- Check for signs of pneumonia. If spotted early, treatment can be easier for you and your vet. However, guinea pigs can hide signs of illness efficiently.
- Check your guinea pigs temperature. A temperature that exceeds 110 F is a dangerous sign. An abnormally high temperature or fever is one of many signs of Pneumonia.
- Weigh your guinea pig. A rapid and sudden weight loss is another a sign of pneumonia which is a common result from lack of eating.
- Observe your guinea pigs dietary health. A guinea pig that refuses to eat or drink anything is a dangerous sign of an illness.
- See an exotic vet swiftly. If symptoms persist, it's time for a vet check. Look for a reliable exotic vet that specialises in guinea pigs with experience.
How do I know if my pig has pneumonia?
Take the pig's temperature. Anything over 101ºF is a fever in a pig, and pneumonia ranges from 102ºF to 104ºF at the start. The temperature is taken through the rectum; for tame, pet pigs this may be an approachable task but for larger pigs that do not have regular human contact, this is an affair that should be approached with caution.
What happens if a guinea pig has pneumonia?
The outbreak of pneumonia in a group of guinea pigs can cause severe destruction because respiratory particles spread through cough and sneeze and infect other guinea pigs living in the same habitat. Pet guinea pigs are easy to manage.
Is it normal for a guinea pig to sneeze and cough?
My guinea pig has been sneezing and sometimes coughing, but she eats and drinks normally and is active. Is this normal? Yes, that is perfectly normal.
What to do if your guinea pig has respiratory illness?
The respiratory illness can become critically deadly to your guinea pig if left untreated without medical care from an exotic vet. Make sure you seek help from a vet, know how to treat the illness and ultimately know how to care for your guinea pig in such conditions. This article will aid you in the process. Check for signs of pneumonia.
Is pneumonia common in guinea pigs?
Pneumonia is one of the most significant diseases of pet guinea pigs and can be caused by several bacteria, including Bordetella and Streptococcus.
What antibiotics treat pneumonia in guinea pigs?
Antibiotics commonly used to treat bacterial pneumonia in guinea pigs are chloramphenicol palmitate (30-50 mg/kg PO q12h × 7-21 days) and trimethoprim-sulfa (30-50 mg/kg PO q12h × 7 days), and enrofloxacin (5-10 mg/kg q12h × 7-21 days).
How do I know if my guinea pig has a respiratory infection?
Upper Respiratory Infection/Pneumonia Symptoms include labored and/or rapid breathing, discharge from the eyes and nostrils, lethargy, inappetance, sneezing, and coughing. Upper respiratory infections are commonly seen in newly acquired guinea pigs.
How do guinea pigs contract pneumonia?
Pneumonia in guinea pigs is usually caused by bacterial infection (most often Bordetella bronchiseptica, but other bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Streptococcus zooepidemicus may also be the cause). In rare cases, it may be caused by a type of virus known as adenovirus.
How can I treat my guinea pig's pneumonia at home?
Treatment for pneumonia can include fluids (to ward off dehydration), syringe feeding if necessary, oxygen therapy to help with breathing, and vitamin C. If the pneumonia is caused by bacterial infection, your veterinarian will likely prescribe antibiotics. Although they can be toxic in guinea pigs (see Antibiotics.
How do I know if my guinea pig is in pain?
Signs of pain or discomfort:Grinding teeth.Reluctance to move.Shivers or quivers.Sits hunched, with hair spiky.Squealing or excessive noise.Not eating or drinking.Shallow, rapid breathing.
How long can a guinea pig live with a respiratory infection?
A guinea pig may appear normal one day, have a nasal discharge and sneeze the next day, and develop labored breathing (their abdomen moves instead of their chest) and have pneumonia and even die within 48 hrs of the first signs of a problem.
How can I help my guinea pig with a respiratory infection?
bronchisepta infection is often treated with the help of systemic antibiotics. If your guinea pigs is very weak, supportive fluid therapy and supplementation with oral or injectable multivitamins may be required.
Why does my guinea pig sound raspy?
Oral and respiratory infections can happen which could cause a sore throat which could change the voice. If there are Cedar or Pine shavings for a bedding this can sometimes cause allergies with Guinea Pigs. Also a diet lacking in Vitamin C could be the cause.
What noises do guinea pigs make when they are sick?
But Guinea Pig sized. Usually its nothing to worry about, however, if your piggy has signs of a cold you'll need to get it checked by a vet. Symptoms can include runny eyes and nose, heavy breathing and coughing, a crackling sound from its chest and half closed eyes. Your piggy may also have other symptoms.
Can guinea pigs pass pneumonia to humans?
Been looking for a reason to turn down your child's pleas for a pet Guinea pig? Dutch researchers say the rodents may carry germs tied to serious pneumonia. The bacteria, Chlamydia caviae (C.
How to Treat Guinea Pig Pneumonia?
The problem with treatment is that medicine doesn’t treat the illness but the signs and symptoms of diseases.
What Causes Pneumonia in Guinea Pigs?
Pneumonia in guinea pigs usually is a bacterial infection that causes the inflammation of the lungs’ air sacs.
How to keep guinea pigs incubated?
It would be best if you keep your guinea pig in ‘incubation’ mode wherever they’re separated far from the other cavies and unbroken out of contact to stop spreading the health problem. Take good care of your guinea pig, keep them under observation until they are being given medications, and get to start better.
Why do you clean guinea pig cages?
Regularly clean your guinea pig’s cage to prevent bacterial infections and the spread of diseases to other guinea pigs.
Why does my guinea pig's head tilt?
Infection may also cause inflammation of the center ear, which might cause a head tilt. Antibiotics are for treating the infection and limit transmission to alternative guinea pigs; however, guinea pigs that don’t appear sick should be infected.
Why do dogs get pneumonia?
Because the bacteria responsible for causing pneumonia are carried by your pet dogs, cats, and rabbits.
What happens if bacteria infects the airways?
Bacteria might cause an inflammatory response that ends up in leukocytes infiltrating the airways and alveoli. This may result in respiratory organ lobe consolidation, pathology, tissue death, tissue anemia, and symptom formation, and pneumonic operation then compromised.
How will I know if my guinea pig has pneumonia?
Stress, inadequate diet, and improper home care often predispose a pet guinea pig to respiratory infection, although many well looked after guinea pigs can develop pneumonia. Signs of pneumonia may include laboured or rapid breathing, discharge from eyes and nostrils, lethargy and inappetence. Some animals show no signs at all before dying suddenly. Middle and inner ear infections occasionally result from respiratory disease in guinea pigs. Additional signs may include incoordination, tilting of the head, circling to one side, and rolling.
How to diagnose pneumonia in guinea pigs?
Diagnosis of pneumonia is usually done by taking an x-ray or CT scan of your guinea pigs chest to look at the lungs. Infection causes changes in the lungs, which can be seen on this type of imaging. Your vet may take a deep nasal swap to culture the bacteria if it is affecting the upper airway too to identify the cause of the infection and select an appropriate antibiotic to treat it.
Can guinea pigs get infections?
Unfortunately, even though the signs of infection can be relieved, the causative bacteria cannot always be eliminated. Some guinea pigs unfortunately have long-term scarring in their lungs and will be more prone to picking up an infection again in the future.
Can my guinea pig be treated?
You should consult your vet if you think your guinea pig has this serious bacterial infection . Aggressive antibiotic therapy by injection and appropriate supportive care, including oxygen are sometime necessary. Bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing help your vet select an appropriate antibiotic.
How to tell if guinea pig has pneumonia?
An abnormally high temperature or fever is one of many signs of Pneumonia. Check the temperature with a thermometer on your guinea pigs ears. Additionally, you can feel the ears with your fingers if you can pick up on changes easily.
Why is it important to catch pneumonia in guinea pigs?
Catching pneumonia in guinea pigs early is vital for good survival chances.
How to raise guinea pigs back to health?
Administer any medication to your guinea pig. Your vet should prescribe you with medication or antibiotics to raise your guinea pig back to health. Or you can purchase most antibiotics at your nearest vet clinic. Antibiotics should be syringe fed to guinea pigs as they may refuse to eat or drink if you apply it to their food or water.
How to find a good vet for guinea pigs?
Take suggestions and ask around. Sometimes the most reliable and trustworthy way to find a good vet is to ask for suggestions from others who keep guinea pigs. If you know someone who has guinea pigs then ask them. If not then you can always find a reliable guinea pig forum or group online.
How to keep guinea pigs from getting pneumonia?
You should keep your guinea pig in 'incubation' mode where they are separated off from any other cavies and kept out of contact to prevent spread ing of the illness.
What is the disease that guinea pigs have?
Pneumonia is a serious bacterial virus in guinea pigs with symptoms of sneezing and appetite loss. The respiratory illness can become critically deadly to your guinea pig if left untreated without medical care from an exotic vet.
Where can I find antibiotics for guinea pigs?
If not prescribed to you by a vet, but they're advised to be used, you can find specific antibiotics for guinea pigs in pet shops or vet clinics. You should be looking for an antibiotic that kills off the infection of streptococci bacteria.
How to recover from a guinea pig infection?
The recovering guinea pig will need plenty of rest in a calm and clean environment, away from heavy traffic areas in the home, in order to have the best chance of a full recovery from a streptococcosis infection. Make sure that your guinea pig’s cage is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before reintroducing the animal in it, and separate any infected guinea pigs from the noninfected guinea pigs in order to prevent spread of the infection . Consult your veterinarian about supportive care that can be given at home, including any temporary diet changes that may be made, so that you can provide your pet guinea pig with the best opportunity for a healthful recovery.
How to diagnose streptococci in guinea pigs?
To confirm a diagnosis, your veterinarian will need to conduct laboratory tests, taking samples of mucous discharge (from the lungs and nasal passages), blood, and urine in order to test these body fluids for the presence of the tests for presence of the streptococci bacterium.
What is the best treatment for streptococci in guinea pigs?
Certain antibiotics specifically designed to treat infection of streptococci bacteria are available. Because antibiotics can be dangerous for some small animals, including guinea pigs, your veterinarian will determine if this is the appropriate treatment for your guinea pig. Supportive therapy with fluids, along with vitamin ...
How to confirm a streptococci diagnosis?
To confirm a diagnosis, your veterinarian will need to conduct laboratory tests, taking samples of mucous discharge (from the lungs and nasal passages), blood, and urine in order to test these body fluids for the presence of the tests for presence of the streptococci bacterium.
How to avoid becoming a carrier for guinea pigs?
You will also need to take your own precautions to avoid becoming a potential carrier yourself, by wearing disposable gloves when cleaning the cages and handling the infected guinea pig, and cleaning your hands and clothing before handling the next guinea pig.
How do experienced vets answer your pet questions?
Experienced vets answer all your pet questions via chat or video.
Can guinea pigs infect other guinea pigs?
One guinea pig can infect another by direct contact or by sneezing or coughing. Certain antibiotics can prevent one sick guinea pig from spreading the streptococcosis infection to other guinea pigs, if caught early enough, but guinea pigs that do not appear to be sick may not be diagnosed as carriers and will continue to act as potential carriers ...
What causes pneumonia in guinea pigs?
Pneumonia in guinea pigs is caused by bacterial infection in their lungs. The common bacteria causing pneumonia in guinea pigs is Bordetella bronchiseptica, but there are also some other bacteria called Streptococcus zooepidemicus or Streptococcus pneumonia. There are also some rare cases of pneumonia in guinea pigs that are caused by a type ...
How to help guinea pigs with bacterial infections?
Your vet may give some antibiotics that are for bacterial infections. If your guinea pig refuses to eat or drink the medicine, you can use syringe instead. Feed your guinea pig with healthy food, such as these best fruits for guinea pig a a guide of feeding.
What are the problems with guinea pigs in 2021?
However, it might not be lovely anymore when they have some healthy problems. One of the problems a guinea pig might have is pneumonia. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, pneumonia is the no. 1 disease that causes death for guinea pigs.
Why do guinea pigs have to change their bedding?
Change the bedding as there might be some causes of respiratory problems on your guinea pig’s bedding , such as cedar or sawdust. You can use folded towels so that it is easy for your guinea pig to move around the cage.
What temperature should a guinea pig be?
The healthy temperature for your guinea pig should be about 99 to 103.1 F. You can check the temperature with a thermometer on your guinea pig ears. In addition, you can also feel the ears with your fingers. Measure the weight of your guinea pig.
Can guinea pigs die from pneumonia?
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, pneumonia is the no. 1 disease that causes death for guinea pigs. You won’t be able to make sure that your little one won’t get pneumonia in the future, but you can take some preventive actions by knowing the causes, symptoms and ways to prevent it.
Can guinea pigs have pine shavings?
Never use cedar or pine shavings as the be dding for your guinea pig. These types of bedding are poisonous for guinea pigs and they cause respiratory diseases. Find the best and great ideas for your guinea piggy bedding. Do regular cleaning to the cage.
What is the cause of pneumonia in pigs?
Pleuropneumonia is caused by the highly contagious respiratory tract pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae resulting in lung infection and pneumonia. A. pleuropneumoniae mainly colonizes tonsils in pigs where it can remain without causing disease ( Gottschalk, 2015 ). Infected pigs however pigs may exhibit anorexia, fever and labored breathing, especially after exertion ( Taylor, 1995 ). Onset can be very rapid and finding dead pigs may be the first observation ( Gottschalk, 2015 ).
How old do pigs get pneumonia?
Enzootic pneumonia mainly affects piglets and growing pigs up to about 6 months of age but can cause respiratory infection pigs of all ages.
What are the respiratory diseases in pigs?
Respiratory disease in pigs can be caused by a number of different pathogens. Often more than one pathogen can be acting concurrently in the respiratory system. Enzootic pneumonia (EP) is such an example, characterized by infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and other bacteria such as Pasteurella multocida, Streptococcus suis, Haemophilus parasuis or Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP). When EP is further combined with viral agents such as Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome Virus (PRRSV), Porcine Cirocvirus Type 2 (PCV2) and/or Swine Influenza Virus (SIV) it becomes part of Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC), which causes serious problems within pig production ( Straw et al, 2006 ).
What is the best treatment for enzootic pneumonia?
Effective treatment of both enzootic pneumonia and pleuropneumonia involves antibiotics, although this is only effective in the early stages of the diseases and will not eradicate them from the herd ( Taylor, 1999 ).
What is the gold standard for detecting M. hyopneumoniae?
The ‘gold standard’ technique used to diagnose M. hyopneumoniae infection, bacteriological culture, is laborious and is seldom used routinely. ELISA and Real-time PCR detection methods, in addition to post-mortem examination for abattoir surveillance or field inspection are most frequently used most commonly used to diagnose M. hyopneumoniae ( Sibila et al ., 2009 ).
Can wild boars cause pneumonia?
However, wild boar have been implicated as a source of infection in the re-emergence of enzootic pneumonia in Switzerland and enzootic pneumonia outbreaks in domestic pigs were strongly correlated with outdoor piggeries ( Batista Linhares et al ., 2015 ).
Can Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae be transmitted to offspring?
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae can be transmitted from sow to offspring during the nursing period and maternal antibodies only offer limited protection against lung infections caused by A. pleuropneumoniae ( Vigre et al ., 2003 ).
How to tell if a pig has pneumonia?
Symptoms of pneumonia in a pig include: Disinterest in food, loss of appetite, picky eater. (Number one worry sign.) Coughing. Lying down (sick pigs will usually lie down while other pigs are up and about). A dull appearance. Thumping (shallow, rapid breathing). Fever and lethargy. ...
What causes pneumonia in pigs?
The pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, chemicals (manure gas), extreme temperatures, stress, or parasites and it impacts the lower respiratory tract of the pig. Here is how to care for a pig with swine pneumonia.
What to do if a pig is injured?
Pigs are very strong and can cause severe injuries. See the vet swiftly. Your pig will need a course of antibiotics or "antibacterials" and the sooner the treatment begins, the better the pig's chances of survival. The vet may prescribe these as injections or feed-given.
What to do if pigs get pneumonia?
All pigs and piglets at risk of contracting pneumonia should be vaccinated against the possibility .
How to keep a pig from getting sick?
Keep the pig in a warm and dry place for recovery. Keep the pig well fed and ensure that the pig receives the full antibiotics course. ...
What to do if a pig is sick?
See the vet swiftly. Your pig will need a course of antibiotics or "antibacterials" and the sooner the treatment begins, the better the pig's chances of survival. The vet may prescribe these as injections or feed-given.
How to prevent pigs from catching pneumonia?
Prevent a relapse and protect other pigs from catching pneumonia by taking proper precautions. Things to consider include: Removing any sources of stress from the pigs' environment. Ventilating the pigs' housing adequately, without creating draughts.
How do you know if a guinea pig is sick?
You will notice that the infected guinea pig would suddenly stop eating and seems to be stressed that speeds up its journey to death.
How to tell if a guinea pig has an infection?
However, it can be done by observing the physical symptoms of your pet guinea. There would be a change in the appetite and activeness of the guinea pig that you need to consider and not ignore. If you see any such symptoms, make no delay in taking it to your veterinarian.
What causes respiratory problems in guinea pigs?
Respiratory infection in the guinea pig is among the most significant diseases, the causing agents of which are bacteria-like streptococci pneumonia and Bordetella. If a guinea pig harbors any of these bacteria, it gets diagnosed with pneumonia and maybe an asymptomatic carrier of the infection. These bacteria then infect other guinea pigs in various ways and, finally, cause the disease as soon as it arises.
What to do if guinea pigs get infected?
A vet prescribes certain medications for the infected guinea pigs. Get all the medications and antibiotics prescribed by him and be particular to feed them to the pet. Also, avoid providing your pet with painkillers unless the vet supervises so.
How to help a guinea pig that refuses to eat?
Get antibiotics. Even if not mentioned in the prescription, get antibiotics for your pet. Syringe-feed the medicines as the guinea pig might refuse to have it mixed with its food. Hand-feed. If your pet refuses to eat at all (one of the symptoms), hand-feed it using a syringe, it is essential to keep the pet full.
What is the cause of pneumonia in guinea pigs?
Pneumonia or Streptococcus in guinea pigs is caused by pathogenic bacteria called streptococci pneumonia. These agents are highly responsible for the development of pneumonia symptoms in them. In the initial days, guinea pigs suffering from pneumonia infection do not show any external or physical signs. They appear to be healthy initially, and then ...
Why do guinea pigs die?
Pneumonia infection is the leading cause of death in guinea pigs. Pet guinea pigs are safer as compared to the wild ones but still not completely secure. You need to know about the infection in detail so that you can keep your pet from catching any such bacteria. We have mentioned everything you would ever need to know about pneumonia infection ...