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What's Wrong With My Baby :'(

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ChloeCee98

ChloeCee98

Teenage Guinea Pig
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My almost 7 month old Noodle seems to be making a coughing/choking/sneezing sound a lot over the past few days ! What does this mean? Should I book her in at vets ?x
 
I would definitely plan a visit to the vet as soon as possible.
I would also start daily weighing to keep an eye on her food intake.
 
Sorry - I also meant to add that I am sorry Noodle is ill.
How does she seem in herself (apart from the coughing) and is she still eating and drinking?
How old is she?
 
I have no scales :( it's my first week at my new job too oh dear! I'll get straight onto it, what scales are best ?x
 
She is acting normal and seems to be eating she's never been a big drinker tbh :( she seems okay i noticed her do it twice the other day then again twice now ?
 
ChloeCee98 said:
I have no scales :( it's my first week at my new job too oh dear! I'll get straight onto it, what scales are best ?x
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Coughing just after eating means that she is simply eating too fast, but if it is ongoing and not connected to eating, then it needs to be seen by a vet.

Cheap scales from the supermarket are perfectly OK. You are measuring the difference from one day to another. Ideally you always weigh at the same time in the feeling cycle, like before dinner (or breakfast) or just after. A healthy guinea pig you weigh once weekly; it is an important part of health monitoring, as you cannot control the food intake. You can find all the details (as to what kind of weight loss to look out for etc.) in this guide here:
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
 
Wiebke said:
Coughing just after eating means that she is simply eating too fast, but if it is ongoing and not connected to eating, then it needs to be seen by a vet.

Cheap scales from the supermarket are perfectly OK. You are measuring the difference from one day to another. Ideally you always weigh at the same time in the feeling cycle, like before dinner (or breakfast) or just after. A healthy guinea pig you weigh once weekly; it is an important part of health monitoring, as you cannot control the food intake. You can find all the details (as to what kind of weight loss to look out for etc.) in this guide here:
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
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Thank you I will have a look on my lunch break and I am booking her into vets asap x
 
She's booked in for Friday :( the vet said it doesn't sound like respiratory but it could be something stuck or her teeth.
 
ChloeCee98 said:
She's booked in for Friday :( the vet said it doesn't sound like respiratory but it could be something stuck or her teeth.
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My Ginger tried to eat a bead that she found on the floor and it got stuck on her bottom teeth. She couldn't drink or eat so I had to syringe feed her. The vet was able to get it off. Have you checked Noodle's mouth?
 
Hannah P. said:
My Ginger tried to eat a bead that she found on the floor and it got stuck on her bottom teeth. She couldn't drink or eat so I had to syringe feed her. The vet was able to get it off. Have you checked Noodle's mouth?
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I picked her up before had a look around her and listened to her breathing she's not snotty her eyes look fine and she's still putting weight on (by sight I need to get scales). I don't know where she would get anything from unless there's been something in the hay! Although I saw Noodle copy MoMo biting the plastic hidey in the cage so maybe she's damaged her teeth or got something stuck from doing that x
 
ChloeCee98 said:
I picked her up before had a look around her and listened to her breathing she's not snotty her eyes look fine and she's still putting weight on (by sight I need to get scales). I don't know where she would get anything from unless there's been something in the hay! Although I saw Noodle copy MoMo biting the plastic hidey in the cage so maybe she's damaged her teeth or got something stuck from doing that x
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She won't let me look in her mouth and I don't want to hurt her. Have you got a way to do it ?
 
She is eating fine! Should I resort to what I did when she was a baby and monitor her drinking as best I can ? Maybe she just isn't drinking enough ?x
 
ChloeCee98 said:
She won't let me look in her mouth and I don't want to hurt her. Have you got a way to do it ?
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I just hold my piggy eye level and gently pull back her lips. But I guess it depends on how squirmy Noodle is, or if she'll even let you get close to her mouth.
 
I would monitor how much she's drinking to make sure she's not dehydrated. Is she still making the choking/coughing sound?
 
She was eating fine last night still not seen her drink yet tho she never has really the bottle scares her so she has 4 different places to get what from! She was up at 7 squeaking at Hudson this morning. Still going to take her to vets tho x
 
ChloeCee98 said:
She was eating fine last night still not seen her drink yet tho she never has really the bottle scares her so she has 4 different places to get what from! She was up at 7 squeaking at Hudson this morning. Still going to take her to vets tho x
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It's good that you're still taking her to the vet, even if she's acting better, it's better to be safe than to be sorry, and make sure she is getting enough water.
 
Noodle wouldn't go to the vets I couldn't get her picked up and MoMo went to bite me everyone I almost did so going to book another appointment for her when I have some help and havent got work a few hours after as it's very stressful :(
 
I am glad you have an alternative appointment planned but it is worrying that you couldn't pick her up. I tend to herd mine into a cosie sack to pick them up - takes the stress out of the whole thing. This thread has some good picking up tips.
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
You do need to keep calm and focus on getting a good method to pick them up and handle them otherwise treating for any illness, getting to the vet will be a problem. Food is always a good reward and helps them relax! Let us know how you get on.
 
I was stressed because the lift I was getting cancelled last minute and she usually helps me get under the hidey that's attached to the cage! But there was only me there to catch her :/ I tried from 10 the appointment was at 11:20 :/ I feel awful so saying that hasn't made me feel any better :( what if she's really poorly and I can't pick her up. Useless pig mum :(
 
I tried all methods too even got a blanket ! I almost had her but she makes these awful noises like am hurting her, I think I just get scared because she's my baby. I'm sorry I feel stupid lol
 
No you are not stupid at all, just need some more experience herding piggies! Leave her be to settle and then try when you are ready. If you use a method where you don't have to grab her eg the tube or cosie then you will not be hurting her. She is just making protesting noises - 'Oi get off' . I just think u have got in a stew and she knows that. If someone can help then great but try lots of hand feeding bits of veg and she will get used to the idea. She is clearly precious to you so you won't be hurting her if you follow the guides
 
Going to put them in the run tomorrow anyway so try again tomorrow sit with her on my knee for a bit see if she gets used to me x
 
She will get used to you handling her in time. Not all pigs are comfortable with being picked up or held and some never enjoy it. In the meantime, try to bribe her with some veggies if she needs to be picked up or brought somewhere.
 
Hannah P. said:
She will get used to you handling her in time. Not all pigs are comfortable with being picked up or held and some never enjoy it. In the meantime, try to bribe her with some veggies if she needs to be picked up or brought somewhere.
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She wouldn't eat them once she knew I was picking her up lol I'm going to keep trying thank you x
 
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