Guinea Pigs health and behaviour

Question
Hi Becky,

I recently bought 2 female guinea pigs (approx 3 weeks ago). Due to concerns about one of them - didn't seem to be drinking (eating well), left eye seemed to have an infection
and was sneezing and coughing, I returned to the pet shop asking them to take her to the vet, which they kindly did. I was told that the guinea pig had a chest infection however after 2 days at the vets I was able to take her home. However she is still coughing, not drinking much and her left eye, although cleared, isn't open as wide as the right. Do you think that she is still unwell?

Re behaviour, the other female guniea pig has become very territorial about their bed and doesn't allow the other to enter - is this normal? - what can be done about this?

I hope that you will be able to answer my concerns.

Thanks


Karen Roberts

Answer
Hi Karen.  I would still be concerned regarding your poorly guinea pig's health.  It does sound like this little pig still has an infection and it would have been best practice by the vet to provide you with some treatment to continue with at home.  If you feel she is still not right, ask your vet to give you another course of Baytril for her.
In respect of her eye, in cases of intense infection, eyes are susceptible to long effecting damage.  This can be in the form of scarring or dryness of the eye, including damage to the production of tears which naturally lubricate the eye.  I would suggest you try applying a few drops of eye wash, human is okay, to the eye every now and then throughout the day, and see how it helps in the short term.  I would ask your vet to examine the eye for any signs of damage that may be permanent.
Now, guinea pigs of both sexes can be quite territorial and the dominance of a particular part of the cage (let it be the bed or the food bowl domain) is very common and typical behaviour of them.  Guinea pigs are pack animals and as such with all forms of pack animals there is hierarchy.  There will be one pig whose dominance controls the other pigs it lives with.  In instances like this i provide more than one of everything so one isn't bullied away.   Two or three beds or sleeping areas should be provided and add another bowl if the same behaviour happens there.  Those dominant guinea pigs prefer independence and like to sleep alone and eat alone.  
I hope this has eased and answered some of your concerns.