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My pig is ill again :(

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Jojoba

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This morning I went to check on my piggie and even before I picked him up I could hear that his breathing was wheezy. He seems a little dull and his nose is snotty with dried snot - not runny.
He is sat singing on my knee now but he sounds a bit bunged up. He has poo'd normally....

Is this just a cold? Will he be okay if I head off to work today or does he need the vet?

He lives indoors, on Carefresh, with another pig.

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Pigs with URIs go down hill very quickly I would get to the vet asap for antibiotics and a diuretic injection
 
I'm always over cautious as I know guinea pigs can go downhill very quickly and can hide their illness for a number of days before we see the symptoms. If you've noticed he's not quite right and are worried about him, then I would take him to the vet today. Your instinct is pretty reliable if you know your piggy well.
 
I am sorry he doesn't seem well, it's worrying when they are not quite right.

I would be inclined to agree with the above posters that having him examined by a vet and onto an antibiotic (Baytril) would be worth doing today, rather than leaving it another couple of days. I would rather say treat for URI now before considering allergy - especially since you mention he seems a little subdued today.

Guineas with respiratory problems can be reluctant to eat, in which case they'll generally benefit from an appetite stimulent (Metatone) and/or syringe-feeding if they are not really eating very much very regularly.
 
Would someone care to tell me the difference between a URI and a LRTI?
If pigs do not get colds, then just what URI do they get?

Surely, a LRTI is the more serious condition.
 
Hi

I have just logged back in - I went to work and left pig in the care of my boyfriend (before I had chance to read any of your replies). Apparently he has been fine all day, perked right up, the snotty nose is gone, he has eaten half a pepper and plenty of food, and his breathing his back to normal.
I even sent him for a little run around so I could check it and he isnt wheezing at all anymore!

He is weeing, poohing, his eyes are bright, nose clean, gums nice and pink and he is back to normal temperament wise. Very odd.
So hopefully he is on the mend but I will keep an eagle eye on him tomorrow just to be sure!


Thanks for your advice!

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I am glad he seems to be doing well now! When symptoms like that resolve alone, it can sometimes point to something environmental bothering the pig i.e. allergy. It's worth really thinking about what happened in his environment in the time prior to his symptoms developing. Maybe you cleaned his cage the other night? Added some fresh bedding, or he's been burrowing in lots of fresh hay? Do you use any aerosols/fragrances in the same room - or maybe you'd even been dusting in the same room he's in?
 
And Ive just got in today for my boyfriend to say he is wheezy again, his nose is snotty again and he has slightly crusty eyes this time.
I'm going to take him to the vet in the morning just to be sure.

x
 
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