Snuffles

[MunchMummy]

Hello!

In November we rehomed 2 beautiful boys from RSPCA.

A few weeks ago we noticed that Mickey (2 yrs) was a little snuffly. And a couple of times we noticed he was a little snotty and sneezy. So we took him to the vet who suggested it was either a minor respiratory infection (either viral or bacterial) or possibly a little foreign object he'd inhaled (small piece of hay maybe). She prescribed Baytril and he had a 10 day course which is now finished.

He remains slightly snuffly (his nose isn't whistling now as before nor is the snuffling so loud) and the sneezing and discharge have improved. His nose is ocassionally a little wet but the discharge seems less and is clear.

Otherwise his condition has been great all the way through...he's always eating VERY well, is active and engaged and very happy.

We called the vet again today because there are still some symptoms and we want to be sure. They said it may be that he needs a little longer on the antibiotic to clear it completely so has suggested another 5 day course. If there is still no improvement then they suggested an xray and if that doesn't show anything, a CT scan!

He really is absolutely full of beans and has been all the way through...he's always stealing Albie's food and constantly climbing up on my lap asking for more pea flakes!

I just wondered what people's thoughts are on this. If anyone had any similar experience or advice. I really hope the extra course clears it up. It seems alot to put an otherwise very happy piggy through, sedation for xrays and CT scans.

They are indoor piggies and have never been kept outside. We have a thermometer and central heating in the room and the room is always around 19-20 degrees. The vet said if it is an infection he may have been harbouring it since before we had them!

 

[Claire W]

Hopefully the baytril will clear it up once and for all. If not, you could ask to try a different antibiotic before xrays and CT scans are considered

 

[Wiebke]

Hello!

In November we rehomed 2 beautiful boys from RSPCA.

A few weeks ago we noticed that Mickey (2 yrs) was a little snuffly. And a couple of times we noticed he was a little snotty and sneezy. So we took him to the vet who suggested it was either a minor respiratory infection (either viral or bacterial) or possibly a little foreign object he'd inhaled (small piece of hay maybe). She prescribed Baytril and he had a 10 day course which is now finished.

He remains slightly snuffly (his nose isn't whistling now as before nor is the snuffling so loud) and the sneezing and discharge have improved. His nose is ocassionally a little wet but the discharge seems less and is clear.

Otherwise his condition has been great all the way through...he's always eating VERY well, is active and engaged and very happy.

We called the vet again today because there are still some symptoms and we want to be sure. They said it may be that he needs a little longer on the antibiotic to clear it completely so has suggested another 5 day course. If there is still no improvement then they suggested an xray and if that doesn't show anything, a CT scan!

He really is absolutely full of beans and has been all the way through...he's always stealing Albie's food and constantly climbing up on my lap asking for more pea flakes!

I just wondered what people's thoughts are on this. If anyone had any similar experience or advice. I really hope the extra course clears it up. It seems alot to put an otherwise very happy piggy through, sedation for xrays and CT scans.

They are indoor piggies and have never been kept outside. We have a thermometer and central heating in the room and the room is always around 19-20 degrees. The vet said if it is an infection he may have been harbouring it since before we had them!

Hi!

It can be bacterial respiratory infection (a one week course may not necessarily clear it) but you may want to also check for environmental factors as guinea pigs can be quite sensitive, including to dry air in this rather cold winter.
Irritants to Avoid Around Guinea Pigs

After that, a swab test with lab analysis as to whether it responds to a specific antibiotic may be best.

 

[Swissgreys]

How is his weight - has it varied at all recently?
This is always a good indicator, hence the importance of weekly weighing.
Unfortunately it is almost impossible to estimate how much they are eating simply by looking at them.

It sounds like your vet is being very thorough which is good.
What I would say is that you know your boy best.
If he finishes the next course of antibiotics and seems fine within himself you could always wait and see what happens. If he gets worse or the problem returns then it is definetly worth looking into further testing, but if he is well it wouldn't hurt to wait and see either.

 

[MunchMummy]

Thank you so much for your advice. I hadn't considered that with the central heating maybe the air could be dry...although the vet did say to make sure the room wasn't getting too warm as that could affect it. I'll definitely look into that. I've been weighing him following advice on some other posts I've read through and that has been fine.

Before they came to the RSPCA I think they were kept in quite a small enclosure and didn't get much chance to run about...they didn't know what to do with themselves when they saw the big C&C we have for them and they now zoom around like tiny babies when they have floor time! But I do wonder if their previous life may have something to do with this current problem ☹

Will see how this round of meds goes and if it's not cleared up I will certainly suggest looking at finding a different antibiotic before anything more stressful for him. He takes his meds like such a good boy!

Thank you again everyone.

 

[Piggy foster mum]

Hi I know this post was a while ago but I have a piggy who suddenly got snuffly. He was on antibiotics for 2 weeks and it cleared up but then it came back. My vet suggested just metacam for inflammation as it feels like he’s just getting a blocked nose and is more obvious when he’s eating. Like us trying to eat and breathe through our nose when we have a cold. He’s completely normal in his self and hates the medicine so gives me the run around when I get him out. It feels like he has allergies and I just wondered what happened to your piggy in the end.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Hi I know this post was a while ago but I have a piggy who suddenly got snuffly. He was on antibiotics for 2 weeks and it cleared up but then it came back. My vet suggested just metacam for inflammation as it feels like he’s just getting a blocked nose and is more obvious when he’s eating. Like us trying to eat and breathe through our nose when we have a cold. He’s completely normal in his self and hates the medicine so gives me the run around when I get him out. It feels like he has allergies and I just wondered what happened to your piggy in the end.

This is an old thread and the OP of this post has not logged into the forum for almost two years so we are unlikely to get any reply.

True allergies in guinea pigs are rare but they can have sensitivity to things.
If the antibiotics helped and it came back then it can sometimes be that the course wasn’t long enough or it wasn’t the right antibiotic to fully deal with it.
Metacam is a good thing to try - it tastes nice (to a piggy) so most piggies take it willingly.
We would also suggest humidifying the air to see if that helps ease his breathing - placing a bowl of steaming water next to the cage; decongestants can be given by the vet if deemed necessary; checking the hay isn’t too dusty; ensuring no irritants in the room.

We do ask that you start your own thread for further specific support and advice going forward