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Central heatinf wheeziness

Hannah Boyd

Hannah Boyd

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 25, 2014
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hi all,
this is a bit of a new issue for me. I am sure that 2 or perhaps 3 of my 6 piggies get wheezy due to the central heating. they used to be in an unheated room indoors but it got desperately cold at times so they moved rooms and the wheezy noises seem to flare up if the heating has been on. I bought a humidifier for them last week which I've just put on full time today. but I wondered if there's anything else I can do? 20 minutes in the nebulizer also seems to help.

I have had lots of URIs before and when I first heard this noise went to the vet who couldnt find anything wrong and was reluctant to prescribe antibiotics unnecessarily. but it does sound a bit different to a URI noise - it's not clicky and the wheezing seems worse when they are active. everyone is still active and eating, no runny noses or eyes. so I am thinking it probably is the central heating. I did turn it down last week but would it be best to just be an unheated room? it's only heated to 15-17 deg C at the moment although it may get warmer as it's a smallish room and the thermostat is in a bigger room.
 
Hannah Boyd said:
hi all,
this is a bit of a new issue for me. I am sure that 2 or perhaps 3 of my 6 piggies get wheezy due to the central heating. they used to be in an unheated room indoors but it got desperately cold at times so they moved rooms and the wheezy noises seem to flare up if the heating has been on. I bought a humidifier for them last week which I've just put on full time today. but I wondered if there's anything else I can do? 20 minutes in the nebulizer also seems to help.

I have had lots of URIs before and when I first heard this noise went to the vet who couldnt find anything wrong and was reluctant to prescribe antibiotics unnecessarily. but it does sound a bit different to a URI noise - it's not clicky and the wheezing seems worse when they are active. everyone is still active and eating, no runny noses or eyes. so I am thinking it probably is the central heating. I did turn it down last week but would it be best to just be an unheated room? it's only heated to 15-17 deg C at the moment although it may get warmer as it's a smallish room and the thermostat is in a bigger room.
Click to expand...

Hi! Try and see whether a bowl of steaming water next to the cages helps to ease the symptoms. If that is the case, please invest in something that humifies the air, whether that is a humidifier or a water evorating container you hook onto your radiators.

If symptoms persist, please see a vet. Guinea pig airways are very narrow, and they can narrow even further as guinea pigs get older.
 
I have just started with a humidifier. before that I had used a hot bowl of water. would it be advisable to use the humidifier 24/7 and leave the heating as it is? or turn the heating down or off?
 
Hannah Boyd said:
I have just started with a humidifier. before that I had used a hot bowl of water. would it be advisable to use the humidifier 24/7 and leave the heating as it is? or turn the heating down or off?
Click to expand...

You may want see whether a gradually lowered temperature that is still within the range you are comfortable will help and use the humidifier accordingly. If you want a coat or a thick pullover, your guinea pigs are cold, too!
 
they do seem to manage better with a temp of around 15 for their breathing. I want to keep them warm but also not have wheezing! will anything like Echinacea help? I am also going to order a temp and humidity thermometer / reader.
 
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