🚨 THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Seek immediate veterinary attention. Do not wait or attempt home treatment. Every minute counts.
Respiratory Infection in Guinea Pigs
The most common illness in guinea pigs. Often caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica or Streptococcus pneumoniae. Guinea pigs can be subclinical carriers — symptoms appear when stressed. Can progress to fatal pneumonia quickly.
Last updated: 2026-05-09
Severity
severe
When to Act
🚨 Immediate Emergency Care
Symptoms & Signs
Nasal and eye discharge
Thick white, yellow, or green discharge from the nose and crust around the eyes.
Labored breathing
Visible chest effort, audible crackles or wheezing. Open-mouth breathing in severe cases.
Lethargy
Guinea pig stops moving, sits hunched with ruffled fur.
Loss of appetite
Stops eating and drinking — a critical sign in guinea pigs.
Head tilt
If the infection spreads to the middle ear.
Behavioral Changes to Watch For
Pets can't tell us what's wrong. These behavioral changes are often the first clues that something is wrong.
🐾 Silence and stillness
Normally vocal guinea pig becomes quiet and motionless.
What You May Notice:
Your guinea pig that usually wheeks for food is silent and stays in one spot.
Causes & Risk Factors
Causes
- •Bordetella bronchiseptica — often from rabbits or dogs
- •Streptococcus pneumoniae — most common in young guinea pigs
- •Pasteurella species
- •Stress-induced immunocompromise reactivating subclinical infections
Risk Factors
- ⚠Exposure to rabbits (rabbits carry Bordetella asymptomatically — DO NOT house rabbits and guinea pigs together)
- ⚠Cold or drafty environment
- ⚠Vitamin C deficiency weakening immune system
- ⚠Poor ventilation and ammonia buildup
- ⚠Stress (new home, overcrowding)
How It's Diagnosed
- 1Clinical signs (respiratory distress in a guinea pig = emergency)
- 2Thoracic auscultation
- 3Nasal swab for culture and sensitivity
- 4Radiographs to confirm pneumonia
Treatment Options
Antibiotics and Supportive Care
Aggressive treatment from the start — guinea pigs can crash quickly.
Steps
- 1.Enrofloxacin (Baytril) OR trimethoprim-sulfa — first-line antibiotics
- 2.Doxycycline for Bordetella specifically
- 3.Nebulization with antibiotic and saline for deep lung penetration
- 4.Supplemental oxygen if in respiratory distress
- 5.Subcutaneous fluids for dehydration
- 6.Syringe feeding with Critical Care — guinea pigs MUST eat
Expected Outcome
Improvement within 48-72 hours if antibiotics are effective.
Precautions
- !NEVER give penicillin-based antibiotics to guinea pigs — FATAL enterotoxemia
- !Guinea pigs deteriorate very quickly — treat aggressively from the start
- !Guinea pigs cannot go more than 12-24 hours without eating
Common Medications Used
| Medication | Usage | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Enrofloxacin (Baytril) | Broad-spectrum antibiotic safe for guinea pigs | First-line for respiratory infections. Oral suspension. |
| Doxycycline | Specific for Bordetella bronchiseptica | Important if the guinea pig has been exposed to rabbits. |
Prevention
- ✓NEVER house guinea pigs with rabbits — rabbits carry Bordetella
- ✓Keep the cage clean and well-ventilated — use paper or aspen bedding
- ✓Daily vitamin C supplementation to support immune function
- ✓Avoid drafts and maintain temperature above 65°F (18°C)
- ✓Quarantine new guinea pigs for 2 weeks
- ✓Wash hands between handling rabbits and guinea pigs
When to See a Veterinarian
- 🚨ANY respiratory signs in a guinea pig — EMERGENCY, go now
- 🚨Nasal or eye discharge
- 🚨Open-mouth breathing
- 🚨Not eating
Frequently Asked Questions
Can guinea pigs and rabbits live together?
Prognosis
Guarded. Respiratory infections in guinea pigs can become fatal within 24-48 hours. Early aggressive treatment gives the best chance. Survival is very dependent on how quickly antibiotics are started.
References
- [1] BSAVA — Manual of Rodents
- [2] Guinea Lynx — Respiratory Infections
- [3] Merck Veterinary Manual
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