guinee pig not eating or drinking

Question
hi, my daughters guinee pig is a year old. she has not been drinking or eating in the past two days and before i take her to the vet tomorrow i was wondering if you know whats up. she is also lost weight and is shaking and making a wee noise. her nose is dry also.

Answer
Hi Sharon,

    It sounds to me like your guinea pig may be suffering from an upper respiratory infection (URI).  Symptoms of URI include loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, labored breathing, and discharge from the eye.  Be sure that the veterinarian that you consult is experienced in the area of guinea pigs, because many are not and consequently make incorrect diagnoses and prescriptions.  In this type of situation, an appropriate vet would check for fluid in the lungs, check the heart, and perform any other necessary cultures needed in order to prescribe appropriate antibiotics.

    Another, less serious possibility is malocclusion, which occurs when a guinea pig's teeth are overgrown and must be trimmed.  However, a less experienced vet may clip the teeth too short or forget to check the molars in the back, which can also become overgrown.

    Thank you for your question, I hope I have been of some help to you.  If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.  Good luck with your guinea pig (=

                                                - Nicole