Is This Normal?

[MaddieHow]

Hi everyone.
I’ve noticed one of my Guinea Pig females sort of ‘shakes’ when she’s sitting. She does everything else normal, she eats fine and she’s playing with her sister. I couldn’t tell if this is normal or not and thought to ask you all. Attached is a video. Thank you.

 

[RosieMaia]

Hm, I haven't seen something like that - it looks very unusual. It sort of looks like hiccups... Is the piggy making any sound when doing this?

I'll keep an eye on the thread, as I'd really like to know the answer

 

[Lady Kelly]

How does her breathing sound? You can really see her sides twitching in that video and I've seen the sides puffing like that only when my piggies wheek apart from Isobel who did similar when she had pneumonia

 

[Wheekallweek]

Could be respiratory perhaps? Does the movement coincide with her breathing in or out? X

 

[MaddieHow]

As far as I can tell she is not making any sound. I can’t really tell if it’s aligned with her breathing. She is still acting normally today but I’m still a little worried. I don’t have a vet that does Guinea Pigs near me, but there might be one the next town over I can call around tomorrow. Is there anything else I could do?

 

[gizzy]

Hold her chest against your ear, a upper respiratory infection will often sound crakerly!
Look at her nose! Is there any signs of mucous!
Look at her eyes! Are the clear and bright? Or are they cloudy?
Is her wee clear or cloudy?
Good luck at the vets! You are wise to take her! Let us know how she gets on

 

[Freela]

I would try to find a vet the check her lungs for congestion. It looks like it could be accessory muscle use (using the abdominal muscles to breath) which can be a sign of a lung or sometimes heart issue. It could also be something benign, like hiccups, but I think a check is in order to rule out any illness first.

 

[Merab]

Hope you find an answer and that all is well.
Please let us know how things go with your beautiful girl.