Guinea pig breathing issue

[SimonP11]

Hello,

My guine pig started to make cracking noises when breathing today out of nowhere. He's fine otherwise and has appetite. He doesnt drink much water so i tried to provide it in a syringe but only 3 times or so so far. He didn't like it at all but I did it slowly no more than 1 tablespoon. I'm worried now he has water in his lungs. Is this possible? What would be the best course of action? I only just went to the vet 2 weeks ago or so when all was fine. However the vet didnt check his breathing or anything. I'm so disappointed with this visit and there are only 2 or so exotic vets where I am

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Hi and welcome,
Sounds like an URI, upper respiratory infection that needs vet treatment for a course of drugs.
URI without proper treatment can kill and a rattle could be that, additionally if you don’t believe your piggy is drinking much try leaving watery veg that way they can get more fluid in.
Keep your pig quiet as possible in terms of not much running around or having to jump around to find their food.
But defo see a vet. Drugs will be needed and if pneumonia then more.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

You must get your piggy seen by a guinea pig savvy vet as soon as possible! It does sound like it could be pneumonia, in which case he is probably going to need a diuretic, as well as an antibiotic. Please can I just ask, why are you syringing water? Not all piggies drink lots and it's not necessary to syringe water, unless you've been advised to, by a vet.

 

[Wiebke]

You must get your piggy seen by a guinea pig savvy vet as soon as possible! It does sound like it could be pneumonia, in which case he is probably going to need a diuretic, as well as an antibiotic. Please can I just ask, why are you syringing water? Not all piggies drink lots and it's not necessary to syringe water, unless you've been advised to, by a vet.

Please see a vet as quickly as you can.
Here are our care tips (including how you can improvise in an emergency) and our emergency information for the meantime and until the necessary meds are kicking in.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Please be aware that the need to breathe comes before the need to drink and only thirdly the need to eat.
Syringing water on spec doesn't provide your piggy with any calories so it will become lethargic rather quickly. This is unfortunately some very counterproductive advice that is making the rounds online in some quarters.
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[SimonP11]

Thank you for your replies.
I went to the vet and checked his breathing and everything is normal. As mentioned, he's active as usual and eats normally.
I'm quite aware of guinea pig ilnesses and methods to cure them. However, this one was worrying me as I know URI cannot be ignored.
I syringed water as I also add a multivitamin which he won't eat on the veggies.
Today, the noises have stopped and he's acting as normal.
The vet didn't really have an explanation except saying it could have been due to dust or some irritant.
I monitor my piggy all day long since I work from home and I do everything to make sure he's healthy.
I will not syringe water any more as this breathing yesterday really scared me. He does get quite a bit of veggies but also have to be careful not to feed too much so he doesn't get super soft poos.
I'm in San Jose Costs Rica. Access to excotic vets is limited. I get all my piggy supplements from the states also.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your replies.
I went to the vet and checked his breathing and everything is normal. As mentioned, he's active as usual and eats normally.
I'm quite aware of guinea pig ilnesses and methods to cure them. However, this one was worrying me as I know URI cannot be ignored.
I syringed water as I also add a multivitamin which he won't eat on the veggies.
Today, the noises have stopped and he's acting as normal.
The vet didn't really have an explanation except saying it could have been due to dust or some irritant.
I monitor my piggy all day long since I work from home and I do everything to make sure he's healthy.
I will not syringe water any more as this breathing yesterday really scared me. He does get quite a bit of veggies but also have to be careful not to feed too much so he doesn't get super soft poos.
I'm in San Jose Costs Rica. Access to excoticView attachment 135071 vets is limited. I get all my piggy supplements from the states also.

Hi!

Glad that there was nothing serious with the breathing!

Guinea pig airways are very narrow and small; in addition guinea pigs breathe very little through their mouths. this means that every little obstruction in the airways is very audible. It can at times sound very alarming.
If the loud breathing doesn't disappear within 2-3 hours or if a piggy starts looking noticeable ill, then it should be vet checked. Unfortunately this is an area where only a hands-on check can give you the answer.

Since we are a UK based forum, it would help us massively if you please added your country to location in your accounts details by clicking on your username on the top bar. This makes it appear with every post you make; so we only need a quick glance to the left to take into consideration that piggy savvy vet access is not likely and any advice should cite US brand names (including medical brands, which vary quite considerably) rather than UK ones. It saves both sides time as it also gives us an idea as to how we should formulate any advice to help you make the best of any vet visit.
Thank you!

 

[Siikibam]

Glad to hear there was nothing serious wrong. I would say it’s best not to give him multivitamins. As long as he is getting a good portion of hay (vitamin c), a varied veg diet and pellets (tablespoon per day) then he should get all the vitamins he needs.

Does your piggy have a friend? If not so please seriously think about that. Piggies aren’t made to live alone, and it’s not in their interest to keep them single. Just be aware that boys need more space than girls - minimum 150x60cm. If it doesn’t work out and they don’t get on, they can live side by side. They still get the company and interaction that they need.

We’d love some more photos