How to treat a urinary tract infection in guinea pigs

Blood in the urine, squeaking while urinating, increased water consumption with frequent urination and foul smelling urine are all indications that your guinea pig has a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections are not abnormal in guinea pigs because, like other rodents, their bodies are low to the ground and collect bacteria that can get into the urethra to cause an infection. The hard part is recognizing your guinea pig has a urinary tract infection; the easy part is treating it with these simple steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Cranberry Juice
  • Veterinarian
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Give your guinea pig fresh drinking water every day. Your guinea pig will have an increased thirst because of the infection, and if left without enough water it may become dehydrated.

    • 2

      Try offering your guinea pig unsweetened cranberry juice. Although this most likely will not cure the infection completely, it may help clear the urine and bring some comfort to your guinea pig until it can be seen by a veterinarian. This is also a great way to prevent urinary tract infections.

    • 3

      Take your guinea pig to a veterinarian to get antibiotics. Bacteria-related urinary tract infections are normally treated with a guinea pig antibiotic. However, other treatments may be needed if there are complications from the urinary tract infection, or if there is an underlying disease causing the infection.

    • 4

      Make sure your guinea pig takes all of the antibiotics. If you skip doses the infection may linger.

    • 5

      Follow up with your veterinarian as needed to be sure the infection is completely gone. Urinary tract infections can spread to other organs and cause life-threatening damage if left untreated.