New Owner, Genuinely Concerned about 1 of 2 new Piggies. Squinting/Sneezing occasionally.

[Jumpman]

Hi Everyone. I've just purchased my first two g-piggies :p I've been very excited about their new presence in my home and have been bothering them a little too much (taking lots of flash-free pics, videos, and just talking and throwing hay into cage. I've taken them out a few times to explore my bed. This has given me an opportunity to notice something going on with little Abby. The two were brought-in together and both 3months old. Yes, I bought them from Petco and I understand I shouldn't have :/ but they are awesome. Still feels like a rescue However, one of them has been sneezing.
At first, I didn't think anything of it, until I Googled and like any symptom, was petrified. Basically, if they do anything but sit there and occasionally walk in circles, it's a URI (I joke, but I am a little hypochondriac when it comes to these new little pigs in my life).
The sneezing only really happens about 1-3x per hour or two. I've read they should only sneeze occasionally like humans, so this raises concern. She does it slightly more when I spend 15-20min touching up around them or adding food. It's not really enough for me to be sure to go to vet.
(I won't have pet insurance up and running until a week or so from now. I know that is a little ridiculous, but I didn't think the Guinea would be ill literally within 48hrs of getting them'. And I can't imagine how much an uninsured Vet visit would be, I thought I covered all the bases before I got them, at least for a few weeks.)
As for the squinting, I first noticed it was just her right eye sometimes when eating or scared. Then it switched to the left eye. Then sometimes it is both. She is cool and alert when looking at me, but sometimes when I pet one eye squints. There is no crustiness or any other symptom I've read about. Just a light sneeze and squinting.

P.S. I've had two occasions of Loa, non-concerning pig, biting Abby and she crys then re-adjusts when they were together in same hut. They seem very loving to one another, they hide, eat, drink, etc. together.. even sleep. But maybe Loa gets annoyed sometimes and since they were together at Petco, Loa could have already injury Abby, hence the squinting?! I'll start with a separate hut then take further separating measures..

Thanks for reading all this, I'm new to all this but have done a lot of reading and now I'm jumping to the worst scenarios. I'll post some pics of the girls showing Abby's eyes both fine and squint. I need some advice ASAP. And I know, going to Vet is always the SAFEST option, but it's only been two days, I'm new... maybe I'm just freakin' and should just monitor the situation. Have a good night!

 

[DMS260820]

Hi, if it is a uri and a vet confirms it, you should be entitled to claim the bill back from petco, guinea pigs often sneeze though when you put fresh hay in their cage. Their nasal passages are very narrow, and it doesnt take alot to slightly block them causing a sneeze. Its the dust from the hay when they sniff through it, looking for a good piece of hay.

If you do see crusty eyes or nose,no appetite, laboured breathing and lack of activity from that pig, get to a vet asap, uri can kill fast if left untreated.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Everyone. I've just purchased my first two g-piggies :p I've been very excited about their new presence in my home and have been bothering them a little too much (taking lots of flash-free pics, videos, and just talking and throwing hay into cage. I've taken them out a few times to explore my bed. This has given me an opportunity to notice something going on with little Abby. The two were brought-in together and both 3months old. Yes, I bought them from Petco and I understand I shouldn't have :/ but they are awesome. Still feels like a rescue However, one of them has been sneezing.
At first, I didn't think anything of it, until I Googled and like any symptom, was petrified. Basically, if they do anything but sit there and occasionally walk in circles, it's a URI (I joke, but I am a little hypochondriac when it comes to these new little pigs in my life).
The sneezing only really happens about 1-3x per hour or two. I've read they should only sneeze occasionally like humans, so this raises concern. She does it slightly more when I spend 15-20min touching up around them or adding food. It's not really enough for me to be sure to go to vet.
(I won't have pet insurance up and running until a week or so from now. I know that is a little ridiculous, but I didn't think the Guinea would be ill literally within 48hrs of getting them'. And I can't imagine how much an uninsured Vet visit would be, I thought I covered all the bases before I got them, at least for a few weeks.)
As for the squinting, I first noticed it was just her right eye sometimes when eating or scared. Then it switched to the left eye. Then sometimes it is both. She is cool and alert when looking at me, but sometimes when I pet one eye squints. There is no crustiness or any other symptom I've read about. Just a light sneeze and squinting.

P.S. I've had two occasions of Loa, non-concerning pig, biting Abby and she crys then re-adjusts when they were together in same hut. They seem very loving to one another, they hide, eat, drink, etc. together.. even sleep. But maybe Loa gets annoyed sometimes and since they were together at Petco, Loa could have already injury Abby, hence the squinting?! I'll start with a separate hut then take further separating measures..

Thanks for reading all this, I'm new to all this but have done a lot of reading and now I'm jumping to the worst scenarios. I'll post some pics of the girls showing Abby's eyes both fine and squint. I need some advice ASAP. And I know, going to Vet is always the SAFEST option, but it's only been two days, I'm new... maybe I'm just freakin' and should just monitor the situation. Have a good night!

Hi!

Please take the time to read this guide here. For the first month after purchase your vet cost are covered by the pet shop if you suspect any infectious disease that your guinea pigs could have come with from the shop.
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

If it is literally just sneezing and a squinty eye, I would rather suspect dusty hay or bedding that is getting into the nose and is affecting the eyes. Close by air conditioning or strong drafts can also cause these symptoms. What are they bedded on? Squinty eyes should however be seen by a vet promptly in case they are an injury (equally likely a bit of hay stuck under a lid etc.)
Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview

Please also take the time to read our New Owners guide collection. We have practical and helpful tips and information on all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about. You might find it very helpful and interesting; the links I have previously added are part of it. Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[Jumpman]

Hi, if it is a uri and a vet confirms it, you should be entitled to claim the bill back from petco, guinea pigs often sneeze though when you put fresh hay in their cage. Their nasal passages are very narrow, and it doesnt take alot to slightly block them causing a sneeze. Its the dust from the hay when they sniff through it, looking for a good piece of hay.

If you do see crusty eyes or nose,no appetite, laboured breathing and lack of activity from that pig, get to a vet asap, uri can kill fast if left untreated.

Thanks for this. I'll have to look into Petco paying for the vet, that's a small but appreciated plus from them. And thankfully she doesn't have anything crusty and has been eating/moving well. I'll try to keep hay in one area and make sure breathing stays good. Thank you so much!

 

[Jumpman]

Hi!

Please take the time to read this guide here. For the first month after purchase your vet cost are covered by the pet shop if you suspect any infectious disease that your guinea pigs could have come with from the shop.
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

If it is literally just sneezing and a squinty eye, I would rather suspect dusty hay or bedding that is getting into the nose and is affecting the eyes. Close by air conditioning or strong drafts can also cause these symptoms. What are they bedded on? Squinty eyes should however be seen by a vet promptly in case they are an injury (equally likely a bit of hay stuck under a lid etc.)
Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview

Please also take the time to read our New Owners guide collection. We have practical and helpful tips and information on all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about. You might find it very helpful and interesting; the links I have previously added are part of it. Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Thanks for all this information. I got plenty to go through now! I'm happy to hear for you and another member about Petco's vet coverage, that's nice. I'm also starting to suspect hay and bedding as well. I did notice some on their faces now and then. I also have half the cage in bedding from a baseline kit I got w/ Guineas at Petco.
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...cages-habitats/kaytee-complete-guinea-pig-kit
Seems like basic Kaylee Guinea bedding. Though that is just for half. I noticed them pee/poop more towards the food/water area so I layed two thick towels there since this bedding clumps up and seems so dirty. They sleep and eat hay in bedding area, which probably adds to the sneeze. I also noticed the food that comes with that kit is high in sugars and other things.. I'm going to have to replace that tomorrow and find a source of Vitamin C for them.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for this. I'll have to look into Petco paying for the vet, that's a small but appreciated plus from them. And thankfully she doesn't have anything crusty and has been eating/moving well. I'll try to keep hay in one area and make sure breathing stays good. Thank you so much!

Please see a vet asap if things change, especially as soon as you notice a blueish dot/film on the eye from an ulceration, which needs to be seen and treated promptly. Eye injuries and infections should never be taken lightly as they can deteriorate very quickly. If treated promptly, minor injuries heal quickly in turn.

Personally, I would have that eye vet checked and the airways checked.

All the best!

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for all this information. I got plenty to go through now! I'm happy to hear for you and another member about Petco's vet coverage, that's nice. I'm also starting to suspect hay and bedding as well. I did notice some on their faces now and then. I also have half the cage in bedding from a baseline kit I got w/ Guineas at Petco.
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...cages-habitats/kaytee-complete-guinea-pig-kit
Seems like basic Kaylee Guinea bedding. Though that is just for half. I noticed them pee/poop more towards the food/water area so I layed two thick towels there since this bedding clumps up and seems so dirty. They sleep and eat hay in bedding area, which probably adds to the sneeze. I also noticed the food that comes with that kit is high in sugars and other things.. I'm going to have to replace that tomorrow and find a source of Vitamin C for them.

Take the time to read our guides, do your research, ask any questions you have in our various Care sections and if necessary save up for better quality stuff like dust extracted hay etc.
Our other US members may help you with recommendations. You can of course always consider fleece as bedding.