congestion

Question
My piggie Oreo ( age 1 year and 3 months, male, no cagemates) has recently began to sound congested.  It comes and goes but it always comes back.  The bedding I use is the carefresh odor control bedding, I feed him nutriphase Gold, and right now I give him Timothy hay, Romaine lettuce, and carrots.  I tried giving him vitamin drops in his water but he refused to drink it.  He still has an appetite and other than the congested sound he is stll active and happy.  I am not sure whether I should worry about it or not.

Answer
Hello Robin,

It sounds like it's probably an early stage URI. He needs to go to the vet as soon as you can get him there. Anytime there's a possible URI, the sooner he gets treatment the better his chances. URIs can be very deadly but with catching it early and getting treatment quickly, he will likely pull through and be just fine. If he seems to be having trouble breathing, you can run a vaporizer for him or take him into a closed up bathroom with you while you shower. The steam will make it easier for him to breathe. Even with treatment, he will probably get worse before he gets better, so don't be too alarmed. Good luck. Hopefully he will be feeling better soon.

-kkat
www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs