Sinusitis

Sinusitis (sometimes called rhinitis) is a general term used to describe inflammation of the sinuses (nasal cavity). To just have sinusitis is not very common and is normally part of the symptoms of a respiratory tract infection.

The cause of sinusitis is usually either a bacterial infection which may or may not be associated with other parts of the respiratory tract. It may be caused by an allergy to something within your guinea pigs environment. The other cause can be inflammation or infection in the tooth roots but this is less commonly seen as a problem within the nasal cavity.

The symptoms of sinusitis can include any of the following:

• Persistent sneezing
• Nasal discharge, sometimes this dries and crusts under the nostrils
• Swollen nares (nostrils)
• Coughing
• Inappetence or reluctance to eat
• Increased respiratory rate or open mouth breathing
• Noisy breathing

If your guinea pig is showing any of the symptoms above then you should have him/her checked out by your vet.

Your vet will do a thorough examination of your guinea pig and have a listen to their chest and nose using a stethoscope. Depending on the signs your guinea pig is showing your vet may want to do imaging to rule in or out your guinea pig having a respiratory infection or dental disease as the cause of the symptoms. This may involve x-rays or a CT scan to look at the chest, upper airways and nose. If a respiratory tract infection is the cause your vet may also take a swab from the nasal cavity to culture, this is so that they select the correct antibiotic to use against the infection. If there are no signs of an infection then the cause may be put down to an allergy.

If the cause of the sinusitis has been established as a bacterial infection then your guinea pig will be placed on a course of appropriate antibiotics to treat this. Guinea pigs are very sensitive when it comes to antibiotics so only give your pet the drug which your vet has prescribed. It is important to give the correct dose at the correct timescale for the correct amount of time, even if the symptoms improve, so there is less of a risk of antibiotic resistance developing. If the infection is severe then the course of treatment is likely to last several weeks.

If dental disease is the problem then your vet may have to do corrective dental burring and in some cases if the incisors are the teeth causing the problem then these may need to be removed.

If an allergy is suspected then you may have to change your pets bedding or hay as this may be what they are allergic to.

There is no way to completely prevent your guinea pig from potentially developing sinusitis but there are several things you can do to help avoid it.

Ensuring that you have good hygiene in your pets accommodation is a start, this will reduce the risk of your guinea pig developing a bacterial infection. Wipe down your pets cage with a pet friendly disinfectant at least once a week and always ensure that there is good ventilation within their environment.

If you introduce any new guinea pigs into an existing group then it is advisable to quarantine them for a couple of weeks to ensure they are not showing signs of respiratory infection such as nasal discharge, sneezing or noisy breathing.

To avoid any allergies, don’t use plug in air fresheners, sprays or aerosols around your guinea pig and avoid using overly dusty bedding or hay. Wood shavings should also be avoided due to their irritant properties.

To avoid any dental problems ensure your guinea pig has an unlimited supply of hay/grass, this is essential in your guinea pigs diet and also plays the role of wearing down their continually growing teeth.