worried about cough

[Laura M.]

I am a first time guinea pig owner and I am worried about coughing. I hear a cough or sneeze 0-6 times a day (a bit from each of my three guinea pigs) and I am getting worried because of all of the reading up I have been doing. They do not have runny noses, crusty eyes or any of the other symptoms, so what do I do and why are they coughing?

 

[Merab]

Don’t panic.
Basic rule of thumb is go the vet if you are concerned in any way.
It’s better to be reassured that nothing is wrong than risk something developing into a serious issue.
This is why a vet fund is a good idea.

However, piggies do sometimes eat so fast they make themselves sneeze. Like humans they can get dust up their noses which makes them sneeze.
Sometimes hay can be a bit dusty.

Hopefully there’s nothing wrong with your piggies.

Keep us posted

 

[Wiebke]

If in any doubt, please have your new piggy vet checked.

It can be a reaction to hay dust etc. but only a vet with hands-on examination can decide whether there is cause to treat for a respiratory infection or not. Please be aware that any vet will treat for a URI if there is the least risk simply because it is a potential killer.