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Hi... Question

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luvmychester

Hi all,

I'm new to the world of GPs, but everyone in my family is already in love with out little Chester. He's a couple months old, American short haired, smooth coat. I have a concern though. Can someone tell me what the little panting he's doing while he's breathing is all about? He has a very healthy appetite, is really sweet, loves to be held and handfed and falls asleep in my hands. He seems otherwise healthy except that he seems to be breathing hard at times, like when he's falling asleep...

Anybody that can shed some light on this for my little boy is most appreciated. :)

Julie
 
Where do you live? It might be that he's hot, or he's purring and since you're new to guinea pigs you don't know how to recognize it. Have you held him while he was doing it and felt his breathing to see if it was normal or not? If it gets worse or you can't figure it out, take him to an experienced guinea pig vet. It may be experience, but it should be worth it. Also, I know it's not on topic, but you should definitely get him a buddy. Guinea pigs are herd animals and shouldn't be by themselves. You may be able to take him out and love him a whole bunch, but when you're not he needs someone to play and cuddle with. Hope I could help!

Kimmie
 
Yes please tell us where you live i live in Australia and it's hot, it's hot also in some parts of the USA.

We'll help you just let us know your questions there's lots of fab people here.

Welcome to you and little Chester :-*
 
Mary said:
Had a check and she lives in California
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Thanks Mary i thought that may be the case well done detective!

Julie - Go into the archives here there's lots of advice on heat and what to do, also you can access guinealynx they've got an archive section on this too and they're based in the USA.

Good luck :) :)
 
Thanks all. Yep, I'm in Cali but it's been about 20 degrees here. We're on a freeze watch through this week in fact. Strange weather for us. I don't think it's that he's hot. Maybe it's just the way he breathes and I'm making too much of it? I'm going to call the people at the animal store I got him from and ask them what they think too.

About him having a buddy.... I've read alot on that and it seems like they don't bond with you as much if they have a cage buddy. Is that true? There's four of us here at home and we spend oodles of time with him. He's playing with us more than he's in his cage and he seems to love being with us. I just don't want that to change or for him to get aggressive.

Thanks for the welcome. This seems like a great place for info and help. 8)
 
Nooo they still love you even if they have a buddy! because you're the bringer of veggies ;)

By the way, welcome to the forum! And Chester is an excellent name.... I have one too :D
 
luvmychester said:
About him having a buddy.... I've read alot on that and it seems like they don't bond with you as much if they have a cage buddy. Is that true? There's four of us here at home and we spend oodles of time with him. He's playing with us more than he's in his cage and he seems to love being with us. I just don't want that to change or for him to get aggressive.
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Definitely not true! :)

Welcome to the forum :)
 
Guinea pigs should always have a buddy. They will not get more aggressive nor will they get less loving. You may be willing to give him oodles of time, but when you're not he needs someone to cuddle, groom, and play with. It will definitely make him happier as they are herd animals and sometimes it can even be bad for their emotional and mental because of the stress. Maybe rescue another guinea pig from a shelter or rescue, then you'll have more love, Chester will have a buddy, and the new one will have a good home. I know the final decision is yours, but please truly consider it.

Kimmie
 
its definalty wise to have a mate for Chester, they are very sociable animlas and need thier own kind to bond with I have 32 pigs and all mine have cage mates except 2 boys who are little monkeys at the moment but i'm ever hopeful they will find a friend in my sheds,
I have a boar called Floo who is definalty a mummys boys despite being in with albie, he will pull my skirt through the bars to gain my attention then if I stroke albie he will butt my hand away from him, and wheak so loud to get me to pick him up, a real darling but very much mummys boy,
every country seems to be getting strange weather lately have you noticed?
 
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