Guinea Pig suddenly aggitated and doesn't want to be held.

[RebeccaMae1983]

I have had my guinea for 2 weeks. I don't know much about her other than I was told she is pregnant. I don't know how the previous owner knew this for sure

I set her up in her new home. Gave her a couple days to get use to it and then started holding her. She would calm down as soon as she was put up against me it only took a couple days for her to become friendly. She would almost purr when held or being brushed.

The past couple days she has become skiddish and when I pick her up she butts my arm with her head and I have to put her down.

She is extremely aggravated.

I am curious as to why the sudden behavior change.

[foggycreekcavy]

It's really hard to say. Perhaps she has mites, and being touched is painful.

I would contact the previous owner if possible to find out the last time the pig was with a male.

Most guinea pigs do not like being brushed. Perhaps that's why she's becoming agitated.

[bpatters]

Do you know how far along she is in her pregnancy? It gets increasingly uncomfortable for them to be held as they get closer to delivering, and in fact, it's recommended that you not pick them up in the last days/weeks of pregnancy if you can avoid it. If she's close to delivering, she may just be really uncomfortable.

Mites could be another reason -- have you seen her scratching more than usual?

[RebeccaMae1983]

I can't contact her previous owner. She was purchased at a Swap Meet as a gift for me.

I haven't seen her scratching anymore than usual but she is hiding in her box and only coming out to eat and drink.

I have to comb her hair because she is long haired and I don't want it to become dirty and tangled. I have only combed her hair once in two weeks.

As for the pregnancy I am not sure how the previous owner knew unless she was just assuming since they were all caged together. I haven't tried to pick her up any in the past couple days just changed her bedding, food, and water.

If she does have mites are there any sure ways to know?

[bpatters]

Mites usually causes some pretty frenzied scratching. The classic symptom for mites is a V-shaped hairloss along the pig's lower back where it has pulled the hair out biting at the mites.

If she were mine, I think I'd give her a good close haircut so I could see her skin well and monitor any places where she may be scratching a lot. It also wouldn't hurt to treat her for mites, even if she is pregnant. See www.guinealynx.info/mites.html and www.guinealynx.info/ivermectin.html for instructions.

[Perham]

It's pretty likely she is pregnant but you would have to get a vet to confirm it as well as an overall health check. It might be easier on you both to switch to a fabric bedding in the mean time if you haven't done so already. That might help with the hair issue.

[RebeccaMae1983]

Thanks. I am new to Guinea Pigs but am learning. I have left her alone the last few days except to clean up her cage and she has been hiding out and sleeping.

[foggycreekcavy]

I agree with bpatters about giving her a trim. I always keep long haired pigs trimmed short--it makes it easier to check for lumps/bumps/wounds and skin problems. Since long haired pigs hate to be brushed (it pulls their hair) it makes it easier for them with shorter hair.