My 3-month-old guinea pig coughs sometimes. When to see a vet?

A clean cage is the most important thing you can do, as the ammonia from the urine causes a lot of irritation to the respiratory tract. Monitor closely for any more coughing or sneezing, and if this occurs she will really need to see a veterinarian for possible respiratory tract infection. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, Sneezing every once in a while may be normal. I always recommend taking a new pet to the vet for a "baseline" health check. However, if you prefer, you can just watch her for now and take her to the vet if the sneezing becomes more frequent or if she has secretions from eyes/nose. Please make sure that she is not on a powdery substrate. "Cats Best" or similar is ideal.

Based on what you are describing I would be concerned about a respiratory disease going on with Henry. It would be best if you could take him to be examined by your veterinarian because he will most likely need antibiotics and possibly an anti-inflammatory medication to help stop the cough. The veterinarian may also want to perform radiographs to assess the lungs and heart. I would also recommend you look at this article about nutrition and husbandry for guinea pigs to make sure Henry is getting all the nutrients he needs to stay healthy. https://www.petco.com/shop/PetcoContentDisplayView?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&path=/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/caresheets/guinea-pig.html I hope this helps. Please let us know if you have any additional questions. Best of luck.

Hello there! I'm sorry to hear that Benji isn't feeling well. I do worry that something may be serious going on as coughing is never normal in guinea pigs, and the shrieking makes me think that Benji is either very stressed or possibly painful. Not all upper respiratory diseases include symptoms like nasal or ocular discharge, so it's really important that Benji visit the vet as soon as possible. There is also the possibility that something is obstructing Benji's throat (a piece of food, bedding, etc.), so a thorough exam by a vet is in order. In the meantime, keep Benji warm and as calm as possible. If he is still eating and drinking, that's a great sign - definitely encourage him to continue to do so. Good luck, and I hope that Benji gets well soon!

Thanks for reaching out about Gizmo. Sneezing can be due to infections, inflammation, dental disease, nasal foreign bodies and more. iI no discharge, try changing the substrate, especially if wood shavings or other dusty material. If discharge from the nostrils, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

If the crust has any yellowish or green color to it then I would definitely recommend that she see a veterinarian. If it is only clear I would be less concerned. Keeping a very clean cage is important as the ammonia in the urine can be very irritating to the nasal and respiratory tract. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Thans for reaching out about your guinea pig. It sounds as if he has an upper respiratory (and possible lower respiratory) infection. A veterinary visit is recommended to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. The sooner the better, especially with the bleeding from the nose. Good luck.