Guniea pig keeps getting a uri

[Caseyhaigh123]

Hi, if you have seen my recent posts they have been about berry getting a uri, she had one like a month ago and it’s came back again. We have left over medicine which isn’t out of date so we are giving her that but what on earth is causing it we thought it was the cold garage so we brought them indoors for like 2 weeks until she got better and then back in the garage for awhile and now she has a uri (our parents are strict about having them inside the house i would love to keep them in) is it the cold that causing it? Or something else we use wood shavings for bedding but not that much it’s mainly news paper and hay. Please help

 

[DMS260820]

Guinea pigs need to back kept at minimum 15 degress in temperature to not cause chills, drafts can cause uri's too. They are so sensitive to chills. For a new uri i would go to the vet and get a fresh full course of antibiotic. No good using a part bottle

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, if you have seen my recent posts they have been about berry getting a uri, she had one like a month ago and it’s came back again. We have left over medicine which isn’t out of date so we are giving her that but what on earth is causing it we thought it was the cold garage so we brought them indoors for like 2 weeks until she got better and then back in the garage for awhile and now she has a uri (our parents are strict about having them inside the house i would love to keep them in) is it the cold that causing it? Or something else we use wood shavings for bedding but not that much it’s mainly news paper and hay. Please help

Hi!

Please get your guinea pigs out the cold and drafty garage. Guinea pigs are not hardy; they have to be treated like tender plants and should ideally not be kept below 15 C without insulation and additional heating. The same goes for heat waves, which can be deadly for guinea pigs and rabbits in hutches.
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs
Hot weather management and heat strokes
Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time

Please see your vet for more antibiotics to make sure that the URI cannot return and that it cannot cause long term damage (lung disease) due to undertreatment.

The two guides above are part of our new owners practical and helpful information collection, which addresses specifically all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about. it also helps you to learn what is normal and not, both in the body and in the behaviour.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[cavylover2002]

From my knowledge, guinea pigs should be kept in a temperature that's about 65 degrees-75 degrees which is about average. I keep mine inside the house (in my bedroom) so they are always in about 73 degree room and I only take them outside at that same temperature as well. If your garage is freezing, there are drafts, and no heat, it is very bad for guinea pigs which is probably why they keep having a URI. You will either have to build some insolation and have a heater OR bring them inside, explaining to your parents that they will not remain healthy if they are in a cold garage. Your housing for them must change.

 

[Caseyhaigh123]

Sorry for the late reply, we have moved the guniea pigs indoors, I’m hoping it’s permanent berry is going to have to go to a vet again

 

[Wiebke]

Sorry for the late reply, we have moved the guniea pigs indoors, I’m hoping it’s permanent berry is going to have to go to a vet again

All the best for a full and lasting recovery! And good on you for moving them indoors permanently!