Respiratory illness

[Ridingscarlet]

Hello, my Guinea pig started coughing 2 days ago, i changed his hay around a week ago as his normal hay isn’t in stock. I’ve taken him the vet today and he said it’s a respiratory virus?, he’s still eating and drinking but the vet said keep him with his piggy friend. Is there anything else I can do to help make him better?, I’ve also bought some vitamin c drops for his water to give his immune system a little help. Thankyou for any help, he’s 5 years old

 

[fluffysal]

Please don't add anything to the water. One of the experts will be along with advice soon as I don't have any experience with this.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Was his chest clear?
Did the vet entirely rule out bacteria?
Has he been given any medication?
Piggies don’t get viral colds, they get bacterial respiratory infections which require treating.

Please ensure you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him daily while you have concerns about him. This will enable you to more closely monitor hay intake and step in with syringe feeding.

Please do not ever add anything to the water bottle.
Adding anything to the bottle can encourage algae growth and as it changes the taste is the water it can stop a piggy from wanting to drink and therefore cause a risk of dehydration.

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
All About Drinking And Bottles

 

[Ridingscarlet]

Thankyou, the vet didn’t seem that knowledgeable to be honest. The vet has given him an anti inflammatory , his cough has eased a little on it.

 

[Piggies&buns]

If you aren’t sure the vet knew much about piggies then please do see another vet.
An anti inflammatory will be needed but a bacterial infection will need antibiotics.

It’s possible it isn’t bacterial though and it’s simply that the new hay is too dusty and is causing irritation in the airways.
You do need to be sure his chest is clear though

I hope he is ok