How can I tell if my guinea pig is sick or has allergies?

[Laurenthesheild3534]

Hi! My Guinea Pig, Michi, has recently finished treatment for a URI. I took her back to the vet after I finished giving her the antibiotics, and he said that it had cleared up nicely. She was still sneezing a little bit though, so he asked me to call them back if it was still happening in a few days. She didn’t stop sneezing, so I called them and they said that they needed to do some more testing on her, to see what the issue is. She has been eating very well since I got her on the antibiotics, and she’s been running around, making noise, just generally acting like she feels just fine. I looked it up, and found out that guinea pigs can also sneeze because of allergies. It said that a few of the things they can be allergic to are perfumes, air fresheners, or cleaning products. I’ve had an air freshener going in the room since before I got her, and I know that I’ve sprayed perfume either in or just outside of the room while I’m getting ready in the morning (Her habitat’s in my bedroom). Is there anyway that she could have allergies instead of her URI coming back?

 

[Siikibam]

It’s possible. They have very sensitive airways so it’s always neat to avoid anything perfumed such as candles, air freshener etc. Try eliminating those and then see how she goes. But it’s good you’re getting her back to the vet if it’s still ongoing.
Irritants to Avoid Around Guinea Pigs

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! My Guinea Pig, Michi, has recently finished treatment for a URI. I took her back to the vet after I finished giving her the antibiotics, and he said that it had cleared up nicely. She was still sneezing a little bit though, so he asked me to call them back if it was still happening in a few days. She didn’t stop sneezing, so I called them and they said that they needed to do some more testing on her, to see what the issue is. She has been eating very well since I got her on the antibiotics, and she’s been running around, making noise, just generally acting like she feels just fine. I looked it up, and found out that guinea pigs can also sneeze because of allergies. It said that a few of the things they can be allergic to are perfumes, air fresheners, or cleaning products. I’ve had an air freshener going in the room since before I got her, and I know that I’ve sprayed perfume either in or just outside of the room while I’m getting ready in the morning (Her habitat’s in my bedroom). Is there anyway that she could have allergies instead of her URI coming back?

Hi!

Eliminate all potential irritants from her room to see whether she improves without their presence.
Irritants to Avoid Around Guinea Pigs

Lots of sneezing without any other typical symptoms often points towards a sensitivity rather than a URI but any vet needs to eliminate the risk of a potentially fatal or permanently damaging URI before sensitivities or (rare) allergies can be tackled, which is a slow process and a wide field...

It sounds like you need to contact your vet again.

 

[Laurenthesheild3534]

It’s possible. They have very sensitive airways so it’s always neat to avoid anything perfumed such as candles, air freshener etc. Try eliminating those and then see how she goes. But it’s good you’re getting her back to the vet if it’s still ongoing.
Irritants to Avoid Around Guinea Pigs

I’ve already removed the air freshener from the room and I don’t plan on spraying anymore perfume while in there. And I’ve been speaking to my vet about what he thinks the next step should be. So far it’s looking like more Antibiotics for a longer period of time.Thank you for replying so quickly by the way!

 

[Laurenthesheild3534]

Hi!

Eliminate all potential irritants from her room to see whether she improves without their presence.
Irritants to Avoid Around Guinea Pigs

Lots of sneezing without any other typical symptoms often points towards a sensitivity rather than a URI but any vet needs to eliminate the risk of a potentially fatal or permanently damaging URI before sensitivities or (rare) allergies can be tackled, which is a slow process and a wide field...

It sounds like you need to contact your vet again.

I’ve been in contact with my vet quite a bit recently, and I’ve already removed the air freshener and perfumes from the room. So far, I haven’t seen any other symptoms returning, but I’ve been keeping a close eye on her. The vet had told me that she looked good when I took her in for a follow up appointment a little while ago.