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Guinea Pig Runny Nose Crusty Eye And Not Walking Properly

Caseyhaigh123

Caseyhaigh123

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Hello for Christmas me and my brother got 2 guinea pigs called cherry and berry both female they are about 5 months old and have been fine intill today berry has had a runny nose and has gunk in her left eye she we took her out of the cage and cuddled with her for some time she didn’t seem to bad but I’m concerned when she put her back in the cage she was walking funny and flopped over a few times She did eat a bit and drink some water we just moved there cage from the freezing cold garage which they have been in since we got them and they are now in a warmer room we are taking her to the vet straight in the morning but does anybody know what it is I know it might day any reply’s much appreciated thanks
 
Caseyhaigh123 said:
Hello for Christmas me and my brother got 2 guinea pigs called cherry and berry both female they are about 5 months old and have been fine intill today berry has had a runny nose and has gunk in her left eye she we took her out of the cage and cuddled with her for some time she didn’t seem to bad but I’m concerned when she put her back in the cage she was walking funny and flopped over a few times She did eat a bit and drink some water we just moved there cage from the freezing cold garage which they have been in since we got them and they are now in a warmer room we are taking her to the vet straight in the morning but does anybody know what it is I know it might day any reply’s much appreciated thanks
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Hi!

it is good that you have brought your piggies indoors and that you are planning to see a vet.

Please step in asap with syringe feeding fibre and water to prevent her guts from slowing down. 80% of the daily food intake is hay, which you cannot control otherwise. You can use mushed up pellets and offer hand warm water as long as you prep the 1 ml syringe tip as shown in the guide.

It sounds like your girl could have a respiratory infection, which may have gone into the inner ear and is affecting the balance organ. The sooner she sees a vet, the better; especially as she is falling over. This counts as an emergency! Keep her as calm, cosy and quiet as possible and warm, but not hot until you can see a vet as soon as possible.
List Of Life And Death Out-of-hours Emergencies
Not Eating And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre

Guinea pigs are unfortunately not hardy and require warmth; an unheated garage with no further protection is not enough, especially not during a strong winter like this one!
Where they have evolved in the grassland at the foot of the Andes, they use abandoned deep sets from other species that are temperature controlled and venture out during dawn and dusk well away from strong frosts and the heat of the day. Big swings in temperature like we have experienced in recent weeks can weaken the immune system and make them very susceptible to illness.
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs
Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

it is good that you have brought your piggies indoors and that you are planning to see a vet.

Please step in asap with syringe feeding fibre and water to prevent her guts from slowing down. 80% of the daily food intake is hay, which you cannot control otherwise. You can use mushed up pellets and offer hand warm water as long as you prep the 1 ml syringe tip as shown in the guide.

It sounds like your girl could have a respiratory infection, which may have gone into the inner ear and is affecting the balance organ. The sooner she sees a vet, the better; especially as she is falling over. This counts as an emergency! Keep her as calm, cosy and quiet as possible and warm, but not hot until you can see a vet as soon as possible.
List Of Life And Death Out-of-hours Emergencies
Not Eating And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre

Guinea pigs are unfortunately not hardy and require warmth; an unheated garage with no further protection is not enough, especially not during a strong winter like this one!
Where they have evolved in the grassland at the foot of the Andes, they use abandoned deep sets from other species that are temperature controlled and venture out during dawn and dusk well away from strong frosts and the heat of the day. Big swings in temperature like we have experienced in recent weeks can weaken the immune system and make them very susceptible to illness.
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs
Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes
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Thanks so much for replying I’m sure we have a syringe somewhere in the kitchen I will go and look now but again thanks very much for the reply
 
Caseyhaigh123 said:
Thanks so much for replying I’m sure we have a syringe somewhere in the kitchen I will go and look now but again thanks very much for the reply
Click to expand...

You need to cut off the tip as shown in the syringe feeding guide for any fibre to come through. Please do not give more than 1/3 - 1/2 a syringe (i.e. one mouthful) at once and wait until she has swallowed it all. That is especially important with a suspected respiratory infection. Keep her with her companion and take both to the vets, too; so she is not so stressed out in new surroundings.

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Administering Medications And Syringe Feed
 
Wiebke said:
You need to cut off the tip as shown in the syringe feeding guide for any fibre to come through. Please do not give more than 1/3 - 1/2 a syringe (i.e. one mouthful) at once and wait until she has swallowed it all. That is especially important with a suspected respiratory infection. Keep her with her companion and take both to the vets, too; so she is not so stressed out in new surroundings.

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Administering Medications And Syringe Feed
Click to expand...
Okay I will check out the feeding guide and I will make sure we take both of them to the vet thanks very much
 
Is she still floppy and falling over? In that case, something serious is going on and your piggy needs to be seen by a better vet than the one your parents rang.
 
Wiebke said:
Is she still floppy and falling over? In that case, something serious is going on and your piggy needs to be seen by a better vet than the one your parents rang.
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Yes she still is floppy thanks for telling me I will make sure she gets to a vet :(
 
I hope she will be on the road to recovery soon. Get a better vet, ask if they are exotic vets before you make an appointment. You need to get her to the vet asap. I'm sorry to say, guinea pigs can die quite quickly. If it's a respiratory infection. All the best. Don't forget to come back to us, & let us know how you get on.
 
Very sorry for the late reply everyone but berry (never said the name) is getting better she’s on antibiotics and using syringes for food she isn’t floppy any more but still isn’t 100% she has to take the medicine twice a day for a week so should be better soon!
 
Caseyhaigh123 said:
Very sorry for the late reply everyone but berry (never said the name) is getting better she’s on antibiotics and using syringes for food she isn’t floppy any more but still isn’t 100% she has to take the medicine twice a day for a week so should be better soon!
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Keep supporting her with offering top up feed and extra vitamin C to keep her fighting strength up. See your vet again if she is still having breathing problems and may need a second round to clear all symptoms.

It must be such a relief to you that Berry is getting better now!
 
Wiebke said:
Keep supporting her with offering top up feed and extra vitamin C to keep her fighting strength up. See your vet again if she is still having breathing problems and may need a second round to clear all symptoms.

It must be such a relief to you that Berry is getting better now!
Click to expand...
It is a relief,I will make sure to give plenty of vitamin c.
 
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