Sneezing = Sick?

[GuineaPower]

Hi, I own two male guinea pigs and lately I have noticed they are both sneezing. They both sneeze around 4-5 times a day but they are still acting normally. They eat all their food, beg for food, and their weight has been the same. There is no nasal discharge or liquid from they eyes. I wanted to know if this could be an illness before I drove to the vet because the nearest exotic vet is about an hour drive.

 

[GuineaPower]

I started to notice their sneezing about 2 days ago

 

[Piggies&buns]

Guinea pigs do sneeze without there being anything wrong (nasal irritation from bedding etc can occur) but we cannot say whether there is or is not a medical issue occurring here, it would be morally and legally wrong of us to tell you anything other than if you are concerned that you should see a vet. The fact that they are eating well is not necessarily a sign that everything is ok - guinea pigs hide illnesses and sometimes by the time they stop eating, any illness can be well advanced.
Therefore, you should see a vet for a check up. It would be better to have them checked and find there is nothing wrong, than not go and find that they are in fact ill which would mean a delay in treatment and therefore recovery

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I own two male guinea pigs and lately I have noticed they are both sneezing. They both sneeze around 4-5 times a day but they are still acting normally. They eat all their food, beg for food, and their weight has been the same. There is no nasal discharge or liquid from they eyes. I wanted to know if this could be an illness before I drove to the vet because the nearest exotic vet is about an hour drive.

Hi!

It can be just due to some dust in a new bag of hay or a scented candle etc. but if the sneezing continues, I would recommend that you have them vet checked during regular opening hours.

As they are well in themselves and you are not reporting any further symptoms of a respiratory infection, an occasional sneeze is not an emergency; so please don't panic.

 

[GuineaPower]

If I do drive to the vet, would the cold weather be an issue? Its pretty cold here in Canada.

 

[Wiebke]

If I do drive to the vet, would the cold weather be an issue? Its pretty cold here in Canada.

Here are our travelling tips, including cold weather measures. Normally a microwaveable heat pad, plenty of soft insulating hay and a blanket are sufficient to keep your piggies warm during the journey. The guide also covers tips for vet visits.
Travelling with guinea pigs

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
Hope that your piggies are ok but it is definitely better to catch a possible illness early than risk leaving it too late.
Keep us posted