Sneezing Young Pig, Worried Owner

[Keiko The Pig]

This morning I awoke to hear my young Keiko sneeze a couple of times in a row Ive heard him sneeze the odd time here or there or make a sound while grooming that almost sounds like he's sneezing or spitting on himself, but I didn't see this time if he was cleaning or not. I of course went right over to check him out and he started pop corning, wheeking for morning hay/pellets, and lucky for me my pig loves to be stroked on the nose so i got a good feel. His nose was dry and neutral to the touch, his eyes seem clear, and his behaviour has not changed at all. In fact the little guy is clanging his water bottle as I type this because he hasn't got his carrot yet this morning! He ate his hay and pellets right away as usual, still munching away at them, and his water bottle is as empty as it usually is after a night of sleep. Should I be worried? I read that guinea pigs sneeze for the same reasons we do. Do you think he's ill or that he just got a dry piece of hay that bothered his nose? I use fleece as bedding and there are no wood shavings or litter in his cage. I use some old newspaper to line the DIY hay bag that he decides to use as a toilet. I did touch the fleece and make sure it was dry all round doing its job.

 

[Wiebke]

This morning I awoke to hear my young Keiko sneeze a couple of times in a row Ive heard him sneeze the odd time here or there or make a sound while grooming that almost sounds like he's sneezing or spitting on himself, but I didn't see this time if he was cleaning or not. I of course went right over to check him out and he started pop corning, wheeking for morning hay/pellets, and lucky for me my pig loves to be stroked on the nose so i got a good feel. His nose was dry and neutral to the touch, his eyes seem clear, and his behaviour has not changed at all. In fact the little guy is clanging his water bottle as I type this because he hasn't got his carrot yet this morning! He ate his hay and pellets right away as usual, still munching away at them, and his water bottle is as empty as it usually is after a night of sleep. Should I be worried? I read that guinea pigs sneeze for the same reasons we do. Do you think he's ill or that he just got a dry piece of hay that bothered his nose? I use fleece as bedding and there are no wood shavings or litter in his cage. I use some old newspaper to line the DIY hay bag that he decides to use as a toilet. I did touch the fleece and make sure it was dry all round doing its job.

The odd sneeze is nothing to worry about; hay dust and pollen can get stuck in the nose and should clear with a few sneezes. Guinea pigs also sneeze habitually when they piggy wash to clear their noses.
You only need to get worried when your piggy is constantly sneezing or if you notice other symptoms of a URI or if you are dealing with constant sneezing fits/blocked noses, in which case the issue would rather point towards an issue with dust, dry air or pollen.

Guinea pigs also can't breathe through their mouths (unlike us), so any obstruction in the airways is always very audible (hooty, crackly raspy). If it doesn't clear again and is getting worse, then please see a vet.

 

[helen105281]

I would say it is a one off, my Moo is sneezing a bit at the moment but with her it is allergies to hay I think. I would just monitor going forward and only worry if other symptoms appear.