multiple poorly pigs

Question
hi, I have 12 piggies an lost one at the weekend he had a snotty nose an messy eyes but really dark diarrhea it happened very sudden, now ive noticed some of the others are going the same, the all have there own cages which they share with a room mate, fed every day veggies 2 or 3 times a week cleaned every other day loads of hay what do you think it could be, could it be a virus if so how would they of got it or can it be hay dust. also i heard some diseases can be passed onto humans please advise me ...cazz

Answer
It sounds like a case of Upper Respiratory infections or Pneumonia. By how fast they seem to catch it, it is most likely pneumonia, which spreads easier and faster too, especially in the virus form. I have some information under Upper Respiratory Infections, in Guinea Pig information on my website that you can try, but they will all need antibiotics which will have to come from a vet. For the diarrea you can give them 1/4 tsp childrens Kaopectate syrup, along with the cough syrup, Vicks on the nose, and antibiotics prescribed from a vet. My website is http://woopets.bravehost.com . Let me know if you have any more questions.
Brittany