Rapid breathing...took to vet school ER...

[Poozybear]

Hello. My Poozybear is 5 and has been generally healthy. About 1 year ago I noticed he had very rapid breathing and it seemed somewhat labored. I thought about taking him to the vet (he had just had a well check and was fine) but it didn't seem to bother him at all and I thought maybe it was something normal. It hasn't really changed and he's been in fine health except yesterday he wasn't eating or coming out of his house and he seemed really in distress (more rapid breathing). I took him to the Vet school ER and he saw two doctors, both agreed he was likely gravely ill and said they could put him in ICU but it might not help. They said it could be pneumonia or heart failure or pleural effusion but not sure. I said I would take him home and spend last remaining time saying goodbye to him (he wasn't suffering). But last night her perked up and is acting absolutely fine! Eating, drinking, stomping around his cage.

So...I am trying to make a vet appt but she has semi-retired and it's hard to get in this week. He really seems fine but I'm worried he may have heart failure or some other condition and could go into distress again. Any advice? He's acting like a perfect little brat right now (and I'm overjoyed!). He was given no treatment except oxygen at the ER.

Thank you!

 

[Swissgreys]

Welcome to the Forum.



At this point in time I would be trying to make an appointment with a piggy savy vet.
With some basic and non invasive treatment your Poozybrear could easily be diagnosed with a host of easily treatable problems.
To be honest iIam shocked that the appointment you had with the vet school did not do some basic tests to establish a simple treatment plan.
Given how well he is doing I would seek more experienced treatment as soon as possible to give you the best chance of managing any issues effectively.

 

[GPTV]

Think I would get a Guinea savvy vet check him over, as Swissgreys says it could be something easily treated, there's a whole range of possibilities, things like allergies, reaction to dusty batch of hay, bedding, household items (air fresheners, washing powders), respiratory infection, etc.
Something simple like a bit of hay up his nostril can cause temporary breathing problems, the list goes on.

Even if it does end up being linked to a heart issue, there are quite a few members here who have successfully kept heart problem piggies with careful monitoring & some medication tweaks, they have lived for years & had a good quality of life throughout.

Maybe just use the students ER vets for obvious issues, hay pokes maybe?

Fingers crossed for your little man (surely not a brat?! )
Hope it's something easily sorted, let us know xx