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Breathing And Squeaking When Urinating?

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5littlepigs

5littlepigs

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I'm not sure if it's normal pig breathing or not, but Perky looks like she moves her head a bit more than the other pigs when she breathes. I have linked a video below. 2 of my other guinea pigs had very jerky heads a while before they passed away and I am worrying Perky is heading that way. She is about 3 years old now, I think.
She also makes a squeaking noise when she urinates. At first I thought it was just a sound she made because she was pushing it out, but after googling it I heard it could be bladder stones or UTI? The vet checked her over a few days ago, heartbeat and all. Everything was fine. The squeaking has been going on for quite some time.
 
:D Perky's head movement looks quite normal to me. The squeaking on urinating usually indicates a problem in the rear end. Keep a close eye on her urine colour. Did the Vet do a urine test? Often the blood is not visible in the urine and a Litmus paper test has to be done to see if any is there. You will have to collect a sample in a small bottle before your next Vet visit. Perhaps a second opinion would be a good idea? I hope Perky will be okay. :tu:
 
@7squeakers. a genuine question: what's the best technique to collect a urine sample from your pig?
 
:D @Shades , the easiest way is to put the pig in some kind of clean plastic container and just wait for him to pee. Have you got a small animal carrier? Or maybe a big storage box? Once the pig has piddled, you can syringe it into the small tube that the Vet can give you. If you give him lots of watery veg, it will encourage him to wee.
 
I don't need to do it. I just wanted to learn how to do it. I had visions of holding the pig over a sample bottle :D
 
Alright, I will do that, thank you! Do you know if her problem could be fatal or not? :(

Just put Perky and her cagemate Pecan into a large temporary area and they are so happy! Darting and popcorning around!
 
If it is a UTI it is not fatal but she will need to see the vet again for antibiotics, preferably Septrin. The vet may wish to xray to rule out a bladder stone. Interstitial cystitis is a possibility too which is inflammation of the bladder. She will also need pain relief if it hurts when she pees.
 
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