Guinea Pig Stopped Wheeking

[Kristen1123]

My boar has stopped wheeking over the past month or so. I got him in August and he was around a month old (maybe slightly younger). After he warmed up to me he would always wheek when he heard his name, saw me, or heard his food bag. His wheeking was more a whistling than short chirps.

He's now 5-6 months and just recently got a new cage mate. They get along very well, but I've noticed that my older Guinea pig has gone through a lot of changes. His coat has gotten puffier, his eyes are slightly milky, and now he can't wheek.

When he tries to wheek it's more air, and sometimes sounds very throaty. I'm wondering if this could be a possible sign or illness, or if it is normal for a boar to begin to quiet down. If this is a sign of illness I want to get him to a vet ASAP and will take him regardless just to check things out, but I wanted a second opinion beforehand from some more experienced piggy owners

 

[orangeinepig]

I would take him to a vet as you have noticed multiple changes and even if it isn't something wrong then it's better to be safe than sorry

 

[gizzy]

Dito. lf his coat is puffed up that is a clasic pain/discomfort indicator , you would be wise to see a vet asap

 

[helen105281]

I agree best to get him checked as it is not just the lost wheek. Sounds like the start of a URI possibly, but the vet will also need to check his heart.

 

[Wiebke]

My boar has stopped wheeking over the past month or so. I got him in August and he was around a month old (maybe slightly younger). After he warmed up to me he would always wheek when he heard his name, saw me, or heard his food bag. His wheeking was more a whistling than short chirps.

He's now 5-6 months and just recently got a new cage mate. They get along very well, but I've noticed that my older Guinea pig has gone through a lot of changes. His coat has gotten puffier, his eyes are slightly milky, and now he can't wheek.

When he tries to wheek it's more air, and sometimes sounds very throaty. I'm wondering if this could be a possible sign or illness, or if it is normal for a boar to begin to quiet down. If this is a sign of illness I want to get him to a vet ASAP and will take him regardless just to check things out, but I wanted a second opinion beforehand from some more experienced piggy owners

Please have your boy checked by a vet, ideally before the Christmas holiday. A puffy coat is a sign of illness and/or pain. Milky eyes also need to be checked.
You can find our recommended UK vets locator on the top bar. For recommended vets in other countries, please see this link here, courtesy of Guinea Lynx: Veterinarians - The GLX-Files

In the meantime, please weigh your boy daily at the same time in the feeding cycle (ideally before he gets his dinner) instead of the regular weekly weigh-in to monitor his health. If he is losing weight, you may need to step in with syringe feeding.
Here is our step-by-step guide, just in case: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

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All the best!