• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Advice Needed Urgently - Piggy Coughing

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hayley

Hayley

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 18, 2014
Messages
38
Reaction score
25
Points
185
Location
Pinner, Middlesex, UK
Hi there,

One of my piggies has started to make a squeaky 'coughing' sound this morning and I am worried about him. Otherwise, he seems okay, although he doesn't seem to be running around as much as normal tonight. He hasn't eaten his veggies this evening either and he normally gobbles them up as soon as I put the bowl down. His breathing sounds okay, I can't hear any wheezing sounds and he's not open-mouth gasping. He just seems a little under the weather, but then I could be looking for signs of illness when there aren't any.

I'm not sure whether this would be classed as an emergency and whether I should take him to my vet immediately? I've heard that you can give piggies human cold medicines, but I don't want to risk giving him the wrong dose. If there are any home-made remedies I could give him that may help, please let me know.

If you think I should observe him over the next few days before rushing him to the vet, I'll keep a close eye on him. Otherwise, if you think it might be best to take him to the vet straight away, I'll listen to your advice!

Thank you everyone, any help and guidance would be gratefully received.

Hayley x
 
Please have him seen by a vet, especially if the coughing is ongoing, and please do NOT use human medication even though it is being touted in some circles.

You can place a bowl with steaming water next to the cage to help ease the breathing. Ask additionally for a diuretic if the lungs are fluid filled to help drain them and ease the breathing. Atypical/ "walking" pneumonia can sometimes develop very quickly out of the blue, so it is always worth having a piggy checked out promptly.
 
Hi Wiebke

Thank you so much for the quick reply! I'm on my way to the vet now, I've decided it's too serious to risk leaving it any longer. I saw in a book that I've got that you can give them human cold medicines, so I think I'll chuck that book in the bin now!

Thank you again for your help and I'll keep you updated after we've seen the vet.

Best wishes

Hayley x
 
Hayley said:
Hi Wiebke

Thank you so much for the quick reply! I'm on my way to the vet now, I've decided it's too serious to risk leaving it any longer. I saw in a book that I've got that you can give them human cold medicines, so I think I'll chuck that book in the bin now!

Thank you again for your help and I'll keep you updated after we've seen the vet.

Best wishes

Hayley x
Click to expand...

I hope it is nothing. Some piggies can cough after a meal from eating too greedily or if things are going down the wrong way, but if the coughing is not food related and is ongoing, then I would have it checked out.
 
Thanks Wiebke, we're hoping it's only something minor too, but I'm glad we're getting him checked out. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if it was something more serious and he became more ill over night.

Thanks again and fingers crossed he'll be okay xx
 
Hope all goes well - keep us updated. I have a lot of experience with a pigger with severe respiratory problems so know what you're feeling now. x
 
JustLeanne1 said:
Hope all goes well - keep us updated. I have a lot of experience with a pigger with severe respiratory problems so know what you're feeling now. x
Click to expand...

Thanks Leanne, I feel for you too! I hope your piggy gets better soon and I'm sending you lots of love x

Just come out of the vets and it's good news, they said they couldn't hear any sign of respiratory problems when they listened to his chest, but they've given him antibiotics as a precaution. I'm so relieved, as I was thinking the worst earlier. I'm going to keep a very close eye on him and I'll bring him straight back to the vet if he gets any worse.

Thanks so much again for all of your replies and advice, I'm so grateful for your support!

Lots of love to you and your piggies,

Hayley (and Bilbo) x
 
My Memphis is over his respiratory issues now (touch wood) and we haven't been on antibiotics for about a year now! Thankfully!

Great news about Bilbo - I'm sure he'll be back to normal in no time! :) xx Lots of love and hugs! x
 
JustLeanne1 said:
My Memphis is over his respiratory issues now (touch wood) and we haven't been on antibiotics for about a year now! Thankfully!

Great news about Bilbo - I'm sure he'll be back to normal in no time! :) xx Lots of love and hugs! x
Click to expand...

That's great news Leanne, I'm so glad to hear that your piggy is doing okay now! I hope things stay that way and he has a long and happy life with you. Mine are like my babies, I get so worried at any sign they're not well! Still, I'm sure the antibiotics will do the trick and he'll be fine in a few days.

Thanks again for all of your comments and support, much love to you all!

H x
 
As you were saying that he was looking a bit below par, it was certainly good to have him checked out. Hopefully, the coughing will go down. Glad that it is nothing serious.
 
Thanks again Weibke, I'm glad we got him checked out as you suggested, as it's given me peace of mind for now. Just given him the first dose of antibiotics and he's taken it down okay with a syringe, so hopefully it'll start to work.

Thanks again for the advice!

All the best,

Hayley x
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top