Loud Breathing and Sneezing with Stuff Coming Out?

[hannah25]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a bit panicked right now. My guinea pig, Chip, has been breathing loudly. It is normally just when I pick him up. It doesn't sound like he's having trouble, I am just able to hear him.

He's also been sneezing a lot more than normal. I've had him out a lot today to examine him, and he was sitting on the couch, the breathing didn't seem loud however twice when he sneezed a little bit of thick milky liquid came out of his nose.

I've had him for four months and from what I've looked up it seems like it's a URI. How do guinea pigs get URIs? There has been no change in anything recently.

He's been eating and drinking normally, also has been running around and jumping like normal.

I don't have any exotic animal vets near me so that really would not be an option.

I'm not sure if these symptoms are a big deal, my mom seems to think that just because he is eating and drinking that he's absolutely fine. I'm really scared for him and I don't know what to do.

ANY information would be appreciated.

Oh, and he also has been living with my other guinea pig, Len, for a month now. Len shows no symptoms of a URI.

Please anything that you know of would help at this time!
Thank you.

[piggylover]

I'd have a vet check him out

[Kayleigh]

If your guinea pig has a URI you must get him checked out by a vet wether it be an exotic vet normal vet. URI's can be fatal as the symptoms can progress very quickly. Here is a small list of symptoms too look out for;

Refusal to eat or drink (anorexia)
No faeces (as a result of not eating)
Labored breathing, wheezing
Sneezing, coughing
Crusty eyes, eyes that are almost sealed shut
Discharge from eyes or nose
Dull and/or receding eyes
Rough or puffed-up coat
Lethargy, hunched posture

ANY of the above signs and vet treatment is required. Keep your guinea pig in a nice, warm draught free area and ensure he is eating and drinking.

Let us know how he gets on

Kayleigh

[hannah25]

Would a normal vet be able to do anything? The only one around here is for dogs and cats.

[missjean]

I think I'd call and ask if they're comfortable treating a guinea pig.

[hannah25]

I think the loud breathing was just because I was holding him, i've listened in on the cage and i can't hear him breath. Hopefully the sneezing isn't a big deal...
Maybe this whole thing is all in my head.. I don't see how an otherwise perfectly healthu gp could randomly get an infection. Plus he's always sneezed before, i think i've just never paid attention.
I'll continue to keep a watchful eye on him...

[hannah25]

I found an exotic animal vet. He said that his lungs sounded good and that the sneezing could be just some allergies. He told me to give them more vitamin C.

[Orlaith]

One of my guinea pigs is allergic to the dust in certain brands of hay, so if you keep an eye on things like that you might figure out what is triggering it.