Respiratory infections in guinea pigs are mostly preventable. Any illness can hit a guinea pig very hard, because they are so small and easily dehydrate. Since they are a prey species, guinea pigs often hide their symptoms until it's too late. This is because in the wild any rodent that showed any weakness was immediately targeted by predators.

Please be sure to find a veterinarian experienced with guinea pigs before you bring any guinea pigs home. Time is of the essence when dealing with respiratory infections in guinea pigs, so it is not the time to try and find a vet after the guinea pig gets ill. If a guinea pig with a respiratory infection is left untreated, it will get pneumonia and soon die.

Dirty Cages

Cages, pens or hutches that aren't cleaned regularly force the guinea pig to live in unsanitary conditions. Urine and feces grow bacteria which may cause upper respiratory infections in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs that have to live in filthy conditions are living in a constant state of stress, which lowers their bodies' natural defences, making them even more susceptible to catching an illness such as a respiratory infection.

Sitting in a cage wet from urine-soaked bedding can also make the guinea pig's fur constantly wet. Eventually, the guinea pig's food is mixed in with the soiled bedding and any bacteria will contaminate the food. When cleaning a guinea pig's home, also be sure to remove any old, spoiled food as well as old bedding.

Drafts and Damp

A wet guinea pig can easily catch a chill. Along with regular cage cleaning, bathing should only be done rarely. Always bathe guinea pigs inside a warm room. Before bathing, have a sturdy cardboard box or transport cage filled with hay where the guinea pig can tunnel into and dry safely after being gently towel-dried.

Never keep a guinea pig's enclosure in the path of a drafty window or room. If the pet is to be kept in the garage or basement, this must be warm, dry places free from drafts or the pets will surely die from upper respiratory disease. Many guinea pig owners advocate always keeping guinea pigs indoors and not using outdoor hutches.

Another Sick Guinea Pig

When a new guinea pig arrives home, it is incredibly stressed. It should be kept in quarantine away from other guinea pigs for about 21 days. Wash your hands after handling the new guinea pig and before handling the other guinea pigs. Guinea pigs have been known to pick up illnesses such as respiratory infections from other sick guinea pigs they were housed with or came into contact with.

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