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Is My Piggy Sick?

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lexi468

lexi468

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I adopted a new pig named Panda to be my previoulsly lonely pig Midnights companion. I noticed today that Panda has some crust on his nose and is sneezing a bit. I keep them on fleece bedding in a large cage which I clean every day. Should I separate them in case Panda is sick? They are still in the bonding process, its only been a few days, and Midnight got quite upset when I took Panda out to check his nose. What is the proper thing to do? And should I take Panda to the vet right away?
 
We would recommend that you take Panda to the vets just to be safe, It maybe nothing but it may be the start of a URI, which has been brought on with Pandas reduced immune system due to his recent upheaval. If Midnight is getting upset, take Midnight & Panda together to the vets if they are both ok in the same carrier.
 
lisaali said:
We would recommend that you take Panda to the vets just to be safe, It maybe nothing but it may be the start of a URI, which has been brought on with Pandas reduced immune system due to his recent upheaval. If Midnight is getting upset, take Midnight & Panda together to the vets if they are both ok in the same carrier.
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Should I remove Panda so that if he is sick, Midnight will not get sick?
 
lexi468 said:
Should I remove Panda so that if he is sick, Midnight will not get sick?
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As they are only very newly bonded and Midnight has already been exposed, I would recommend in their case to leave them together and even take them to the vets together. Most healthy guinea pigs can fend off URI bacteria from companions unless they have a compromised immune system themselves or it is one of those very rare aggressive viruses. I would recommend to give them added vitamin C in order to boost the immune system.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...vitamin-c-overview-with-product-links.115404/

We generally recommend to quarantine any new piggis that don't come from a place where they have already undergone mandatory quarantine, like one of our recommended rescues, unless you are dealing with an acutely pining bereaved guinea pig.
 
I would take them both to the vet... crusting around the nose is a sign of a respiratory infection, which can get serious quickly if not treated. The sick pig needs treatment, and the vet may opt to give the other pig prophylactic treatment, or to give additional meds so you can treat the other pig if symptoms show. At this point, as they are already together, are newly bonded, and have already had an opportunity to share germs, I would probably not separate, but would definitely keep an eye on both to see if symptoms occur.
 
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