Why Is My Guinea Pig Coughing?

If your guinea pig has started coughing, it can be concerning. Coughing in guinea pigs can indicate a health problem that needs veterinary attention. This article will cover the common causes of coughing in guinea pigs and what you can do to help your coughing cavy.

What Does Coughing Mean in Guinea Pigs?

Coughing is not normal for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are prey animals, so they hide signs of illness. Coughing indicates your guinea pig likely has a respiratory infection or other respiratory issue.

Some signs of coughing in guinea pigs include:

• Coughing or hacking sounds
• Wheezes or sneezes
• Discharge from nose/eyes
• Difficulty breathing

Coughing, along with these other symptoms, means your guinea pig needs to see a vet. Respiratory infections can worsen quickly in guinea pigs, so timely treatment is important.

Common Causes of Coughing in Guinea Pigs

There are various reasons why your guinea pig may be coughing. Common causes include:

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Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections are a frequent cause of coughing in guinea pigs. These include:

• Pneumonia – infection of the lungs
• Bordetella – highly contagious bacterial infection
• Chlamydia – bacterial infection
• Mycoplasma – bacterial infection

Guinea pigs with respiratory infections usually have nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and lethargy. They need antibiotics from the vet to recover.

Allergies

Allergies to things like dust, hay, bedding, or pollen can also cause coughing and sneezing in guinea pigs. Reducing exposure to irritants and antihistamines may help.

Heart Disease

Fluid buildup in the lungs due to heart disease can cause coughing episodes in guinea pigs. Diuretics and other medications can help manage heart disease.

Foreign Object

If your guinea pig inhaled a foreign object like a piece of bedding, this can cause coughing/choking episodes. Removing the object solves the problem.

Dental Disease

Misaligned or overgrown teeth putting pressure on the throat can also cause coughing in guinea pigs. Regular teeth trimmings prevent this issue.

Is Coughing Normal in Guinea Pigs?

No, coughing is not normal for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are very susceptible to respiratory infections that can cause coughing. Coughing indicates an underlying health problem in most cases.

Guinea pigs also lack the ability to cough productively like humans do. When guinea pigs cough, it is usually a sign of an irritant or illness rather than clearing their airways.

You should contact your exotic vet if your guinea pig develops a cough to get proper treatment. Left untreated, respiratory infections in guinea pigs can lead to pneumonia and be fatal. So do not ignore coughing in your cavy.

Why Does My Guinea Pig Have a Cough?

There are several possible reasons your guinea pig may have a cough:

• Respiratory infection – Such as pneumonia from bacteria like Pasteurella.
• Allergies – Allergic reaction to dust, hay, bedding, causing coughing.
• Heart disease – Fluid in lungs from heart disease can cause coughing.
• Dental issues – Misaligned teeth putting pressure on throat.
• Foreign object – May have inhaled something into lungs.
• Tumor – Uncommon, but masses in the airways can cause cough.
• Asthma – Rare in guinea pigs but can cause coughing.

A vet exam and tests are needed to diagnose the exact cause. This will include x-rays, bloodwork, or other diagnostics.

What Causes Guinea Pigs to Cough?

There are several possible underlying causes for a guinea pig cough:

• Bacterial infections – Such as bordetella, chlamydia, or mycoplasma bacteria.
• Viral infections – Guinea pigs can catch upper respiratory viruses.
• Fungal infections – Fungal pneumonia is uncommon but possible.
• Aspiration pneumonia – From inhaling foreign matter into lungs.
• Allergies – Allergic reaction to dust, hay, bedding, or other allergens.
• Heart disease – Fluid buildup in lungs from heart problems.
• Dental issues – Misaligned teeth causing throat irritation.
• Tumors – Uncommon, but masses in the airways can lead to cough.
• Asthma – Rare in guinea pigs, but asthma can cause coughing.

Proper diagnosis by an exotic vet through x-rays, culture, or other tests is needed to determine the exact cause in your guinea pig.

How to Tell if Your Guinea Pig is Sick from Coughing

Coughing alone does not always mean your guinea pig is sick. But coughing combined with other symptoms can indicate illness:

• Coughing frequently or harsh cough sound
• Sneezing, wheezing, or noisy breathing
• Discharge or mucus from eyes/nose
• Loss of appetite or lethargy
• Struggling to breathe or open mouth breathing

Guinea pigs are prey animals, so any signs of weakness or illness warrant a vet visit. Sick guinea pigs require prompt medical care.

Contact your exotic vet if your guinea pig shows multiple symptoms of illness along with coughing. The vet will examine your guinea pig and possibly order x-rays, bloodwork, or other tests to diagnose the problem.

Is Coughing Dangerous for Guinea Pigs?

Yes, coughing can potentially be dangerous for guinea pigs if left untreated. Guinea pigs are very prone to developing pneumonia from respiratory infections.

Pneumonia can quickly become life-threatening for guinea pigs, leading to death in severe cases. That’s why it’s critical to have your guinea pig seen by an exotic vet if coughing develops.

With proper veterinary treatment, most causes of coughing can be cured in guinea pigs before turning into pneumonia. But delays in treatment increase the risks. Monitor your guinea pig closely and contact your vet promptly if coughing arises.

How to Treat a Cough in Guinea Pigs

To treat coughing in your guinea pig:

• Make a vet appointment for diagnosis and treatment plan
• Give antibiotics, such as baytril, as prescribed by your vet
• Address underlying cause – dental issues, allergies, etc.
• Provide supplemental oxygen or nebulization if respiratory distress
• Give supportive care such as hydration, probiotics, critical care
• Improve husbandry – clean cage, reduce dust/ammonia, etc.
• Avoid respiratory irritants during recovery
• Finish the full course of medication as directed
• Return for follow up appointment to confirm resolution

With proper exotic veterinary care and supportive treatment at home, most guinea pig coughs can be cured.

Should I Take My Guinea Pig to the Vet for Coughing?

Yes, you should take your guinea pig to an exotic vet as soon as possible if coughing develops.

Coughing often indicates a respiratory infection in guinea pigs, which require prescription antibiotics from a vet for treatment. Guinea pigs have delicate respiratory systems and pneumonia can develop rapidly.

Your vet will want to examine your guinea pig, possibly taking x-rays or swabs to diagnose the cause of the cough. They will prescribe the appropriate antibiotics and any supportive care needed to help your guinea pig recover.

Do not delay – early treatment greatly improves the prognosis and prevents the cough from worsening. Call your exotic vet or emergency clinic as soon as your guinea pig starts coughing.

Can Guinea Pigs Get Cough Medicine?

No, human cough medicine should never be given to guinea pigs. The ingredients in these products can be toxic or fatal to small animals.

Instead, you need to take your guinea pig to an exotic vet for proper prescription antibiotics and cough treatment.

Some things your vet may prescribe include:

• Antibiotics for respiratory infections
• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
• Bronchodilators like albuterol for asthma
• Nebulization with saline to loosen mucus
• Antihistamines for allergies

Only give your guinea pig medication specifically prescribed for them by a qualified exotic vet. Never give OTC human cough remedies.

How Long do Guinea Pig Coughs Usually Last?

With proper exotic veterinary treatment, most guinea pig coughs resolve within 2-3 weeks.

However, the cough may last longer if:

• The underlying cause is not treated correctly
• Antibiotics are stopped too soon
• The guinea pig has a severe respiratory infection
• There is permanent lung damage from pneumonia

In these cases, the cough may come and go chronically. Lifelong treatment may be needed for chronic respiratory conditions.

Follow your vet’s instructions closely to give your guinea pig the best chance of making a full recovery from a cough within a few weeks. Call your vet if the cough persists beyond this time frame.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Coughing in guinea pigs always warrants a vet visit for diagnosis and treatment. Respiratory infections need prescription antibiotics to resolve. With timely exotic veterinary care, most cases of guinea pig coughing can be cured within 2-3 weeks.

Monitor your guinea pig closely and contact your vet at the first signs of coughing along with symptoms like nasal discharge, wheezing, or lethargy. Prompt treatment greatly improves the outlook and prevents the development of pneumonia. With proper care, your wheezy guinea pig should make a full recovery.

Adreena Shanum

Welcome. I’m Adreena Shanum, the proud owner of this website, and I am incredibly passionate about animals, especially poultry. I founded adreenapets.com as a labor of love, stemming from my desire to share my knowledge and experiences with poultry enthusiasts worldwide.