My guinea pig is sneezing. Is this normal or a sign of illness?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Bobbi Musgrove, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on March 21st, 2017

  Guinea pigs are prone to upper respiratory infections from viruses or bacteria in the nasal cavity. Often the first or only symptoms are sneezing. Less often the type of bedding used can be dusty or have particles that can cause irritation and sneezing.
  If Flo is still eating normally and responding to you as usual, you can monitor the symptoms for a couple days. Most veterinarian's recommend vitamin C supplementation to help keep Guinea pigs generally healthy, so if you are not doing this already, you may want to consider. Your veterinarian should be able to advise you as to how much and how often to give Vit C.

  

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• Answered By Joy Fuhrman, DVM, MBA, CPA

  Veterinarian

  Published on December 27th, 2017

  Provided the nasal discharge is clear, it is likely that this is not related to illness. It could be allergies or he could be sneezing from dust particles from the bedding in his enclosure. I recommend trying a different kind of bedding. If that does not improve the sneezing, you should have your guinea pig checked out by a veterinarian to see if this is related to allergies. If you notice any signs of inappetence or lethargy, you should get him seen sooner rather than later.

  

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• Answered By Jeffrey Milner

  Veterinarian

  Published on July 24th, 2017

  If your other guinea pig recently had an issue that required veterinary attention and now this one is showing clinical signs, it is reasonable to assume that one may have passed something onto the other. It would be wise to have your other piggy checked out and likely treated with similar medications.

  

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• Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on July 25th, 2019

  Yes, you should definitely be concerned. That amount of nasal discharge (snot) is a worrisome. I suspect she either has a dental/sinus problem or an upper respiratory infection. She really needs to see a vet (preferably one that is used to treating guinea pigs).
  
  ( https://yarmouthvetcenter.com/guinea-pig-sneezing.pml )
  
  

  

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