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Breathing Difficulties

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Carol Basten

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi, I'm Carol and new to Guinea Pigs. I have two females, Tulip and Lily. Tulip seems to me to be struggling with her breathing. Other people think she is normal but I am not convinced. Her 'gills' are in and out all the time, sometimes very deeply (in a human I would call it breathing abdominal). I do have a video but can't seem to upload it! If anyone can give me a clue it would be much appreciated. Thanks, Carol
 
Carol Basten said:
Hi, I'm Carol and new to Guinea Pigs. I have two females, Tulip and Lily. Tulip seems to me to be struggling with her breathing. Other people think she is normal but I am not convinced. Her 'gills' are in and out all the time, sometimes very deeply (in a human I would call it breathing abdominal). I do have a video but can't seem to upload it! If anyone can give me a clue it would be much appreciated. Thanks, Carol
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I'm no expert but I would have her seen by a vet asap as it may be a URI which if left can be fatal.Hopefully someone will come along soon with some better advice xx
 
Carol Basten said:
Thanks Gem, vet tomorrow, but though I would try the forum also xx
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Hi :wel:to the forum..

A visit to the vets today is essential as any further notable change in her condition, if she stops eating or becomes lethargic then an emergency appointment is required, piggies can deteriorate very quickly with a URI.

In the meantime can you please add your location to your profile as it helps fellow members give any answers to questions you may have that may be area/country specific. This can be done by clicking on your username, then personal details, then add location......https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...cation-and-creating-an-avatar-picture.107444/

@Wiebke

Lisa & Ali..
 
I think you can use steam.Wiebke has been tagged and she will advise.
 
Thanks madguinealady, going to try to find a vet today instead of tomorrow but even so, steam would help, and do no harm. Thanks.
 
Carol Basten said:
Thanks madguinealady, going to try to find a vet today instead of tomorrow but even so, steam would help, and do no harm. Thanks.
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Hopefully you will be able to see a vet today. Wiebke will be able to advise further. Please do not use any steam methods until you have had a proper diagnosis from a vet.

Good luck and let us know how you and Tulip get on at the vets.

Lisa & Ali...
 
Can only reiterate that she needs a vet today.

Please dont use steam as with such laboured breathing there could be fluid in the chest, which steam will only make worse.

If the vet finds fluid in the chest then she may need diuretics as well as antibiotics if infection is suspected.

All the best x
 
Thank you all so much, will post again when I get home and let you all know how I got on.
Once again, many thanks to all xx
 
Carol Basten said:
Hi, I'm Carol and new to Guinea Pigs. I have two females, Tulip and Lily. Tulip seems to me to be struggling with her breathing. Other people think she is normal but I am not convinced. Her 'gills' are in and out all the time, sometimes very deeply (in a human I would call it breathing abdominal). I do have a video but can't seem to upload it! If anyone can give me a clue it would be much appreciated. Thanks, Carol
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Please have her vet checked! Visible (diaphragmic) breathing can be connected to heart problems.
@helen105281
 
I too am worried about her heart. I have breathing difficulties myself and need oxygen. I feel so sad and unhappy for the little mite knowing how it feels.
Thank you so much, just got a mobile no for an emergency vet.
Will let you all know xx
 
Have the chest checked for a build up of fluid. It may be in the lungs or the chest cavity.
Alternatively, it could be atypical pneumonia, which can hit out of the blue.

All the best!
 
I agree with the others that she needs to see a vet today - but you are clearly already onto sorting that out.

Diaphragmatic breathing is usually associated with a build up of fluid - pneumonia or heart failure can be possible causes. It is serious and does warrant urgent emergency veterinary attention.

I hope that you can get her seen shortly.
 
I just posted it on the guinea pig forum on Facebook.... I hope. Tulip looks worse than that today
 
I'm afraid I can't see the video. But if you don't get any joy with the current vet then please try another emergency vet service as your piggy does need to be seen today.
 
I will get her seen today for sure. So unhappy for her.
Thanks for all the advice
 
Not sure where you are based, but do you have a Pets At Home near you - many of them have a vet on site - they trade as Vets4Pets. Otherwise there are chains such as Vets Now among others who offer emergency and hospital services. Just a thought in case your local vet isn't willing or able to see her (however in accordance with their code of conduct they do have a duty to treat an animal that is suffering).
 
Back from the vets with Tulip, she has a bad chest infection. Vet looked and listened for a long time. She had an injection, the first of a daily course, not sure how many she has to have and I'm to keep her warm. So sooooooo relieved, now some extra tlc to get her better.
Thank you all so much, I'm sure that seeing the vet today, as you all urged me to do, was her saving grace. She had deteriorated rapidly since yesterday...... I still have her, albeit poorly but it might have been a different story tomorrow.
Once again, many thanks to all and I am so glad you are all out there xx
 
We do have a pets at home but they have no vets there.
They are setting up a vets for pets October 13th which will be very handy. I am in Narberth, Pembrokeshire, UK.
 
So glad that you managed to get her seen and start treatment. If she loses interest in feeding you may need to step in and give her some help. (Sometimes if piggies have to concentrate on their breathing it puts them off eating). Some warm pellet mush may be a good idea - off a spoon if she will eat it or from a syringe if she won't. We have loads of helpful threads about suppor for poorly piggies. I hope that she soon starts to perk up for you.
 
If she is still eating ok, then give her some extra favourite veggies that are rich in vitamin C Have a look at this link, Edible And Forbidden Veg And Fruit List With Vitamin C Grading Bell - peppers are good, remember to remove seeds first.. Coriander leaves is also a good source of vitamin C.
Healing vibes to Tulip... xx
Lisa & Ali..
 
Carol Basten said:
Back from the vets with Tulip, she has a bad chest infection. Vet looked and listened for a long time. She had an injection, the first of a daily course, not sure how many she has to have and I'm to keep her warm. So sooooooo relieved, now some extra tlc to get her better.
Thank you all so much, I'm sure that seeing the vet today, as you all urged me to do, was her saving grace. She had deteriorated rapidly since yesterday...... I still have her, albeit poorly but it might have been a different story tomorrow.
Once again, many thanks to all and I am so glad you are all out there xx
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@Carol Basten : Can you please ask what the injection is tomorrow? I am sure that it is some kind of antibiotic.

Please weigh her daily at the same time in the feeding cycle and, if her weight loss is more than 50g, start topping her up with syringe feed. The need to breathe comes before the need to drink and only thirdly before the need to eat; that is why URI and pneumonia are appetite killers. Don't just go by what you see her chewing on; it can be deceptive. Up to 80% of the daily food intake is unlimited hay, which you can't control.
You can either feed mushed up pellets (most familiar taste), recovery food or a mix of both. It is important that you try to keep up the body weight. A course of injected antibiotics will hopefully help towards preventing further impairment of appetite as the guts are not immediately affected.
You may find our detailed illustrated guide helpful. Adjust the frequency and daily amount depending on the weight loss/amount of independent food intake: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

You can give her a pinch of probiotics mornings and evenings and also give her 1/4 of a human vitamin C tablet dissolved in 1 ml of water (or 1/8 twice daily) to protect her guts and to support her immune system.
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Place a bowl of steaming water close to the cage to help ease the breathing. You may add 2-3 drops of olbas oil if you wish, but please do not use vicks, which contains substances that are noxious for guinea pigs. Refresh at need!

if you have a microwaveable snugglesafe, warm for half the maximum time, so it is warm, but not hot. You may have to change more frequently. Otherwise, a nice soft cosy or towel may do. keep her out of drafts and the direct blast of air conditioning. Give her the option to get off the snugglesafe if it gets too warm, but still be comfy.

It is going to be a hard slog for you in the next few days, but she can hopefully pull through, especially with your help at home, too. But it is a very good sign that she is still interested in food, so hang on in there!
 
Glad you were able to get to a vet. I know it can be tricky on a Sunday. I have only just got home so don't think the heart information is needed now but let me know if you do need it?
 
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