My New Guinea Pig Is Frequently Sneezing?

[Shelby._.]

Hi, I got my new guinea Oliver about three days ago. I’ve noticed in these three days that he had been sneezing a few times every hour or two. It is never a sneezing fit it is only one or two at a time. He is one fleece bedding with a litter tray that had aspen wood shavings which aren’t very dusty at all. He hasn’t even really been in the litter tray and prefers to get hay out of the pile on the side. Is this something I should be worried about? I called the vet and since he is non emergent right now I wont be able to get a consult till around the end of the week. J am hoping it is just allergies and not a URI as that is what my last guinea pig died fro so I know how serious they are. Is there anything I can try in the mean time? He might be sensitive to they hay but the other guinea pig I’m going to bond him with has no problem with the hay. Thank you very much!

 

[Hoppity.K]

Hiya. I’ve only just seen this thread and I’m sorry I’m not very experienced with Guinea Pigs sneezing. Is there discharge from eyes or nose? Is he eating & drinking ok? I would think a vets visit would be for the best, there’s a vet location guide on the home page. Sending big hugs to you and Oliver x

 

[Shelby._.]

Hiya. I’ve only just seen this thread and I’m sorry I’m not very experienced with Guinea Pigs sneezing. Is there discharge from eyes or nose? Is he eating & drinking ok? I would think a vets visit would be for the best, there’s a vet location guide on the home page. Sending big hugs to you and Oliver x

There is no discharge. I think it may have been the hay. I took away the pile so he couldn’t stick is face in it and just went with the hay rack. I also gave the hay a very light mist of water because that is what we do for our horses when the hay is abit dusty. He has not sneezed as much now but I will keep an eye on him.

 

[Tim]

Sneezing a couple of times a day is classed as quite normal, any more though could either be linked to a uri or an allergy. Since you have adjusted the way the hay is presented, I’m inclined to think it may be an allergy and you might want to look at alternative hay, dust free if not already. However, please keep a close eye on Oliver, if it is a uri it can take hold quickly. If in any doubt, get him checked out x

 

[Shelby._.]

Sneezing a couple of times a day is classed as quite normal, any more though could either be linked to a uri or an allergy. Since you have adjusted the way the hay is presented, I’m inclined to think it may be an allergy and you might want to look at alternative hay, dust free if not already. However, please keep a close eye on Oliver, if it is a uri it can take hold quickly. If in any doubt, get him checked out x

Thank you. He is still sneezing but not as much. I noticed that he mainly sneezes while eating hay or a short while after. I will be trying some new hay as well as some new bedding. We don’t have a local petstore so I will have to order online. Until then I am continuing to lightly mist the hay and bedding to keep the dust down. As I stated before I won’t be able to see the vet till the end of the week and am keeping a close eye on him.

 

[Freela]

Watch for nasal discharge, wheezing with breathing, and lack of appetite/sitting hunched up/otherwise looking unwell. Some pigs are sneezy (Leela, one of mine, sneezes all the time for some reason!), but I would still pursue the appointment at the end of the week, especially as he is new and could have lowered resistance to illness due to the stress of moving, etc. And obviously make an urgent appointment should he worsen before the week is up!

 

[Shelby._.]

Watch for nasal discharge, wheezing with breathing, and lack of appetite/sitting hunched up/otherwise looking unwell. Some pigs are sneezy (Leela, one of mine, sneezes all the time for some reason!), but I would still pursue the appointment at the end of the week, especially as he is new and could have lowered resistance to illness due to the stress of moving, etc. And obviously make an urgent appointment should he worsen before the week is up!

Thanks, I’m almost 100% sure it is the hay becuause he is only sneezing when eating it. Other than that he seems to be fine. He is eating\drinking etc. I will bring him to the vet anyway to be on the safe side as it wouldn’t hurt to get him checked over.

 

[Shelby._.]

I have some kinda good news. Oliver is sneezing a bit more more and is starting to sound a bit congested. The good news is the vet can take him tomorrow morning so hopefully they will make him feel better