Confusing Symptoms - Blocked Nose And Hooting Sort Of Chirp

[Sporgan]

i have recently been worried about my 1 year old Guinea pig Morgan.

2 weeks ago he started hooting and sniffling a lot and after research took him to the vets to check for an URI. The vet (a cavy specialist) couldn't hear anything wrong but just incase put him on antibiotics for 5 days. When I went back for a check up after the course the vet said everything sounded the same and he probably just got something stuck in his airways like hay.

He was fine during the antibiotics but now a week later he has started sniffling again like he has a blocked nose. But chirping completely normally apart from the odd hoot every hour or so.
Does anyone else's Guinea pig do this just or is it a cause for concern?

The vet can't seem to find anything wrong and she is a cavy specialist so I don't want to keep panicking and running back to spend a lot of money when my baby has been given a clean bill of health.

Thank you in advance fellow Guinea mums and dads

 

[helen105281]

What is he bedded on? it could be an allergy. Did the vet check his heart at all? does he ever follow the hooting with a cough? How is his breathing?

Please could you update your location as it will help us with the advice we give.

 

[Kerrie74]

Took one of ours to the vet the other week, he was hooting and had a sneeze, he had a URI :/

I hope you manage to find out what's wrong with your guinea.

 

[Sporgan]

What is he bedded on? it could be an allergy. Did the vet check his heart at all? does he ever follow the hooting with a cough? How is his breathing?

Please could you update your location as it will help us with the advice we give.

Hi, sorry I'm new at all this. I'm in Leeds, UK.
He is bedded on sawdust and hay depending on where he is in his cage. I have a Large C&C cage so it's a mix.

The vet listened to his lungs and heart and couldn't find anything abnormal, even had him knocked out to look down his throat and nothing.

His breathing seems normal, whenever he hoots lots I hold him up and listen to his lungs and he is taking clean deep breaths no crackling or weird sounds.

 

[helen105281]

Could you change from wood shavings just to see if that is a factor? Have you used any air freshners nearby?

The only other thing I can think of is a conscious x-ray just to check the heart I not enlarged and there is no fluid.

 

[Sporgan]

Could you change from wood shavings just to see if that is a factor? Have you used any air freshners nearby?

The only other thing I can think of is a conscious x-ray just to check the heart I not enlarged and there is no fluid.

Thank you! I will change his bedding and see.
I don't use air freshners near my pigs but I do burn candles in the room next door? Could that be an issue?

If he starts again I will take him back and ask for an X-ray. Since I posted yesterday he has stopped hooting and sniffling.

 

[helen105281]

It is possible. Their noses can be sensitive to scented candles.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Your vet could try Bisolvon to see if that shifts the snuffle Anything like scented candles, room sprays, deodorants, air fresheners should not be used near piggies at all.