Sneeze or cough? And should I worry?

[amzybabes]

Wonder if anyone can help?

One of my piggies, Biscuit, seems to sneeze fairly regularly (maybe once a day we hear her, sometimes not at all, somtimes a few times), and has since we've had her. She seems fine apart from that - eating, drinking, running and popcorning around, and putting on weight steadily (she's 4 1/2 months so still growing - currently just under 700g). Her eyes and nose seem fine too - no discharge from either, nose is dry, and eyes have a slight sheen to them which I think is normal for healthy eyes, as both guineas are the same.

Today, when I took Biscuit out for a cuddle, she proceeded to sneeze quite loudly (it made me jump!) 3 times within about 5 minutes (a gap between each). They were quite loud compared to her usual little 'achoos' - could this be a cough instead? What do they sound like?!

I popped her back in her cage, she 'sneezed' again, and then began normal running, eating of hay and chewing wood etc. Her eyes/nose etc looked normal still. She's gained approx 30grams since last week.

My two indoor guineas are kept inside on newspaper and megazorb. I did have the window open quite wide when I got her out today as it's been so nice and sunny! Maybe something from outside triggered a sneezing/coughing fit?

So...
1)Could she be coughing today rather than sneezing? She does tend to chew everything from correx, to wood, to me (ouch), to her brush, to poops, to the carpet on the ramp - anything put in the cage she tends to attack! So if a cough should I worry?! Not sure how to stop her eating non-munchables :x
2) Is it normal for guineas to sneeze regularly? My other guinea barely ever sneezes.
3) Shold I worry that anything more is going on? Are there any other signs of respiratory infections apart from nose/eye discharge to look out for?

Thanks! I feel that as she seems fine in and of herself it's probably nothing, but better to ask than not :-)

 

[Abi_nurse]

it could be the bedding? Try changing the bedding maybe? Also the chewing etc may indicate mites, if she is irritated. Piggies shouldnt cough/sneeze too often. Sometimes piggies choak on food when they eat far too quickly.

x.

 

[suem]

she hasnt got a tiny bit of hay stuck up her nose? Bertie had a sneezing episode the other day, made the dogs bark. When I got him out there was a tiny bit of hay stuck up his nose! He gets it stuck elsewhere...rolleyes..but never in his nose....

 

[Guinea pig slave]

I had a wonderful conversation with a lovely piggy owner last summer and she was very knowledgable and interesting to talk to.
We were discussing sneezing etc. and although we associate it with colds, allergies etc. she said an exotic vet had explained many piggies 'sneeze' or appear to sneeze as they have learned it from their mothers and it is almost a habit ?/
I used to worry if any one of mine sneezed but as long as there are no usual symptoms of illness present, don't worry since learning this.
I have researched and come up with nothing to this effect so don't know if anyone else has ever heard of this before
A piggy cough always reminds me of a duck quacking and usually happens as Abi nurse says, gobbling food too quickly or mine do it if they drink too eagerly rolleyes

 

[hayls<3]

My eldest pig sneezes and coughs alot, mostly when shes eating and drinking
its adorable - I did worry at first but she has never suffered from any abnormalities. just a few hours ago my OH went upstairs to get his stuff and said that she had a long piece of hay stuck up her nose and had to help her out! it does happen x