• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Help Please!

K

KG928

New Born Pup
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
12
Reaction score
4
Points
70
Location
Flagstaff
Hi! I have 2 guinea pigs (buttons and rocket) and I was picking up rocket today and I noticed some eye discharge around his eye. A couple minutes later I noticed some “throw up” on my shirt where the was none before. His weight did not decrease a lot, but he has been coughing at lot at night when he eats. I could not decide if I should take him to the vet. Please help.
 
Yes, take him to the vet... guinea-pigs don't vomit (I found this out myself only recently) so there is definitely something going on. Vets can listen to the lungs so even if he doesn't cough there they'll be able to tell if there is a respiratory infection....

(posting pause - kids coming in!) back in a minute
 
I would take them for a check up with the vets to be on the safe side.. they do clean themselves with fluid from their eyes tho....just so you are aware.
 
Free Ranger said:
Yes, take him to the vet... guinea-pigs don't vomit (I found this out myself only recently) so there is definitely something going on. Vets can listen to the lungs so even if he doesn't cough there they'll be able to tell if there is a respiratory infection....

(posting pause - kids coming in!) back in a minute
Click to expand...

Ok thank you
 
Discharge from eyes can also be to do with respiratory infections but can mean other things too (like something stuck in the eye) so the vet will be able to tell. Weight can fluctuate a bit with full tummy or full bladder but more then 50g weight loss lets you know something more important is happening.

If you suspect some sort of infection the other pig may also have it (or not... if we've had one it's only ever been one pig at a time) so if you have room in the carrier take both pigs in (it's also company for the journey so they don't freak out) but write down your symptoms and which pig has them! They should really examine both but they might do the second pig on a freebie esp if nothing is wrong with him/her! If you've not been to the vet during lock-down they are often doing things like handing over in the car-park to avoid people going in so it's convenient if your pigs are different colours etc 😊

It might be nothing - it depends if the eye fluid is an ongoing thing. My boar used to cough when eating sometimes because he was greedy and competing with the others but when he eats alone no problem. However, if there is some problem chewing or swallowing and residual food is in the mouth perhaps this might be what you saw on your shirt. A vet can tell you what's what
 
Ok thank you everyone! I am going to take them to the vet soon just to be on the safe side I think! 👍🏻
 
Please do have your piggy checked by a vet.
Guinea pigs cannot be sick so if he is spitting food back out then it can sometimes be because they can’t swallow properly
 
Hi everyone! Just got back! He was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection and given medication and eye drops.
 
Yes, a speedy recovery ❤
I've just realised Flagstaff is in Arizona... I thought it was in Kent - where is my brain today! You're probably in a different timezone and everything!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top