Guinea pig making strange noise through nose when breathing

[BethsyBeth]

Hi everyone, my guinea pig usually loves food and is bossy and lively, she seemed OK earlier when I put her outside but when I brought her back inside (only got her in about 30 mins ago) she is making a strange noise when she breathes like a hooting or honking sound? I listened to her chest but can't hear any crackling or clicking. She isn't showing interest in food when I put some veggies and hay in there just now so I'm really worried, it's completely unlikely her.

I'm planning to take her to the vet ASAP but I'm really scared, is it possible for a guinea pig to recover after they've stopped eating? I've had guinea pigs when I was little who ended up passing away from respiratory infections despite my family trying and taking them to the vet so I'd really appreciate success stories if possible or advice on how this could've happened so suddenly. I feel so awful and guilty wondering if it's my fault.

I'm also not sure what to do with her sister, we have 4 guinea pigs but keep 2 together and the other 2 together. These 2 are young and the other 2 are almost 6 years old. I know things like this can be contagious so I don't want her sister to get sick but also don't want to put the sister in with the two older ones just in case, especially because of their age.

 

[Truffolo]

My piggy Polo has had a URI for some time and is in Baytril, which has fixed it for now but it has come back a few times. I think if you start meds (if your vet agrees) soon enough it can be cured. My other piggy, Truffle, doesn't seem to have been affected, so I think it just depends on how good their immune systems are. I hope he doesn't become ill. If they are bonded, it is better for them to stay together. I hope your piggy gets better soon

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this

Often a noise from the nose is due to an irritant such as dust or pollen within the nose. Their airways are very narrow so it can cause sounds to be amplified. Nasal irritation usually resolves with a sneeze.
Respiratory infections tend to cause a crackly or raspy breathing from the chest and are of concern.
We can only ever advise a vet check to be sure.

However, if she has stopped eating then the situation becomes more concerning.
When a piggy stops eating then you must step in with syringe feeding a recovery feed such as critical care, or use mushed pellets as the emergency alternative straight away.

Switch to daily weight checks (each morning) so you can monitor any independent hay intake and adequate syringe feeding amounts to ensure she is kept stable.

Assuming she has been on the lawn in a run, Is she used to eating fresh grass? Has her access to it been built up slowly over the previous few weeks?
Unfettered access to fresh grass in spring on unprepared tummies can cause bloat (which is a very serious condition) so it is a concern at this time of year if a piggy has come in from lawn time and is now appearing unwell.

If she is bloated, appears unwell, puffed up hair, grunting sounds, lethargic etc then she would need an emergency out of hours vet tonight.

Please do not split up your piggies. She needs to stay with her friend.
You cannot just put her with the other two in any event as piggies have to be bonded properly following the correct procedure. Separating your two younger piggies could mean they refuse to go back together again; equally, older sows would not necessarily take kindly to a new piggy being added in with them in any event - it could disrupt all bonds and you could run the risk of ending up with needing to split piggies up

I’ve added some guides below

I hope she is ok

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
How to Improvise Feeding Support in an Emergency
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[Piggies&buns]

How is your piggy?
I hope she is ok