Baby Guineapigs Making Odd Noise/no Noise

[Sara’s Piggies]

Hi, I have two young female guineapigs (about 2 months). Shortly after we got them they had mild upper respiratory infections (sneezing/crusty eyes) they were on antibiotics for a quiet awhile but the infection appears to have cleared up with the acception of some mild sneezing here and there (no eye crust or nose discharge). They eat and drink like normal and are gaining weight as they should be. The only problem is one of them hardly makes any noise at all the only noise she will sometimes make is the purring noise but it almost sounds muffled. The second guineapig makes normal noises except when she tries to squeak sometimes it's like she looses her voice/cuts off and sounds dry. I took them to the vet again and there are not remaining signs of infection. The vet cannot here any congestion and they have no other presenting signs of infection. They are currently on an anti inflammatory and only using flees bedding. The vet thought they may have a possible allergy to carfress bedding we were using on part of there cage. Since making these changes I haven't noticed any changes in them. Still the weird noises or lack of noise. They seem happy otherwise. I'm at a loss for what else it could be and I don't want them to get sick.

 

[Hannah P.]

I wouldn't worry to much about your pigs, seeing as they're recovering well and acting normal. Losing voice normal for guinea pigs, but usually it happens as they age. It's probably occurring at such a young age because of the respiratory infection.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I have two young female guineapigs (about 2 months). Shortly after we got them they had mild upper respiratory infections (sneezing/crusty eyes) they were on antibiotics for a quiet awhile but the infection appears to have cleared up with the acception of some mild sneezing here and there (no eye crust or nose discharge). They eat and drink like normal and are gaining weight as they should be. The only problem is one of them hardly makes any noise at all the only noise she will sometimes make is the purring noise but it almost sounds muffled. The second guineapig makes normal noises except when she tries to squeak sometimes it's like she looses her voice/cuts off and sounds dry. I took them to the vet again and there are not remaining signs of infection. The vet cannot here any congestion and they have no other presenting signs of infection. They are currently on an anti inflammatory and only using flees bedding. The vet thought they may have a possible allergy to carfress bedding we were using on part of there cage. Since making these changes I haven't noticed any changes in them. Still the weird noises or lack of noise. They seem happy otherwise. I'm at a loss for what else it could be and I don't want them to get sick.

Hi! I would not worry about the hoarseness or having a quiet piggy. Not all youngsters are necessarily vocal and on the go all the time, and the voice can give out. Hoarseness is more common in older piggies, but I would not worry about her being ill or her silent companion having lost her voice.

You can try a bowl of steaming water next to the cage and see whether that helps ease things if the indoors air is very dry.

If you want to learn more about guinea pig behaviour and how to make friends with your girls, have a read through our new owner's guide collection. Be aware that guinea pigs don't just talk with their voice (and in a higher range than we can hear), but also with their bodies, scent and pheromones.
New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit