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Possible Uri?

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Pip&Sage

Pip&Sage

New Born Pup
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I just got two sweet, adorable baby guinea pigs (both female). They had just been weaned the previous week so are still very young! I have had them for a week and except for still being quite shy, ( I still havent been able to pet or hold them) they have been doing great until yesterday. Now I know many people have started posts for URIs but I wanted an opinion on my guinea pigs specifically.

Pippin is the one I am worried about; she has been sneezing a little yesterday and today. Not a lot, but maybe a couple times a day and she has been rubbing her nose with her paws. I know that runny nose and sneezing are big signs for a URI, but I don't really want to make an unnecessary assumption. What are the chances she has one? She is still eating and drinking and popcorning. She seems like a very happy piggie! Also, how much does a vet visit/ medicine for this cost? Would you suggest taking both of my piggies to be checked? My parents made it clear when I got them that they would not be paying to take them to the vet (we had a rough winter with my cat having cancer and passing away; they ended up paying 100's of dollars to give him a few more months). However, I do love my piggies so much and would hate to see anything happen to them so if it is something I could possibly afford I would take them.
 
Please can you confirm your location, are you in the US? If so I am not sure how much it would cost. Maybe one of our other members can help with that.

It is not uncommon for young pigs to come down with a URI from the stress of being moved. Where are they from? a shop or breeder?

Also, what bedding are you using?
 
helen105281 said:
Please can you confirm your location, are you in the US? If so I am not sure how much it would cost. Maybe one of our other members can help with that.

It is not uncommon for young pigs to come down with a URI from the stress of being moved. Where are they from? a shop or breeder?

Also, what bedding are you using?
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Hi! So sorry I missed that stuff! I live in the US (Ohio to be specific). I got them from a pet store ( which I know is never recommended, but I had been looking for weeks for one at a shelter and couldn't find any within a 2 hour drive). They seemed to take pretty good care of the guinea pigs. They separated male and female, gave them some fresh food, and seem to genuinely care about their well-being! I use fleece bedding.

I also heard it is rare but she could be allergic to something? I know there is a small chance but I really don't have the money for an unnecessary vet visit:( Do you recommend I keep watching her a few days before I decide to go? I would just hate to see it get much worse!
 
No worries, I know there are not as many good rescues in the US.

Glad they are on fleece.

I would monitor for a day or so but if they are still sneezing then it would be good to get them checked out in case. Keep an eye out of any watery eyes, laboured breathing and runny noses. Also that they are eating and pooing ok.
 
helen105281 said:
No worries, I know there are not as many good rescues in the US.

Glad they are on fleece.

I would monitor for a day or so but if they are still sneezing then it would be good to get them checked out in case. Keep an eye out of any watery eyes, laboured breathing and runny noses. Also that they are eating and pooing ok.
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Thanks so much! If they aren't better by Friday or get any worse, I will get them to a vet as soon as I can.
 
I live in the US, Colorado though. But for costs, I have been to a few places here and the costs range from 24-60. I would definitely shop around for a vet to have just in case something does happen soon or in the future (hopefully never). My vet typically will do a checkup for both of my piggies for the price of one, unless both are sick. But call around and make sure whoever you find is a fair price and has experience. Good luck and I hope your piggie gets better :)
 
nicolecarli said:
I live in the US, Colorado though. But for costs, I have been to a few places here and the costs range from 24-60. I would definitely shop around for a vet to have just in case something does happen soon or in the future (hopefully never). My vet typically will do a checkup for both of my piggies for the price of one, unless both are sick. But call around and make sure whoever you find is a fair price and has experience. Good luck and I hope your piggie gets better :)
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Thank you so much! I will definitely be finding a vet for my piggies just in case:) So far today Pippin and Sage have both been eating and drinking fine and have not sneezed since yesterday so I have my hopes up! I also got close enough to see that both of their eyes and noses seems pretty clear! Keeping my fingers crossed!
 
Just a thought, but as you are a new piggie owner, I wonder if what you are seeing might be Pippin cleaning herself. They do this quite often and it can sound like a sneeze as they produce "cleaning fluid" from their nose and eyes which they then rub on their face and body. They usually start by sitting up on their back legs (as if they are begging). I would keep a close eye as Helen said, and see the vet if there are any further signs, but it might be as simple as this. x
 
Elwickcavies said:
Just a thought, but as you are a new piggie owner, I wonder if what you are seeing might be Pippin cleaning herself. They do this quite often and it can sound like a sneeze as they produce "cleaning fluid" from their nose and eyes which they then rub on their face and body. They usually start by sitting up on their back legs (as if they are begging). I would keep a close eye as Helen said, and see the vet if there are any further signs, but it might be as simple as this. x
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That would be amazing if that is all it is! I do see her do that sometimes; she kind of sits back and rubs her face....but they also sneeze sometimes while they are eating or just standing there so that is what worries me! I also am thinking that one or both has lice as well...I see white on both of their fur and I am pretty sure I saw a white bug moving on Pippin and they seem to scratch a lot:( I am very unhappy with their health ( but I had it coming getting them through a pet store) I am planning on talking to the manager and seeing what they can do about bills for all of this seeing as I just got them and told they would be healthy!
 
An occasional sneeze is OK, it might just be dust from hay, but anything more persistent or coupled with discharge or coughing needs to be seen by a vet. Lice can be easily treated with an antiparasitic shampoo (like a human leadlice shampoo), weekly for three weeks. It sounds like a vet check up on all of these concerns would be a good idea.
 
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