Scared for Sophi

[Jess Z]

For the past two weeks my baby sophi has been sneezing somewhat but coughing every 10-30 mins. I'm really scared. My mom doesn't want to take her to the vet unless neccesary. She is still eating, drinking, pooping, and peeing regulary. She was even popcorning today. I think this is a possible URI but could I buy bactrim online and treat my girl? My cat has to come in for a checkup soon so maybe I'll take Sophi along to get her checked out. What should I do? I mean she is just fine and I heard that they can get URI's from people.About 3 weeks ago my neighbor came over and Sophi and Nibbles were out, but Sophi escaped and he picked her up *once*. Should I maybe seperate her cage which is ontop of Nibbles's cage? We also recently acquired a hamster that my brother bought at a petstore when I was at soccer practice. He soon lost interest and now I have 2 pigs and a hamster. Should I seperate the hamster too? I'm so scared and confused! I'm really nervous and I hope this just passes. Also, my mom said that we have bactrim upstairs in our medicine closet. If this is a probable URI could I give her a dose on the Guinea Lynx medicine calculator? Also, how do I administer this?

[Jess Z]

Guys I really need answers soon!

[Newpiggiemom]

I would take her to the vet. You don't want to play around if something is wrong. You're not qualified to diagnose or treat. Better safe than sorry!

[Jess Z]

Thanks! I told my mom about what you said and she is going to make the appointment when she gets home in about and hour. Sophi is doing fine but sneezes and coughs every once in a while still! I'm really shaky and scared and have already set up a hospital cage upstairs in my room away from Nibbles the boar. She's just like she's always been adding a sneeze or two and has gained a "few ounces."

on 12-19-07 I weighed her last and she was 1lb 9.8 oz
on 1-5-08 she was 1lb 12.9 oz
I feel like a bad piggy mom!

I just made the call and they can't get her in till monday. Should I seperate?

[Jenni_Feathers]

Its probably a URI, here is about them. Also be sure to read what meds to give for it so that the vet doesnt give the wrong one.
Guinea Lynx :: URI
Guinea Lynx :: Dangerous Medications
Its probably to late to seperate, she really needs a vet before monday.

[Jess Z]

I mean like her cage is stacked ontop of my boars cage. So should I move her cage to my room upstairs? She's been doing alot better that I've observed so should I still take her? She's been popcorning and eating and drinking fine. What does piggie diarreah look like? She poops alot and they are moister than my boars so is this diarreah or are they just two different pigs? We are scheduling an appointment for monday.

[Newpiggiemom]

I had a pig that had diarrhea for a day and I could definitely tell it was diarrhea. It was a wet, formless mess all over the place. They tracked it all over the cage and I had to change everything and wash the piggies' feet because they were caked. A day without veggies and it cleared up.

[Ally has U's]

two days ago one of my girls had diarrhea. I took her out cleaned her up and just uped the hay. I am happy to say that she is fine today!

It is gross. It is formless. It is mushy. You will know if it is diarrhea or not, believe me!

[Jess Z]

Ok then it isn't! It seems as though her sneezing and coughing has subsided. I think she may have had a small allergic reaction to the new beds I got actually. I got these beds for ferrets that had an odor eaters pad on the inside so do you think she could be allergic to it? I took out the bed yesterday and she's stopped completly. Also, I have noticed that she and Nibbles have been scratching behind thier ears alot. Her ears were a little red around that breeding tag that I'm afraid to take out. Do you think that this was just and allergy?

[Jenni_Feathers]

I guess that it could be but allergies are very rare in Guinea Pigs

[Jess Z]

It seems like a good diagnosis but she still is very itchy, mostly around her ear tag. I really don't want to take it out for the risk of causing her or nibbles to be in pain when they still don't trust me. I have a flea/tick spray thing for pigs because they had a licy thingy when I first got them. Should I wash them in the winter and spray them? Or should I just see if it subsides?

[cavyinhawaii]

If you can take your pig in with your cat, I would get that tag removed. They can easily get caught on things and rip the ear. Mine came to me with a torn and healed ear.
Since the sneezing/coughing cleared up as soon as you took the bed out, I would say it was the bed. If it starts back up I would take in your piggie. Pigs have sensitive respirtory systems it could have easily been the cause.

[clotho]

Please do NOT use any flea powders or sprays - they can be very harmful to your piggie. For mites, ivermectin or revolution are good choices. For lice, my first choice is advantage.

Here is a quote directly from guinea lynx:

[SIZE=2]Avoid flea and tick powders, sprays, shampoos, foams, gels and wipes -- many contain pesticides that are dangerous for cavies. Read the ingredients. Some of these products have caused death. If your pet has mites, USE IVERMECTIN. When used according to directions and dosed carefully, it is a much more effective and safe product.
[/SIZE]

[Jess Z]

Ok thanks for that. I noticed that she has stopped. We had this lady who used to be a rabbit breeder come over and remove both. She had this thingy that popped it right out! I think she's fine for now. I'm thinking maybe I freaked, probably after reading this forum one too many times with the URI. Do you find that they know who you are? Because I came home from basketball practice, sat down, and didn't say a thing and they started squeaking!