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Sick pig?

HannahGP

HannahGP

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Aug 12, 2018
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Hello I just bought two guineas pigs Bubbles & Squeak.
They are housed in an outdoor hutch which I have been cleaning everyday and always giving fresh hay.

They are both still shy as they are still new.
Both are eating and drinking (very evident by the amount of mess in their hutch)

One of the pigs Squeaks, I noticed is jumping? (I thought he was sneezing but there was no noise) plus he has a clear running nose . Is this a problem or does he need to be tool the vets.

I am a first time gp owner so I am unsure
Thank you
 
The jumping could be popcorning which is something piggies can do when they are happy/excited. If you look on youtube at guinea pigs popcorning that might help you clarify whether that's what's happening or not.

The runny nose is another matter and I would find a cavy savvy vet and take both piggies for a general health check. Piggies are excellent at hiding their illnesses so early signs can be hard to detect and I'd rather be safe than sorry. If any of them do happen to have any health problems you may be able to claim the costs back from where you purchased them (if they are from a breeder then it will not be easy)
 
I agree - the jumping could well be signs of happiness called popcorning. The runny nose however needs veterinary attention. Hope you get on ok at the vets.
 
Thank you all for your replies! I think the jumping Ishim popcorning
The nose has stopped running still trying to find a vets close o me
 
HannahGP said:
Thank you all for your replies! I think the jumping Ishim popcorning
The nose has stopped running still trying to find a vets close o me
Click to expand...

Have you tried our vet locator in the top bar? It's by no means an exhaustive list but it's a good starting point for trying to find a good vet
 
Lady Kelly said:
Have you tried our vet locator in the top bar? It's by no means an exhaustive list but it's a good starting point for trying to find a good vet
Click to expand...
I live in Northern Ireland so unfortunately it's no help as I've already looked
 
HannahGP said:
I live in Northern Ireland so unfortunately it's no help as I've already looked
Click to expand...
Even if you find a normal vets that sees cats and dogs they might know enough just to give you some baytril antibiotics. When i was a new guinea pig owner this is what i did and my pigs runny nose stopped. Just make sure they weigh your pig to get the right dose. Even animal welfare courses study small animals, or am i wrong?
 
I am going to study an animal welfare course and they have Guinea pigs.
I'm going to ring my local vets first thing (they are a farm animal and companion animal vet so unsure if they help GP)
 
HannahGP said:
I am going to study an animal welfare course and they have Guinea pigs.
I'm going to ring my local vets first thing (they are a farm animal and companion animal vet so unsure if they help GP)
Click to expand...
Cool. Ask if they have a vet who knows about guinea pigs or even rabbits. Rabbits are close enough surely. I may be giving bad info her. Sorry if i am. How about pets@homes own vets. Surely if they sell gpigs they know something about them. Seems as they managed to save 2 of my adoption pigs from respiratory issues before they came to me
 
Thank you for all your advice 😆
I will try pets at home after my local vets only problem is they are quite far away but that's not a problem if it helps him 😀
 
My Pets at Home Vet Vets4Pets are brilliant and I have recommended them on the Vet Locator. They are not all the same though. I asked the vet how many gps they see and they said that they saw a lot of them as they are sold in the shop. They also have the advantage of being open for normal hours when the shop is which means on a Saturday or Sunday if you need to see a vet you don't have to pay the exorbitant out of hours vets fees!
 
Betsy said:
My Pets at Home Vet Vets4Pets are brilliant and I have recommended them on the Vet Locator. They are not all the same though. I asked the vet how many gps they see and they said that they saw a lot of them as they are sold in the shop. They also have the advantage of being open for normal hours when the shop is which means on a Saturday or Sunday if you need to see a vet you don't have to pay the exorbitant out of hours vets fees!
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My local pets@home managed to operate on one of my gerbils which is amazing.The operation was a success but the problem came back. I was going to say about the opening hours being really good and the prices. How runny was your pigs nose ?
 
Thank you! I have managed to get him to seethe local vets at 5 (only time they have)
His nose isn't as runny Today but rather be safe
 
N
HannahGP said:
Thank you! I have managed to get him to seethe local vets at 5 (only time they have)
His nose isn't as runny Today but rather be safe
Click to expand...
Nice one. At the least come away with some antibiotics and try get some probiotics .pets at home sell it in a white and yellow tub. Its called vetark pro c. If u do get antibiotics from the vet, report the dosage on here and I'm sure someone will soon pipe up if it seems way too high or low. Dont get fobbed off with "its allergies"
 
Update!
Took squeaks to the vet.
He has a Upper Respiratoy infection
However the vet says he is not sick enough to be given antibiotics. He was however given an anti inflammatory injection (he made the most heart breaking sound ever :()
Anyway vets says squeaks eyes heart and lungs all look good .
So he has to be on antiflam meds for the next for days and keep him separate for bubbles . Vets thinks he'll be fine but to go back if needed

Thank you again for all your guys help!

:luv::luv:
 
I hate it when piggies have to have a needle poked in them for anything. Before Christian had his op he had a needle aspiration and he squeaked as if to say "OW THAT REALLY HURT" to put it politely
 
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