Try to insulate your pet by putting the bedding over its body to increase its body heat. If you don’t have it, a blanket or a towel will have to do. Place your guinea pig on dry bedding, preferably veterinary fleece bedding. If it is living outside, bring it inside and try to warm it up. If you notice any of these symptoms, you need to get your guinea pig warm. However, not all of these symptoms may be present and that’s why it is hard to recognize hypothermia in guinea pigs. Other symptoms of hypothermia include quick and shallow breathing and your guinea pig’s hair standing on end in an attempt to insulate the body. If your guinea pig is not active as usual, if it refuses to eat and just wants to rest, spending most of its time sleeping and being immobile, it could be a sign of hypothermia. Perhaps the most telling sign is apathy and lack of appetite. Some of the signs are subtle and not so easy to spot. Symptoms of hypothermia in guinea pigs can often go unnoticed until it is too late. Hypothermia is also likely to happen faster if the guinea pig is ill or old, leaving even less time for your reaction and treatment of hypothermia. Of course, ill guinea pigs and older ones are more likely to suffer from hypothermia and other cold-related problems. If it continues to drop, it quickly becomes a life-threatening condition. Mild hypothermia in guinea pigs can kick in when the body heat drops to less than 95☏ (35☌). Hypothermia is a term for a medical emergency in which your guinea pig starts to lose body heat faster than it can produce it, which leads to dangerously low body temperature. If the temperature gets too low for your guinea pig, it may suffer from hypothermia, which can be fatal in many cases. However, keep in mind that lethargy and inactiveness are signs of a potential problem. Although guinea pigs don’t hibernate during the winter, they can become less active and sleep a bit more if it’s too cold for them. However, if there is condensation around them, they may start to suffer from cold-related issues even at higher temperatures. The absolute minimum in which guinea pigs can survive is 50☏ (10☌) if the air around them is dry. During the night, they should be kept in temperatures higher than 60☏ (15☌). Guinea pigs are most comfortable in temper between 65 – 75☏ (18-24☌) during the day. They are therefore used to warm and dry weather, so it is logical that they don’t really do that great in cold weather. Guinea pigs originate from South America, from Peru to be exact. Lethargy is a sure sign of a worse medical condition. If you do find your pet becoming lethargic in cold winter months then take them to the vet immediately. Guinea pigs do have a history of going into hypothermia in cold temperatures. Your pet’s habitat should be kept warm at all times to avoid possible health complications. You may even find that some days in early fall are too cold for guinea pigs. In fact, winter is not a natural occurrence to the guinea pig and they will need special care when it gets cold. If their outside living condition drops below 15 degrees celsius (59 Fahrenheit) they will need to be moved to a warmer location. Guinea pigs will not enter a hibernation state even if their living conditions get too cold. If you’re new to owning guinea pigs, you may be wondering if they hibernate like other members of the rodent family.
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