Guinea Pig?
May 5, 2011 - 9:37 pm
I have a Guinea pig that i just got yesterday and she is sneezing like alot abot 20 times an hour what is wrong with her? or is this normal? Any caring tips?
The Secret To Healthy Guinea Pigs
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May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
First off, not all guinea pigs sold in stores have diseases. Your guinea pig could just be allergic to something in your house, since she is new to the environment. What kind of bedding are you currently using? DO NOT use cedar shavings, as guinea pigs are highly allergic to them and can develop upper respiratory infections. Pine and aspen shavings are not recommended either, unless they are kiln-dried, but I suggest you stay away from them altogether. Stick with a bedding like Carefresh, it's made of recycled material and won't harm your guinea pig, and it's much more absorbent than wood shavings. I would definitely take your pig to a vet if you feel she is sick. Continuous sneezing can be a sign of an upper respiratory infection.
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
If you are using cedar chips or cedar shavings that might be the problem. I know that gerbils are irritated by cedar chips. That's why we have cedar closets. The cedar smell drives the mice out.
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Take her to a vet Report Abuse
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
My guinea pig sneezed a lot when I first got her. It may be because of a change in litter from where she was before to where she is now. My guess is that she's getting used to her new home.
I would recommend using CareFresh litter, it looks like soft grey chunks. It comes in all kinds of colors now, actually. Pink, purple, yellow, green. It is really soft, low on dust, and good for their health because there are no oils in it like cedar or pine shavings, neither of which are recommended for guinea pigs. CareFresh lasts a lot longer than shavings, too. I love it!
I'd say as long as there is no eye or nose discharge from your little critter, and she is eating and moving around in the cage, she is probably fine, but it can NEVER hurt to take it to the vet to be sure. You can always call a clinic and ask a nurse to see what they think.
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
I'm betting you bought her from a petstore – forgive me if I'm wrong – but they almost always have pigs with somekind of disease or parasite. Take her to the vet IMMEDIATELY, 20 sneezes/hr is NOT normal, the vet will check her out and see if he can pinpoint the cause. Be sure to keep and eye out and tell him of any other symptoms you see.
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
has your guinea pig been around any sick relatives?If so,you must take it to the Vets immediatally.(thats how my friend's died
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
i dont know but u can go to a docter to help u with her.
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Some sneezing is actually normal for guinea pigs, though excessive sneezing could be the sign of a respiratory complaint. Certainly, any time you see discharges from the nose, or the guinea pig regularly wiping its nose, it is most likely related to a respiratory or sinus infection.
Contrary to popular belief, guinea pigs do not catch colds; the cold and flu in humans are caused by viruses, but in guinea pigs, most respiratory problems are caused by bacteria. It is also possible to have a fungal infection in the nasal passages, but this is more rare.
Some sneezing and nasal discharges are merely allergic reactions that can be caused by soft wood beddings (such as cedar and pine) or dusty hay. Some guinea pigs are even allergic to certain hays, including timothy.
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
1 of 2 things
1) She's allergic to your bedding, your bedding may be Pine, cedar, or aspen. If it's one of the first two, pick Aspen, its hypo-allergenic & is not cancer causing as the other are. If aspen does not work, use the cardboard grey kind.
2) If you guinea pig is still sneezing after this, then she may have some breathing problems, you can add some Vitamin C or Tang to their water bottle & over time the sneezing should subside.
If she's still sneezing see a vet.
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
mabee its allergic 2 sumthing n the cage or n your house
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
i have 2 guinea pigs and my friend hes 1. my ungest and hers sneeze. it is because it might be getting some oils and other stuff out of its nostrils. it is ferfectly normil. don't worry. it'll pass soon enough. if u have ceeder, pine, etc,this is probably y she is sneezing. i have fleece beading (the stuff in the blankets i think it is fleece) it washes in the washer. or use carefresh. it is not made out of wood. plus, guinea pigs, bunnies,etc can eat it. it is not harmfull. u can find it in just about every pet store.
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
The sneezing is not normal, he/ she must be taken to a vet. Report Abuse
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Maybe its the bedding you are using….. Report Abuse
May 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
you suck Report Abuse