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Chest Infection/loneliness

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GreyGirl

GreyGirl

Junior Guinea Pig
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I'm getting worried about Kim. She's 10 weeks old and since Thursday has been separated from her sister due to her having a slight chest infection. I've been dosing her since then and I hope she's improving. She's been making the occasional noise but generally seems to be getting better.
My problem is that she's only eating whatever grass I put in the cage or lady things. Her hay rack is untouched and she's not eating loads. Aggie is eating normally. Kim looks fine in herself and perks up when with me and eats hay when on my lap. I think she's lonely and stressed.
I'm in a dilemma, I'm supposed to keep them separate until Thursday this week, but I'm worried she'll continue to not eat well because of missing her sister, I hear them calling to each other.
I don't know whether to risk putting them back together and hope aggie doesn't get the infection, or risk keeping them apart when I think she's stressed and lonely...

What would you do?
 
I'm sorry to hear that Kim is poorly! Where you advised by the vet to separate them?
 
Poor Kim I hope she's better soon. Piggies really can get quite low when they're lonely - could you make some sort of compromise and put their cages next to each other so they can still smell and see each other to see if that helps?
 
The vet told me to separate. But now I feel like it's making things worse.
They're in two tiers of a hutch so they can hear each other but not see each other.
Would you put them back together?
 
I've never had a vet tell me to separate for anything like infections. Personally I think if her friend isn't causing her any stress like picking on her etc, that it may be more beneficial to her to be with her friend. Someone more knowledgeable on the subject should be able to give you a clearer answer on them being separated whilst under treatment though!
 
Thanks. I've put them back together. I honestly think separating was distressing her. Hopefully it was the right thing to do.
 
Keeping her stress levels low is definitely a bonus, I'd do the same :)
 
They're happily munching grass together in their dog bed in their attached run...before it rains again! She seems a lot perkier now she's back with her sister.
 
Phew, I feel better knowing more experienced people would've done the same :)
 
With babies, it is always a toss up. URI is infectious, especially in younger, stressed out guinea pigs that do not yet have got a fully developed immune system. Healthy adult guinea pigs can usually fend of most infections and generally don't require separation. However, separation counts as a major stress factor, and it can lead to pining, the same as for bereaved guinea pigs.

Please bring any ill outdoors piggies indoors, especially those with a respiratory infection (URI). We have had a wide range of temperatures in the last few week, which have been taxing on the old as well as the very young. make sure that they are warm and tight during rain and the chilly nights that we have been promised, but also don't overheat on a hot day. Cold drafts and dampness can trigger illness.
 
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