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Crackling When Breathing

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Patch&Parker

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Hi all

We're new here so please be kind

We had to bath our boys this morning after the kids got them a bit sticky (jam on toast for breakfast followed by cuddles) It's only the second time we've bathed them. I'm really panicking because I slipped on some water and dropped our boy Patch from about 3 feet on to tiled floor. He's back in his cage and eating, drinking and walking normally- he doesn't seem fussed in the slightest. He is making the most horrific sounding wheezy crackle when he breathes though and I'm really worried.

Could there be water in his little lungs from the bath or could it be as a consequence of the fall? I feel like the worst piggy mum in the world. I can't even take him to the vet as I've bust my ankle when I slipped. Hubby isn't home drive us until about 4pm
 
It could be either. Do you have access to a vet that you could take him to once your husband is home? If it is water they could listen to his chest and give diuretics if there is fluid on it. It could even be water up his nose. They would also be able to check to see if his teeth are damaged from the fall. If not first thing tomorrow?

I am sorry you hurt your ankle too. Welcome to the forum.
 
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Hi! Please see a vet as soon as possible and also look after your foot! Until then, keep your boy as calm and comfortable as possible. The crackling breathing can be just from shock, but after a fall as this, it is advisable to have any piggy checked.

I am very sorry for your accident! If you need to bathe again, please do so in a bowl in the shower or bathtub in order to minimise the risk of accidents.
How To Bathe Guinea Pigs - Including Ears & Grease Glands
 
Thank you all for your replies. I called the vet yesterday but while I was waiting for a call back, the crackling sound stopped. As I couldn't get down there, the vet suggested I keep an eye on him overnight and see how we get on. Sadly I realised he lost his two front teeth in the fall, they have snapped backwards and are lodged in the roof of his mouth, my poor little man. We have an appointment in a hour to get him sorted. The vet is also going to have a good check of his lungs etc while we're there too to be on the safe side. Apart from the dentistry required, he is absolutely fine, still eating, drinking and popping normally, and we're all enjoying him being in an extra cuddly mood.
 
Patch&Parker said:
Thank you all for your replies. I called the vet yesterday but while I was waiting for a call back, the crackling sound stopped. As I couldn't get down there, the vet suggested I keep an eye on him overnight and see how we get on. Sadly I realised he lost his two front teeth in the fall, they have snapped backwards and are lodged in the roof of his mouth, my poor little man. We have an appointment in a hour to get him sorted. The vet is also going to have a good check of his lungs etc while we're there too to be on the safe side. Apart from the dentistry required, he is absolutely fine, still eating, drinking and popping normally, and we're all enjoying him being in an extra cuddly mood.
Click to expand...

Please make sure that you weigh daily at the same time and if necessary step in with syringe feed top up if he loses more than 50g. hay is making around 80% of the daily food intake, but it can be difficult to eat without incisors as they pick up and cut any food.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide (also contains tips on looking after guinea pigs with dental issues)

If your boy needs a GA to sort out the teeth, please read this guide here in case he struggles afterwards:
Tips For Post-operative Care

All the best!
 
Thank you Wiebke, that's really useful information. I'll let you know how we get on when we're home
 
ooooo ouch that sounds sore! I dropped one of my first piggies (leap of faith out a box I was carrying her in after using her cage mate for a leg up). Like you I felt awful especially as I was dealing with her faceplanting the patio and there being blood all over the shop. I seem to remember a bit of crackling though I think it was the nasal passage that was affected and she also lost one tooth (it broke under the gum line and fell out after a couple of days) so hopefully your boy doesn't have chest problems on top of the teeth problems
 
He's home minus two front teeth (and my purse is significantly lighter too) He doesn't seem to want to eat, so I'll let him settle back in his cage for an hour and if he hasn't touched any food, we'll start syringe feeding. His lungs are fine, the vet thinks it was either a spot of water or maybe blood I'm his nasal passage- all clear now.
 
I'm glad he's been seen and is eating! Poor little guy!
 
It's great to hear that he's interested in food. As he's missing two teeth he's not going to be able to bite food and may have trouble picking it up from the cage floor.

When this has happened to my pigs I usually slice up their veg. I do a combination of long thin slices and small cubes so they can have a go at it.

I'll also get them out more often and help them eat. Sometimes they just need you to put it in their mouth for them and then they're fine.

I've even been known to cut hay into smaller pieces. Mad eh!

His teeth should start growing back soon. Keep an eye out for them.

It's handy weighing more often too. Then you can see if you need to top him up with syringe food if he's not able to eat enough on his own.
 
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