My guinea Damion...

Question
We recently got a new guinea (Damion) he done very well the first few days we had him, but he has been kind of coughing and his breathing is a little abnormal and is slowly dropping in weight. I Am not exactly sure what to do. he is still eating and drinking. I don't know if this has a whole lot to do with it, but he has red eyes, but a tan sandy color in fur, does that mean he is albino. I am lost and need an answer. I hope you can help.

In need for my piggy,
Jennifer

Answer
Hello Jennifer,

Damion needs to see a vet. It sounds like he is developing a URI (Upper Respiratory Infection) and the sooner he is treated with antibiotics, the better his chance for survival. To help with his breathing you can run a vaporizer for him or take him into the bathroom with you while you shower to let him breathe in the steam. This will not fix it though, he needs antibiotics. URIs are deadly without treatment. Oh, and he sounds like he is a Pink Eyed Cream. Guinea Pigs don't come in albino. Albinism is a genetic mutation they aren't capable of having, but they do come in a pink eyed white. Pink eyes is just a different variation of eye color like blue and brown are in humans. Good luck with little Damion and congratulations on your new piggy.

-kkat
http://www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs