Ginko sneezed.

[Logi]

And I'm really worried I could have passed on my cold to him, since we've been getting along so well.

I heard that the idea that humans could pass on colds and coughs to other animals was bullhockey - on this forum, no less - so I'd been continuing to care for them throughout, even when I was so bad I had to cancel appointments in order not to pass it to other humans. I was careful not to cough or sneeze near them, and rubbed my hands and face with alcohol wash before and after interracting.

But I've heard Ginko sneeze a couple of times over the past few days - he's chilling in my lap as I write this, in fact I think he's gone to sleep - and wanted to ere on the side of caution. Any ideas?

P.S - Layla, you'll be pleased to know Thorn's coming along in leaps and bounds now. He no longer hides when I come near the hutch, and even stands still to let me stroke him, as of yesterday and today!

 

[jojowelsh]

My piggie Boris had a cold when I first got him and he was sneezing about 4 times a day so took him to vet and he recommended giving them a quarter of the dissolvable vitamin c tablets mixed with 250mls of water to boost there immune system xx

 

[debbie ann]

hi, my advice is to take him to vets just to be on safe side, colds can be fatal for pigs and when i first had them i did loose a piggy to a cold but saying that i have had piggys that have had the odd sneeze so I'm not saying yours does as it could be a little dust from hay or something tickling his nose another pig got a cold after our first and we took her to vets she had antibiotics and was tiptop shortly after so with propper care there nothing to worry bout

 

[ILoveGilbertTheGuineaPig]

My piggie Boris had a cold when I first got him and he was sneezing about 4 times a day so took him to vet and he recommended giving them a quarter of the dissolvable vitamin c tablets mixed with 250mls of water to boost there immune system xx

did that help? because i know it's NOT recommended to give vitamin c tablets in water..:{

 

[Layla - NSGPR]

Hi Sam,

Pleased to hear Thorn has settled so well. It shows what a bit of TLC can do.

How often is he sneezing? Is it like you say twice over 3 days. Guineas do sneeze so it may just be normal sneezing, but always good to be conscientious as they can deteriorate rapidly.

Has he any other symptoms?

I'd be inclined to keep a close eye on him. And boost his vit C intake through vegetables high in vitamin C e.g. peppers and broccolli.

If you are worried always best to get him checked by a vet. But I wouldn't recommend giving antibiotics as a precaution unless he has a bacterial infection as antibiotics aren't really very good for guineas, and don't act on viruses.

Keep us updated.

Layla

 

[missy]

did that help? because i know it's NOT recommended to give vitamin c tablets in water..:{

Guinea pigs should ideally get enough essential vitamins from their regular diet, so there shouldn't normally be a need to put anything extra in their drinking water. Adding drops/tablets to drinking water can be ineffective due to the vitamins breaking down rapidly within the water and also vitamin supplements can alter the taste of water, which may put the pig off, so it's then unlikely to drink enough water to get a sufficient dose.

If there is a medical need to supplement a guinea pig's diet and your Vet has advised you to do so, just make sure you give the correct dosage as most vitamin C tablets available on the high street will be a much higher dose than a guinea pig requires. I tend to crush the tablet into powder, mix it with a little water (1-2ml) and administer this solution orally via syringe.

Another possibility is perhaps hayfever...as silly as it sounds, guinea pigs can get it!

Both my guinea pigs have sneezed occasionally but, as far as I know, it was never a sign of anything more, so hopefully Ginko is fine and it's just the odd minor irritation caused by a bit of hay, like somebody said

 

[Logi]

As I said, it is just a few times over the last few days - mostly at night, so I wasn't sure whether I was hearing him sneeze or just shove hay around, but he sneezed yesterday night when he was chilling out in my lap.

Also, they do get lots of vit-C in their diet - two slices of bell pepper each at dinner every day, and brocoli stalks when available.

I was thinking it was time to introduce them to my vet soon, anyway... but I was thinking of making the appointment for sometime late next week.

 

[missy]

Also, they do get lots of vit-C in their diet - two slices of bell pepper each at dinner every day, and brocoli stalks when available.

The pepper sounds like plenty. (Good for you - my piggy's would never eat pepper, unfortunately) I personally wouldn't give them any vitamin C drops/tablets but see what your Vet says. I'm sure they're fine

Oh one other thing that may be worth trying in the meantime. I've seen Laura recommend that people shake out their hay before giving it. Even if it already looks pretty dust-free, you can shake it into a cardboard box or something, just to get rid of any tiny bits of loose dust which could potentially irritate piggy noses.

 

[rattybabe]

I've seen Laura recommend that people shake out their hay before giving it. Even if it already looks pretty dust-free, you can shake it into a cardboard box or something, just to get rid of any tiny bits of loose dust which could potentially irritate piggy noses.

Yes - My girls get Timothy Hay to eat, but I use cheaper hay from the pet shop for bedding. I known when it get near the bottom of the bag it can get dusty, and my girls sneezed when I put some in for them the other day.

 

[Wiebke]

It sounds normal to me; the sneezing can just be from rootling in the hay with his nose!

However, it is never amiss to have your boys registered with your vet. The stress of a new home can bring out latent illnesses.