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My guinea pig is sick with breathing issues, coughing, sneezing. What's next?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Unknown - Small Animal | Male | unneutered | 10 months and 9 days old

Guinea pig seen vet twice, coat is puffy, sneezing, coughing, might have lost weight, raspy/hard breathing, sleepy. He still eats and has regular feces. Need second opinion about his worrisome health. Can you help? What is the price?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 23rd, 2017

Hello. I assume your previous veterinary visits resulted in x-rays, antibiotics, & a good assessment of diet & environmental conditions. If a dust free environment was not suggested, then change to something like Yesterdays News. If not, that is where I would start. Many young GPs can get a respiratory infection called Bordetella. Treatment involves using the antibiotics enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg once daily), & doxycycline ( 2.5 mg/kg every 12 hours ). Nebulization using saline & enrofloxacin may be very useful. Your veterinarian can recommend a protocol, but I like to do this 3 times daily for 10 minutes. Treatment with antibiotics & nebulization may need to be continued for as long as 21 days. I hope Thomas is feeling better soon. Take care.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian
Published on January 7th, 2018
Poor popcorn! (Great name BTW). It is difficult to say exactly the cost as these cost vary greatly in your specific location. The cost in Hawaii is likely very high and depending on where you are it could also vary. I would contact your vet you plan to use and asked the price of a basic exam for an exotic pet. Then when you get there don’t hesitate to ask for an estimate before they do anything. If this is just an upper respiratory infection then chances are your vet may just try some antibiotics to start with and see how he does. This shouldn’t be too much cost added on.

Chances of survival with treatment are good. Chances of survival without treatment are lower simply because an upper respiratory infection can easily turn into a pneumonia which is very dangerous left untreated.

In the meantime, if he will let you hold him, you could help to break up the mucus by turning on a gold shower in a small bathroom and let him breathe in the steam. No need to get him wet - just get the bathroom nice and steamy then hold him since steam rises. You can do this for 10 minutes 2-3 times per day to help until you get him to the vet. This will not cure him, but it will make him more comfortable. Also make sure he is continuing to eat - you can offer him fresh veggies/fuits if needed. Make sure to offer veggies/fruits high in vitamin C (red/green bell peppers, kiwi, parsley) since they don’t produce their own.i hipe this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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