Please Help, I Don't Know What Is Wrong With My Piggie!

[sammie123546]

Hi, My 10 week old guinea pig has a snotty nose amd she sneezes a lot. She also has yellow things around her eyes?
Please can someone help me as i am not sure what is wrong with her and if a vet appointment is necessary. Thanks.

 

[sammie123546]

**Her eye is a bit gloopy, and she squints it compared to her other eye which is fine

 

[Adelle]

Sounds like an upper respiratory infection if she has both eye and nasal discharge- is her breathing noisier, heavier or quicker than normal?

She needs to see a vet asap for antibiotics if its a URI, as these can be fatal if left untreated.

How is she in herself/ her weight etc?

 

[sammie123546]

Well actually i have only had her for 2 weeks so i don't have enought data for weight, but her breathing is not very loud. She acts normal, she is happy and interacts with the other piggies normally and is eating fine. Thanks

 

[sammie123546]

I just weighed her, she has gained 25g from thursday when i last weighed her, so that seems to be fine. Should i keep her away from the other pigs, can it spread?

 

[Adelle]

I just weighed her, she has gained 25g from thursday when i last weighed her, so that seems to be fine. Should i keep her away from the other pigs, can it spread?

If shes already discharging fluid then the rest would have already been exposed- some owners prefer to seperate, personally i dont as i think the stress of being on their own can hinder their recovery, but its purely a judgement call on your part on that one.

She will still need to see a vet for treatment.

Could you add your location to your profile? There is a recommended vet locator on the forum for piggy savvy vets in the UK which may be of use if thats where you are.

 

[sammie123546]

Ok i will and thanks.

 

[VickiA]

Hello and welcome. Please get your piggy to see a vet as she will likely need antibiotics for an infection.

 

[GPTV]

Hi &welcome
Sounds like a respiratory infection as the others have said.
A vet visit is needed I'm afraid

If u get the vet just to check her eye for a foreign object too. She may have a bit of hay or something in it making her squint if its one eye. Although the respiratory infection can make their eyes gloopy too.

Not sure if u are aware but normally Guineas secrete a white, milky fluid to wash their eyes with which is normal,sometimes they get a build up of this &it forms 'sleepy dust', but if its gloopy& slightly yellowish tinged its probably because of the infection.

It might be as well to take another guinea with her to the vets for a 'paw holding' friend as support.

As u have only had her two weeks I would see if u can get her vet treatment paid for from wherever u got her from.
If she was a shop bought guinea, copy &take the receipts to claim a refund. As they haven't sold u a 100% healthy animal.
(also take a copy of the receipt guinea that you bought to prove how long ago u bought her from there too)

Try putting a bowl of steaming water just outside her hutch or cage so that it will help loosen the mucus to ease her breathing.
U can put a few drops of olbas oil in it or on a cloth nearby (out of piggys reach) this will also help her breath more easily.

Make sure her bedding isn't dusty, (eg, sawdust) or mouldy hay etc. This can cause respiratory issues also try not to use strong toiletries/perfumes/air fresheners or aerosols In their room if indoors as this can irritate the respiratory system too.

Unfortunately the first month at home is usually when piggies are most prone to opportunistic illnesses.
They are stressed due to the move, new surroundings, new owners &sometimes other pets being thrown into the mix too.
This is a lot for a new guinea to cope with especially at a young age &their immune system is still low.

Its good that she's eating, monitor her weight daily whilst she is ill &make sure she is gaining/maintaining weight well with a steady flow of healthy poops on the output side.

Good luck with the vet visit &keep us updated. Ps photos are always welcome,especially mini pigs

Speedy recovery little one. Xx

 

[sammie123546]

T

Hi &welcome
Sounds like a respiratory infection as the others have said.
A vet visit is needed I'm afraid

If you get the vet just to check her eye for a foreign object too. She may have a bit of hay or something in it making her squint if its one eye. Although the respiratory infection can make their eyes gloopy too.

Not sure if you are aware but normally Guineas secrete a white, milky fluid to wash their eyes with which is normal,sometimes they get a build up of this &it forms 'sleepy dust', but if its gloopy& slightly yellowish tinged its probably because of the infection.

It might be as well to take another guinea with her to the vets for a 'paw holding' friend as support.

As you have only had her two weeks I would see if you can get her vet treatment paid for from wherever you got her from.
If she was a shop bought guinea, copy &take the receipts to claim a refund. As they haven't sold you a 100% healthy animal.
(also take a copy of the receipt guinea that you bought to prove how long ago you bought her from there too)

Try putting a bowl of steaming water just outside her hutch or cage so that it will help loosen the mucus to ease her breathing.
you can put a few drops of olbas oil in it or on a cloth nearby (out of piggys reach) this will also help her breath more easily.

Make sure her bedding isn't dusty, (eg, sawdust) or mouldy hay etc. This can cause respiratory issues also try not to use strong toiletries/perfumes/air fresheners or aerosols In their room if indoors as this can irritate the respiratory system too.

Unfortunately the first month at home is usually when piggies are most prone to opportunistic illnesses.
They are stressed due to the move, new surroundings, new owners &sometimes other pets being thrown into the mix too.
This is a lot for a new guinea to cope with especially at a young age &their immune system is still low.

Its good that she's eating, monitor her weight daily whilst she is ill &make sure she is gaining/maintaining weight well with a steady flow of healthy poops on the output side.

Good luck with the vet visit &keep us updated. Ps photos are always welcome,especially mini pigs

Speedy recovery little one. Xx

Thanks! We have a vet appointment for her and we will bring her other friend. My guinea pigs live in a shed so should i put the steaming water on a shelf or somewhere out of reach?
Also i just wanted to say we have 4 pigs. The 2 new ones have settled in their home really well and have already made friends with the older piggies, which is great and i have noticed how confident the new ones are compared to when we first got our old ones from the rescue! Thanks for your tips and i will post some pictures too.
Heres a picture of the porrly one:

 

[GPTV]

View attachment 51547 View attachment 51547 View attachment 51547 T

Thanks! We have a vet appointment for her and we will bring her other friend. My guinea pigs live in a shed so should i put the steaming water on a shelf or somewhere out of reach?
Also i just wanted to say we have 4 pigs. The 2 new ones have settled in their home really well and have already made friends with the older piggies, which is great and i have noticed how confident the new ones are compared to when we first got our old ones from the rescue! Thanks for your tips and i will post some pictures too.
Heres a picture of the porrly one:

Anywhere near the hutch door/opening/mesh will be fine as long as the steam gets close enough to inhale/increase humidity for her.
As long as she can't reach it/tip it over etc it'll be fine.

I know some people take their guineas into the bathroom at their bath/shower time to get the steamy effect.

Oooh she's pretty what's her name?
Hope u get on ok at the vets &hopefully a dose of antibiotics will sort her quickly.

Speedy recovery.
Xx

 

[sammie123546]

Well actually we havent named her or the other new one yet, me and my sister think of lots of names and then pick our favourite lol, but i will tell you when we have decided. Yes she is a very pretty texel- but I'm sure in no time her hair will grow super long and she'll be a walking afro ahaha!
I'll now do the steaming water for her

 

[sammie123546]

Been to the vet, he gave us antibiotics to give her once a day. He also gave us some drops to put in water which will stregnth all my piggies immune system to give them a less chance of catching the infection.

 

[Adelle]

Been to the vet, he gave us antibiotics to give her once a day. He also gave us some drops to put in water which will stregnth all my piggies immune system to give them a less chance of catching the infection.

Glad she has seen the vet. What antibiotics was she given and what dose?
Please give probiotics 1-2 hours after you give each antibiotic dose. This will replace all the good bacteria in the tummy. Examples include pro-c from pets at home, fibreplex from the vet or avipro plus which u can get online.

I'm assuming the drops in the water are just vitamin c? If so, these wont be necessary as the vitamin c will weaken very quickly when sitting in a water bottle. It certaintly wont do any harm, just make sure u also have a bottle of just plain water on the cage incase any pigs dont like the drops, should u choose to use them.

All the best

 

[sammie123546]

The antibiotics are baytril and the dose is 0.16ml a day.
The drops are actually the Pro-C Probiotic, which is funny as you just mentioned it. The vet said that its best to put it in the water but you can also mix it in with the food. Will the probiotic ware out in the water?