Stocking a Cavy Medicine Cabinet

Many owners find it helpful to have some basic health and medical supplies on hand in case of illness or accidents. The following is a list of recommended items to sock in your guinea pig's medicine cabinet, along with an explanation for why they are important, compiled from various owners on the net. Virtually all of these products can be found at your nearest drug store or pharmacy.

Note: there are no prescription medications listed here, such as antibiotics or medicated eye-drops. I do not recommend, or condone, the use of prescription medications without consulting a veterinarian.

• Electrolyte solutions, for guinea pigs that have diarrhea or are not drinking adequately. Note that some of these products may have a high-sugar content: guinea pigs can not handle high- or complex-sugar diets. It is best to stick with infant products, such as Pedialyte, which are sugar-free.

• Acidophlius powder (with lactobacilli), a probiotic for use as a supplement during antibiotic treatments. Its function is to provide a supply of the natural, intestinal flora that aid in digestion. Some antibiotics can kill off these natural bacteria, leading to entiritis (diarrhea).

• Pediatric simethicone, which helps to eliminate gas, a source of intolerable pain in guinea pigs.

• Kaopectate can be given after diarrhea, though you should note that it treats the diarrhea only, and not any potential causes (entiritis, parasites, bacterial infections, etc.).

• Hydrogen peroxide is useful for flushing out wounds and abcesses, and can even be used to remove hardened urine and urine stains from the guinea pig's coat. It should be used at a 3% concentration.

• Patroleum jelly, for softening the hardened lumps in impacted guinea pigs.

• Vitamin C tablets, generally the chewable kind, are for emergencies when large doses of vitamin C are necessary (scurvy, etc.).

• Baby food, particularly carrots and bananas, for hand-feeding guinea pigs who won't, or can't, eat on their own.

• Pyrethring shampoo that is safe for use on kittens (not cats!), or a pyrethrin spray or powder for use on birds or small mammals. These are for treatment of lice and some varieties of skin mites.

• Eucalyptus oil, for the relief of congested breathing. Note that this treats symptoms only, and not any potential causes (respiratory infections, etc.). Also note that eucalyptus oil should not be injested, as it is toxic.

• Quick stop. If a toenail breaks, or you accidentally cut the quick when trimming your pig's nails, this product can be applied to the exposed area in order to clot the blood and stop the bleeding. This product can generally be found at pet stores. Some owners have had success using corn starch, instead.

• Eye droppers, for feeding juices or water to a (sometimes unwilling) cavy, when exact dosing is not important.

• Open/needleless syringes, in the 1cc and 5cc (or 3 cc) sizes, for administering exact doseages of oral medications. You may need several of these, as the rubber plungers tend to wear out after a few uses.