HEALTH AND MATING

Question
HELLO RYAN,

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ AND RESPOND TO MY QUESTIONS. I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS.
A) MY GUINEA PIG HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH PNEUMONIA. THE VET HAS PRESCRIBED AN ANTIBIOTIC AND TO RUN THE HOT WATER IN THE SHOWER AND TO LET HER SIT IN THERE FOR 10 MINUTES FOR THE HUMIDITY. DO YOU KNOW OF ANYTHING ELSE THAT CAN HELP HER? HER NAME IS DAPHNEE.  B) MY 1ST GP IS A MALE NAMED SNOOPY. I BOUGHT DAPHNEE ABOUT 2WEEKS AGO. THEY HAVE NOT MATED THUS FAR. DOES IT USUALLY TAKE A WHILE? IT CAN ALSO BE BECAUSE SHE'S ILL I GUESS.

Answer
Hi Krystal and thanks for the questions,

Pneumonia (like most illnesses) is a serious threat to a GP. Antibiotics are the best course of action and the "shower effect" can be more easily attained by just running a humidifier in the room with Daphnee. My only other suggestion would be to change the bedding, food and water of the sick GP more often than normal. Getting the infected materials away from the GP will help with her comfort and healing.

As for mating, first things first. Seperate Daphnee and Snoopy IMEADIATELY. If you don't you will have TWO sick GPs and two vet bills. Once Daphnee is well you can try again. Illness will cause a female to be less than receptive to the mating advances of a male. Most likely though she is not "ready". Females can be ready to mate every 14 to 18 days for 14 to 18 days. If this cycle is not right, she will not let a male court her and may even nip at him to get him to back off.

Last question: How OLD are the pair? If they are too young, they will not mate. (4 weeks old or more for both will get you some babies quickly).

Thanks again and good luck,
Ryan
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