Sneezing

[AMMAH]

Hi
I recently got a baby guinea pig from the RSPCA (born Oct 2018) and she has been sneezing since I got her.
I've taken her to the guinea pig vet who suggested it was probably a viral infection as she is still well in herself, eating, drinking, running around normally etc and gave me some Loxicom. After a week she was no better, so I've now been given Ronaxan antibiotics tablets. She's been taking these for 4 days now and there is still no change so I guess I"m going to have to take her back to the vets if she doesn't improve.

Does anyone have any ideas about what might be wrong with her please? It sounds a bit stupid, but given that she isn't actually "ill" and the fact that she's so small you would expect her to deteriorate quickly if she had an illness, so could she be allergic to something? My partner suggested hay, but that would be very unfortunate for a guinea pig!

I've not put her with my other pigs so she's been on her own for 3 weeks now :-(

Thanks in advance

 

[Wiebke]

Hi
I recently got a baby guinea pig from the RSPCA (born Oct 2018) and she has been sneezing since I got her.
I've taken her to the guinea pig vet who suggested it was probably a viral infection as she is still well in herself, eating, drinking, running around normally etc and gave me some Loxicom. After a week she was no better, so I've now been given Ronaxan antibiotics tablets. She's been taking these for 4 days now and there is still no change so I guess I"m going to have to take her back to the vets if she doesn't improve.

Does anyone have any ideas about what might be wrong with her please? It sounds a bit stupid, but given that she isn't actually "ill" and the fact that she's so small you would expect her to deteriorate quickly if she had an illness, so could she be allergic to something? My partner suggested hay, but that would be very unfortunate for a guinea pig!

I've not put her with my other pigs so she's been on her own for 3 weeks now :-(

Thanks in advance

Hi!

Have you checked for:
- hay dust or pollen sensitivity/allergy (the most common course for persistent sneezing without any other symptoms). the quality in dust extracted hay can vary enormously and some piggies can be indeed very sensitive.
- dry air from radiators or air conditioning. See whether a bowl of steaming water next to the cage is making a difference. If yes, consider humidifying the room on a more permanent basis.
- any air fresheners, scent sticks, cigarette smoke, perfumed skin and cleaning products etc.

I highly doubt that it is a transmittable infection, so you may want to consider whether you want to introduce.

 

[AMMAH]

Hi!

Have you checked for:
- hay dust or pollen sensitivity/allergy (the most common course for persistent sneezing without any other symptoms). the quality in dust extracted hay can vary enormously and some piggies can be indeed very sensitive.
- dry air from radiators or air conditioning. See whether a bowl of steaming water next to the cage is making a difference. If yes, consider humidifying the room on a more permanent basis.
- any air fresheners, scent sticks, cigarette smoke, perfumed skin and cleaning products etc.

I highly doubt that it is a transmittable infection, so you may want to consider whether you want to introduce.

Hi
Thanks for your quick reply.
I'm in the UK and so don't have AC. I do have radiators but the pigs room doesn't have one in so I don't think it's that. I also don't have any of the things in your 3rd bullet point near them although I could try the bowl of steaming water.
How would I test for allergy? The hay I use is from Pets at Home; I give them a selection and have just checked and only one says dust extracted so I'll just use that one for her and see if that makes any difference
Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi
Thanks for your quick reply.
I'm in the UK and so don't have AC. I do have radiators but the pigs room doesn't have one in so I don't think it's that. I also don't have any of the things in your 3rd bullet point near them although I could try the bowl of steaming water.
How would I test for allergy? The hay I use is from Pets at Home; I give them a selection and have just checked and only one says dust extracted so I'll just use that one for her and see if that makes any difference
Thanks

Try some other online providers; if you open a thread in our food section, other members who are more clued up than I about the currently best source can advise you. I have been getting my hay locally for years now and can't help you.

 

[Livia Rabideau]

I had a Sneezy boy too. I switched to fleece and less dusty hay and he doesn't have any more issues. Hopefully it's something simple!