New Pigs

Question
Hi, I just have a couple of questions. I've recently purchased two new male guinea pigs. They're both pretty young, under a year, but I don't know their exact age. One of my guinea pigs has a crusted eye that's completely crusted shut, but it's only on one eye. I've been doing some research, and it says that's a sign of URI, but it's only one eye. And the other little pig has been sneezing a lot. I just use regular wood chips, nothing to fancy. And I don't know if that would be a URI as well or just a reaction to dust. But the sneezing doesn't seem to bad. So if you could help me out, that would be fantastic

Thanks,
Rachel

Answer
Hello Rachel,

Depending on the type of bedding, that could be the cause of the trouble. Cedar is toxic to rodents. It causes liver damage and respiratory infections. Pine often causes allergies and repiratory problems. If it's neither of these, she may have an eye infection or she may have gotten a scratch. As long as it is just one eye and there are no other symptoms, you can go to the local feed store and get Terramycin Ophthalmic Ointment and to the drug store to get sterile saline solution. Flush the eye with the saline solution then put a stripe of the meds across his eye 2 - 3 times a day. If the condition gets worse, if there are other symptoms, or it doesn't improve, see a vet right away.

-kkat
www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs