Hi,
I am new here
So, I have a question or thought that has been hounding me. Sorry for the long post.
I recently purchased a Abyssinian Guinea Pig - about 10 weeks of age from a local pet store. I fell in love with her from the get go and couldn't purchase her until the following day as they had a hold on her. So, long story short following day came went to go purchase her to find out she had been OUT all day at a school for show and tell with little kids (over 8 hours). Which, to me, is quite hilarious considering touching them the previous day was a huge NO! And young kids = germs.
So, I did ask if they treat the pigs when they come in or get them checked out to be told they were healthy, etc. I didn't get to look her over prior to purchase or I would've.
Bring her home to find out one of her ears is crusty on the flap on both sides, she has dandruff, she was just scratching so profusely which prompted me to immediately examine her instead of letting her settle. She also had a scab on her back, my heart was just sinking.
So, I called the vet the following morning and couldn't get in 'til this past Monday. Took her in, had some tests done to find out she is negative for mites but to go ahead and treat her with Ivermectin as it wouldn't hurt either way. But, she was prescribed fungal medication for the skin condition which is .2 ml every day for 4 weeks. Otherwise her heart, lungs, eyes all looked good. Wednesday, I noticed her sneezing, constantly every 2-5 minutes, sometimes longer in between up to 20-35 minutes. I did look at her nose with a flash light and removed any "boogers" gently from there and only notice her nose is wet after she sneezes so no constant running as I can tell as of now. I did hold my ear to hear and she was chattering so was difficult to tell if her breathing sounded normal. Her eyes look clear. But breathing may be quicker. She still eats hay/pellets/vegetables/drinks.
I am racking my brain thinking if it's anything I could've done? She's in a 2x5 cage. Her cage consists of chloroplast bottom, with u-haul padding and fleece on top. She does have a litter pan as I would prefer to potty train (and she's doing quite well with few incidents) but, the litter for the bedding is paper pellets.
Her cage is dry, non drafty, she has a ton of sherpa lined fleece facing upward, along with sherpa lined tunnels to sleep in, etc.
Now, I do turn the over head fan on from time to time, but I do not believe that would cause enough draft for her to become ill.
I wash her bedding with hot/cold mix in the washer with free/clear of dyes/fragrant so nothing to irritate. I don't use dryer sheets.
I also confine her hay as I don't like the idea of hay being dragged around, especially on fleece, or them urinating where they eat.
I am puzzled. I do plan to call the vet first thing in the morning to try and get her back in today. But other than that I am completely lost. I did get her a giant willow tunnel but once I noticed the sneezing, I promptly removed that as well JUST IN CASE but I don't think that would cause issues?
Seriously worried, any info is helpful!
I am new here
I recently purchased a Abyssinian Guinea Pig - about 10 weeks of age from a local pet store. I fell in love with her from the get go and couldn't purchase her until the following day as they had a hold on her. So, long story short following day came went to go purchase her to find out she had been OUT all day at a school for show and tell with little kids (over 8 hours). Which, to me, is quite hilarious considering touching them the previous day was a huge NO! And young kids = germs.
So, I did ask if they treat the pigs when they come in or get them checked out to be told they were healthy, etc. I didn't get to look her over prior to purchase or I would've.
Bring her home to find out one of her ears is crusty on the flap on both sides, she has dandruff, she was just scratching so profusely which prompted me to immediately examine her instead of letting her settle. She also had a scab on her back, my heart was just sinking.
So, I called the vet the following morning and couldn't get in 'til this past Monday. Took her in, had some tests done to find out she is negative for mites but to go ahead and treat her with Ivermectin as it wouldn't hurt either way. But, she was prescribed fungal medication for the skin condition which is .2 ml every day for 4 weeks. Otherwise her heart, lungs, eyes all looked good. Wednesday, I noticed her sneezing, constantly every 2-5 minutes, sometimes longer in between up to 20-35 minutes. I did look at her nose with a flash light and removed any "boogers" gently from there and only notice her nose is wet after she sneezes so no constant running as I can tell as of now. I did hold my ear to hear and she was chattering so was difficult to tell if her breathing sounded normal. Her eyes look clear. But breathing may be quicker. She still eats hay/pellets/vegetables/drinks.
I am racking my brain thinking if it's anything I could've done? She's in a 2x5 cage. Her cage consists of chloroplast bottom, with u-haul padding and fleece on top. She does have a litter pan as I would prefer to potty train (and she's doing quite well with few incidents) but, the litter for the bedding is paper pellets.
Her cage is dry, non drafty, she has a ton of sherpa lined fleece facing upward, along with sherpa lined tunnels to sleep in, etc.
Now, I do turn the over head fan on from time to time, but I do not believe that would cause enough draft for her to become ill.
I wash her bedding with hot/cold mix in the washer with free/clear of dyes/fragrant so nothing to irritate. I don't use dryer sheets.
I also confine her hay as I don't like the idea of hay being dragged around, especially on fleece, or them urinating where they eat.
I am puzzled. I do plan to call the vet first thing in the morning to try and get her back in today. But other than that I am completely lost. I did get her a giant willow tunnel but once I noticed the sneezing, I promptly removed that as well JUST IN CASE but I don't think that would cause issues?
Seriously worried, any info is helpful!