• 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

Breathing faster than usual

squeaksandcarrots

squeaksandcarrots

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Apr 19, 2018
Messages
1,906
Reaction score
1,687
Points
755
Location
United States
My guinea pig, Nickel, has an abscess (I've gone to the vet for the past 3 days now) and he is breathing faster than usual. I did some research and found it can be a sign of stress and/or pain. My guess with Nickel is both since he's taken quite a few trips to the vet plus he has to deal with medicine for the abscess. I just wanted an opinion on the general reason why guinea pigs would breathe faster than normal.
 
After Olaf was neutered, he was breathing so fast I thought he was trembling, but it was his breathing. Poor piggies, it’s hard to see them in pain!
 
HeatherRose said:
After Olaf was neutered, he was breathing so fast I thought he was trembling, but it was his breathing. Poor piggies, it’s hard to see them in pain!
Click to expand...
Did he make any noises while he was breathing fast? Nickel is making strange clicking noises and it looks like it’s hard for him to breathe
 
emlen23 said:
Did he make any noises while he was breathing fast? Nickel is making strange clicking noises and it looks like it’s hard for him to breathe
Click to expand...
No, he didn’t make any noises. I think the clicking is a sign of a possible respiratory infection.
 
emlen23 said:
My guinea pig, Nickel, has an abscess (I've gone to the vet for the past 3 days now) and he is breathing faster than usual. I did some research and found it can be a sign of stress and/or pain. My guess with Nickel is both since he's taken quite a few trips to the vet plus he has to deal with medicine for the abscess. I just wanted an opinion on the general reason why guinea pigs would breathe faster than normal.
Click to expand...

Hi! Please have your boy vet checked if in doubt. guinea pigs have faster breathing, but if you notice the sides heaving, you need to see a vet ASAP for potential heart failure.
Please keep your boy as cool as possible to take the additional strain off his body as much as possible.
Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes
 
Wiebke said:
Hi! Please have your boy vet checked if in doubt. guinea pigs have faster breathing, but if you notice the sides heaving, you need to see a vet ASAP for potential heart failure.
Please keep your boy as cool as possible to take the additional strain off his body as much as possible.
Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes
Click to expand...
He was really worrying me last night so I actually took him to the vet and they found out he has a bit of pneumonia. The vet gave him new medicine and he stayed overnight in an oxygen tank. I'm now currently waiting for the vet to call me for an update.
 
HeatherRose said:
No, he didn’t make any noises. I think the clicking is a sign of a possible respiratory infection.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I took Nickel to the vet last night and they found out he has a bit of pneumonia. Vet gave him new medication and he stayed overnight in an oxygen tank. I am currently waiting for the vet to call me for an update.
 
emlen23 said:
He was really worrying me last night so I actually took him to the vet and they found out he has a bit of pneumonia. The vet gave him new medicine and he stayed overnight in an oxygen tank. I'm now currently waiting for the vet to call me for an update.
Click to expand...

All the best! I hope that the meds kick in quickly!
 
emlen23 said:
The vet called and unfortunately Nickel passed away...I will miss him so much.
Click to expand...

BIG HUGS!

I am so sorry! :(

Please make sure that you deep clean the cage with a vet grade disinfectant and wash all fabrics at a higher temperature. There are some more nasty bugs that can cause pneumonia out of the blue and kill very quickly. You have done all the right things, so please do not feel guilty or like you have failed Nickel. :(

Does he have a companion?
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
Wiebke said:
BIG HUGS!

I am so sorry! :(

Please make sure that you deep clean the cage with a vet grade disinfectant and wash all fabrics at a higher temperature. There are some more nasty bugs that can cause pneumonia out of the blue and kill very quickly. You have done all the right things, so please do not feel guilty or like you have failed Nickel. :(

Does he have a companion?
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Click to expand...
Yup I have Penny. She was supposed to be Nickel's best friend :'( I should be going to the vet tomorrow because Nickel is getting cremated so when I pick him up I can ask what to use to clean the cage. I don't wanna risk getting Penny sick now that she's in his old cage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top