Whistling When Sniffing (with Video)

[OliviaDory]

Hi there!

Today while I was holding my 2 year old guinea pig in my lap, I noticed that she was sort of whistling when she sniffed around for the greens I was feeding her. I got a video of it, not sure how to imbed it here so if it's ok I'll post the link to the video on youtube... (You can really hear it at about 0:13).

Anyway, she seems otherwise quite fine - eating and drinking normally - and when I hold her up to my ear and listen to her lungs I don't hear any congestion or crackling. I think it's just limited to her nasal passages. I don't hear it constantly, only when she's sniffing hard looking for something to munch on.

My question is, do you think I need to take her to the vet asap, or do some of your pigs make this noise on occasion? I can't tell if it's a normal noise or not. She's my first gpig, I've had her for a year and half but I don't know what's normal and what's cause for concern. If it continues, I'll definitely have her checked out but I don't want to take any chances if it's the beginning of a URI-- but I don't want to panic if it's nothing.

Thanks for your help!

 

[sport_billy]

@OliviaDory Hi, welcome to the forum.

I cant play the video at work Got no sound, will check it out tonight at home.

Sometimes a whistle can indicate a little bit of a URI just starting off at other times it is a bit of food. Vimto one of our piggies always sneezes in hay and will make a hoot when eating too quick, sounds I would normally associate with URI's but I know its Vimto being greedy....

Hopefully someone else can pop on this thread and put your mind to rest. The fact it is intermittent is a good sign. If your are over-ally concerned a vets visit is always good if only to put your mind at rest. You sound a very attentive owner. Your piggy is gorgeous too

 

[helen105281]

I too can't listen at work and am unlikely to be home before the forum downtime later but will try to listen if I can. It could be that she has dust up her nose or has an allergy. Does she ever follow with a cough?

 

[OliviaDory]

Thanks guys/gals. Let me know what you think when you hear the sound. She's in her cage right now and not doing it, but if I take her out and she starts sniffing around I can hear it. It sort of sounds like our noses sound sometimes in the morning - a whistly nose sound... do guineas by chance have boogers, like people? (Sorry, that sounds kinda gross but I couldn't think of a better way to ask!) Or perhaps a bit of dust or hay up there?

I've always been a rat person, so I know what to expect with rats, but she's my first experience with guineas and I'm still learning the ropes. I'll definitely take her to the vet if it continues, but don't want to fresk out over something normal. I do love her to pieces!

 

[sport_billy]

Just heard it - I would get it checked out, cookie did something similar with a slight uri that cleared up after antibiotics, I recognise the whistley noise. It did sound similar and wasn't always happening, but our vet could hear it on her chest... She is obviously well in herself so it is not serious but I would probably get it looked at.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

It sounds like she has inhaled something, either dust from hay or a little fluid from veggies, do you put her veggies in a bowl & are they wet at all? If you hold her to your ear can you listen to her chest & see if the noise can be heard in her chest? If in any doubt always check with your vet though

 

[OliviaDory]

Yes her veggies are sometimes wet (just washed), usually in her bowl but not always. If she is still doing it tomorrow I'll have her checked out. Her chest sounds totally clear.

Thanks for the suggestions/advice!