Guinea pigs often hide signs of illness, so changes from their normal eating, weight, droppings, activity, breathing, movement or behaviour deserve attention. Common warning signs include eating less or stopping eating, weight loss, smaller or fewer droppings, diarrhoea, lethargy, hunched posture, difficulty breathing, sneezing or discharge, drooling, difficulty chewing, limping, swollen joints, hair or skin changes, urinary changes and head tilt. Because guinea pigs can deteriorate quickly, contact a veterinarian experienced with guinea pigs promptly when a meaningful change occurs. Seek urgent veterinary care for difficulty breathing, collapse or severe weakness, complete loss of appetite, severe diarrhoea, marked abdominal swelling or pain, inability to urinate or pass stool, seizures, major trauma or rapid deterioration.

Pet birds often hide signs of illness, so changes from your bird's normal behaviour can be important. Warning signs include eating less, unexplained weight loss, sleeping more, reduced vocalisation or interaction, persistent fluffed feathers, sitting low on a perch or on the cage floor, weakness, balance problems, changes in droppings, vomiting, eye or nasal discharge, and changes in feathers or grooming. Breathing difficulty, open-mouth breathing at rest, pronounced tail bobbing with each breath, collapse, severe weakness, inability to perch, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding or rapid deterioration require urgent veterinary attention. Because different bird species have different normal behaviours, diets and health risks, concerns should ideally be assessed by a veterinarian experienced with the species.

Chi̍t-tsiah kiān-khong ê tháu-lāu it-poaⁿ tio̍h-ài ū hó si̍t-io̍h, chia̍h tsuân-tsuân ê tsháu, sán-sing tiông-thài ê pān-piāⁿ, pûi-tsū kiān-khong ê tāng-liōng, pí-gōa iû-gōa, soé-sin kap hông-ûi. I-ê ba̍k-tsiu kap phīnn tio̍h-ài tshe-tshè, mô͘-phôe kap phôe-hu kiān-khong, āu-kha khing-khì kân-tshò, i mā m̄-thang ū chia̍h-mi̍h ia̍h lōo-iû ê khùn-lân. In-ūi tháu-lāu siông-siông ē khiàm-pīng, si̍t-io̍h, pān-piāⁿ, hông-ûi, tsū-sè, tāng-liōng ia̍h-sī soé-sin ê kái-piàn ē-sái tsin tiōng-iàu ê tsá-kî kéng-kò tìng-tsōng. Chi̍t-tsiah thá-lāu nā thîng-tsí chia̍h-mi̍h ia̍h-sī kám-kak bô si̍t-io̍h, tio̍h-ài kín-kín tshiau ì-seng.

During a routine health check, your veterinarian assesses your pet’s current health and looks for changes that may not yet be obvious at home. The appointment usually combines a discussion about your pet’s health, behaviour and lifestyle with a hands-on physical examination. Depending on the animal, the veterinarian may assess weight and body condition, eyes, mouth, skin, heart and breathing, abdomen, movement and other species-specific areas. They may also review nutrition, vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental or oral health and other preventive needs. Any additional tests or treatments should be recommended according to your individual pet rather than automatically performed at every appointment.