Guinea pig breathing

[Neptune7]

So I’ve had m pig for three years now and the only thing I’ve ever noticed is that sometimes his breathing gets really loud and I have to hold him until he’s better. Now I’ve been doing this for three years and he hasn’t ever had any trouble with anything else. I’m not sure if it’s because of something he eats or the type of bedding but I don’t think it’s a URI because I don’t think he’d live through one for three years. (Also I just figured out URI were a thing today or else I would have looked into this sooner)

 

[Wiebke]

So I’ve had m pig for three years now and the only thing I’ve ever noticed is that sometimes his breathing gets really loud and I have to hold him until he’s better. Now I’ve been doing this for three years and he hasn’t ever had any trouble with anything else. I’m not sure if it’s because of something he eats or the type of bedding but I don’t think it’s a URI because I don’t think he’d live through one for three years. (Also I just figured out URI were a thing today or else I would have looked into this sooner)

Hi! Please have your piggy vet checked by a good vet.

Guinea pig airways are very narrow and the respiratory system is quite small for an animal of their size. guinea pigs do not breathe through their mouths, so you can hear any little obstruction in the nose or anywhere in the system very regularly.
If crackly/raspy breathing is fairly regular, it should be checked out. Please be aware that guinea pigs in strange surroundings can instinctively suppress their symptoms - an ill prey animal in the presence of predators is a dead prey animal.

He may have a low grade URI that has never become acute, narrowed airways/lung disease or heart issues if breathing problems are fairly regular. Sensitivity to hay dust, bedding, dry air from air conditioning or radiators, perfumes (air fresheners, human body care products, scent sticks etc) or smoking can also cause problems.

As an immediate alleviation (but not as a replacement of a vet check) placing a bowl of steaming water next to the cage can help. A nebuliser would be the next step to ease the breathing.

 

[Neptune7]

Hi! Please have your piggy vet checked by a good vet.

Guinea pig airways are very narrow and the respiratory system is quite small for an animal of their size. guinea pigs do not breathe through their mouths, so you can hear any little obstruction very regularly. If crackly breathing is fairly regular, it should be checked out. Please be aware that guinea pigs in strange surroundings can instinctively suppress their symptoms - an ill prey animal in the presence of predators is a dead prey animal.

He may have a low grade URI that has never become acute, narrowed airways/lung disease or heart issues if breathing problems are fairly regular. Sensitivity to hay dust, bedding, dry air from air conditioning or radiators, perfumes (air fresheners, human body care products, scent sticks etc) or smoking can also cause problems.

As an immediate alleviation (but not as a replacement of a vet check) placing a bowl of steaming water next to the cage can help. A nebuliser would be the next step to ease the breathing.

Thank you so much

 

[Merab]

Hope all is well when he gets to see a vet.
Keep us posted