Sneezing

[mollypop]

My little guy has just started sneezing somewhat regularly. Before it was an occasional thing but has become more frequent. He seems to be eating and drinking normally (if not more than usual), running and popcorning, there is no crust around his eyes or nose, but I'm still really worried about him.
I just started a new job where I wasn't paid for the first few weeks, so I'm a little short on cash, but I could definitely get what I needed if it's best for him to go to a vet. What is the average rate of a vet trip and antibiotics if needed?
The local vet claims to work with all kinds of small and exotic animals including ferrets, rodents, and other exotic pets, so hopefully they will know what they are doing.
I've had a guinea pig before but he never had any problems, so this is all pretty foreign to me. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

[cielo]

Weight him everyday to make sure he is not sick. All vets charge a different amount. When you see crust or any sing just run to the vet.

Read this: http://www.guinealynx.info/normal.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/weigh.html

[BABY'S MOM]

The above 2 links are really important, here's a third link for you.

This gives you a list of symptoms of illness to watch for. If you see ANY of these symptoms, RUSH your piggy to a vet - right away!

http://www.guinealynx.info/emergency.html


and ditto Cielo- weigh him daily!

[AmysAnimals]

Frequent sneezing is always something to keep a very close eye on. Try putting your little ones chest up to your ear, listen for signs of gurgling,wheezing or wetness. If you hear any of those noises, its best to get the piggy to the vet ASAP.

Make sure to check these links, they offer great information on sickeness, signs, normal behaviors, dangerous antibiotics and probiotics:

Information about upper respiratory infections: http://www.guinealynx.info/uri.html
Dangerous medications: http://www.guinealynx.info/dangerous_medications.html
General medication info: http://www.guinealynx.info/medications.html
What is normal and what is not: http://www.guinealynx.info/normal.html
Probiotic information: http://www.guinealynx.info/probiotics.html

Also, if youre concerned, the best thing to do is take him to the vet and also weigh him on a daily basis to make sure he isnt losing weight. This is a very good way to determine if your piggy is sick. Weight loss is a warning sign of sickness and if a sickness is not treated before very noticable signs develop, it could be too late.

I cant really say what an average vet bill is since Ive only had to take my little guy for a wellness exam (thank goodness), but if a piggy is sick I would like to estimate the cost for medication and the appointment would be about 150-200 dollars. Its very hard for me to say since the vet I go to charges 50 dollars just for an exam. He is one of the best exotic vets in my area and also owns his own piggies.

[mollypop]

Thanks so much for all of the quick replies, I really appreciate it.
Since posting I haven't heard him sneeze at all, it seems to come in spurts. Hopefully it's nothing major, but I do plan on getting a scale tomorrow when I head to the store to help keep an eye on him.
Thanks again for the great info! I would be devastated if anything happened to him.

[mollypop]

Also, I was wondering if it could be possible that he is allergic to the detergent I wash his fleece in? I've just been using regular detergent, is that generally okay or is there something better to use? Thanks again!

[BABY'S MOM]

I use un-scented laundry soap.

It says in this link below, that gpigs very rarely get, colds/allergies/asthma - but the symptoms you are seeing could be from a URI. Anyway, here's the link,

http://www.guinealynx.info/uri.html

[Pigpig812]

mollypop,
Make sure your vet you take him to has an exotic specialist. I was told the same thing by a vet once and had to witness their "Exotics vet" cut an abscess out of my piggy with no pain meds or anesthetic. I am scarred for life from the sound of my boy screaming. Anyway, you don't have the same situation, but what I'm trying to say is make sure there really is a vet there specifically trained on cavies. You might try calling a few dog/cat vet clinics and asking them to recommend an exotic vet. If you get more than one recommendation for a particular clinic that is a good start. I am just terrified that other new piggy owners (or someone like you who never had to take a pig to the vet before) are going to have to go through the trama Kolby and I went through. I hope your baby gets better. A lot of people have given good advice. Just keep and eye out for eye/nose crusties or discharge and see if you can hear any rattling in your piggy's chest. That's about all you can do until you determine if you need to go to a vet.

[mollypop]

Okay, I put his chest to my ear and it just sounded kind of hollow. I'm not really sure how to explain it.

[cielo]

The chest will sound like when you get a cold if he has URI (congestionated). If he is lossing weight, eating less or looks lethargic take him to the vet ASAP. They need antibiotics if they get URI.

I use my regular detergent for the fleece for the first wash, then I use vinegar for the second wash. It works for me, but if is any type of allergy you should be able to know just changing the way you wash the fleece. I'll say use only vinegar to do the piggy laundry.