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Baby Guinea Pig Sneezing

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StevenP

StevenP

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Morning all,

I'm brand new here and have been a proud owner of two boys for 4 days now!

I'm slightly worried about my little guy woody, when we were buying him from pets at home he sneezed once. Then since then he has sneezed every day. It seems to be either when he's eating or when we are handling him. I have contacted the vets for an appointment to get both my guineas checked over.

Just wanted a second opinion before I go off to the vets with them.



Oh and also, Woody is eating and drinking fine so it confuses me as to why he's sneezing!
 
Hello :)
If I recall, PAH keep their animals on sawdust/shavings so it is possible little one is developing a respiratory infection :(
Sometimes, the change of environment may contribute - what bedding are you using ?
Some hays can be dusty, avoid the shop bought if possible as it is a fact that some are a year old before being sold - if you rely on this, always give the hay a good shake before giving to the piggies.
We buy farm bales but have 13 piggies so is more cost effective for us, not always the case for people with 2 piggies. Never had a sneezing issue in 6 years of having piggies so husbandry is paramount.
It's good that Woody is eating as normal but ask your Vet for Septrin and Metacam if he needs treatment - most prescribe Baytril which is very harsh on their tummies and can cause loss of appetite so worth mentioning.
A probiotic is useful too if Woody needs antibiotics as they destroy the good bacteria as well as the bad, probiotics balance the gut flora.
Good luck and let us know how you get on - paws crossed here :tu:
 
Guinea pig slave said:
Hello :)
If I recall, PAH keep their animals on sawdust/shavings so it is possible little one is developing a respiratory infection :(
Sometimes, the change of environment may contribute - what bedding are you using ?
Some hays can be dusty, avoid the shop bought if possible as it is a fact that some are a year old before being sold - if you rely on this, always give the hay a good shake before giving to the piggies.
We buy farm bales but have 13 piggies so is more cost effective for us, not always the case for people with 2 piggies. Never had a sneezing issue in 6 years of having piggies so husbandry is paramount.
It's good that Woody is eating as normal but ask your Vet for Septrin and Metacam if he needs treatment - most prescribe Baytril which is very harsh on their tummies and can cause loss of appetite so worth mentioning.
A probiotic is useful too if Woody needs antibiotics as they destroy the good bacteria as well as the bad, probiotics balance the gut flora.
Good luck and let us know how you get on - paws crossed here :tu:
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Just back from the vets. Turns out woody has an infection so he has to take antibiotics for the next few days.

The vet told me that since I've paid the vet bills and since its been less than 7 days since I purchased them from PAH they should refund me the money I paid to get him treated. Any truth in this?

Thanks!
 
I believe so but PAH will very likely say you should have returned Woody to them so they could have treated him.
Worth a shot but wouldn't hold my breath...
Hope wee fella recovers but you have caught this quickly - what antibiotic have you been prescribed ?
 
Guinea pig slave said:
I believe so but PAH will very likely say you should have returned Woody to them so they could have treated him.
Worth a shot but wouldn't hold my breath...
Hope wee fella recovers but you have caught this quickly - what antibiotic have you been prescribed ?
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Thanks, he was given Baytril, twice a day for 5 days. So here's hoping that works.
 
StevenP said:
Thanks, he was given Baytril, twice a day for 5 days. So here's hoping that works.
Click to expand...
How old is Woody ?
Make sure he has a probiotic 2 hours following his antibiotics, watch out for soft poops as it can upset their stomachs.
I hate Baytril and my vet doesn't even bother trying to give it to my piggies...have almost lost a boy on the stuff before I knew better so please be cautious and any worries, come back to us :)
 
Guinea pig slave said:
How old is Woody ?
Make sure he has a probiotic 2 hours following his antibiotics, watch out for soft poops as it can upset their stomachs.
I hate Baytril and my vet doesn't even bother trying to give it to my piggies...have almost lost a boy on the stuff before I knew better so please be cautious and any worries, come back to us :)
Click to expand...


Ah okay I didn't know they had to have a probiotic the vet never said anything about that! I'll keep an eye on him and make sure he's alright, woody is 9 weeks old so still a baby!

Just back from PAH and got a full refund for the vets bill - good result!
 
Can I just ask what did you say to pets at home because I have a baby Guinea pig who I got from a petshop on Saturday and I have taken her to the vets twice now and she has ringworm and mange and I don't know how to approach the shop about this situation lol sounds silly but I would either get really mad and start screaming and shouting or just kinda act dumb and say okay to whatever they try to fob me off with, but truth is I want something done about it as she has to live outside alone for now so she doesn't infect my other 4 with ringworm! I either want another one to go with her for free and obviously I would pay for any treatment it needed (because they all had "patches" so would need to see the vet too) or reimburse me my vets bills, how do I say this without sounding cheeky lol
 
As for how to approach them I would be firm but not shouting. They need to know it's not acceptable to sell poorly animals and to deny them treatment when there is obviously a problem as you said all the poor things had signs of ringworm/mange. If I were you I would go for vet bill reimbursement, as I imagine this costs more than what you would pay to buy another pig from them. And if you do choose another pig from that batch, that piggies vet bills should also be covered. Gosh we don't have pets at home in Canada where I live (but the pet stores have the same policy about vet bills/health issues shortly after purchase) and it sounds like they are horrible.
 
Shall I tell them what's happened and say "ringworm is very contagious your staff could catch it if they aren't washing their hands after handling them" and wait and see what they say what they can offer me or shall I say something like " I'm not very pleased that I've had to take her to the vets twice already and it's cost me £30 each time
 
I'm thinking do I act more concerned about them spreading it around to other animals and people or more concerned about the one I've bought and the money I've spent on her or say both lol I just hate complaining about things like that, I will complains about animal welfare and make my thoughts known on that subject and that's why I don't want to end up getting angry and shouting but when it comes to money I'm kind of like oh well it's gone now and really I shouldn't be like that because I shouldn't have to have taken her to the vets because it's not me who ignored the fact she was ill
 
Stayc1989 said:
I'm thinking do I act more concerned about them spreading it around to other animals and people or more concerned about the one I've bought and the money I've spent on her or say both lol I just hate complaining about things like that, I will complains about animal welfare and make my thoughts known on that subject and that's why I don't want to end up getting angry and shouting but when it comes to money I'm kind of like oh well it's gone now and really I shouldn't be like that because I shouldn't have to have taken her to the vets because it's not me who ignored the fact she was ill
Click to expand...


I phoned pets at home head office and explained the situation, they were really concerned. Obviously I showed that I wasn't happy and they totally understood! I then went into the store and they gave me a refund for my vet bill no questions asked.


Just approach it with a calm attitude - explain your situation. If they really care about the pets they will sort something out for you! Hope this helps! :)
 
Thank you :) my boyfriend phoned them and they gave me my money back for the pig and they've taken all the Guinea pigs off sale and said they are starting treatment and on the rabbits too incase it's spread :)
 
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