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Breathing Problems?

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HappyHamster7

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One of my guinea pigs passed away last week as he was diagnosed with pneumonia, and after a few days of suffering and deterioration for him, we made the decision to put him to sleep. RIP Buster. Anyway, my other guinea pig Arthur seems to be breathing a bit funny - there's no noise, and he's not using his mouth, but his abdomen seems to be clearly moving, so I'm worried he's ill as well. He's acting perfectly normally, is eating, drinking and pooping really well and seems normal in himself, we have even introduced a new rescue piggie for him, it's just his abdomen moving makes me think something is wrong. I'm really worried he might have pneumonia too, or some kind of URI, do you think this is the case? I want to take him to the vet ASAP, but my mum is quite reluctant at the minute until something is noticeably wrong (due to cost) but I think we should get him checked out, just to be sure. I don't want anything to happen to him, I couldn't face losing another guinea pig so soon, I'm worried the vet will say he's got pneumonia too and that he should be PTS. Help please :(

*I'm pretty sure he should be taken to the vet immediately, but I just wanted to hear other peoples opinions and hopefully some reassurance.*
 
The trouble is when "Something is noticeably wrong" is usually too late for a guinea pig, as they hide illness very well. Does he have any crustiness around his eyes or nose at all? Can you hear any noises from his chest if you put your ear to his chest? I would say if your instinct is telling you something is wrong then I would get him checked out, a vet check-up doesn't cost that much & it's better treated earlier :)
 
The trouble is when "Something is noticeably wrong" is usually too late for a guinea pig, as they hide illness very well. Does he have any crustiness around his eyes or nose at all? Can you hear any noises from his chest if you put your ear to his chest? I would say if your instinct is telling you something is wrong then I would get him checked out, a vet check-up doesn't cost that much & it's better treated earlier :)

No crustiness or discharge, and no noises either (although it is slightly difficult to tell due to his chewing of hay). I'm definitely going to take him to the vet, hopefully later on today. Thanks for your help, I realise they hide illness well due to being prey animals, which is why I've been worrying about it so much, I really hope it's not too late and we can save him, or else I'll be absolutely devastated. Been really depressed about Buster, if I lose Arthur too I'll really be pushed over the edge.
 
Aw good luck for your boy :) Never think of it as a wasted visit, I always go with my instinct when I think one of mine is poorly & usually I am right. If you have to, tell your mum you will do some chores around the house or something,or go without pocket money :) If he does have early pneumonia, make sure you ask for a diuretic if he has fluid on his chest. You will also need to syringe feed him if he isn't eating properly, just see our guide if you are not sure how. Please weigh him daily at the same time so you can monitor any changes too :)
 
Aw good luck for your boy :) Never think of it as a wasted visit, I always go with my instinct when I think one of mine is poorly & usually I am right. If you have to, tell your mum you will do some chores around the house or something,or go without pocket money :) If he does have early pneumonia, make sure you ask for a diuretic if he has fluid on his chest. You will also need to syringe feed him if he isn't eating properly, just see our guide if you are not sure how. Please weigh him daily at the same time so you can monitor any changes too :)

Yeah we had to syringe feed Buster as he had pneumonia and was completely lethargic and wasn't eating. Really praying for Arthur. I'm actually in my second year of university doing animal behaviour and welfare, so you would have thought my mum would listen to me! Don't get pocket money either, but will probably just offer to pay myself! My piggies health is much more important to me than money. Thank you! :)
 
Please have him seen as soon as you can and checked for a build-up of fluid in either the lungs or the chest cavity, which he would need a diuretic for. Heaving breathing (diaphragmic) can also be a sign of acute heart problems as well as an untypical or walking pneumonia (without any other symptoms).

Sadly, the loss of a companion can lower the immune system and bring underlying issues to the fore. I am very sorry; it is a nightmare situation for any loving pet mummy! Hopefully, it is nothing major, but you cannot leave it to chance.
 
Sorry I didn't know you were that age lol :) Well you are obviously a caring owner & know what's best for your pets, so get him checked out & let us know how you get on :)
 
I agree with the above and am glad you are getting him seen. Pneumonia sadly can spread amongst pigs (my Beanbag got it when Buzz had it) and so getting them seen when you notice the first sign is crucial. Hopefully you have caught it early and with diuretic and an appropriate antibiotic (mine did well on Zithromax) he should be ok. Steam therapy can help too - put 2 drops of Olbas oil in a bowl of hot water next to the cage. If you have a stream inhaler they can be used too, just hold over the nose in 5 second bursts.
 
I agree with the above and am glad you are getting him seen. Pneumonia sadly can spread amongst pigs (my Beanbag got it when Buzz had it) and so getting them seen when you notice the first sign is crucial. Hopefully you have caught it early and with diuretic and an appropriate antibiotic (mine did well on Zithromax) he should be ok. Steam therapy can help too - put 2 drops of Olbas oil in a bowl of hot water next to the cage. If you have a stream inhaler they can be used too, just hold over the nose in 5 second bursts.

Did your pigs get better? Thanks for the advice!
 
Buzz got through the first bout but sadly it came back a few months later and we lost him then. He had other health issues though which made him susceptible to picking it up. Beanbag sadly no, it hit him quickly and we lost him within about 12 hours before we could get the first dose of Zithromax into him. I do wonder if he had an undetected heart issue though.
 
Buzz got through the first bout but sadly it came back a few months later and we lost him then. He had other health issues though which made him susceptible to picking it up. Beanbag sadly no, it hit him quickly and we lost him within about 12 hours before we could get the first dose of Zithromax into him. I do wonder if he had an undetected heart issue though.

Oh no :( I'm so sorry x
 
Update: The vet said that it's possible he's just breathing this way due to stress from losing his companion, but she's given him an injection with antibiotics, and we've gone home with antibiotics and vitamin C tablets just in case. Taking him back on Wednesday, but the vet seemed fairly optimistic!
 
What antibiotics have you been given? Do you have probiotics too? Could she not detect any fluid on his chest?
 
It turned out he had a bit of crust on his nose, but no fluid on his chest. She did say something about his breathing sounding slightly impaired when she listened to his chest (it was actually the same vet that diagnosed Buster with pneumonia). We were just given Oxbow vitamin C tablets and some Baytril.
 
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