Guinea pig making strange air sound

[JoyPig]

Hello everyone,

I have two male guinea pigs. They seem to be around 6 months. One of them makes a strange sound, like pre-wheeking. I recorded a short clip of the noise. I’ve only had these two for 5 days, I do not touch them, they seem to be potty trained already, I am trying to get them to be comfortable with me and not run away every time I move around in my room. So, I haven’t picked this one up and listened to him real good. But I hear this noise. I bought them from petco because I live in a big city and couldn’t find any guinea pigs for adoption close to me.

They seem very happy and zoom around their cage, especially at night. They sort of yelp here and there, I guess for dominance but they cuddle to sleep at night sometimes or when they are scared so I think they will settle down... the one who is making this puffy air sound has a little patch of hair missing on his butt and leg. I think it is because of their little scuffles the first day or two. No blood whatsoever, but I am keeping an eye out for if it grows larger or does bleed.

i am like a first time owner... last year I got a free sick and old guinea pig from a gross pet store and paid like $250 to have her checked up but she was put down instead. So sad. Only had her for a month and tried to give her a good last few weeks too

However! I’m not sure if petco sold me a sick guinea pig does anyone know if this sound is bad? Please help my advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Siikibam]

I can’t really hear the sound you’re talking about (only seem to hear rustling). But I’d say that as you got them from petco, take them both to a vet for a general health check. That way if they are sick they can be treated and you can claim it back from petco.

Also make sure you check the gender of both, or ask the vet to confirm they’re both boys.

 

[JoyPig]

I can’t really hear the sound you’re talking about (only seem to hear rustling). But I’d say that as you got them from petco, take them both to a vet for a general health check. That way if they are sick they can be treated and you can claim it back from petco.

Also make sure you check the gender of both, or ask the vet to confirm they’re both boys.

It starts at the 6 second mark, 7 seconds as well. I’m sorry if there’s a lot of rustling it sounds like air being deflated. :/ it’s hard to catch because I don’t know what sets my guinea pig off to do this.

 

[Wiebke]

It starts at the 6 second mark, 7 seconds as well. I’m sorry if there’s a lot of rustling it sounds like air being deflated. :/ it’s hard to catch because I don’t know what sets my guinea pig off to do this.

Hi!

Sorry, I have the same problem with hearing any sound.

If you have any worries about a potential URI (respiratory infection), then please see a vet. This link here lists your customer rights and information on URI: What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

Symptoms of a URI are: crackly or raspy breathing from the throat or lung area; sneezing only if it is persistent every few minutes for hours on end; yellow/green mucus gunking up eyes and nose; loss of appetite (the need to breathe comes before the need to drink and only thirdly the need to eat) and lethargy - in mounting order. any guinea pig losing more than 50g/2 oz or losing its appetite totally need to be seen by a vet promptly within 24 hours. Very visible heaving breathing from the sides (diaphragmic breathing) indicates fluid in the lungs or chest cavies and counts as a life and death any time of the day emergency.

Guinea pig airways are very small and narrow. Guinea pigs also do not breathe through their mouths. Even the tiniest obstruction somewhere in the airways is always very audible and can cause all kinds of funny sounds. if these sounds disappear within a few hours or aftera good nose cleaning sneeze, then there is nothing to worry about. If they recur regularly or if your piggies sneeze very often (more than the regular few times a day but less than every 10 minutes) but without any other symptoms, then please check for a sensitivity to hay or wood based badding dust.
A Comprehensive Hay Guide for Guinea Pigs (incl. providers in several countries)
Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview

 

[JoyPig]

Hi! I got a better recording.

 

[Siikibam]

I think the best thing for you to do is to take him (maybe both) to the vet for a check. You can reclaim costs if you’re within whatever period they give you. Make sure that they’re cavy savvy.

Did you have a read through the link that Wiebke gave you about URI symptoms etc?

 

[JoyPig]

OK. So, I took him back to Petsmart** (I meant petsmart in the original post.) and the vet said that he did have trouble breathing and he also seemed to have a rash. They took him back and they told me that he is getting care.

 

[Siikibam]

Are they going to cover the cost of the vet? When are you able to pick him up again? Hopefully they will be able to get him well. I’d take the other one to a cavy savvy vet for a general health check.