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Guinea pig rocking back and forth!

Chloe21

Chloe21

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
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Location
Chester
Hi! My female guinea pig started rocking back and forth today, this is the first time I've seen her do this, I've googled it and not seen good things! I'm going to take her to the vets ASAP! Has anyone else experienced this? I'm worried about her! šŸ˜­šŸ˜­
 
Just a thought - is the rocking back and forth a movement from one back leg to another?

If so thatā€™s normal behaviour and nothing to worry about.

However - I always work on the basis that if I have any concern I go straight to the vet. Itā€™s better to be reassured that all is well than risk missing something.

Hope your girl is ok.
Keep us posted
 
Could it possibly be she is struggling to breathe and compensating by taking very deep breaths? That can sometimes give the impression of rocking back and forth I think?
 
Is it a breathing motion type rocking back & forth?
Or from side to side limb pain type problem?
It's good you're getting her vets appointment.
Fingers crossed let us know how u get on xx
 
Hi, it was hard to tell it was like she had zoned out a bit, it freaked me out seeing her head going backwards and forwards! Yeah definitely! Taking her tomorrow! Thanks so much and I will! X
 
Wheekallweek said:
Could it possibly be she is struggling to breathe and compensating by taking very deep breaths? That can sometimes give the impression of rocking back and forth I think?
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Hi! I haven't noticed her breathing heavily but I don't know what to look out for? What would be a reason for her struggling to breathe?
 
GPTV said:
Is it a breathing motion type rocking back & forth?
Or from side to side limb pain type problem?
It's good you're getting her vets appointment.
Fingers crossed let us know how you get on xx
Click to expand...

Hi! It wasn't side to side it was forward, she was like nodding her head! Thank you! I will xx
 
Chloe21 said:
Hi! It wasn't side to side it was forward, she was like nodding her head! Thank you! I will xx
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Ask the vet to check her heart/circulation & lungs, sounds like it could be respiratory type problem. Does she make any noise when nodding?
Is she in a humid place/room or dusty atmosphere... Wood shavings bedding? X
 
Chloe21 said:
Hi! I haven't noticed her breathing heavily but I don't know what to look out for? What would be a reason for her struggling to breathe?
Click to expand...

As @GPTV has said it could be a respiratory problem like an upper of lower respiratory infection or even an allergy!
If you pick her up and listen to her with your ear against her body, can you hear anything?
 
GPTV said:
Ask the vet to check her heart/circulation & lungs, sounds like it could be respiratory type problem. Does she make any noise when nodding?
Is she in a humid place/room or dusty atmosphere... Wood shavings bedding? X
Click to expand...
Hi, yeah I will! How do they check these things? Not that I noticed but thinking about it we had painted the room next to her, we had the door open and windows in the house but could this be a reason? X​
 
Wheekallweek said:
As @GPTV has said it could be a respiratory problem like an upper of lower respiratory infection or even an allergy!
If you pick her up and listen to her with your ear against her body, can you hear anything?
Click to expand...
Hi, thank you for your advice! Will check for this! Can any of the things you've mentioned be resolved easily?
 
The paint fumes & draught from the windows won't have helped, but she could have picked it up anyway with the damper autumn air.
Guineas don't generally like draughts or the damp.

Either listening by the vets ear or using a stethoscope is common ways to check for respiratory or heart problems.

If your vet diagnoses like @Wheekallweek says an upper or lower respiratory infection, its often treated with Baytril for about a week & clears up quickly in most cases.

Healing vibes for your little one
Xx
 
GPTV said:
The paint fumes & draught from the windows won't have helped, but she could have picked it up anyway with the damper autumn air.
Guineas don't generally like draughts or the damp.

Either listening by the vets ear or using a stethoscope is common ways to check for respiratory or heart problems.

If your vet diagnoses like @Wheekallweek says an upper or lower respiratory infection, its often treated with Baytril for about a week & clears up quickly in most cases.

Healing vibes for your little one
Xx
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Oh I see! That's really helpful! Thank you so much! Xx
 
I just found something on another forum about this. It was a thread someone else had put up about their guinea pig rocking back and forth. Their guinea pig got diagnosed with an inner ear infection.

You mentioned her looking dissorientated. Well when i had an inner ear problem, thats how i felt, i also felt like i was going off balance, like i was about to fall backwards then forwards. It could explain the rocking motion. I'm NOT diagnosing, but get a good guinea pig vet to take a look asap. DONT use a cat and dog vet they wont know any more than we do.

Wish you luck šŸ‘
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Skypipdot said:
I just found something on another forum about this. It was a thread someone else had put up about their guinea pig rocking back and forth. Their guinea pig got diagnosed with an inner ear infection.

You mentioned her looking dissorientated. Well when i had an inner ear problem, thats how i felt, i also felt like i was going off balance, like i was about to fall backwards then forwards. It could explain the rocking motion. I'm NOT diagnosing, but get a good guinea pig vet to take a look asap. DONT use a cat and dog vet they wont know any more than we do.

Wish you luck šŸ‘
Click to expand...
Hi thank you! I'm taking her to Vets 4 pets near me tomorrow, I'm in Chester and I don't have a guinea pig specialist nearšŸ™ I just want to get her seen ASAP, they won't be completely useless will they?
 
if you look at the vet locator,there is an established vet near chester.this is urgent,as it can be a number of things,I'm pleased you have a vet appointment.good luck i hope your piggie gets well soon.
 
Chloe21 said:
Hi thank you! I'm taking her to Vets 4 pets near me tomorrow, I'm in Chester and I don't have a guinea pig specialist nearšŸ™ I just want to get her seen ASAP, they won't be completely useless will they?
Click to expand...
They should know quite alot because they sell guinea pigs and treat sick ones. But dont rely on this. If they seem like they know nothing. Refuse to pay and have this in your defence.
 
eileen said:
if you look at the vet locator,there is an established vet near chester.this is urgent,as it can be a number of things,I'm pleased you have a vet appointment.good luck i hope your piggie gets well soon.
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Thank you, I know I'm so worried! Is there a list of things they should be doing especially just so I know?
 
Skypipdot said:
They should know quite alot because they sell guinea pigs and treat sick ones. But dont rely on this. If they seem like they know nothing. Refuse to pay and have this in your defence.
Click to expand...

Okay thank you! Is there a list of things they should be doing thoroughly so I know what to look out for when I take her?
 
Chloe21 said:
Okay thank you! Is there a list of things they should be doing thoroughly so I know what to look out for when I take her?
Click to expand...
I honestly dont know how they diagnose IF it is to do with the inner ear
 
Chloe21 said:
Hi thank you! I'm taking her to Vets 4 pets near me tomorrow, I'm in Chester and I don't have a guinea pig specialist nearšŸ™ I just want to get her seen ASAP, they won't be completely useless will they?
Click to expand...
My Vets4Pets are brilliant with my piggies and I have recommended them on the Forum. Not all Vets4Pets are the same though.
 
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