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Breathing fast

L

Lucy1991

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 5, 2024
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Wordsley
Hi everyone.

So last night I noticed my boy Leroy was breathing harder than normal… he’s a fast breather usually but this was different .

On Thursday he had a bit of metacam for his arthritis .. it was a bit traumatic for him as he’s not a fan of the syringe. Any ways he was a bit moody (understandable )

Went to give him his breakfast on Friday.. he was still very irritable but more than happy to have his food. By Friday evening he seemed more agitated, wide eyed and his breathing was heavy. Almost like he’d had too much coffee or something.. He was still eating plenty and snatching cucumber from me as he does. But he wasn’t right.

I contacted VidiVet online with a video of his breathing and they said it’s a bit concerning but a good sign that he’s still eating, drinking , pooping as normal. I monitored him through the night and he was still the same.

He Seemed a lot perkier in the morning and his breathing seemed less aggressive .. pretty much back to normal.

I still got him seen at the vets.. my partner had to take him as I was at work. They were very concerned about his breathing. His lungs were clear and they believed it was heart failure. He had an Xray which didn’t show any tumours, growths or fluid. But as guinepig X-rays are hard to read they thought the best option would be a furusamide injection (however you spell it) and then to be on oxygen. His heart rate was normal through out but his breathing went up to 104 bpm after the injection and then settled back down to 80 at rest ( still a bit high). They said it was strange because he was still eating plenty and pooping completely normal. It’s as if he was fine.. just with the breathing. The vet did say due to his age that she’s more pessimistic than optimistic and this absolutely broke my heart as I’m sure can all imagine. And I should be mentally prepared that if he doesn’t improve I might have to have him PTS 😫

They’ve sent him home and he seems back to his normal self. Still breathing fast but as this is normal for him ( since I’ve had him for over 2 years)

They Advised to just keep an eye on him and they’ve given me some furusemide tablets to have every 12 hours and review him again on Monday.

Has anyone else ever had a fast breathing pig with no obvious causes? Or any thoughts on any of this?

My head just a bit frazzled and I’ve done nothing but cry all day.

Any support would be greatly appreciated.
 
We had one who had scar tissue on her lungs after being squeezed by a child... But that of course doesn't apply in this case!

The furosemide is a diuretic to help remove any fluid build up.

Could it be a URI? I wonder if it's worth discussing antibiotics and anti inflammatories with the vet on Monday.

How old is Leroy?
 
Thank you for your response.. oh that poor little thing 😫😫😫did she manage to have a decent quality of life?


. The vet said he had no signs of a URI.. she seemed fairly confident it was heart disease. I will of course keep an eye on him.

He’s seems completely normal now.. I moved his water and food close to his bed so he wouldn’t have to struggle and he’s going over the other side with his hay pile and toys.

He’s 4 years and 8 months old. I think the vet had doubts due to his age… but he’s been pretty good since he’s been back home.

I just don’t know what to think. It’s hard because they hide signs of illness.. maybe the furosemide is working? It’s just very mind boggling!
 
Merab said:
Just want you to know I’m holding you in my thoughts
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Thank you so much. I can’t stop crying. I know the vets have to prepare you for the worst.. it’s just so confusing when he seems so normal. He’s been slowing down for a bit.. but if he’s got a poorly heart it makes sense.
 
The drug should make it easier for him to breathe and relieve the breathlessness. The lungs and heart work more or less as one. Keeping him comfortable and relieving pressure on the circulatory system are pretty much all you can do, over and above the excellent care he gets already from you. He may continue for a good while like this. Sending wishes of comfort 🙏
 
Thank you so much for your reply. I’m trying my best to be as normal a possible for him.. he mustn’t see his mom crying 😫. I’ve just got to make the most of the time I have with him and keep him as comfortable as possible. I know I’ve given him the best chance I possibly can and he’s been extremely spoilt in the 2 years I’ve had him and he will continue to be pampered until the very end.

I know you all know how hard this is and a appreciate your good wishes.

We just love our pets so much
 
Lucy1991 said:
Thank you so much for your reply. I’m trying my best to be as normal a possible for him.. he mustn’t see his mom crying 😫. I’ve just got to make the most of the time I have with him and keep him as comfortable as possible. I know I’ve given him the best chance I possibly can and he’s been extremely spoilt in the 2 years I’ve had him and he will continue to be pampered until the very end.

I know you all know how hard this is and a appreciate your good wishes.

We just love our pets so much
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Wishing you comfort. Piggies are so loveable and yet they can be fragile. I hope he survives for a long time 🙏
 
Truffolo said:
Wishing you comfort. Piggies are so loveable and yet they can be fragile. I hope he survives for a long time 🙏
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Thank you so much. He seems right as rain this morning. He ran out of his hide to see me ( and his breakfast). He’s been having his furosemide tablets in cucumber and seems quite content in himself.

He’s got a review at the vets this morning so I will keep you posted.

I’m currently doing an amazon order. Lots of comfy hides and padded liners. I’m just wandering what the best pellets would be for him. Any ideas? I’ve ordered some syringes and critical care just so I’ve got it on hand.

He seems so well in himself so I’m really hoping he can still have some time. And I want to make the time left he has as comortable and happy as possible.
 
Lucy1991 said:
Thank you for your response.. oh that poor little thing 😫😫😫did she manage to have a decent quality of life?
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She certainly did! She lived a fantastic life to a good old age. Her name was Cuddles!
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It's good he seems well today!
We use the Piggie parcels urinary pellets for ours as we've had a few with bladder stones in the past... But I don't think you can get them on amazon!
 
Hi everyone.

So Leroy had his check up. His breathing was a bit fast but similar to previous check ups.
His heart sounds okay. His weight has slowly declined over the year.. when we was 3 he was about 1.5kg and now he’s just under 1kg.

The vet said from what she’s seen today that he’s doing well. We’re going to take him off the furosemide and review him next week.

I will keep a close eye on him.. but he still seems very happy. Was eating his snacks during the whole appointment. - the vet said that’s still good for a healthy guinea pig under the stressful circumstances.

So it’s not looking too bad.

I think this experience has brought to light that he is getting on a bit and I don’t have all the time in the world with him.. I’m taking this as a positive experience because now I can really appreciate every day we have together.

Thank you everyone for your support. It means so much ❤️

And I hope all your piggies are happy and healthy and living their best lives. ❤️
 
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