My guinea pig won't stop sneezing - should I be worried?
She's been sneezing on and off for about a week now. I switched to a new hay brand a few days ago and I'm wondering if that could be the culprit. She seems otherwise normal and eating fine.
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The hay switch is probably worth investigating since respiratory stuff in guinea pigs can get serious pretty quick. Have you noticed if the sneezing got worse right after you switched brands, or was it happening before that? Either way I'd go back to the old hay for a bit to see if it clears up, but if she's still sneezing after a few days or starts acting lethargic or losing appetite, definitely take her to a vet who knows small animals since that could indicate an infection.
john96 asker
Yeah, the sneezing started a couple days after switching hay, so that timing seems pretty connected. I'm planning to switch back today and see if it helps.
The hay switch is definitely worth investigating - dust and mold spores in hay vary wildly between brands, and guinea pigs have pretty sensitive respiratory systems. That said, I'd actually go back to the old hay for a few days to see if the sneezing stops, just to confirm that's the issue before assuming anything. If it doesn't improve or gets worse, a vet visit is necessary because respiratory infections in guinea pigs can escalate quickly, even if she's eating normally right now. The fact that she's been at it for a week without improvement makes me lean toward either a hay quality problem or potentially an infection that needs professional eyes on it.
The hay switch is definitely worth considering since guinea pigs can be pretty sensitive to dust and mold in different batches 😅 If the sneezing started right around when you switched, I'd try going back to the old brand and see if it improves over the next few days. That said, even if she seems totally fine otherwise, respiratory stuff in guinea pigs can escalate quickly, so I wouldn't wait too long to check in with a vet if it keeps going or if you notice any other changes like lethargy or decreased appetite.
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