Startling her with loud sounds breaks the freeze and sends her bolting unpredictably. After securing her, check her body for wounds or injuries, and if she stays agitated, return to the hospital for a check.

IssuesThe carrier door was not securely fastened and was not inspected before travel. The owner did not understand how deadly an outdoor escape is for a guinea pig, or that chasing makes her flee further, and had no plan for an escape.

ImprovementChoose a rigid carrier with a lockable door and check the door before departing. Cover the carrier with a laundry net or cloth during travel so she cannot bolt even if the door opens. Share with the family the method of quietly surrounding rather than chasing an escapee, and always keep a towel in the carrier.

You put a large exercise wheel found in the hamster section into the cage, and a 2-year-old male tried to run, arched his back sharply, and tumbled partway through. Since then he stays hunched and does not move, and squeals when touched. You also bought a ball-type exercise toy and are wondering whether to let him use it for a change of pace.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. To stretch his back, put him in the exercise ball and roll him around the room for exercise
2. Replace the wheel with a larger one and let him try again
3. Remove the wheel, keep him still, and see a vet the same day since he squeals when touched
4. The pain is just because he is not used to it, so keep up the exercise for a few days

AnswerC. Remove the wheel, keep him still, and see a vet the same day since he squeals when touched

ExplanationDue to the structure of their spine, guinea pigs are not suited to exercise that arches the back, such as wheels or ball-type toys, and suffer spinal injury or fractures from falls. The manual also states that balls are unnecessary because they lose their footing. A hunched posture with squealing when touched suggests spinal or muscle injury, so the correct answer is to remove the wheel, keep him still, and see a vet the same day for tests. The exercise ball arches the back, has poor ventilation that traps heat, and blocks vision, making it dangerous; using it on an animal in pain worsens the injury. A larger wheel does not change the fundamental problem of body structure. Treating the pain as a matter of getting used to it and continuing exercise leads to serious injury.

IssuesThe owner assumed hamster wheels and balls could also be used for guinea pigs and did not consider differences in body structure between species. The owner did not know that guinea pig play consists of running, hiding, chewing, and chasing games with cagemates.

ImprovementChoose toys that suit guinea pig habits: paper bags, cardboard tunnels, chew sticks, paper tubes stuffed with hay. For exercise, let him run on a flat floor in a penned floor-time area. Research the safety of products made for other animals before buying, and stop use immediately if his movement looks off.

A winter night, you knocked over hot tea that was sitting on top of the cage, and it poured directly onto the back of a 1-year-old female inside. She shrieked and fled into her hideout; the fur on her back is wet and the skin is red. She struggles and resists when you try to touch her. The tea was freshly brewed and steaming. The family is panicking and about to fetch ice and medicine.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. The fur protects her, so do nothing, and see a vet the next day if the skin peels
2. To rinse off the hot liquid, wash her back with water close to boiling
3. Apply oil or toothpaste to the red skin to cool it, then see a vet
4. Cool the area gently for a few minutes with lukewarm running water or a damp towel, and see a vet the same day

AnswerD. Cool the area gently for a few minutes with lukewarm running water or a damp towel, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationWith burns from hot liquid, the fur holds the liquid so heat transfers to the skin for longer, and the damage can be deeper than it looks. The correct answer is to first cool the area gently for a few minutes with lukewarm running water near room temperature or a damp towel to draw out the heat, taking care not to overcool the whole body, and see a vet the same day for assessment of burn depth and treatment. Small animals have small bodies and become hypothermic with ice water or prolonged cooling, so cool gently. Leaving it until the next day lets infection and tissue death progress. Washing with hot water spreads the burn. Oil or toothpaste traps heat, becomes a source of infection, and may cause poisoning if licked.

IssuesThere was a dangerous habit of placing hot drinks on top of the cage, and the cage top was open. The owner knew neither that burns should be cooled as first aid nor the danger of overcooling in small animals.

ImprovementNever place drinks or hot items on or near the cage. Put a lid on the cage to prevent objects falling in from above. Inform the family of the rule to cool burns gently with lukewarm water and see a vet the same day. In winter, also watch the distance between the cage and heat sources such as heaters and stoves.

While preparing dinner, you found a 2-year-old female having floor time near the kitchen chewing a piece of onion that had fallen on the floor. You took it away at once, but she seems to have swallowed some. For now she is lively and eating hay, but you have heard that onion is dangerous for guinea pigs.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Onion-family poisoning is possible, so record the amount eaten and the time, and see a vet the same day for advice
2. She seems fine, so judge there is no problem and do nothing until symptoms appear
3. Give milk to dilute the toxin and make her vomit with salt water
4. Look it up online, and if it is not listed as dangerous, watch and wait

AnswerA. Onion-family poisoning is possible, so record the amount eaten and the time, and see a vet the same day for advice

ExplanationThe onion family is on the list of foods guinea pigs must not eat; its compounds destroy red blood cells, and symptoms such as anemia, bloody urine, and limpness appear with a delay of several days. Being lively when found does not mean she is safe. The correct answer is to record the amount eaten and the time, and see a vet the same day or call for advice to receive instructions on needed tests and monitoring. Waiting for symptoms means anemia is already advanced by the time they appear. Guinea pigs cannot vomit, and making her vomit with salt water only creates the danger of salt poisoning and aspiration. Dairy such as milk is also a forbidden food and causes diarrhea. Judging from online information alone is dangerous because it cannot assess the individual or the amount.

IssuesFloor time was held near the kitchen, in an environment where food dropped during cooking was within reach. The owner did not know the list of forbidden foods such as onion family, potato, avocado, and chocolate, nor that guinea pigs cannot vomit.

ImprovementHold floor time in a pen away from the kitchen, and not during cooking. Post the list of forbidden foods on the refrigerator and share it with the whole family. If she eats something she should not, record the amount and time and bring the packaging or the item to the vet. Confirm in advance whether your regular vet takes phone consultations.

You had left the hay bag next to the cage, and a 4-year-old male chewed the edge, with several cm now missing. From that night his droppings decreased, and the next morning there were thin shreds of plastic in his droppings. His appetite is somewhat reduced and he sits still more often.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Give olive oil to lubricate the gut and wait for the plastic to pass
2. Since it came out in the droppings, assume it has all passed and watch
3. Pull the plastic protruding from his rear out in one go
4. Intestinal obstruction is possible, so bring droppings and see a vet the same day for tests

AnswerD. Intestinal obstruction is possible, so bring droppings and see a vet the same day for tests

ExplanationGuinea pigs readily chew and swallow plastic and rubber, and if it lodges in the gut it causes intestinal obstruction or GI stasis. Fewer droppings, reduced appetite, and sitting still are signs that gut motility is already impaired, and even if some passed in the droppings, the rest may remain in the gut. The correct answer is to bring droppings and see a vet the same day for X-rays or other tests to check for remaining foreign material. Olive oil causes diarrhea and fat indigestion and cannot be expected to expel foreign material. Watching because some passed lets the rest complete the obstruction. Pulling on foreign material protruding from the rear can tear the intestinal wall, so never pull; leave it to the vet.

IssuesAn everyday item, the hay bag, was left beside the cage, and the guinea pig's habit of chewing and swallowing was underestimated. The owner did not see a vet when the decrease in droppings appeared and waited until the next morning.

ImprovementTake hay out of the bag and store it in a sealed container, and remove plastic, rubber, and cloth lint from around the cage and the floor-time area. Check the number and size of droppings daily, and keep the rule of a same-day vet visit if they decrease. As soon as you know he has swallowed a foreign object, consult the hospital before symptoms appear.

During floor time in the living room, a 1-year-old female approached a pothos pot on the floor and chewed several leaves. Fifteen minutes after you took it away, she keeps fussing at her mouth, drooling, and rubbing around her mouth with her front paws. Her breathing is somewhat fast, and she will not eat hay when offered.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Note the plant's name and the amount eaten, gently wipe her mouth with lukewarm water, and see a vet right now
2. Apply honey to her mouth to soothe the irritation and observe
3. To flush out the toxin, make her drink a lot of water and put a finger down her throat to make her vomit
4. The drooling is just because the leaves were bitter, so see a vet if her appetite has not returned tomorrow

AnswerA. Note the plant's name and the amount eaten, gently wipe her mouth with lukewarm water, and see a vet right now

ExplanationPothos and many other houseplants contain irritants such as calcium oxalate, causing intense mouth pain, drooling, and breathing difficulty from swelling. Drooling and mouth rubbing appeared right after chewing, and rapid breathing with refusal to eat is highly urgent. The correct answer is to note the plant's name and the amount eaten, wipe around her mouth with lukewarm water to reduce the irritant, and see a vet right now. Bringing a photo of the plant or a leaf speeds diagnosis. Honey is high in sugar and ineffective, and watching misses the danger of mouth swelling reaching the throat and causing suffocation. Guinea pigs cannot vomit, and putting a finger down the throat only injures the mouth and causes aspiration. Waiting until the next day leaves breathing difficulty and kidney damage to progress.

IssuesThe owner neglected the basic step of removing houseplants before floor time, leaving a floor-level pot within reach. The owner did not know that many houseplants are toxic to guinea pigs or that inducing vomiting is ineffective and dangerous.

ImprovementCompletely remove houseplants from the floor-time area, or move them to a high shelf that is absolutely out of reach. Know the names of the plants in your home and look up their toxicity. If she eats something, record the item, amount, and time and see a vet, and inform the family never to try to induce vomiting at home.

On Valentine's night, a 6-year-old child confesses to having given a 2-year-old male a piece of chocolate bar "because he looked sad." That was about 30 minutes ago, and now he is pacing restlessly around the cage and his heartbeat seems fast. The child says they also gave him bread and cookies.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. It was a small amount, so assume he is fine and judge by tomorrow's droppings
2. To calm him down, crush a human sedative and mix it into his water
3. Chocolate poisoning is possible, so report the amount eaten and the time and see a vet right now
4. Give milk to dilute the chocolate in his stomach and watch at home

AnswerC. Chocolate poisoning is possible, so report the amount eaten and the time and see a vet right now

ExplanationThe theobromine and caffeine in chocolate are highly toxic to small animals, and in a guinea pig weighing about 1 kg, even one piece of a chocolate bar can cause agitation, rapid heart rate, and seizures. Restlessness and a fast heartbeat suggest poisoning symptoms are already appearing, so the correct answer is to see a vet right now for treatment. Report the amount, type, and time accurately. Bread and sweets are also forbidden foods that cause GI trouble. Waiting until tomorrow lets seizures and arrhythmia progress until it is too late. Human sedatives have unknown dosage and safety and are life-threatening. Milk is unsuitable for guinea pig digestion, causes diarrhea, and does nothing to slow chocolate absorption. Guinea pigs cannot vomit, so vomiting cannot be induced either.

IssuesThe child had not been taught which foods must not be given, and chocolate and sweets were within the child's reach. The family had not shared an understanding that even a tiny amount can poison a small-bodied animal.

ImprovementMake an illustrated chart of forbidden foods (chocolate, bread, sweets, dairy, onion family, potato, avocado) that children can understand and post it. Have adults manage treats and allow children to give only designated vegetables. Agree with the child to report any accidental feeding rather than hide it.

You have been using cheap rabbit pellets from the pet shop for 3 months. Recently, a 3-year-old female's coat has become dull, she is reluctant to move, and she resists when her joints are touched. She eats hay, but less than before. The owner assumed that "they are both herbivores, so the same food is fine."

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Double the pellets to make up the nutritional shortfall and observe
2. Stop pellets completely, give hay only, and observe for a month
3. Keep the rabbit pellets, supplement vitamins with a human supplement, and skip the vet
4. Switch to guinea pig-specific pellets and bell pepper, and see a vet the same day for tests

AnswerD. Switch to guinea pig-specific pellets and bell pepper, and see a vet the same day for tests

ExplanationRabbit pellets have no added vitamin C, and feeding them to a guinea pig for 3 months causes scurvy. A dull coat, reluctance to move, and joint pain are classic symptoms, and vitamin C deficiency requires a same-day vet visit for blood tests and proper supplementation. At the same time, switch to guinea pig-specific vitamin C-fortified pellets and fresh vegetables such as red bell pepper. Doubling rabbit pellets does not add vitamin C and only creates calorie excess. Hay alone leaves vitamin C deficient and symptoms progress. Human supplements have unknown dosing, cannot treat advanced deficiency, and delay the vet visit.

IssuesThe owner did not know the difference in nutritional needs between rabbits and guinea pigs and chose food on price alone. The owner did not understand the most basic physiology, that guinea pigs cannot make vitamin C in the body, and failed to link the changes in coat and activity to signs of illness.

ImprovementAlways choose guinea pig-specific vitamin C-fortified pellets and use them up before the expiration date. Give small amounts of red bell pepper or komatsuna daily so vitamin C supplementation never lapses. Check the coat, gait, and gums monthly, and see a vet within a few days if anything changes.

August, midday, with an outdoor temperature of 37°C, the air conditioner broke and repair will not be until tomorrow at the earliest. The room is already over 30°C and a 3-year-old male is starting to go limp. You have a fan, ice packs, a frozen water bottle, and an aluminum plate at home, and your parents' house, 20 minutes away by car, has working air conditioning.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Keeping the fan blowing directly on him is enough, so stay home until the repair
2. Put ice from the freezer directly on his body to cool him all at once
3. Wrap him in a cold towel from the bathroom and soak his feet in ice water while waiting
4. Cool him for now with towel-wrapped ice packs and the aluminum plate, cool the car with its air conditioning, and evacuate to your parents' house

AnswerD. Cool him for now with towel-wrapped ice packs and the aluminum plate, cool the car with its air conditioning, and evacuate to your parents' house

ExplanationFor guinea pigs the risk of heatstroke rises sharply above 28°C, and spending until the next day in a room over 30°C is life-threatening. The correct answer is to create a cool spot in the cage for now with towel-wrapped ice packs, the frozen water bottle, and the aluminum plate, keep air moving with the fan, and after fully cooling the car with its air conditioning, place ice packs beside the carrier and evacuate to somewhere with air conditioning. If heatstroke symptoms (open-mouth breathing, drooling) appear at the destination, see a vet the same day. A fan alone does not lower the body temperature of a guinea pig, which does not sweat. Putting ice directly on him or soaking in ice water constricts the blood vessels so body temperature does not drop, and risks shock.

IssuesThe owner had not considered a backup for a midsummer air conditioner failure, a plausible event, and had not decided on an evacuation site or a cooling method during transport. The misconception that a fan alone would get him through the heat was also dangerous.

ImprovementService the air conditioner before summer and decide on an evacuation site in case of failure (a relative's air-conditioned home or a pet hotel). Keep ice packs, a frozen water bottle, and an aluminum plate on hand, and confirm the procedure for traveling with ice packs in the carrier. Put a thermometer in the cage and act immediately above 28°C.

Late on a January night, heavy snow causes a power outage, and both the heating and the panel heater stop. The room has dropped to 12°C and is still falling. A 7-year-old male is curled up in his hideout, and his ears and feet are cold to the touch. You have disposable hand warmers, blankets, and cardboard at home. There is no word on when power will be restored.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Put hand warmers directly on the cage floor and also place one on top of the guinea pig
2. Cover the cage with cardboard and blankets, attach towel-wrapped hand warmers to the outside for warmth, and add extra hay
3. Bring him into your own bed and sleep with him to warm him with body heat
4. Put a bottle filled with boiling water, uncovered, inside the cage

AnswerB. Cover the cage with cardboard and blankets, attach towel-wrapped hand warmers to the outside for warmth, and add extra hay

ExplanationGuinea pigs need warming below 10°C, and senior animals are especially vulnerable to cold. During an outage, the correct answer is to cover the cage with cardboard and blankets for insulation, attach towel-wrapped disposable hand warmers to the outside of the cage for gentle warmth, and add extra hay as an energy source for maintaining body temperature. This follows the same principle as the manual's warming during transport: hand warmers go on the outside, leaving a place to move away. Putting hand warmers directly on the floor or on his body risks low-temperature burns and chewing open and ingesting the contents. Sleeping with him in your bed is inappropriate due to the risk of crushing him when rolling over, excessive warmth, and hygiene issues from droppings and urine. A bottle of boiling water uncovered inside the cage causes burns.

IssuesNo means of warming during a winter outage had been prepared in advance, so the owner had to scramble late at night. Understanding was lacking that senior animals are vulnerable to cold and that direct contact with hand warmers is dangerous.

ImprovementIn winter, keep disposable hand warmers, blankets, cardboard, and towels with your disaster supplies. Write out and post the warming procedure for an outage (cover, hand warmers on the outside, extra hay). Decide on an evacuation site in case of a prolonged outage, and keep hay and a towel in the carrier so you can move at once.

In the middle of the night, an earthquake of seismic intensity 5-upper strikes, and the cage on top of a shelf falls to the floor and lands on its side. The 2-year-old female inside is frozen in her hideout and will not come out when called. Furniture is strewn about and aftershocks continue. You are unsure whether to go to the evacuation shelter, which may not allow pets.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Pull her out by force to check for injuries and take her straight to the shelter
2. She fell inside her hideout, so just right the cage, leave her until the aftershocks subside, and go out
3. Move her to a carrier together with her hideout, cover it dark and keep quiet, and check for injuries and appetite between aftershocks
4. To reduce stress, release her into the room to move freely

AnswerC. Move her to a carrier together with her hideout, cover it dark and keep quiet, and check for injuries and appetite between aftershocks

ExplanationAn animal in a cage that fell in an earthquake may have fractures or spinal injury, and is frozen in intense fear. Pulling her out by force extends the damage and risks a bite, so the correct answer is to move her to a carrier together with her hideout, cover it dark, place it in a quiet, safe spot, and check her gait, bleeding, and appetite between aftershocks. If limbs do not move or drag after a fall, see an open hospital immediately. Leaving her and going out means missing secondary damage from aftershocks or deterioration. Releasing her into the room is dangerous as she may crawl into glass shards or gaps under toppled furniture. For evacuation, confirm the shelter's pet policy, and if pets are not allowed, consider sheltering at home or at a relative's.

IssuesThe cage was placed on top of a shelf, a location prone to falling, without anti-tip measures. The owner had not planned the evacuation procedure, the carrier's location, or looked into the shelter's pet policy in advance.

ImprovementPlace the cage in a stable, low spot slightly raised off the floor and secure it against tipping. Keep an evacuation bag beside the cage with a week's supply of hay, pellets, water, towels, ice packs or hand warmers, and the carrier. Look up the municipality's policy on evacuating with pets and decide where to board her if pets are not allowed.

Days of June rain have pushed indoor humidity above 80%, and the cage bedding is damp with a sour smell. A 1-year-old female has had more dandruff for several days and scratches herself with her hind legs more often. She sneezes occasionally. Your air conditioner only cools, and you have no dehumidifier.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Humidity is seasonal, so keep the same bedding schedule and wait for the rainy season to end
2. Replace all the bedding, lower humidity to 40–60% with dehumidify mode or ventilation, and see a vet if the skin changes persist
3. Blow warm air from a hair dryer over the whole cage daily to drive off the moisture
4. Seal the cage so outside humidity cannot get in

AnswerB. Replace all the bedding, lower humidity to 40–60% with dehumidify mode or ventilation, and see a vet if the skin changes persist

ExplanationThe right humidity for guinea pigs is 40–60%, and high humidity causes skin and respiratory disease. Damp bedding is a breeding ground for fungi and mites, and dandruff, itching, and sneezing are signs that effects are already starting. The correct answer is to replace all bedding with fresh, dry material, lower the humidity with the air conditioner's dehumidify mode or ventilation, and see a vet for a skin test if dandruff or itching continues for several days. Waiting for the rainy season to end lets skin disease worsen and raises the risk of ringworm, which also spreads to people. Warm air from a hair dryer risks heatstroke and burns. Sealing the cage traps ammonia from waste and moisture, worsening respiratory disease.

IssuesThe owner paid attention to temperature but did not know the humidity guideline and had no hygrometer. Understanding was lacking that rainy-season humidity leads to skin and respiratory disease, and the damp, smelly bedding was left as it was.

ImprovementPlace a thermo-hygrometer beside the cage and lower humidity with dehumidify mode or a dehumidifier when it exceeds 60%. During the rainy season, change damp parts of the bedding daily and replace all of it weekly. Ensure cage ventilation, and see a vet early for dandruff, itching, or sneezing. Wear a mask when cleaning to avoid inhaling dust.

In September, a large typhoon prompts an evacuation order for your home near a river. You need to head to the shelter by evening. You have two females housed together; the shelter allows pets, but animals are kept in a separate room where owners care for them. It is 28°C and muggy, and the drive is 15 minutes.

What is the most appropriate preparation and action?

1. Put both in one carrier, bring hay, water, pellets, ice packs, towels, and contact information, and evacuate early
2. Leave the animals at home with extra hay and water, and return in 2 days
3. To avoid troubling the shelter, put both in a cardboard box and leave it in the parking lot outside
4. Entrust the two separately to strangers' cars and evacuate unburdened yourself

AnswerA. Put both in one carrier, bring hay, water, pellets, ice packs, towels, and contact information, and evacuate early

ExplanationCompatible cagemates feel more secure in one carrier together, in keeping with their herd nature. The correct answer is to bring hay, water, pellets, ice packs for the muggy heat, towels, and your regular vet's contact, and evacuate early before dark. At the shelter, cover the carrier dark, place it in a cool spot, keep water and hay stocked, and check droppings and appetite. Leaving animals at home risks death from flooding or a power outage, and 2 days without eating causes stasis. A cardboard box in the parking lot risks both heatstroke from the 28°C mugginess and hypothermia from wind and rain, plus attacks by stray cats. Entrusting them to strangers leaves responsibility for accidents or escapes unclear and is highly stressful.

IssuesDespite knowing the typhoon was approaching, the owner had not prepared an evacuation bag or carrier, and had not checked the shelter's housing arrangement or needed supplies. How to transport the cagemates had not been considered.

ImprovementAssemble an evacuation bag with a week's supply of hay and pellets, water, the carrier, towels, ice packs or hand warmers, and a card with contact information. Check the hazard map for your home's risk level and confirm the shelter's pet policy. Once a year, practice a short trip with them in the carrier.

A 3-month-old male adopted 2 weeks ago has circular hair loss and dandruff on his nose and ears. A 5-year-old child who held him every day has developed a red, ring-shaped rash on the arm and is itching. A 2-year-old female who was there first lives in the same room; the cages are separate, but supplies are shared.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Assume the child's rash is an insect bite and continue contact with the guinea pig as before
2. Apply human athlete's foot medicine to the guinea pig and treat the child with over-the-counter anti-itch cream
3. Take the animal to the vet for a skin test and the child to a dermatologist. Stop sharing supplies and strictly use gloves and hand washing
4. The hair loss is a growth-stage coat change, so wait until the rash subsides

AnswerC. Take the animal to the vet for a skin test and the child to a dermatologist. Stop sharing supplies and strictly use gloves and hand washing

ExplanationCircular hair loss and dandruff combined with a ring-shaped rash on a person's skin is classic dermatophytosis (ringworm), a zoonosis transmitted from guinea pigs to people. The correct answer is to take the animal to the vet for a fungal test and treatment and the child to a dermatologist. At the same time, to protect the resident animal, stop sharing supplies, handle the infected animal with gloves, wash hands with soap after touching, change the bedding, and disinfect the cage. Assuming an insect bite and continuing contact spreads it to the whole family. Applying human athlete's foot medicine to a guinea pig risks ingestion by licking and dosing problems, and does not cure the child's symptoms. A coat change does not cause circular hair loss, dandruff, or a rash in people.

IssuesThe new animal was placed in the same room as the resident without a quarantine period, and supplies were shared. A child was allowed to handle an animal with skin abnormalities bare-handed, and the owner did not know zoonoses existed or how to prevent them.

ImprovementQuarantine new animals for 2–3 weeks and get a health check and skin test right after adoption. Keep supplies separate per animal and care for healthy animals first. Handle animals with hair loss or dandruff with gloves, and make hand washing after touching a habit for children. Consult a dermatologist if a family member develops a rash.

A 3-year-old female has had soft droppings for several days and is under veterinary care. A family member about to wash the cage tray washed it in the kitchen sink while dinner was being prepared, and then started cutting vegetables without washing their hands. An infant and an elderly grandmother live in the home. The owner saw this and is unsure whether to stop it.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Stop washing in the sink; wash in the bathroom or outdoors, wash hands with soap after care, and keep it separate from cooking
2. Animal droppings are harmless to people, so let them continue cooking
3. Rinsing the sink with water is enough, so continue washing in the kitchen from now on
4. As long as hands are washed there is no problem, so the cage can keep being washed in the kitchen

AnswerA. Stop washing in the sink; wash in the bathroom or outdoors, wash hands with soap after care, and keep it separate from cooking

ExplanationGuinea pig feces and urine can contain bacteria such as Salmonella, and people become ill through oral infection from hands that touched them. An animal with soft droppings in particular is likely shedding pathogens, and infants and the elderly are prone to severe illness. The manual explicitly states never to wash the cage in the kitchen and to wash hands with soap after care. The correct answer is to wash the cage in a dedicated spot in the bathroom or outdoors, disinfect the washing area afterward, and clearly separate animal care from cooking. The belief that it is harmless is wrong, and merely rinsing the sink leaves bacteria behind. Even with hand washing, utensils and food in the sink become contaminated, so washing in the kitchen should not continue.

IssuesRules for animal hygiene were not shared within the household, and a family member washed the cage and cooked in the same place. The household did not know of salmonellosis as a zoonosis or the risk of severe illness in infants and the elderly.

ImprovementDesignate a dedicated spot in the bathroom or outdoors for washing the cage and tray, with a dedicated brush and sponge. Make 30-second hand washing with soap after care a rule for the whole family, and keep infants away from animal droppings. Use disposable gloves when caring for an animal with soft droppings.

Because a 2-year-old female seemed lonely on her own, you adopted a 2-month-old female from a shop. The newcomer is lively but sneezes occasionally, and the fur around her rear is a little soiled. The children want to put them in the same cage starting today. You have one spare cage.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. To reduce stress, put them in the same cage from today and let them bond
2. Do not house them together; move the resident to another room and do not touch the newcomer
3. House them together only at first, and separate them if the sneezing increases
4. Quarantine in the spare cage for 2–3 weeks, get a health check, and if all is well, introduce them gradually

AnswerD. Quarantine in the spare cage for 2–3 weeks, get a health check, and if all is well, introduce them gradually

ExplanationA newly adopted animal may bring in respiratory infections, mites, fungus, or parasites, and the sneezing and soiled rear may already be signs of infection. The correct answer is to quarantine her in the spare cage for 2–3 weeks and observe, get a health check and fecal test right after adoption, and if nothing is wrong, proceed gradually from meetings through the bars to living together. Care for the resident first and wash hands after handling the newcomer. Housing them together from today spreads infection to the resident, and if incompatible, they fight and get injured. Moving the resident to another room and leaving the newcomer alone neglects her symptoms and loses the chance to observe. Housing together at first and separating later comes after infection has already spread.

IssuesThe owner did not know the importance of a quarantine period when keeping multiple animals and was about to house a symptomatic animal with the resident immediately. The possibility that the newcomer's sneezing and soiled rear were signs of illness was underestimated.

ImprovementAlways quarantine new animals in a spare cage for 2–3 weeks and get a health check, fecal test, and skin test during that time. During quarantine, let them get used to each other's scent through the cages, and start cohabitation under supervision in short sessions. After cohabitation, provide feeding spots, water, and hideouts for each animal, and separate them if signs of fighting appear.

Three months since adopting a guinea pig. Every time she cleans the cage or restocks the hay, the mother complains of itchy eyes, a runny nose, and coughing, and lately she has coughing fits at night too. Cleaning is done indoors without ventilation, opening the hay bag inside, and the guinea pig itself has no health problems.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Suspect an allergy to hay dust or fur; strictly ventilate, wear a mask, shake dust off outside the bag, and have the mother see a doctor
2. Assume a disease has spread from the guinea pig and give the animal up immediately
3. It is imagined, so clean less often to keep dust from flying
4. Stop hay and give only pellets and vegetables to eliminate dust

AnswerA. Suspect an allergy to hay dust or fur; strictly ventilate, wear a mask, shake dust off outside the bag, and have the mother see a doctor

ExplanationAllergy from inhaling guinea pig fur, dander, urine, or hay dust is a common problem for owners, causing itchy eyes, a runny nose, and coughing, and as it progresses, asthma-like nighttime coughing. The correct answer is to wear a mask when cleaning, shake dust off hay outside the bag or outdoors with ventilation, change who does the cleaning, and have the mother get allergy testing and treatment at a medical facility. It is not a disease spread from the animal, and giving it up immediately has no basis. Dismissing it as imagined and cleaning less often worsens hygiene, inviting both guinea pig illness and dust buildup. Hay is the guinea pig's staple, and stopping it causes malocclusion and stasis, so it must never be stopped.

IssuesThe family's allergy tendencies were not checked before adopting, and basic precautions such as ventilation and masks during cleaning were not taken. Even after symptoms such as coughing appeared, no measures were taken and it was allowed to worsen.

ImprovementWear a mask when cleaning and restocking hay, and open windows for ventilation. Shake dust off hay outside the bag and try a low-dust type. Install an air purifier and keep the cage away from bedrooms. Remove symptomatic family members from care duties and have them get allergy testing early.

Early on a winter morning, you look in the cage and find a 4-year-old male collapsed on his side, with no response when you call his name or touch his body. You can see hay in his mouth. You cannot tell whether his chest is rising, and you cannot feel a heartbeat with your hand on his chest. His body is still warm. The emergency (after-hours) animal hospital is 30 minutes away by car.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. While his body is still warm, turn up the heating and wait for him to wake up naturally
2. Put him in the car and head to the hospital right away, doing nothing until arrival
3. Pour water into his mouth to stimulate him and see if he responds
4. Remove the hay from his mouth, lay him on his side, compress the sternum at 120 per minute with 2 breaths every 30 compressions, while arranging transport

AnswerD. Remove the hay from his mouth, lay him on his side, compress the sternum at 120 per minute with 2 breaths every 30 compressions, while arranging transport

ExplanationNo response with no detectable chest movement or heartbeat is cardiopulmonary arrest, and while the body is still warm there is a chance of resuscitation. Following the manual's procedure, lay him on his side, remove hay or foreign objects from the mouth, squeeze over the sternum between thumb and fingers at about 120 compressions per minute to a depth of one-third of the chest, and every 30 compressions cover the nose with your mouth and give 2 gentle breaths. The correct answer is to have a family member contact the emergency hospital and continue compressions during transport. Waiting for him to wake with heating loses the chance of resuscitation. A 30-minute drive doing nothing is the same, and brain damage progresses. Pouring water into an unconscious animal's mouth enters the airway and hinders resuscitation. Compressing too hard breaks ribs, so mind the depth.

IssuesThe owner may have missed changes in his condition the previous night and had not reviewed the CPR procedure in advance. There was no plan for handling transport and resuscitation at the same time when alone.

ImprovementWrite the CPR procedure (clear the airway, side-lying, chest compressions at 120/min, 30:2 rescue breaths) on paper and post it beside the cage. Make sure the whole family knows the emergency hospital's contact and directions, and divide resuscitation and phoning between people. Make it a habit to check response, breathing, and appetite at each evening feeding.

Sunday, 10 p.m. A 5-year-old female is breathing with her mouth slightly open and her belly heaving, and counting her chest movements for one minute gives over 130. She is limp, not eating hay, and squeals in protest when held. Room temperature is 22°C. Your regular vet is closed, and there is an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital 40 minutes away by car.

What is the most appropriate judgment?

1. Open-mouth rapid breathing meets the emergency criteria, so go to the emergency hospital right now
2. A 40-minute drive is stressful, so wait until your regular vet opens tomorrow morning
3. Direct humidifier steam at her to ease breathing and watch until morning
4. Search her symptoms online, and if it is not listed as an emergency, let her sleep

AnswerA. Open-mouth rapid breathing meets the emergency criteria, so go to the emergency hospital right now

ExplanationA guinea pig's normal breathing rate is about 40–100 per minute, and over 130 with open-mouth, abdominal breathing is a clear sign of respiratory distress. The manual's emergency triage also lists "open-mouth rapid breathing, limpness" under see a vet right now. Conditions that can become fatal within hours, such as pneumonia, heart failure, or a chest abnormality, are suspected, so the correct answer is to go to the emergency hospital right now even if it takes 40 minutes. For transport, cover a towel-lined carrier dark and carry it gently. Waiting until morning carries a high likelihood that the respiratory distress progresses until it is too late. Humidifier steam is no real treatment, and judging by an online search wastes the owner's own numerical observation of the symptoms.

IssuesThe owner had counted the breathing rate and recognized the abnormality, but was psychologically reluctant to see a vet because of the stress of travel. The criteria for an emergency visit had not been organized in advance, so there was a risk of worsening while hesitating.

ImprovementWrite the criteria for an immediate vet visit (not eating for 12 hours, open-mouth rapid breathing, limpness, seizures, no urine, not moving after a fall) on paper and post it. Confirm the route to the emergency hospital and keep a towel and hay in the carrier. Practice counting the breathing rate and record her normal rate.

At night, two males housed together fought, and one's ear is torn with blood dripping continuously. You separated them, but a pool of blood has formed on the floor, the guinea pig is restless, and the bleeding continues. You have clean gauze and towels. The emergency (after-hours) animal hospital is 25 minutes away by car. The other animal is also agitated and chattering his teeth, but no obvious wounds are visible.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Lift the wound frequently to check whether it has stopped, and wait at home until it does
2. Keep rinsing the wound under running water to clean it, then see a vet
3. Press firmly with gauze for 3–5 minutes, and if it does not stop, keep pressing and see a vet right now
4. Tie the ear at the base with a rubber band to stop the blood

AnswerC. Press firmly with gauze for 3–5 minutes, and if it does not stop, keep pressing and see a vet right now

ExplanationThe ear has many blood vessels and bleeds easily, and in a small body like a guinea pig's, continuous dripping leads to anemia or shock in a short time. Following the manual's bleeding-control procedure, press firmly with clean gauze for 3–5 minutes without lifting partway. If it still does not stop or blood drips, the correct answer is to keep pressing and see a vet right now. Also check the other animal for wounds and house them separately. Lifting the gauze frequently tears off the forming clot and restarts the bleeding. Continuous rinsing prevents clotting and also robs body heat. Tying with a rubber band cuts off blood flow so the ear dies, and it can come off and become dangerous if the animal moves. Bite wounds readily collect pus under the skin, so see a vet the same day even if the bleeding stops.

IssuesMature males were kept housed together and the signs of fighting were missed. The owner did not know the correct bleeding-control procedure or that the gauze must not be lifted to check, and had no plan for handling nighttime bleeding.

ImprovementConsider separating males after maturity and separate them at once if a fight occurs. Keep clean gauze, styptic powder, and towels as a first-aid kit beside the cage. Post the bleeding-control procedure (press 3–5 minutes, do not lift, see a vet if it does not stop) on paper and note the emergency hospital's contact.

A summer evening, in a room at 27°C, a 2-year-old female suddenly stiffens, thrashes her limbs, and has a seizure. It subsides in about a minute, but afterward she is limp and responds poorly when called. She is drooling. The owner has never seen this before and is panicking.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. During the seizure, put a finger or chopstick in her mouth and hold it so she does not bite her tongue
2. During the seizure, clear objects around her and watch; once it subsides, keep her dark and quiet without overwarming, and see a vet immediately
3. It has subsided, so give her water and see a vet if it recurs tomorrow
4. Shake her body hard to bring her around and force her to stand and walk

AnswerB. During the seizure, clear objects around her and watch; once it subsides, keep her dark and quiet without overwarming, and see a vet immediately

ExplanationSeizures are listed under see a vet right now in the guinea pig emergency triage. Causes are wide-ranging, including heatstroke, low blood sugar, poisoning, brain disease, and intense itching from sarcoptic mites, and limpness and poor response after a seizure indicate a serious condition. During the seizure, clear objects around her to prevent injury, do not hold her down, and note the time and what happens. Once it subsides, the correct answer is to put her in a dark, quiet carrier, avoid overwarming given the 27°C environment and the possibility of heatstroke, and see a vet right now. Putting fingers or objects in the mouth gets the owner bitten and injures the animal's teeth or jaw. Giving water to an animal with dulled consciousness causes aspiration. Shaking her and making her walk triggers another seizure and increases the strain on the brain.

IssuesThe owner did not know how to handle a seizure, an emergency, and risked taking dangerous actions in a panic. A room temperature of 27°C is close to the heatstroke danger zone, suggesting summer temperature management may have been inadequate.

ImprovementShare with the family how to respond to a seizure (do not restrain, nothing in the mouth, make the surroundings safe, note the time, see a vet immediately). In summer, keep the room at or below 24°C and check the thermometer. A short phone video of the seizure helps diagnosis, but prioritize transport over filming.

A 3-year-old male has not eaten hay for over 12 hours and has passed no droppings. You called the emergency (after-hours) animal hospital and were told to come right away. While a family member gets the car, the owner is flustered about what to bring. In the cage are a few small droppings and a urine-soaked pad. It is December and 3°C outside.

What is the most appropriate transport preparation?

1. Bring a large amount of vegetables and fruit to feed him, and ride holding him with the carrier open
2. To travel light, bring nothing and set off with just the guinea pig in a cardboard box
3. Load the whole cage into the car so he can eat on the way, and bring the heater along too
4. Bring the droppings and urine pad, cover a carrier lined with a towel and hay to keep it dark, and attach a hand warmer to the outside

AnswerD. Bring the droppings and urine pad, cover a carrier lined with a towel and hay to keep it dark, and attach a hand warmer to the outside

ExplanationThe manual's transport procedure is to line the carrier with a towel, add a little hay, cover it to keep dark, and in winter place a towel-wrapped hand warmer on the outside. Important information for the vet includes the time of the last meal, the condition of droppings and urine, diet, room temperature, and whether there are cagemates, and bringing the droppings and urine pad allows them to be tested. At 3°C in December there is a risk of hypothermia, so warming is essential, but do not let the hand warmer touch him directly. Large amounts of vegetables and fruit are unsuitable for an animal with stasis, and riding with the carrier open risks a sudden stop or escape. A cardboard box provides neither warmth nor safety, and he will chew his way out. Loading the whole cage is heavy, the jolting in transit causes injury, and the heater cannot be used in the car.

IssuesThe emergency transport procedure and what to bring had not been decided in advance, so the owner scrambled to prepare after phoning. The information to give the vet had not been organized, and there was no awareness of saving droppings and urine as evidence.

ImprovementKeep a set beside the cage: the carrier lined with a towel, hay, a hand warmer, an ice pack, and a bag for droppings. Prepare a record sheet to note the time of the last meal, condition of droppings, diet, and room temperature. Post the emergency hospital's contact and directions where the whole family can see them.

In the morning, a 6-year-old female is lying in a corner of the cage; when called, her ears twitch slightly but she does not get up. You do not know the cause, and she ate normally last night. Room temperature is 20°C. The family is saying "just pick her up and warm her" and "make her eat," and the owner is unsure what to check first.

What is the most appropriate first thing to do?

1. Check response, breathing rate, and heartbeat, look at droppings and urine, injuries, and abdominal distension, judge the urgency, and call to arrange a vet visit
2. Pick her up, wrap her in a blanket, warm her on the heater, and push bell pepper into her mouth
3. Let her walk outside the cage to test her energy, and judge she is fine if she can run
4. Take a photo, ask about the cause on social media, and wait for replies before acting

AnswerA. Check response, breathing rate, and heartbeat, look at droppings and urine, injuries, and abdominal distension, judge the urgency, and call to arrange a vet visit

ExplanationFor a limp animal that cannot get up, follow the manual's check procedure: first call her name and touch her body to check response, count breaths by the rise and fall of the chest (normal 40–100/min), and place a hand on the chest to check heartbeat. Next observe the condition of droppings and urine, bleeding or injuries, abdominal distension, and leg movement, judge the urgency, and call to arrange an immediate vet visit. Limpness meets the criterion for see a vet right now. Overwarming without knowing the cause worsens heatstroke or shock, and pushing food into an animal with dulled consciousness causes aspiration. Forcing her to walk worsens any fracture or spinal injury, and being able to run does not rule out internal problems. Waiting for social media replies loses precious time and risks following misinformed amateur advice.

IssuesThe procedure for observation and assessment in an emergency had not been shared with the family, and unfounded actions like warming and feeding were about to take precedence. Normal breathing and heart rates were not known, so there were no criteria for judging an abnormality.

ImprovementWrite the check procedure (response, breathing, heartbeat, droppings and urine, injuries, abdomen) on paper and post it beside the cage. Count her breathing and heart rate when healthy and record her normal values. Decide that limpness means an immediate vet visit, and note your observations to tell the vet. Divide roles among the family (observe, phone, transport).