Unusual breathing

[_.xxs.ofia]

Hi all,
So recently I noticed unusual breathing for one of my guinea pigs. I ended up talking him to the vests which resulted in them saying his respiratory system was clear. However they did find a sort of tumour on his back. He was prescribed some anti-biotics I beleive which didn’t do much for the size of the “tumour”. On return, they gave him another overall checkup especially regarding the “tumour”. I was told that they could preform surgery to remove it however this would be my choice as guinea pigs are at a higher risk due to their size etc. Amongst other factors include that they said it wouldn’t impact his overall life, I decided not to have it removed. However, I can still hear this unusual breathing. So I’m left a bit confused as to what it is if his respiratory system was clear. Do guinea pigs normally make these weird noises? I seem to only hear it at night so I’m not sure whether it’s when he’s sleeping or because it’s quieter. I’ve attached a video of the noise. Hopefully you can hear it.
Thank you in advance ◡̈

 

[Deleted member 139433]

Hello,

Sorry to hear your boy is having issues.

By tumour do you mean some type of cyst and infection? As I’m struggling to understand why antibiotics would be prescribed for a tumour?

I can’t see a video attached? Maybe it’s just me?

If you are at all concerned for your boy please do speak to the vet again. Respiratory issues can escalate quickly, but they can also be minor, for example hay or dust trapped (as piggies have very narrow and sensitive airways). One of my boys sometimes hoots a little after diving head first into hay piles!

Only a vet can tell you what’s going on if you’re worried. Please ensure you see a piggy savvy vet.

Hope all will be well with your boy!

 

[_.xxs.ofia]

Thank you for your reply. I just thought I’d check here first to see if anyone had the same experience. He does seem okay in himself. Nothing has changed in his behaviour since I’ve had him. By tumour I think the other word she used was abscess if that makes more sense. She mentioned a few terms and I couldn’t remember the other terms. My apologies, I did attach a video. I must not have done it right. It sounds almost like a croak.

 

[Deleted member 139433]

An abscess would explain the antibiotics. A much more treatable condition than a tumour too.

If you are still hearing noises with his breathing, it’s best to return to the vets and have him checked out. Even if something minor, it’s better to be safe.

Keeping everything crossed for you and your boy.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Video needs to uploaded to a hosting site first such as YouTube, and then a link to it posted here. The forum does not facilities to upload video directly

 

[_.xxs.ofia]

Video needs to uploaded to a hosting site first such as YouTube, and then a link to it posted here. The forum does not facilities to upload video directly

ahh I thought so, thank you

 

[_.xxs.ofia]

An abscess would explain the antibiotics. A much more treatable condition than a tumour too.

If you are still hearing noises with his breathing, it’s best to return to the vets and have him checked out. Even if something minor, it’s better to be safe.

Keeping everything crossed for you and your boy.

Yeah, i do recall her using the term ‘tumour’ but then got confused as she used some other terms too. I think I’m going to take him to the vests again. This was a couple of weeks ago and just recently (last couple of days, especially tonight) it sounds louder. I looked on YouTube to see if anyone had recorded their pig with the same noise but couldn’t find anything. I did however see a video of comparing the way 2 pigs breathe, if that makes sense. His breaths seem short tonight. I’ll need to ring up a few vets to see if they have experience with guinea pigs though. As the vet I saw initially said she didn’t have much experience with small animals. I did see 2 vets from the one setting and neither noticed any issues with his respiratory system. His issue is evident at night and comes and goes so it’s very difficult for me to assume what it is. Especially after being told his respiratory system is clear.

 

[Deleted member 139433]

I think you are definitely making the right decision to go see a piggy savvy vet. Respiratory issues can deteriorate quickly. Though they can often be a minor irritation too. But only a vet can diagnose and offer treatment.

In the mean time, you can try putting some steaming water next to the cage to see if that helps.

Do let us know how you get on with the vet appointment.
Sending love!