Guinea Sneezes With No Other Symptoms

[cavymom]

Hello fellow guinea pig lovers,

I have two female guinea pigs that live together in one large cage. One became ill with a respiratory infection. It was airborne, and eventually made it to the other pig. Zoe, the first pig to fall ill, is still sneezing on occasion. These are not wet sneezes. I'm not sure what is causing them. The vet said at our recheck that we just needed to finish the medications. Willow, the other pig, hasn't sneezed since meds started. I have notice that they a little big of eye crusties, but I'm not sure if that's normal and something they would clean themselves, and I'm catching it early before they can bathe themselves. Its not taking over the eye crusty. More like a tiny ball of crust in the corner.

Any advice on Zoe? Has anyone had a pig that was a sneezer? Do you think it could be dust or hay making her sneeze, but overall, her illness is gone? We're about to finish medications, and I must say she is back to her usual bossy self. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

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Do you have drafts or A/C units in the pipgy room, or are you guinea pigs outdoors piggies confronted with colder nights and large swings of temperature? How long have your piggies been on on meds, how old are they and what medication/dosage have they been on?

As one is still sneezing and the other has still got crusty eye problems, it would argue that they may need another round of antibiotics.
Otherwise, I have too little background yet for more advice re. what else could be contributing to the sneezing.

 

[LorryDriverLuke]

I've a lady pig that's a regular sneezer. Shes been checked out and the obvious ruled out so it seems she's just a sneezer. She does it several times a day and its like a loud hooting, sometimes so powerful she jumps up!

 

[cavymom]

Really? Thank you. I think Zoe is a sneezer too. I think she roots around in hay and dust and its just dry sneezes. The vet said finish the meds and we're done. Although I have been mindful to up her vitamin C intake. Thanks for responding back!

 

[Wiebke]

Really? Thank you. I think Zoe is a sneezer too. I think she roots around in hay and dust and its just dry sneezes. The vet said finish the meds and we're done. Although I have been mindful to up her vitamin C intake. Thanks for responding back!

Please ensure first that any URI (respiratory infection is really healed out); it can take more than one round to get on top of some strains. As an undertreated/not completely healed out URI can cause a return of the URI in the short term or respiratory problems later in life (which one of my rescue piggy experienced because of a not completely healed out URI before she came here), it is important to make sure that this is the case before you consider any alternatives.

The next angles would be looking at drafts/air conditioning, temperature swings, dry air, scented air improvers, scent sticks, perfumes, and hay or bedding dust, pollen etc. Depending on your location and its climate/season.

However, because URI can kill and cripple, you need to make sure first and foremost that it is really gone.

 

[cavymom]

Please ensure first that any URI (respiratory infection is really healed out); it can take more than one round to get on top of some strains. As an undertreated/not completely healed out URI can cause a return of the URI in the short term or respiratory problems later in life (which one of my rescue piggy experienced because of a not completely healed out URI before she came here), it is important to make sure that this is the case before you consider any alternatives.

The next angles would be looking at drafts/air conditioning, temperature swings, dry air, scented air improvers, scent sticks, perfumes, and hay or bedding dust, pollen etc. Depending on your location and its climate/season.

However, because URI can kill and cripple, you need to make sure first and foremost that it is really gone.

Hello, and thank you for your reply. I have updated my personal information in my profile.

I do wonder since Zoe gave the URI to Willow, could they have given it back to each other since its an airborne virus according to the vet. Any thoughts? I think their cage is in a good place; covered with a modest blanket at night. In the winter when it gets cooler at night, we plan to elevate the cage with a makeshift shelf and cover them with something thicker like a quilt. I'm also considering a heating pad under a portion of the cage since the cage is on an outside wall.

If a follow up visit needs to be done for Zoe, I'll do it for my precious.I'm just so surprised that Willow is doing backflips (not literally), and Zoe is upbeat and her usual self, except that darn sneezing. I didn't hear any last night, and we still need to finish the vitamin C from the vet. I'll keep you guys posted. Thank you for all the advice. Please, any criticism is welcome. I haven't been a pig mom in a while. Thank you guys!

 

[Tiamolly123]

One of mine kept sneezing & coughing & it turned out she had an allergy to hay. Not that l'm saying that is what's wrong with your babies.

 

[cavymom]

One of mine kept sneezing & coughing & it turned out she had an allergy to hay. Not that l'm saying that is what's wrong with your babies.

Thank you. I will have to pay extra attention to her when she eats hay and roots around. That could be the cause. BUT, no sneezes in the last two days and we're almost done with meds, so I'm hoping for the best. Probably just nervous mom syndrome. But I do worry about my babies. Thanks!