Can guinea pigs get stuffy noses?

Asked by: Andry Naumann

asked in category: General Last Updated: 18th April, 2020

Can guinea pigs get stuffy noses?

Guinea pigs are obligate nasal breathers, meaning that they cannot breathe effectively through the mouth. If the nasal passages become blocked with mucus and pus, or severely swollen, they cannot breathe. This can become life threatening.

Moreover, can guinea pigs get a cold?

Guinea pigs are sensitive to cold air drafts and can easily develop an upper respiratory infection—or worse, pneumonia. They can even get Bordetella bronchiseptica from your dog, cat, or pet rabbit.

Beside above, how do I know if my guinea pig has pneumonia? Loss of appetite and weight loss. Respiratory distress (dyspnea) Crackling sound when breathing due to congestion (rales) Nasal discharge.

Just so, why is my guinea pig’s nose crusty?

The primary sign of ringworm infection is bald patches, usually starting at the head. Irritation and itching may also be seen in infected guinea pigs. The bald patches will generally have crusty, flaky, red patches within them; when these patches appear on the face, it is usually around the eyes, nose, and ears.

How do guinea pigs get respiratory infections?

Respiratory infections are quite common in guinea pigs, and often they are a result of a bacterial infection. It is most commonly transmitted from one guinea pig to another when droplets are sprayed into the air by sneezing or coughing. There is also a genital form of B.

37 Related Question Answers Found

How do I tell if my guinea pig is cold?

Common signs your pet is feeling the cold Generally, if you’re indoors and you’re feeling cold, then your pet will be cold too. ‘ The same symptoms can apply to small animals, too. ‘If you have a guinea pig or rabbit, watch for them trembling or shaking as well as burrowing and hiding in their hay,’ says Dr Tessa.

How do I know if my guinea pig is healthy?

You should regularly check your guinea pig to ensure he/she is eating well, urinating, defecating normal droppings and walking around easily. Also check your guinea pig has a healthy coat, clear bright eyes, a nose free of any discharges, normal length nails (that are not too long) and normal healthy footpads.

What is the most common cause of death in guinea pigs?

Pneumonia

What do I do if my guinea pig is cold?

Provide warm, dry hiding places in their run such as wooden boxes, tunnels and cat carriers. Fill all hides with soft hay to allow the guinea pigs areas to retreat to if the temperature is cold. During freezing weather, you can use pet safe snuggle pads to keep them warm.

Do guinea pigs carry diseases?

Guinea pigs and hamsters. These pets can carry salmonella; lymphocytic choriomeningitis; Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, which causes an infection that mimics appendicitis; Campylobacter; Trichophyton mentagrophytes; Hymenolepis nana; and Trixacarus caviae, a parasitic skin infection found particularly in guinea pigs.

What temp is too cold for guinea pigs?

The RSPCA advise that temperatures below 15 degrees are too cold for Guinea Pigs, and that they should be kept indoors. Therefore, if you choose to let your Guinea Pig live outside in the winter, you should make a few changes to his hutch and environment to keep him warm and happy.

Can guinea pigs die from a cold?

Exposed hutches and a lack of hides with poor bedding can cause your guinea pigs to suffer frost bite, or even die from the cold.

Can humans get sick from guinea pigs?

It can also be spread via direct contact with infected guinea pigs or by contact with infected wild rodents (i.e., rats, mice). Additionally, infected guinea pigs can spread salmonella infection to humans through direct contact.

What does it mean when your guinea pig’s eyes are crusty?

While guinea pigs can certainly have respiratory infections that can cause eye drainage and crusting, other problems could also cause her symptoms. A corneal ulcer or scratch from hay or something in her pen is also common and can be quite severe if not treated.

How do I get rid of ringworm on my guinea pig?

Your veterinarian will likely diagnose ringworm in your pig through a simple physical examination. A course of antifungal medications will be prescribed to rid your pig’s body of the infecting fungus. The use of these medicines might last for up to six weeks or more, depending on the severity of your pet’s infection.

How do I know if my guinea pig has allergies?

Signs include itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, a skin rash, and anaphylactic shock (a true medical emergency).

How do you clean a guinea pig’s eyes?

If your guinea pig has a lot of discharge from the eye and it is crusting shut, you can use a warm, damp cloth to gently clean it until you can see your vet. Sometimes just cleaning out the eye makes a world of difference to your guinea pig.

Can stress cause ringworm in guinea pigs?

It is important to remember that this is highly contagious – even to humans! Pets that are stressed, overcrowded, very old or young are often prone to catching ringworm. Guinea pigs with ringworm will have circular, hairless, sore spots.

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