My little male Guinea pig has been on 3 courses of different antibiotics to possibly fight off URI.. today is his last day of his 3rd course … he is still drinking, eating, popcorning, zoomies etc but still sneezing a fair few times a day… I have fleece bedding changing 1-2 times a week with spot cleaning and I have recently changed their hay to see if that makes a difference. He often burrows under the hay like so not sure if this adds to his sneezes? His sneezes still seem to be frequent but no discharge or other signs at all! I am so confused on what is going on… I am due call back off vet possibly nebuliser is the next option.. can anyone talk from experience or advise what I’m doing wrong!?!
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Sneezing Guinea Pig…
- Thread starter Molzo
- Start date
Welcome to the forum
So you’ve said possibly to fight a URI, so it seems that these courses may be more of a precaution rather than because of a clear cut and diagnosed URI.
How long has each course of antibiotics been?
What antibiotics have been used?
Have you seen any improvement with the courses of antibiotics?
Is his weight stable at each weight check?
URIs are obviously bacterial and if there is bacteria present but symptoms don’t clear or they only improve a little then it can be because the wrong antibiotic is being used (I see youve said three different antibiotics though), the course isn’t long enough or it isn’t a bacterial issue at all so consequently you aren’t likely to see an improvement on symptoms.
What did the vet find when his chest was listened to? Was his chest clear or was there any crackling etc?
Sneezing on its own is not necessarily a sign of a URI - it’s commonly a sign of airway irritation - its also not the first sign of a URI in the same way a viral cold affects humans.
Piggies have narrow airways so any hay dust can and will cause sneezing and irritation in the passages.
I see you’ve tried other hays, are they dust extracted? Have you tried shaking any dust out of the hay yourself?
Have you ensured there are no irritants in the room - candles, air fresheners, perfumes etc. Such products can also cause airway irritation.
Try adding a bowl of steaming water next to his cage or taking him into a steamy bathroom. It may or may not help relieve symptoms and therefore can be an indication as to whether nebulising would be useful.
So you’ve said possibly to fight a URI, so it seems that these courses may be more of a precaution rather than because of a clear cut and diagnosed URI.
How long has each course of antibiotics been?
What antibiotics have been used?
Have you seen any improvement with the courses of antibiotics?
Is his weight stable at each weight check?
URIs are obviously bacterial and if there is bacteria present but symptoms don’t clear or they only improve a little then it can be because the wrong antibiotic is being used (I see youve said three different antibiotics though), the course isn’t long enough or it isn’t a bacterial issue at all so consequently you aren’t likely to see an improvement on symptoms.
What did the vet find when his chest was listened to? Was his chest clear or was there any crackling etc?
Sneezing on its own is not necessarily a sign of a URI - it’s commonly a sign of airway irritation - its also not the first sign of a URI in the same way a viral cold affects humans.
Piggies have narrow airways so any hay dust can and will cause sneezing and irritation in the passages.
I see you’ve tried other hays, are they dust extracted? Have you tried shaking any dust out of the hay yourself?
Have you ensured there are no irritants in the room - candles, air fresheners, perfumes etc. Such products can also cause airway irritation.
Try adding a bowl of steaming water next to his cage or taking him into a steamy bathroom. It may or may not help relieve symptoms and therefore can be an indication as to whether nebulising would be useful.
Thank you for reply,
at first sneezing, mucus/dishcharge from nose, wheezing, difficulty breathing and occasional clicking sound! first course baytril for 5 days along side metacam. Followed by a further 10 days of baytril and then bisolvon powder for 7 days also and now just finished today (I think it’s called) cotrimazole. Again he is only showing signs of sneezing and seems fine in himself?!
I have made sure when buying hay that the dust has been reduced as per guidance when buying. However a few days ago now I have bought different type of hay (meadow hay) to see if this helps etc,
No candles or other scents are in the room. The other Guinea pig in same cage is perfectly fine.
When the vet last checked (10 days ago) she wasn’t concerned and said he sounds healthy after listening to lungs etc. as he is still young his weight is gaining as it should be.
Thank you for suggestion…
I will try temporarily with steaming bowl of water and go from there?
You’re doing everything we would suggest.
As long as he is not losing weight at each daily weight check then that is fantastic and it sounds as if the antibiotics have worked in reducing symptoms. Being on antibiotics for a few weeks for a URI is not unusual.
Yes, try the steaming water bowl and keep in touch with your vet.
As long as he is not losing weight at each daily weight check then that is fantastic and it sounds as if the antibiotics have worked in reducing symptoms. Being on antibiotics for a few weeks for a URI is not unusual.
Yes, try the steaming water bowl and keep in touch with your vet.