Rattle when breathing...otherwise very healthy

[Bailey's mom]

We need advice from the collective. We took our beloved pig, Bailey, to a Guinea pig vet a couple of months ago when we heard a rattle sound (off and on) when he breathes. The vet listened to him and said it was most likely allergy and not infection. However, now... couple months later, the breathing has a steady rattle sound.. (almost like it is coming from his nose and not deep within his chest). There is no discharge from eyes or nose, no appetite loss. He remains active and his weight remains the same. We use Care Fresh paper bedding, no pine bedding, etc. We use highest quality hay. Anyone out there experienced this sound with an otherwise healthy pig? Thank you so much! Trying to avoid another hefty specialist bill if not necessary. Thank you in advance!

 

[PIGGIESANDPUGS]

this sounds a bit silly but you know bulldogs and french bulldogs sometimes breathe like that when they have a bit of flappy skin/soft palette at the back of their mouths, it could be something like that. or he might have a chest infection... how old is he? i would advise taking him back to the vets straight away because it could be quite serious.

 

[Bailey's mom]

Thank you. He is approximately a year old.

 

[Siikibam]

I would take him back to the vet and tell them it hasn’t improved. Better that way if you’re worried. They do have small airways but their breathing shouldn’t make rattling sounds. Is the vet cavy savvy?

@PIGGIESANDPUGS their airways are narrow but that wouldn’t cause rattling sounds when breathing. And I don’t think they have the flappy skin as in bulldogs.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I agree with @Siikibam. It is always worth going back to the vet for another check.

Do you use any candles, or scented plug ins/air freshener, Reed diffusers or other aerosols/deodorants, furniture polish spray etc in the room the piggies are kept in? All of these things are irritants and can cause guinea pigs problems.

If it does turn out to be allergies, then perhaps you could consider changing to fleece bedding? Maybe the paper is causing an issue.