Guinia pig heath

Question
Hello, I really need some help for my male, five year old guinia pig. I think he's ill, he has laboured breathing, dull eyes, puffed fur and lack of appitite. You say you have experience with pet illnesses so is this anything major? i can't take him to a vet until tommorrow evening. do you think he'll die? I know you're not a vet or anything but i just want anyone with some knowlage to help. Please get back to me asap as I'm really worried. thanks.

Answer
well loss of appetite is fairly serious, due tho them being a grazing animal they can deterioriate quickly. laboured breathing and dull or sore looking eyes are often a sympton of dust particles usually from sawdust. this can be fixed by simply removing sawdust from the hutch or cage or alternativly placing a thing layer of hay over the top of it. as for puffed fur it could be anything, it is winter so their coats naturally get thicker in any case and in some fur type that gives a more "puffed" look. it could also be that he is cold, puffed up fur better insulates. it could also be an actual cold, while it is not that bad for us, it can be quite dangerous for guinea pigs. puffed fur dull eyes and bad breathing can even be caused by high humidity.

So all I can really suggest is keep him warm, dry and in a non-dusty enviroment, as stress free as possible, and book an appointment with the vets as soon as you can. I have found with all experts that is is difficult to properly diagnose guinea pigs without being able to see them which means that I tend to end up listing the possibilities and then recommending a vet.

anyway best of luck.