Guinea making noises while eating hay

[Ginger03.]

Hi there,
My 4 year old guinea is making noises while eating his hay, I have only just noticed it but its not all the time. He is still himself and eating and pooping. My other guinea doesn't do it, Is it something to be worried about. I did make a recording but can't see where I can upload this.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

We cannot host video directly on the forum so you will need to upload it to YouTube first and then post a link to it here.

Please do see a vet if you are concerned about anything. While we can give general advice, we can’t know whether something is an issue or the start of an issue in your specific situation.

In general, Noises from the nose tend to be nasal irritation usually from hay dust. Piggies have narrow airways so any obstruction is audible. A sneeze will usually clear it. If it doesn’t or if the noise goes on for more than a couple of hours then you should see a vet.
Any other noise such as one from the chest or any noise which you are just not happy with then you should see a vet.

(Once your registration completes you will see there is an attach files button below the message box. While you still won’t be able to add video, it will then allow you to add pictures. This option isn’t available while your registration is completing)

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there,
My 4 year old guinea is making noises while eating his hay, I have only just noticed it but its not all the time. He is still himself and eating and pooping. My other guinea doesn't do it, Is it something to be worried about. I did make a recording but can't see where I can upload this.

Hi and welcome

A little hay dust getting in the nose is nothing to worry about. Guinea pig airways are very small and narrow, even for their body size. Piggies are not much in the way of mouth breathers so even the smallest obstruction in the nasal passages can result in some rather alarming noises. It will be either breathed or sneezed out again. Some piggies are more sensitive and some simply like to burrow their head in it.

The respiratory symptoms you need to worry about are persistent crackling and rasping from the throat/nasal area, persistent sneezing (more than 5 times per hour) both for many hours (UTI or strong sensitivity to dust) and/or yellow/orange/greenish gunk from the eyes (untreated developed UTI) and any crackling or clicking from the chest (pneumonia), sometimes with heaving breathing in the advanced stages (fluid filled lungs or chest).

 

[Ginger03.]

Hi and welcome

A little hay dust getting in the nose is nothing to worry about. Guinea pig airways are very small and narrow, even for their body size. Piggies are not much in the way of mouth breathers so even the smallest obstruction in the nasal passages can result in some rather alarming noises. It will be either breathed or sneezed out again. Some piggies are more sensitive and some simply like to burrow their head in it.

The respiratory symptoms you need to worry about are persistent crackling and rasping from the throat/nasal area, persistent sneezing (more than 5 times per hour) both for many hours (UTI or strong sensitivity to dust) and/or yellow/orange/greenish gunk from the eyes (untreated developed UTI) and any crackling or clicking from the chest (pneumonia), sometimes with heaving breathing in the advanced stages (fluid filled lungs or chest).

Yes they do like to Bury their hole bodies in the hay. It's jist weird how it's just when he is eating, but I will take him to the vets just to be sure. Thank you for your advice..

Welcome to the forum

We cannot host video directly on the forum so you will need to upload it to YouTube first and then post a link to it here.

Please do see a vet if you are concerned about anything. While we can give general advice, we can’t know whether something is an issue or the start of an issue in your specific situation.

In general, Noises from the nose tend to be nasal irritation usually from hay dust. Piggies have narrow airways so any obstruction is audible. A sneeze will usually clear it. If it doesn’t or if the noise goes on for more than a couple of hours then you should see a vet.
Any other noise such as one from the chest or any noise which you are just not happy with then you should see a vet.

(Once your registration completes you will see there is an attach files button below the message box. While you still won’t be able to add video, it will then allow you to add pictures. This option isn’t available while your registration is completing)

Thank you for replying and your info. I will book him into the vets just to be sure.