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Both guineas sound stuffy but their chests both sound clear?

Lazw

Lazw

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello all, just looking for some advice really. Both my piggies have been sneezing a little recently but not particularly frequently and I put it down to hay dust even though they're on haybox hay which is apparently dust free..... Anyway, this morning I noticed one was making a very strange snuffling noise when she was cleaning herself and whenever she sniffs anything hard, so I called the vets straight away and she's booked in for an hours time but not with our usual exotics vet as they only have one "standard" vet available this morning. They're both eating and acting normally, neither have lost weight, and are otherwise normal apart from the sneeziness and wheezing and slight closing of eyes occasionally too. Is it likely a respiratory infection or allergies to something?! I'm confused as they are otherwise completely normal and will not be impressed with this impromptu vet visit 😂. How can I tell the difference between infection and allergy? Thanks
 
From what I know, allergies are very rare. My Rosie had the same issue, lungs etc were clear but the vet heard something funky in her nose, so she went on antibiotics. Everything was good and clear 10 days later, probably some dust got stuck in her airways.

I hope you will get more advice and that the vet will help you figure out what's going on! Fingers and paws crossed it will all be okay :)
 
I agree, allergies are rare.

Unfortunately no hay is 100% dust free. I've spent my life testing out the best hays (as I've worked in the equine industry for over 25 years). Guinea pigs can be sensitive to other substances in the air (perfumes, air fresheners etc). What bedding do you use?

My guys are also on haybox hay and one of them sometimes gets hay/dust up his nose after diving in head first. The hooting noise usually stops after ten minutes or so.

You are doing the right thing having them vet checked to rule anything out (as respiratory problems can deteriorate quickly). You are also doing the right thing weighing them daily if you are concerned.

Only a vet will be able to rule out infection.

Hope all goes well at the appointment. Keep us posted.
 
Thanks for the responses. So I'm back from the vets, I got the impression that she wasn't too confident in dealing with Guinea pigs but she listened to them both and has prescribed a 7 day course of karidox for each of them plus metacam for each of them- got a follow up with our usual cavy vet next wendesday. I think in honesty she's prescribed this as a precaution as she seemed unsure but looked through their case notes and as one of them has had karidox before for respiratory illness, re prescribed that! Other than the snuffliness my girls are completely themselves, I'm going to give them pro c alongside everything too.
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
I agree, allergies are rare.

Unfortunately no hay is 100% dust free. I've spent my life testing out the best hays (as I've worked in the equine industry for over 25 years). Guinea pigs can be sensitive to other substances in the air (perfumes, air fresheners etc). What bedding do you use?

My guys are also on haybox hay and one of them sometimes gets hay/dust up his nose after diving in head first. The hooting noise usually stops after ten minutes or so.

You are doing the right thing having them vet checked to rule anything out (as respiratory problems can deteriorate quickly). You are also doing the right thing weighing them daily if you are concerned.

Only a vet will be able to rule out infection.

Hope all goes well at the appointment. Keep us posted.
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Thanks for your response, I've posted a general reply below re the vets-they're on fleece and towel bedding plus the haybox hay- I order them both the Timothy and meadow boxes and give them a mix 😊
 
RosieLily said:
From what I know, allergies are very rare. My Rosie had the same issue, lungs etc were clear but the vet heard something funky in her nose, so she went on antibiotics. Everything was good and clear 10 days later, probably some dust got stuck in her airways.

I hope you will get more advice and that the vet will help you figure out what's going on! Fingers and paws crossed it will all be okay :)
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply, I hope that this clears up quickly too 😊
 
Hi again, so both girls are on karidox and loxicom now for a week until their review with our usual cavy vet-both seem happy enough this morning but do both have dried snot in their nostrils? My question is, could they have caught this bug from their haybox hay? I don't know where this infection could have come from-we have no other pets, they don't go outside at all, and they have no contact with any other animals..... I'm really confused but I want to make sure this doesn't happen again! Thanks.
 
I will be really interested to follow the progress of your piggy!

You can see the story of my piggy in "questions about ebony's ongoing noisy breathing" thread.


One thing to run by your vet that i am doing is giving nebulised F10 solution. My vet says that wont do any harm at all. I dont know if it is helping my pig, but i can tell you she loves the nebuliser and sticks her face right into the mask!

The f10 can kill bugs in the upper airway and loosen crusty snot (it isnt a substitute for anti biotics; to use alongside)

There are two types of F10 - a disinfectant for cleaning cages

And an antiseptic suitable for nebulising. If bought neat, it must be diluted 1 part F10 to 250 parts water/saline solution.


Like you, I'm puzzled about where this has come from. My pig has a cagemate who is well.

The vet told me other animals in the house can carry bordetella. He also said that pigs with allergies - their immune systems are down whilst they deal with the allergy so that leaves them open to other bugs.

It is all a bit of a mystery. Good wishes to your little one for a full recovery
 
tabelmabel said:
I will be really interested to follow the progress of your piggy!

You can see the story of my piggy in "questions about ebony's ongoing noisy breathing" thread.


One thing to run by your vet that i am doing is giving nebulised F10 solution. My vet says that wont do any harm at all. I dont know if it is helping my pig, but i can tell you she loves the nebuliser and sticks her face right into the mask!

The f10 can kill bugs in the upper airway and loosen crusty snot (it isnt a substitute for anti biotics; to use alongside)

There are two types of F10 - a disinfectant for cleaning cages

And an antiseptic suitable for nebulising. If bought neat, it must be diluted 1 part F10 to 250 parts water/saline solution.


Like you, I'm puzzled about where this has come from. My pig has a cagemate who is well.

The vet told me other animals in the house can carry bordetella. He also said that pigs with allergies - their immune systems are down whilst they deal with the allergy so that leaves them open to other bugs.

It is all a bit of a mystery. Good wishes to your little one for a full recovery
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply! It's such a frustrating thing isnt it, I just want them back to normal 😔. One of my piggies sounds chesty when she wheeks which is really unusual for her, the other one is just sneezy with a bit of rattling. I'm wondering whether it's the excess dust from the bottom of the hay box that could have set this off?! Thanks for the tip re nebulising with f10, I will ask our usual vet about this next week when we see her. I hope your piggy sees some improvement too ❤️
 
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