No vets in my area :/

[cavia]

It's been more than a week since I noticed her runny nose and his chin/neck is always wet, I thought it was just from water bottle but it seems she haven't drank for a while and the wet still remains. So the first thing came in my mind is 'colds' so I'd just let it as I know it will go away soon. But I searched deeply and I found out that guinea pig doesn't get colds but instead, it's a symptom of URI which is deadly. It's been a week, no vet nearby... Gave her 1/8 cut of human 500mg vit C once a day for 2 days and stopped it... I'm just giving her regular treats of oregano which her fav. She's now drinking water... not eating hay (it's normal as she don't like the new brand) ... squeeking for food and energetic. Please let me know if what I can do as there is no vet anywhere here... she's 4 years old and been alone since birth.

Haven't saw her sneezing and she's laying hiding inside her mini house. I'm on a tropical country... It's sunny at daytime but intense rain at night. I don't think that's a problem as she used to it for 4 years. Also, I already took away anything dusty like her wooden bedding.

I have a sister who's a medical student, she might help.

I will appreciate any helpful reply.

[PigPandemonium]

You need to find an exotic vet in your area ASAP. You can tell us ruffly the area you live in, and we can help you find someone, but there is no use self medicating her, as this will not only just not help, it may have adverse affects. She needs to be eating hay, what brand are you using? You're going to have to hand feed her if she is not eating, look here for info on hand feeding: http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html

Other than that you need to find a vet that is good with guinea pigs. Guinea pigs also hide illnesses, so what you might just see as no big problem, is likely much much worse.

[cavia]

I did my best but haven't found any vet available here in my current area. I'm moving to city in the next month but I have to wait. She never ate any hay until she's 2 years old and there is no problem, she's healthy (her teeths and stool) she'd just started to eat hay 2 years ago (she's 4 years old right now), the current brand of the hay is Versala laga's natural mountain hay(mint). Eating regular greens especially oregano leaves and as I've said squeeking and alwalys excited like running all over the cage. Can you give me any immediate remedy or first aid? Vet is really a big problem for me, I'm sorry for that.

[PigPandemonium]

Part of getting a guinea pig is having to take it to the vet no matter what if it gets sick. There is no immediate remedy for a URI, you need a vet visit ASAP. Guinea pigs also need hay, and good quality hay also, like KMS or Oxbow, the hay you are feeding now is not good at all, I recommend you switch. Again if you give us you relative area, we can help you find a vet which your guinea pig very much needs.

[foggycreekcavy]

Do you weigh her?

It's hard to tell if it's a respiratory issue or a teeth issue. Can she eat a carrot or apple peel with no problems? Since she's not eating the hay, can you get her some fresh grass?

PigPandemonium, she says she's in a tropical country. She might not have access to the things we take for granted, like vet care and good hay.

[cavia]

I'm so sorry if you misunderstood. There is no problem with eating and drinking, I can switch to different hay tomorrow, right now she enjoys oregano which is known as an organic antiseptic and good for respiratory. But the main issue is the URI :/. It sucks to be in a 3rd world country. Thanks for the response.

Also, I'm pretty sure the feeding is alright as I already had a cavy who last 7 years of age.

[foggycreekcavy]

Wet chins don't usually happen with URI, is why I asked. It's more of a dental issue. How long has she gone without eating this day that she doesn't like?

[cavia]

Her mouth is always looks wet and open and she never had a dental problem as she can eat hard treats like apple or carrots + pellets. I haven't checked her breath yet but there's no other way she can get the colds.

[PigPandemonium]

Sorry, I didn't see any where that she said she lived in a tropical area, again, sorry!

[cavia]

If only I know where I can consult to a vet online, an assistance would be fine. My family has a good background of medical practice (for human) and they might do it. I'm pretty sure it's only about a right dosage of antibiotics, I can buy cavy medicine online in case.

[PigPandemonium]

I wouldn't let a human doctor do it, it's like getting a car mechanic to fix your bike, they are two very different things humans and guinea pigs. There are also a lot of meds that can hurt guinea pigs that are often given to humans. Baytril and acidophilius I believe is what is typically used for URI, though you'd have to look up to dosage online, and weigh the pig to find out how much to give, ect.

[cavia]

Yes, that's why I'm seeking for an online vet for an assistance.

I'd just checked her and it seems she's now dry while sitting on a corner. I grabbed her to check symptoms other than runny nose and it seems the breath is quiet and a little bit fast hearth beat (I believe it happened because she's so excited and have an anxiety when getting hold). I hope it is a good sign, I will continue watching her and will confirm if she sneeze. Thanks for all the replies.

[bpatters]

I agree with @foggycreekcavy that there may be dental problems. A runny nose with no other symptoms, like sneezing and coughing, isn't necessarily a sign of an URI. But a wet chin and neck and a failure to eat hay definitely are signs of problems with the molars. And you can't get her teeth planed by an online vet dentist.

Are you in the Philippines? If so, are you anywhere close to Manila?