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some sneezing?

nugget22

nugget22

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hi!

i have noticed over the last month that my guinea pig is sneezing. after noticing this, i have done quite a bit of research, but probably not enough, as everyday i am doing more. i have looked at all the symptoms of URI (upper respiratory infection) and it seems my pig has only one, the sneezing. from what i know, baytril is commonly used for URI's. my main question is if my 10 month old pig, who is still a bit young, is old enough to take this medication. i know that if given too young that it can possibly cause growth/bone defects. i am not sure if this is worth a vet visit, because they can get very expensive, especially with many people doing scans and getting no answer to why there is sneezing. i am with him most of the day, and when i am with him, he sneezes 1-2 times. if i am with him most of the day, and he sneezes 1-2 times he probably sneezing like 3, possibly 4 times. what is normal, i see videos saying 2 times a day is normal? I'm not sure, and i am so worried about my pig. please help if you can, thank you. :)) unfortunately i do not have enough time to check your replies tonight but i sure will tomorrow as soon as possible :))
 
Piggies may sneeze occasionally just from hay dust or from eating too fast, they have very narrow airways that do get easily irritated. If you are at all concerned, it is always best to see a vet for a check up. Baytril is a very safe and well tolerated antibiotic, prescribed correctly on label for short term use, if it is needed.
Here on the forum we would always recommend a hands-on vet check and would also strongly discourage using online videos for home diagnosis ideas. Also if you are not a qualified vet, vet nurse, veterinary scientist, or a very experienced piggy owner, please dont be publicly questioning the relative safety of very safe medicines here!
 
Baytril is a safe medicine. In fact it's the only antibiotics licensed for use in guinea pigs in the UK. If you feel there may be something wrong with your piggy then I would recommend a vet check as a health check (if they haven't had one yet) once a year is recommended. I've not heard of baytril causing problems in younger piggies at all so I would be cautious of what you read on the internet and consult a cavy savvy vet about this, if they feel that antibiotics are needed. It's also not routine in the UK for scans to be undertaken if a URI is suspected. Usually the URI is treated first and only if it doesn't clear up or if it worsens are further investigations undertaken.
 
Vet is best! However one of my pigs used to sneeze a few times a day and after examination/listening to breathing, they didn't suspect a respiratory infection. At the time I was keeping them on sawdust and carefresh bedding, so I switched to fleece and very quickly the sneezing stopped. Are you keeping your piggy on any shavings or sawdust type bedding? If you are it might br worth switching to fleece as some pigs are very sensitive to it and could be causing the irritation/sneezing.

Definitely see a vet to rule any illness out either way
 
badger2503 said:
Vet is best! However one of my pigs used to sneeze a few times a day and after examination/listening to breathing, they didn't suspect a respiratory infection. At the time I was keeping them on sawdust and carefresh bedding, so I switched to fleece and very quickly the sneezing stopped. Are you keeping your piggy on any shavings or sawdust type bedding? If you are it might br worth switching to fleece as some pigs are very sensitive to it and could be causing the irritation/sneezing.

Definitely see a vet to rule any illness out either way
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i am on fleece. however, i think it may be my hay. i started out with bad petstore hay and i am now ordering tractor supply timothy hay. the petstore hay has so much dusty hay and my pig loves to dig his face in fresh hay. hopefully this will solve the problem..?
 
nugget22 said:
i am on fleece. however, i think it may be my hay. i started out with bad petstore hay and i am now ordering tractor supply timothy hay. the petstore hay has so much dusty hay and my pig loves to dig his face in fresh hay. hopefully this will solve the problem..?
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Dusty hay could definitely be the issue if he is a sensitive piggy! Let us know if it helps at all.

I'd still get him in at the vet if you can, if it doesn't improve definitely take him in. Good luck!
 
Lady Kelly said:
Baytril is a safe medicine. In fact it's the only antibiotics licensed for use in guinea pigs in the UK. If you feel there may be something wrong with your piggy then I would recommend a vet check as a health check (if they haven't had one yet) once a year is recommended. I've not heard of baytril causing problems in younger piggies at all so I would be cautious of what you read on the internet and consult a cavy savvy vet about this, if they feel that antibiotics are needed. It's also not routine in the UK for scans to be undertaken if a URI is suspected. Usually the URI is treated first and only if it doesn't clear up or if it worsens are further investigations undertaken.
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sorry for the confusion. i meant scans for any medical issue, like doing it for something else and getting no answer for that medical problem. totally my mistake, sorry.
 
Yes they may scan, but it’s not for every medical issue. Most will generally only suggest if it will give them a better view. It’s certainly not routine for a URI. They’re not the cheap pets some people make them out to be. It’s actually worse in the US where vet costs are even higher.

Have you made sure there are no irritants in the room? There’s no harm having him checked over.
 
Siikibam said:
Yes they may scan, but it’s not for every medical issue. Most will generally only suggest if it will give them a better view. It’s certainly not routine for a URI. They’re not the cheap pets some people make them out to be. It’s actually worse in the US where vet costs are even higher.

Have you made sure there are no irritants in the room? There’s no harm having him checked over.
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i don’t really think this is an irritant, but my pig is in between the living room and kitchen, and there is a uv light with an air purifier in the living room but i would’ve thought if anything that would’ve made the air better and would stop sneezing? not sure 🤔
 
A vet is the only person who can rule out an illness which is the first thing that needs to be done before considering other possible causes.
 
What is the UV light for? Is there no natural light where he is?

As recommended, vet is your best bet. We can’t guess.
 
I would personally get them seen asap by a vet! Took my pigs to the vet today and all have URI! I never would have thought it all healthy, noticed the odd occasional sneeze from 2 pigs and odd hiccup from bear but that's it. Otherwise eating regularly, good weight, very lively, clear eyes and nose. You never know what they're going to come out with. I went in worried about a potential hay poke that turned out to be URI! It's always better to be safe than sorry as it can turn nasty if it's not treated!
 
One time my guineas started sneezing, and I scared myself so much by endlessly looking up symptoms. They were fine, but I just got really worried!
 
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