Hi, I’m new here but I need some advice. My guinea pig snoop had his leg amputated a couple weeks back and I’ve had none stop issues since then. The most recent issue has been discharge from his nose following a whistling sound when breathing. My issue is I spent so much on his leg amputation that I’m struggling to have enough money to bring him to the vet. Does anyone know what this could be? The other guinea pig is fine so I’m assuming it’s not a URI, plus he has no other symptoms, but I’m not sure what else it could be. Any advice would be great thanks.
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Guinea pig ill?
- Thread starter ew3lsh
- Start date
CTWC
Adult Guinea Pig
Morning I'm sorry your guinea is poorly still and after what you have both been through you will already be emotionalky exhausted. I'm not an expert at all but hopefully one will be along soon. Could you at least phone your vet for advice I appreciate the operation must have made a huge hole in your finances but it would be awful to have him go through that only to become severely ill from something else 
I’m sorry to hear this.
A whistling in the nose is usually, but not always, an obstruction in the airway such as from hay dust. Piggy airways are narrow and even the smallest piece of dust can produce quite a sound to their breathing.
Usually a good sneeze will clear the obstruction and all will be well.
However we cannot guarantee that that is what it is in every case. Therefore, if your piggy does not clear the sound with a sneeze after a few hours or if it clears and then returns, you will need to see a vet to have the chest checked.
Your piggy has been through a lot with his amputation that it is possible his immune system Is lowered and could make him more susceptible to opportunistic bacteria.
As a URI is a bacterial infection, it is perfectly possible (and does regularly occur) for one piggy to have a URI and for the other piggy(s) to never catch it. It simply means the immune system(s) of the other piggy is working and fighting it off successfully.
Therefore the assumption that it can’t be a URI because a cagemate is ok is not a safe conclusion to draw.
We would recommend you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him daily. This enables you to more closely monitor hay intake and to ensure he is eating which hay (hay intake cannot be gauged by eye). A piggy who is struggling with breathing can often reduce hay intake and then they need to be when syringe fed.
I hope he is ok
A whistling in the nose is usually, but not always, an obstruction in the airway such as from hay dust. Piggy airways are narrow and even the smallest piece of dust can produce quite a sound to their breathing.
Usually a good sneeze will clear the obstruction and all will be well.
However we cannot guarantee that that is what it is in every case. Therefore, if your piggy does not clear the sound with a sneeze after a few hours or if it clears and then returns, you will need to see a vet to have the chest checked.
Your piggy has been through a lot with his amputation that it is possible his immune system Is lowered and could make him more susceptible to opportunistic bacteria.
As a URI is a bacterial infection, it is perfectly possible (and does regularly occur) for one piggy to have a URI and for the other piggy(s) to never catch it. It simply means the immune system(s) of the other piggy is working and fighting it off successfully.
Therefore the assumption that it can’t be a URI because a cagemate is ok is not a safe conclusion to draw.
We would recommend you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him daily. This enables you to more closely monitor hay intake and to ensure he is eating which hay (hay intake cannot be gauged by eye). A piggy who is struggling with breathing can often reduce hay intake and then they need to be when syringe fed.
I hope he is ok
Thank you for the advice! I’ve called a vet and hopefully will be taking him soon. He does eat and drink normally, but I don’t want to assume he’s fine if he’s not. There was some slight crackling in his lungs, but then the next day there’s none it’s very on and off. He’s completely normal besides being slightly lazy after his amputation which he’s recovered really well from. I’ll monitor him closely and regularly weigh him until I can get him to the vet.
I haven’t been able to go to the vet, luckily he seems okay, there’s been no sneezing or whistling, however would a crusty eye be cause for concern? Can it just be from a hay poke as he’s had issues with burying himself in the hay and poking his eye with it. He’s more energetic and no crackling in the lungs anymore, it’s just his eye.
Yes a crusty eye can be of concern. It can be simply from uncleared normal eye cleaning fluid, an infection, hay poke or sometimes as a result of an advanced respiratory infection. It all depends on - the colour of the discharge, is the eye watering constantly, is the eye drawn in, is there a blue haze over the eye (the final three suggesting that there is an infection, pain and ulceration).
I’m afraid we can’t make any guesses and can only advise that you see a vet.
Eye and respiratory issues are considered urgent and do need to be checked by a vet within 24 hours m.
I’m glad you managed to get him to the vet - a haypoke can deteriorate very quickly so they always need prompt diagnosis and treatment.