Be alert on paw patrol

We have a couple of two-year-old guinea pigs. One of them is heavier than the other (he is greedy) and seems well but the paws on his front legs are slightly reddened. Should I bother our vet with this?

- DR DAVID GRANT

PREVENTION: Guinea pigs need and want should be looked at by a vet

Most certainly you should, and your vet won't be bothered at all. Diagnosing problems, just as they start, is very satisfying for vets, because they are easier to cure, prevent suffering and provide an excellent chance for advising prevention of the problem.

Any pet not a dog or cat is classified by vets as ‘exotic’. In recent times there has been a great deal more research into exotic pets, including rodents, reptiles, and birds. Some vets, with specialist qualifications, treat exotic pets exclusively.

One thing commonly found when treating exotic pets is that there may be problems with husbandry.

This could be, for example, inadequate dietary vitamin C, or accommodation problems, such as inadequate space, wire floored cages and wet bedding.