Why Do Some Guinea Pigs With Nosebleeds Die? (Explained Now)
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Noticing that your guinea pigs has a nosebleed is pretty scary. It’s even worse if it’s followed by the sudden death of your little friend. So why did your guinea pig with a nosebleed die?
Typically, guinea pigs who die from nosebleed have experienced physical trauma. This could be due to being dropped from a height, stepped on, or squeezed too hard. A malignant tumor can also lead to nosebleeds and it’s fatal. Seizures, clotting disorders, and poisoning could also be other reasons for deadly nosebleeds in guinea pigs.
There are some emergencies that you should take your pet to the vet for. A nosebleed is one example.
It could be a simple hay injury, or it might be a more serious problem, like a tumor.
The fact is, you won’t know unless you take your guinea pig to the vet for a checkup and tests.
Keep reading to know more about what causes nosebleeds in piggies and the reason why a nosebleed could be fatal for your guinea pig.
1. Physical Trauma
Physical injuries can lead to internal bleeding. This goes for both humans and animals. In the case of guinea pigs, their very small size makes them more vulnerable.
A drop from a height can kill guinea pigs. Even rough handling sometimes can lead to serious injuries. Other animals can also injure them quite easily.
In fact, it’s not advisable to keep a guinea pig together with stronger animals. For example dogs and rabbits.
Symptoms of serious physical trauma in guinea pigs are nosebleeds. Especially injuries to the head. This could lead to your guinea pig dying if the injury is severe enough.
In some cases, the nosebleeds can occur just once and disappear. However, after a while, you might find your little fuzz spud dead.
It’s important to get any nosebleed checked by a vet because of this. You might think the problem has passed when it hasn’t.
You might find these posts on how to keep your furry potatoes safe helpful: 11 Devastating Reasons Why Some Guinea Pigs Die Suddenly and Can Noise Scare A Guinea Pig To Death? (You Need To Know)
2. Malignant Tumor
Unfortunately, guinea pigs develop cancer just like any other animal. Benign tumors have a good prognosis and don’t spread elsewhere. However, the danger is in malignant tumors. They have the capacity to spread elsewhere.
One of the symptoms of malignant tumors is bleeding. This is due to the uncontrollable growth of cells. It leads to the weakening of blood vessels and damage to normal tissues.
The most common cancers/tumors in guinea pigs are;
- Lymphoma
- Mammary tumors
- Skin tumors
- Uterine tumors
The main tumor that causes nosebleeds in cavies is lymphoma. It’s also the most commonly diagnosed cancer in guinea pigs. It’s also called Cavian Leukemia.
Lymphoma mainly affects the lymph nodes. Other symptoms of lymphoma include;
- Labored breathing
- Lethargy
- A ruffled and unkempt coat
- Enlarged lymph nodes throughout the body
You can feel for any lumps in your guinea pig’s body and have them checked by the vet. Tumors in guinea pigs tend to show themselves through lumps.
Treatment of tumors in guinea pigs can be through medicine or surgery to remove them.
Here’s some posts that you might find helpful: Should You Let Your Guinea Pig Die Naturally? (You Need To Know Now) and 9 Reasons Guinea Pigs Die At The Same Time
3. Seizure
Although actual seizures are rare in guinea pigs, they can have seizure-like behavior. This behavior is caused by a skin parasite infection known as guinea pig mange.
It causes a guinea pig to cry out, fall to one side and start twitching. The behavior is caused by the intense sensation of the mites burrowing through the skin.
The other causes of seizures in guinea pigs are;
- Heat stroke
- Developing brain damage
- Ear infection
- Head injury (dropped on the floor)
- Tumors
- Poisons
Seizures cause nosebleeds because they affect the brain. It leads to an injury in blood vessels thus overflowing blood. If you suspect a seizure, take your little furry to the vet.
Popcorning is jumping, jerking motion that guinea pigs do when they’re very happy or excited. Sometimes owners mistake this for a seizure. Always look at the context of how your piggies are behaving before you start freaking out.
4. Clotting Disorder – Genetic or Infection
Blood clotting disorders are the body’s inability to control the formation of blood clots. In some cases, this results in too little clotting and leads to abnormal bleeding.
In guinea pigs, clotting disorders can be genetic or caused by an infection. Some guinea pigs are born with clotting disorders. The abnormal clotting can lead to frequent nosebleeds.
Blood clots can block blood flow to some parts of their bodies which can cause death.
One of the other causes of clotting disorders in guinea pigs is scurvy. This is caused by severe vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C together with vitamin K helps in the production of blood cells.
A deficiency of vitamin C and K leads to decreased red blood cells hence poor clotting. Therefore your little pet’s wounds will take longer to heal.
Read the following posts to understand if and when your piggies are close to meeting their end: 10 Alarming Signs That Your Guinea Pig Is Dying and Is My Guinea Pig Dead or In Shock? (How to Tell)
5. Poisoning – (Food, Plants, or Foreign Materials)
There’s several things that can poison your guinea pigs. From certain foods and plants to their bedding, to the toys (if they’re not piggie safe) they play with.
Here’s some foods and plants that are toxic for piggies
- Foxglove
- Ivy
- Potato
- Meat
- Dairy
- Onions
- Garlic
- Nuts (too high in fats)
Plastics are also poisonous to guinea pigs, if they nibble and swallow them.
Poisoning in guinea affects their:
- Circulatory system (anemia, hemorrhaging, jaundice, increased respiration)
- Digestive system (vomiting, severe stomach pains, drooling, diarrhea)
- Mobility (unable to walk properly, lameness)
- Nervous system (fits, blindness, excitement)
- Reproductive system (abortion, swollen vulva)
- Respiratory system (coughing, labored breathing, pneumonia, sneezing)
- Skin (Hemorrhage, color, irritation)
- Urinary tract (blood in urine, pus)
Nosebleeds can be an indication of poisoning in your little fur baby. If you observe any symptoms that can be poisoning, take your pet to the vet.
It’s sooooo important to piggie proof the area where you keep your little friends – especially when you have them out and about for floor time. Make sure that plants, cords, and other foreign objects are not accessible to your piggies. If you’re letting your guinea pigs have outside time in a run, keep them away from areas where they could be poisoned by plants or pesticides.
How Can I Find Out The Reason Why My Dead Guinea Pig Had A Bloody Nose?
Have a vet perform a necropsy. This is an autopsy that will tell you what caused the death of your guinea pig. Necropsy is an autopsy that uses surgery to thoroughly examine a dead pet’s body.
Necropsy is a process that can determine how someone died. It can also determine the extent of any injuries or diseases. This information can be very helpful for those who need it.
Sometimes it can give you a little peace of mind knowing the cause of your guinea pig’s nosebleed and resulting death.
It will also help you know what to watch out for in your remaining guinea pigs.
If you want a vet to do a necropsy, time is of the essence. You need to get your guinea pig to the vet as soon as possible after its death. The sooner you can get your guinea pig to the vet, the better chance you have of getting accurate results.
What Do I Do If My Guinea Pig Has A Nosebleed?
If your guinea pig has a nosebleed, take your guinea pig to the vet immediately. A bloody nose could be caused by multiple issues, many of which are serious. It could be an injury or a tumor. A vet visit will point to the cause and you can know how to stop it.
The vet can determine if the cause is physical or caused by disease and infections. It could be as simple as hay injuries or a serious head injury.
Always consult a vet if you notice unexplained bleeding from your little fur baby.
You might find this post helpful: What Are the Reasons a Guinea Pig Won’t Move, Eat, or Drink? (Find Out Now)
How To Treat A Guinea Pig’s Bloody Nose (Pet Parents Speak Up)
I wanted to find permanent and temporary remedies for nosebleeds. The best people to ask would obviously be pet parents. I wanted to see what they did.
So I interviewed 60 guinea pig owners to know how they dealt with nosebleeds. Here’s the results.
- 56 of the respondents (93%) first immediate step was a vet visit. Many respondents said when they spotted blood from their guinea pig’s nose. The vet ran blood work and in some cases did an x-ray. Some guinea pigs had hay stuck in their noses. In some cases, there was an infection so they prescribed antibiotics. In serious cases of tumors, vets would recommend treatment or operation.
- 35 of the respondents (58%) used an ice pack. The respondents would wrap an ice pack in two layers of clothes. Then they would press it lightly on the nose of their pets or on the side. The ice constricted the blood vessels reducing the bleeding. However, this was a temporary measure. If the bleeding continued they would consult a vet.
- 43 of the respondents (72%) wiped their noses. This would prevent blood drying on the nasal opening and blocking the nose. Use a soft material and just press gently. Your little pet’s nose is sensitive so any rough handling can cause the skin to tear.
- 28 of the respondents (47%) calmed down the guinea pig. Pet parents would gently soothe their piggies. Nosebleeds can get more intense if they’re anxious. Although nosebleeds can be scary, pet parents advised you should calm down. Your guinea pig can feel the panic and get anxious.
Although nosebleeds were common, many pet parents had had different experiences with them. Here are some highlights I picked in my survey;
- You should check if your guinea pig is bleeding from one nostril or both. This can tell you the severity of the bleeding. If it’s a tumor, the bleeding will be from both nostrils. An injury in the nose such as hay pricking their nose can cause bleeding in only one nostril.
- Don’t put anything up their nose. This might lead to sneezing which might move the clot and increase bleeding.
- Check their mouth to see if there is blood or if the gums are pale. Some serious illnesses cause bleeding in both the nose and the mouth. If their mouth is bleeding as well, take them to the vet immediately.
- Check if they’re sneezing as well. Try and note how frequent the sneezing is. You can check how many times they sneeze every 15 seconds. This will help your vet with the diagnosis.
Nosebleeds can be harmless or fatal. There were cases of pet parents whose pets had a nosebleed once and that was the end of it.
However, there were also cases where a nosebleed came and went and later on the piggie died. This happened immediately in some cases while it took some weeks in others.
This means that you can never truly know if a nosebleed is harmless unless you get an expert opinion.
So please make sure you see a vet if your guinea pig has a nosebleed.
If you’re ever worried about anything related to your guinea pig’s health, the best thing you can do is take them to see a vet. Save up in advance so you’re never caught off guard financially, and your guinea pig will always have access to the best possible care.
Is It Normal For Guinea Pigs To Bleed?
No, it’s not normal for guinea pigs to bleed. If they do, it usually means that there is something wrong and you should take them to the vet. Even though it doesn’t happen often, if you see blood coming from your guinea pig, you should be worried (hey, I’d be worried too if I saw blood coming out of my guinea pig!).
If you see blood from your guinea pig, you should first check where it’s coming from. Afterwards, take them to the vet.
Some of the causes of bleeding (from different parts of their bodies) in guinea pigs include:
- Open wounds from a fight
- Urinary tract infection
- Bladder stones
- Parasites
- Cancer/Tumor
- Heat in females/other reproductive organs issue
- An accident in the cage
- Ringworms
Since you never know what is causing the bleeding, it is important to consult a veterinarian. A vet will do a thorough examination to find out the cause of the bleeding. Then you can treat your little friend.
Check out these helpful posts: Why Do Guinea Pigs Die With Wide Open Eyes? (Find Out Now) and What To Do When One Of A Pair Of Guinea Pigs Dies (Find Out Now)
What Causes Bleeding In Guinea Pigs?
Bleeding in guinea pigs is caused by; a cage accident, or a fight with other guinea pigs. Certain forms of cancers and tumor can cause bleeding in guinea pigs. It can also be due to urinary tract infection, parasites, bladder stones, or ringworm.
For female guinea pigs, bleeding can happen when they’re in heat. It could also be due to problems with their reproductive system.
Weekly health checks on your guinea pigs can help you identify any potential health issue early on. This way you can take them to the vet and get treatment before it’s too late. As a responsible pet parent, it’s important to know the common health problems that can affect your guinea pig. This way, you’ll know what to look out for and can take them to the vet if you notice any symptoms.
Is Nasal Discharge Normal For Guinea Pigs?
No, nasal discharge isn’t normal for guinea pigs. It’s a sign that’s something is wrong – that your guinea pig is sick. Guinea pigs’ noses don’ have discharge if they’re healthy. Nasal discharge can be caused by;
- Upper respiratory tract infection.
- Pneumonia
- Heart disease
- Bacterial infection
- Cold (transmitted from humans)
- Blockage in the nose
- Injuries in the nasal tract
- Allergies
You should get your pet checked if there is a sign of nasal discharge. If it’s a serious illness like pneumonia, treatment should be immediate. So a vet consultation will help you establish the cause and get treatment.
Upper respiratory infections and simple colds can VERY quickly escalate into pneumonia, which is the leading cause of death in guinea pigs. If you notice any discharge from your guinea pig’s nose, take them to the vet immediately. Most causes of nose discharge require treatment that involves antibiotics, which only vets can prescribe.
Why Would A Guinea Pig Die Suddenly?
Sudden death in guinea pigs can be due to pneumonia and heart attack. Upper respiratory infections also cause sudden death. It could also be due to old age, vitamin C deficiency, GI stasis (gut stops moving), or stress.
Poor breeding and salmonella can also lead to sudden death in guinea pigs. Other causes can be starvation, dehydration, diarrhea, and dental problems.
Animals, especially prey animals, tend to hide their sickness very well. This means you might not catch it before they die or are too sick to treat. Unfortunately, guinea pigs are a common example of this.
You should examine your piggies every day. This is because some of these causes can be treated if caught early. Drops in weight and lack of poop can tell you if the problem is serious and the guinea pig might be starving.
Guinea pigs are known for starving themselves when ill. They can just refuse to eat if they’re ill, stressed, or don’t like their environment.
A regular vet visit can also help catch these issues beforehand and get them treated.
Even if you do everything right, some guinea pigs might still die. This isn’t your fault- guinea pigs are delicate animals. It’s easy to miss any symptoms they might have – especially if they’re good at hiding them. The best thing you can do is give your guinea pig the best possible life and hope for the best.
What Are The Signs Of Death in Guinea Pigs?
As they approach sudden death a guinea pig could display these symptoms;
- Loss of energy (lethargy)
- Lack of appetite
- Loss of desire to drink
- Lack of coordination (clumsiness)
- Muscle spasms
- Fits
- Coma
Death in this case can happen within 4 to 5 days. In some serious cases, it can happen within 24 to 72 hours.
Things To Remember About Guinea Pigs and Bloody Noses
We have established that bloody noses are serious in guinea pigs. Some of the core reasons for the nosebleeds are connected to the common causes of guinea pig deaths. So when they happen, your immediate step is to book a vet visit.
Remember to calm down so that you don’t cause anxiety in your guinea pig. It can worsen the bleeding. Soothing your little baby can also help slow down the nose bleed.
Bloody noses can be caused by hay prickling their nose or could be a sign of an underlying issue. A vet will clear this up and tell you how to proceed with treatment.
Sudden death from nosebleeds is not always preventable so you should be too guilty. Prey animals hide their illnesses so spotting them is hard.