How to Care for a Guinea Pig with Pneumonia

Last Updated: October 4, 2020 References

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. 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.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Knowing the Signs

1
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. Usually, when symptoms arise it means that your guinea pig is in the late and most critical stages of their illness. So act fast when you spot the symptoms. A list of signs include;
- Loss of appetite or disinterest in food.
- Coughing, wheezing or sneezing.
- Dull appearance.
- Fever and lethargy.
- Weight loss.
- Inflammation of the ear/ear drum.
- Respiratory distress.^{[1]
  X
  Research source}
2
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. 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. You can purchase a thermometer suitable for guinea pigs from your vet clinic or pet shop.
- A healthy temperature for your guinea pig should be about 99-103.1 F.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
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. If you don't know your guinea pig's original weight you can check from the guidelines of what a healthy guinea pig should weigh.
- Boars should weigh around 900-1200 grams whilst females should weigh a healthy 700-900 grams. The weight guideline is different to baby or growing guinea pigs.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- It's important to weigh your guinea pig weekly nether-the-less to spot symptoms of illness early so that you can treat them early.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
4
Observe your guinea pigs dietary health. A guinea pig that refuses to eat or drink anything is a dangerous sign of an illness. Guinea pigs cannot go long without eating and they are in risk of their digestive tract shutting down on them. You will need veterinary assistance as soon as possible or at least begin to syringe-feed your guinea pig.
5
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. Remember, only a professional vet can assist with diagnosis and treatment. Don't rely on 'home-remedies' to cure your guinea pigs illness all together.
- Pneumonia is a serious illness. Don't hesitate to contact a vet. Holding it off could result in your guinea pig's life.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Finding a Vet

This section is mainly about finding a vet if your guinea pig is not in a critical position.

1
Avoid jumping to any vet. Some veterinarians aren't knowledgeable with guinea pigs. It may sound odd but there have been numerous reports of vets with the improper study of guinea pigs that end up giving out the wrong information. If a clinic doesn't have a vet specialised in guinea pig's then they may just turn you away. However, most small animal clinics should have employed vets available to treat guinea pigs. But not all will have a specific exotic vet.
- In a critical situation where there is no exotic vet available near-by, ignore this step.
2
Look specifically for an exotic vet. The difference between a general veterinarian and a specialised exotic vet is huge. An exotic vet specialises in dealing with guinea pigs and studies for a completely different range of animals. Their knowledge should be greater specifically on guinea pigs, they should have more experience and of course know how to diagnose and treat a problem better that is to do with your cavy.
3
Check for a good track record. The vet you're looking for should have plenty of experience and good feedback to guarantee that they'll give your guinea pig the best possible treatment and ensure a successful vet visit and outcome.
4
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.
- Guinea pig advice and support and/or Guinea pig care and advice are both reliable groups to join on Facebook with over 35'000 members from across the world in places such as the US, UK, Australia, Asia and India. The admin are very knowledgeable and will be able to provide you with trustworthy insights and advice, as will many of the members.
- Alternatively you can research for an exotic vet on vet-finder.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Caring for a Guinea Pig with Pneumonia

1
Isolate your guinea pig. Pneumonia is a contagious illness that will spread to other guinea pigs in the cage if they come in contact with the sick guinea pig. 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 spreading of the illness.
2
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.
- Baytril is a recommended antibiotic to use for bacterial infections. The antibiotic can be syringe fed to your guinea pig with fruit juice to coat the flavour.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- Feed your guinea pig antibiotics three or more times a day unless said otherwise by a vet.
- Pain killers (or medication) should only be administered to your guinea pig under the supervision of a vet.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
3
Purchase antibiotics. 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. As much as they are said to be unnecessary, they can drastically help your guinea pig in a critical situation. As mentioned above, Baytril is a recommended antibiotic as is Bio-Lapis, Avipro Plus and Pro-C as a probiotic.
- Some antibiotics can be dangerous or inaccurate so get them signed off by your vet. Additionally they can clarify what antibiotics should be used and where you can buy them.
4
Hand-feed your guinea pig. If no signs of eating (or drinking) persist it is important that you step in and hand-feed your guinea pig via a syringe. Guinea pigs cannot go 24 hours without digesting anything so it's critical that you act fast. You can purchase critical care from a vet clinic or pet store. Additionally you can grind pellets down with water to make a mash.
- You should be feeding your guinea pig 4-5 times a day or every 2-3 hours with 10ml at a time.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- Syringe feeding can be time consuming and difficult to do when your guinea pig has laboured breathing. Ask your vet for advice and remember to apply the food slowly.
- Baby food can also be mixed with the critical care or pellets. Look for an all natural food that is low in sugar. Pumpkin, carrot, squash, apple and kale are all good ones to try.
- Oat mash will help your guinea pig gain weight and should be available at your nearest super market.
5
Weigh your guinea pig daily. Keep track of your guinea pig's weight to notice any improvements or sudden weight loss. A sudden loss of a lot of weight isn't good and you should see the vet. If no improvements persist then inquire with your veterinarian.
6
Provide a calm and clean environment for your guinea pig. It's critical that your guinea pig has time to rest and improve in a safe environment where they can live without disturbance. It's important for the cage placement to be indoors at this critical time. The temperature should be stabilised and between 65–75 °F (18.3–23.9 °C).
- Keep them away from doors and windows - there should be no drafts!
- Don't house your guinea pig in an area with temperature that fluctuates such as outdoors. The temperature needs to be stabilised.
7
Change the bedding. Cedar, pine and sawdust are the main causes of respiratory problems in guinea pigs. Switch these three bedding's permanently to something more suitable for your guinea pig such as fleece or hay. While your guinea pig is in their critical incubation period, keep them on old white towels to keep track of their droppings.
- A sick guinea pig may have trouble moving on loose bedding. Switching to folded towels should make it easier for your guinea pig to manoeuvre around the cage and monitor urine and stool output.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
8
Keep your guinea pig warm! A sick guinea pig will benefit with an extra boost in temperature - but not not over-heated. Wrap a hot water bottle in a towel and place it in a corner of the cage. Always allow your guinea pig space to move away from the heat source if they get too hot or uncomfortable.
9
Relieve stress levels. Eliminate other pets, younger children and noisy objects in the household from your guinea pigs room. It is important that your guinea pig is given the time to improve their physical health in a calming environment.
10
Clean the cage often. Guinea pigs are very messy animals. A deep clean should be performed at least every 3-4 days and spot cleaned daily. Disinfect the full cage monthly with a pet-friendly disinfectant spray. Remove all the faeces, urine and dirt build up to prevent the growth of bacteria.
- An easy home-made remedy that will eliminate urine odour is by using a vinegar-based spray made of 1 part water and 1 part white vinegar. The acid should kill off any dirt and bacteria.
- Make sure to thoroughly rinse the cage with clean water afterwards to eliminate the chemicals left behind.
- Wear disposable gloves when you clean out the cage. Humans can catch the illness just as much as guinea pig can. Protect yourself when dealing with dirt and bacteria.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Preventing Pneumonia

1
Never house your guinea pigs with or beside rabbits or rats. These two animals are known to harbour the bacterial infection and can pass it onto your guinea pig. It is wise to keep guinea pigs and rabbits/rats separated to lessen the risks of your cavy catching some sort of sickness.
2
Don't use cedar or pine shavings. These type of bedding have toxins in them that are poisonous to guinea pigs and cause respiratory diseases. Cedar should definitely not be used. Pine can be used but only if the label specifically says the bedding has been kiln-dried.
3
Clean their cage often. Guinea pigs are very messy animals. A deep clean should be performed at least every 3-4 days and spot cleaned daily. Disinfect the full cage monthly with a pet-friendly disinfectant spray. Remove all the faeces, urine and dirt build up to prevent the growth of bacteria.
- An easy home-made remedy that will eliminate urine odour is by using a vinegar-based spray made of 1 part water and 1 part white vinegar. The acid should kill off any dirt and bacteria.
- Make sure to thoroughly rinse the cage with clean water afterwards to eliminate the chemicals left behind and dry afterwards.
4
House your guinea pig indoors. Fluctuating temperatures are known to promote the risk of a pneumonia outbreak. Housing your guinea pig outdoors won't provide a secure environment with a stable temperature. An outdoor housing is prone to harsh weather conditions and drafts.

Community Q&A

Question

Will an almost 5-year-old guinea pig recover?

Community Answer

This depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the illness and the pig's prior health status. Only a vet can tell you how to best treat your pig and what its chances of recovery might be.
Question

Will a 3-year-old guinea pig recover?

Dominic Wesaw

Community Answer

Yes, it likely will, as they are very hardy animals; however, you need to have its progress monitored by a vet.
Question

My guinea pig is wheezing and lying very still with her head down. She is about one year old. Will she recover?

Community Answer

You should take her to the vet ASAP. She could have a respiratory infection. The vet can evaluate her and inform you of your treatment options.

Warnings

Recovered guinea pigs and their pups will often have lung tissue damage (permanent tissue loss), which can cause recurrent health problems for their remaining lifespan.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Drastic temperature fluctuations can cause pneumonia in guinea pigs.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Catching pneumonia in guinea pigs early is vital for good survival chances.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Milk products or milk replacer products should not be used to aid your guinea pig. Guinea pigs can not digest dairy as they are lactose intolerant.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Pneumonia is contagious and can be caught by not just other guinea pigs but humans too. Take precaution when handling your guinea pig and cleaning their cage.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0