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Croaking sounds and a cough

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Truffolo

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Polo makes these croaky sounds a lot at the moment. Last week he rasped for the whole evening on several days. On Saturday night he made several strange gagging movements and I thought he might be choking, but after a few heaves it stopped. It happened again to a lesser extent on Sunday, but I haven't seen it again, thank goodness. I have made an appointment with the exotic vet. I read up on breathing sounds and am worried it might be an indication of heart problems.
30 December 2025
 
Hi

As he is sneezing it could be dust or pollen from your current batch of hay rather than a respiratory problem? Also see whether dry indoors air can additionally contribute; especially in older piggies.
 
Thank you for this 👍 I wonder what was causing the gagging episode. He tends to puff up around mealtimes. His weight has been stable all the time. He is active but not hugely so. I've had him for a year and eight months. I'm not sure of his age.
 
The hygrometer reads about 60 percent but I'm not sure how accurate that is.
 
I have had a piggie do this before, she was a pig in the true sense of the word and would eat quicker than she should.

She would often clear it on her own but sometimes I would find massaging the top part of her nose (not her snout) would help.

I would also try maybe removing the sawdust x
 
AnxiousPigOwner said:
I have had a piggie do this before, she was a pig in the true sense of the word and would eat quicker than she should.

She would often clear it on her own but sometimes I would find massaging the top part of her nose (not her snout) would help.

I would also try maybe removing the sawdust x
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Thank you, I will do the nose massage ❤️ Yes, fleece is better. It's tricky though as I use a shared washing machine.
 
AnxiousPigOwner said:
Could you try pet washing bags - this is what I use to stop the hay clogging up the machine.

Hope piggie is okay x
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I've got some bags, they are really good. I'm worried that the other tenants might get a small piggy pee whiff and be unhappy about sharing the washing machine with small animals with smelly bottoms ❤️🐾
 
Good luck with the vets and hopefully they can get it sorted.

Tricky one with the washing. My only thoughts are:

Can you explain to your housemates that there is no hygiene risk to humans? They may be ok with it. Or is there a time of the week when you could use the washing machine without it coming to their attention too much?! Otherwise maybe you can buy some anti bacterial laundry liquid (Tesco do a cheap one) and tell your housemates you will add a little bit of that to the piggy bedding washes, if it helps ease their worries? I don’t think it’s needed tbh but it might feel reassuring for them?

Of course this might be nothing to do with the bedding in any case, but if you do decide to get rid of it, those are a few thoughts.

Hope he’s feeling better soon.
 
LucyP said:
Good luck with the vets and hopefully they can get it sorted.

Tricky one with the washing. My only thoughts are:

Can you explain to your housemates that there is no hygiene risk to humans? They may be ok with it. Or is there a time of the week when you could use the washing machine without it coming to their attention too much?! Otherwise maybe you can buy some anti bacterial laundry liquid (Tesco do a cheap one) and tell your housemates you will add a little bit of that to the piggy bedding washes, if it helps ease their worries? I don’t think it’s needed tbh but it might feel reassuring for them?

Of course this might be nothing to do with the bedding in any case, but if you do decide to get rid of it, those are a few thoughts.

Hope he’s feeling better soon.
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Thank you, much appreciated advice 🙏🐾❤️
 
He's OK. He wheezed a little bit this morning, but is breathing OK now. I want to hold my ear to the side of his chest to see if there are any sounds. I'm a bit worried about how he will cope if he needs an ultrasound or X ray. I'll be on holiday next week so can keep an eye on him ❤️
 
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