Changes in behavior?

Question
Hi,

I got my first guinea pig, Michelangelo, in about mid April. He is now about 7 months old. When I first got him, he was always fine with letting me pick him up. But for the past month or so every time I try to even pet him, he runs away, and sometimes even lashes out and bites me. I want to make sure he still gets out of his cage, so he won't be cooped up there all day, and so I can keep it clean, but because he won't let me touch him, I have to use a carrier to get him in and out of his cage. Do you think there is any reason why he is having this sudden change in behavior?

Answer
Briana,

If he was a female I would know the answer without a problem, but as he is not the answer becomes a little more difficult.

He could just not like the motion of being picked up. One of my girls was that way, when younger she was fine with being picked up as she reach 6 months old she all of the sudden became frightened of heights and the motion of being picked up, so she would run away or sometime nip at me. She was fine once we sat down, but was just frightened of being up. So that maybe the case with him, try instead of a carrier try picking him up with a towel and wrapping him up in, that makes them feel more secure. Once you sit down with him see if he won't let you pet him.

He may also be mad at you. So again try getting him with a towel and sitting down with him in a calm quiet room with just the two of you. Pet him, talk to him, and give him a little treat. If mad at you that'll win him over again and just remember to hold him for 2 sessions of 10 to 15 minutes every day.

He also might be in pain and so doesn't want you to touch him as that can cause more pain. In which case you'll want to take him to an Exotic or Small Animal vet, to be throughly looked at to find the problem if one.

Other then that there is no real reason for his sudden change in behavior.

I hope this helps in some way,
     Take care now,        
          Jules