II. Heat Stress
III. Caging Trauma
IV. Vaginitis and Scrotal Plugs
V. Alopecia
VI. Dystocia
VII. Urinary Tract Disorders
VIII. Metastatic Mineralization
Guinea pigs have continuously erupting teeth throughout life. The Guinea pig is unusual in that the mandibular premolar and first molar are more likely to malocclude which then affects the incisors. The cause of the condition is not well understood, but is thought to involve dietary factors as well as genetic predisposition. These cheek teeth grow inward and traumatize the tongue, inducing chronic weight loss, excessive salivation, and halitosis. The condition can be controlled by clipping or filing back the offending teeth with a Dremel tool or three-sided file in anesthetized Guinea pigs. Ensuring a nutritionally adequate diet and avoiding the use of affected animals as breeding stock have been recommended.
Guinea pigs are extremely susceptible to heat stroke, and even transport in an air-conditioned car has been reported to result in over heating and coma. This syndrome is frequently seen in pet Guinea pigs allowed to graze outdoors at temperatures greater than 70o or 75o F. Coma, rapid shallow respiration, pale mucous membranes, slobbering, and high rectal temperature can all be seen clinically. Although treatment is generally unrewarding, rapid cooling with running water or ice, along with supportive care and steroids, may provide relief.
Young Guinea pigs kept on wire mesh floors can catch their feet and legs in the mesh. As the limb swells, the animal is unable to free itself, and fractures or necrosis are possible. The use of solid floors with contact bedding will alleviate the problem in juvenile and excitable animals.
IV. Vaginitis and Scrotal Plugs
Wood chips may adhere to the vulva and vestibule, or to the prepuce
causing a foreign body reaction. Male Guinea pigs may accumulate
a plug of sebaceous material and bedding in the skin fold overlying the
interscrotal septum (see photo). Treat both conditions by washing
the affected area with mild soap and water, carefully pulling the debris
out. Problem animals should be placed on a different surface, such
as wire or shredded newspaper. 
Alopecia may result from dominant animals barbering or pulling
hair from more submissive animals. Self barbering can also occur.
Partial alopecia may also be seen in multiparous females, probably as a
result of nutritional stress and estrogenic influence (see photo).
Hair may or may not regrow. A transient alopecia is occasionally
seen in weanlings. Bite and fight wounds may also be surrounded by
alopecia. 
Dystocia most commonly occurs in primiparous dams older than six months of age due to the fusion of the pelvic symphysis and lack of pelvic inlet expansion needed for delivery of fetuses. Dystocia may also be caused by abnormally big or malformed fetuses, unusually large litters, or abnormal fetal presentations. Guinea pigs normally deliver pups quickly (every 3-7 minutes) with completion generally within 30 minutes. Labor without pup delivery indicates dystocia and Cesarian delivery is warranted. If the pup delivery interval is prolonged and intrauterine pup orientation is normal, uterine inertia may be the diagnosis. Uterine contractions can be reinitiated with the administration of 1 unit of oxytocin SQ.
Chronic interstitial nephritis is common in the aged Guinea pig.
Clinically, no clinical signs may be noted until renal failure from end
stage kidneys occurs; wasting, generalized edema, PU/PD, and proteinuria
are then noted. Chronic nephritis is characterized by pitted small
tan kidneys. 
Bacterial cystitis occurs more commonly in sows then boars. The
most notable clinical signs are hematuria or pyrexia; the possibility of
urolithiasis must be ruled out. Treatment with enrofloxacin or trimethoprim/sulfamerazine
(dosages the same as treating Bordetella) should be effective.
Uroliths ( most commonly strurite) may occur infrequently, with or without obstruction. Treatment may require surgical intervention if retrograde flushing is not successful. Rehydration of the animal may cause some uroliths to spontaneously dissolve. Attempts to acidify the urine are not recommended as guinea pigs have trouble removing the acid load.
VIII. Metastatic Mineralization
The guinea pig has a high incidence of tissue calcification in the heart,
vessels, kidney, colon, lung, and stomach (see photo). Mineralization is
usually noted as an incidental finding and is thought to result from physiologic
cation balance mechanisms and subclinical dehydration. There is calcification
of the heart, blood vessels, stomach, colon, kidneys, or lungs.
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