Can someone give me an idea on what's going on with a guinea pig that is all of a sudden sneezing more that usual, has a wetter nose than usual, and a little bit of a head lean? It is not losing appetite/drinking, seems as energetic but isn't jumping and running as much as usual.
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Sneezy, wet nose, head lean.
- Thread starter Mikester
- Start date
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
Please have him/her vet checked. A head tilt can be a sign of an ear infection and the wet nose could be a URI. It’s always advised that you have your piggy checked out if their behaviour changes, or you’re worried. I hope he/she will be okay.
Seven7
Forum Donator 2024/25
I would take him to the vet as soon as possible. My Bear, when he came from a pet shop to live with us had this same symptom, sneezing and wet nose, so I took him to the vet as soon as I got an appointment with Dr. Jayne. Bear was diagnosed with Upper Respiratory Infection and was given Baytril, twice a day for 10 days. Bear is doing very well now, and best buddies with my Finn.
I would take him to the vet, the sooner the better.
I would take him to the vet, the sooner the better.
Viennese Furbabies
Forum Buddy
With these kind of symptoms you have to see a vet asap. If ear infections are left too long before treatment starts, they can get really nasty.
Ears, nose and throat are all connected so with nasal symptoms and the head tilt especially my first thought would be an ear infection.
Make sure you step in with daily weight checks to ensure your piggy is still eating enough hay (you cannot gauge intake by eye), and step in with syringe feeding is there is any decrease in weight.
If it is an ear infection then they are painful and it will often stop piggies from eating/eating enough.
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Make sure you step in with daily weight checks to ensure your piggy is still eating enough hay (you cannot gauge intake by eye), and step in with syringe feeding is there is any decrease in weight.
If it is an ear infection then they are painful and it will often stop piggies from eating/eating enough.
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Thanks everybody for your replies, advise and well-wishes. We haven't been able to take him to a vet because of the expense, but so far this guy is doing better on his own. Hopefully this will continue. I saw an over-the-counter ear rinse that I'll probably get soon. Thank you again, I sure do appreciate the replies from each of you.
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
Please don’t buy or use the ear rinse. You don’t know what’s wrong and could make things worse.
He really does need to see a vet. Is there someone - family or friend - who would be willing to lend you the money for the vet? Or perhaps you could speak to them and see if they will let you pay in instalments.
He really does need to see a vet. Is there someone - family or friend - who would be willing to lend you the money for the vet? Or perhaps you could speak to them and see if they will let you pay in instalments.
Please do not give any ear rinse or medication yourself - you could do more harm than good. He needs a vet for the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Ear infections and respiratory infections don’t get better on their own. They are very painful and any bacteria left untreated or under treated can cause long term complications (which would then be more expensive to deal with than the original issue; or have the potential to be fatal).
I appreciate money is tight but do get him seen by a vet.