Oinking Piggie

[Spikie]

I know they're called guinea pigs, but...

When one of our piggies is well into his food he makes a sort of... oinking noise, like the real oink, not the one you make to children when you see a pig. Like he's clearing his throat... I can't really describe it well...

We're wondering if he is having breathing difficulties while eating (not that it slows him down!), or maybe it is just a contented 'I'm eating' noise.

Is there anything that sounds like that I should investigate, or is it just another odd noise piggies make?

 

[helen105281]

Sounds to me like he may have a snuffly nose, which could be allergies, or the start of a URI. If it is more of a hooting type noise then he needs to be investigated for heart issues.

 

[Briony_S]

Does it sound a bit like a coughing / sneezing noise? Some guineas make a funny noise if eating veggies too fast?

 

[Spikie]

It's like a constant grumbling, sort of. I've never heard the other piggies do it.

If I can record him doing it I'll upload a video, might be the easiest way

 

[Briony_S]

Sounds like a good plan!

 

[Elwickcavies]

I have a sow that does that too. She has ongoing issues with a snuffly nose that is proving difficult to shift, so it'd be worth investigating with a vet.

 

[guineapig-al]

Hi, a piggy that hoots like a real oinker, that's very impressive, sounds like you have a good one! It's always a good idea to register your piggy with a vet and have her checked at least once per year, I would get her checked just to be on the safe side.

 

[Briony_S]

Just thinking outside the box. What is your piggy bedded on? Could be that his lungs are irritated by the bedding?

 

[guineapig-al]

Hi, you're thinking allergy? That's interesting

 

[Briony_S]

Its hard to know without hearing the noise but it's known that sometimes guineas can struggle on a bedding which is dusty, such as shavings or megazorb. sometimes hay can be particularly dusty as well dependant on brand / quality or sometimes you can get a bad batch.

Some people however use shavings etc.. with no issues, but it could be worth trying an alternative bedding or hay brand if your guinea is exibiting signs of discomfort with breathing, however if you are concerned its always best to get a vet to check them over as they may have a respiratory infection which would need antibiotics!