Frostbite

Frostbite is damage to the skin, and the underlying tissue, which is caused by exposure to freezing temperatures. Although the condition is not common in healthy guinea pigs, unlike rabbits, they cannot tolerate low environmental temperatures and should be protected from the cold temperatures during winter, not only from the risk of frostbite, but also hypothermia.

Rabbits have fur covering their entire body (except for the inside of their ears), which helps to insulate them and keep them warm in winter. Guinea pigs have shorter and less dense fur, which does not keep the heat in as well, and have no fur on their feet or ears. This allows heat to escape from their body, making them prone to hypothermia (low body temperature) and other cold related health problems.

Healthy guinea pigs, which are eating well, have a companion to help keep them warm, have shelter and protection from draughts, damp and the cold, and have lots of bedding to bury under, are likely to cope with cooler weather, but should still be placed in a suitable outbuilding during the really cold weather. Temperatures below 15°C/56°F can start to cause guinea pigs heath problems, especially if they are very young, elderly, ill or recovering from surgery. When the environmental temperature falls below 10°C/50°F, even healthy guinea pigs may start to struggle with the cold.

Added to this, if the guinea pigs have been housed inside and then suddenly placed outdoors in cold weather, they will not have adapted to grow a thicker winter coat and will be unable to maintain their body temperature. Guinea pigs are highly social animals and need to always be with at least one other guinea pig for welfare and behaviour reasons, and to help maintain their body temperature, as in cold weather they will sit and snuggle together.

Although not common in guinea pigs, frostbite can occur and happens when the extremities (such as the tips of the ears, nose and feet/toes) are exposed to freezing temperatures, or immersed/dipped in water, which freezes on these areas. The water will freeze on the tips of the ears or the toes causing the blood supply to the area to be reduced, leading to tissue necrosis and the tips of the ears/toes dying and falling off.

Initially you are unlikely to notice anything, but the skin on the affected areas may become very pale with a blue/white coloring, resulting in the lack of blood flow to the area. The affected area will feel cold, and the guinea pig may not react to it being touched, since the sense of feeling may have already been lost. As the condition develops the affected area will start to change colour and die off, before falling off entirely.

You should take your guinea pig to see your veterinarian if you notice the signs of frost bite or you are concerned in anyway. Frost bite is unlikely to be fatal, but there may be an underlying cause for it. Heart disease can be a factor since this will affect blood flow to the extremities. Frost bite can also be a factor in hypothermia (low body temperature), which is serious and potentially life-threatening. Your guinea pig may also need pain relief and other supportive treatment as well as the underlying cause/s identified and addressed.

It is hard to be certain. Guinea pigs are highly sensitive animals and as a prey species will always attempt to hide the signs of pain for as long as possible. As the skin dies off, so do the nerves, so it is unlikely to be painful, but may be uncomfortable for the guinea pig to varying degrees, especially in the early stages when the nerves are still active. For this reason, you should always consult your veterinarian, who can prescribe the appropriate treatment after examining your guinea pig.

Make sure your guinea pigs are kept in clean and dry conditions, and their accommodation is cleaned out regularly. Make sure they have dry bedding to walk around on, so their feet are not in constant contact with cold concrete or wet bedding. In colder weather supply them with extra bedding to allow them to sit on extra hay and dig and bury into it if they want to. If your guinea pigs have water bowls to drink from and climb in or dip their toes in when drinking, it may be best to switch to a water bottle in the winter months, so their toes are not in contact with the water.

When the temperature outside starts to drop to levels which guinea pigs may not cope with, you will need to house them in a shed, unused garage, conservatory or bring them indoors to help protect them further.