Sneezing and slight cough. What is it?

[Bellagirl20]

Hello,
I recently got two new skinny pigs about a week ago Char(Charcoal) and Scotch. When I first got them I heard small sneezing noises and was highly concerned. I contacted the local pet store where I received them (private owned pet store). The pet store held onto them for a few days and reported no discharge or anything that should be concerning. When I brought them to the pet store I pointed out that they were sneezing and Char even did a small sneeze (the one I been hearing) I was informed that that type of sneeze or sound was like a cheffing noise and is normal. (I don’t know if I believe this because I have another skinny pig I got from them a month ago and he does not make that noise).

After picking them up from the pet store a few days later Char continued to make that noise. The noise is like a small sneeze or like a squirt or spray bottle noise (I know sounds weird) I continue to monitor them throughout the week no discharge from eyes or nose (that I can see) but occasionally they will cough. Kind of like a smokers cough. I am not sure this is a URI or a choking noise. They make the sneezing noise like every 20 - 30 minutes.
They eat, drink, and poop just fine. I also give them a vitamin c cookie and they eat that fine even though Char takes a while.

Also they live on fleece bedding.

Is this a URI? What is that sound?

Thanks!

 

[MissGpigQueen]

Give them lots of vitamin C and the 'sneezing' will get better. URI is a uniform resource identifier - a string of characters that identifies a logical or physical resource. I don't know any more than that!

 

[alpacasqueak]

Sounds like you need to get the piggies in to a good piggy vet, only they can tell you what's wrong but may need meds and treatment.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Give them lots of vitamin C and the 'sneezing' will get better. URI is a uniform resource identifier - a string of characters that identifies a logical or physical resource. I don't know any more than that!

URI in terms of piggy health is actually an upper respiratory infection. If there is a potential infection then no, vitamin C will not magically cure the condition. A potential infection should always be checked and treated by a qualified vet as piggies can go down hill very quickly with these conditions.

Some small sneezing can be normal and can just be a sign that the piggy is dislodging a piece of dust or maybe a small fragment of hay that got up it's nose. The choking sound could be an indicator of a greedy piggy as I often observe one of mine doing this at veggy time when she is eating too quick.

As they are quite new piggies and you don't have a weight history for them I would personally take them to a cavy savvy vet for a health check and start monitoring their weight straight away as weight loss is often the first sign of illness in piggies due to them being prey animals and hiding illness well. If there is a health problem you can go back to the pet store to reclaim the costs of the vets visit and any treatment needed

 

[VickiA]

Give them lots of vitamin C and the 'sneezing' will get better. URI is a uniform resource identifier - a string of characters that identifies a logical or physical resource. I don't know any more than that!

@MissGpigQueen I’m afraid that giving VitC will not help cure a UTI in guinea pigs. We do allow all members to post on all threads in the open forum but unless you have specialist experience in health and illness topics please would you refrain from posting misleading or incorrect health advice and allow our health and illness advisors to respond with correct and constructive advice.

 

[Bellagirl20]

I have a vet visit on Monday (:

 

[alpacasqueak]

Oh good, always the best idea to get a vet to check them over if you're worried. Hope your piggies get on well

 

[VickiA]

It’s always best to get the vet to check things over. Please let us know how you get on.