Coughing can be a sign of an upper respiratory infection (URI). URIs are caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi and can be contagious.
Common symptoms of a URI include sneezing, runny eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and loss of appetite. If your guinea pig is coughing, it is important to get them seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Additionally, quarantine your guinea pig from other animals in the house to prevent the spreading of the infection.
If you have multiple guinea pigs in one cage or tank, move them into separate cells or tanks so each one can be monitored and treated individually as needed.
Your veterinarian can diagnose your guinea pig’s condition and provide the proper treatment.
This could include antibiotics, anti-fungal medications, or other treatments to help clear up the infection. Your vet may also take a sample of the discharge from your guinea pig’s nose or eyes to determine which type of infection it is.
What is the most common guinea pig sickness?
One of the most common guinea pig illnesses is a cecal stopper.
If your guinea pig has a mild case of cecal ligation, it may simply be that they were chewing too much hay or similar roughage. Possible causes of the cecal stopper can include:
– Eating too much roughage
– Being fed a diet with insufficient roughage
– Not being given enough time to eat in between meals
– Any other reason why a guinea pig may have difficulty digesting food
If your guinea pig has a cecal stopper, it is important to get them seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Treatment may include antibiotics and/or surgery. It is also important to make sure that your guinea pig is getting enough roughage in their diet to help prevent the condition from reoccurring.
Why does my guinea pig look like he’s gagging?
The most common symptoms of a cecal stopper are gas and increased water consumption.
Once the blockage is removed, your pet will usually go back to normal, although it may have a temporary behavior change.
If your guinea pig has been having this issue for weeks or months on end and doesn’t seem to be getting better, you should take them to a vet as soon as possible.
Why is my guinea pig making a weird coughing noise?
If your guinea pig is making a weird coughing noise, there are a few potential causes.
If they’ve been diagnosed with a cecal stopper, part of the reason may be that they are chewing too much roughage.
In some cases, it may simply be that they were swallowing air because of their lack of exercise. This can cause a noisy cough or “snore-Esque” breathing because the lungs have to work harder to make up for the extra gas intake.
Another possible cause is if your pet has a respiratory infection of some type. This could manifest in diminished appetite, reduced activity levels, and increased frequency and intensity of outbursts.
The lack of appetite can make them more susceptible to illnesses like pneumonia and influenza, while their increased activity could increase their risk of developing an ear infection or bronchitis.
Do guinea pigs sneeze or cough?
If your guinea has a cecal stopper, they will usually start to cough when they’re in their runs.
If your guinea has an allergy or is ill, it may be due to a bacterial or viral infection that causes swelling of the walls of the throat.
These types of infections can also cause a blockage in the airway and make it difficult for them to breathe.
Conclusion
Coughing in guinea pigs is usually a sign of illness. If you notice your guinea pig coughing, it is important to take them to the vet for an evaluation and treatment as soon as possible.
In some cases, the problem may be something minor like eating too much hay or not getting enough exercise, but it could also be a more severe infection or illness that requires medical attention.
Your vet will be able to diagnose the underlying cause and provide the proper treatment to help your guinea pig get back on the road to health.
