allergies?

[squigpopwinchoc]

I have a 5 (nearly 6) year old guinea pig, she sometimes makes these crackling sounds coming from her nose (near or in summer). For this, i usually put her next to my humidifier, which only has water in it, and this usually stops the noise. I heard her cough today, but i'm pretty sure this is because she was gulping her water too fast. Other than this, her eyes and nose look normal, as well as her breathing (a little wheeze after trying to grab her in the cage) and I think a bit of wheezing comes with old age. I wanted to check as i'm quite paranoid and wondering if she could have a URI. These crackling noises have happened twice before, once a couple of months ago and one today. she is sitting with me with my humidifier right next to her and noises have eased. Should i be worried? Just to note, it is currently really hot where i am, temp is reaching 26 degrees during the day! Also there is no fresh hay around to start the allergies as I top up their hay every night. Thank you for reading

 

[Siikibam]

Allergies, although possible, are rare with guinea pigs. Hay can be dusty, even if you’re topping it up every night. Have you eliminated all other irritants such as air fresheners? Maybe it could be something stuck in her nose? I think it wouldn’t do any harm to have her seen by the vet (not urgently). Is this the first time it’s happened or she’s had it previous summers?

 

[squigpopwinchoc]

Allergies, although possible, are rare with guinea pigs. Hay can be dusty, even if you’re topping it up every night. Have you eliminated all other irritants such as air fresheners? Maybe it could be something stuck in her nose? I think it wouldn’t do any harm to have her seen by the vet (not urgently). Is this the first time it’s happened or she’s had it previous summers?

We do not use air fresheners where my piggies live (we don't really use them anyway at all) and the only other irritants i can think of it deodorant spray/perfume but I use this in my bathroom which is across the hallway from them and immediately shut the door after until hours later. I haven't heard this previous summers but I don't think I may have been as educated with illnesses as I am now. The only other time she had made this crackling noise (apart from the couple of months ago I talked about above) is when she came out of surgery for ovarian cysts. I will probably have her seen by a vet if the noise continues, but the noise has stopped already as I put her with my humidifier for half an hour and that seems to do the trick. Maybe the air is a bit humid due to the hot weather and that's causing it? I think i read that somewhere.

 

[Wiebke]

The airways in some older piggies can narrow so any tiny obstruction in there is even more audible. Often a bowl of steaming water next to the cage or turning on the humidifier can help ease the breathing. The steaming bowl usually did the trick for my Hywel, who was occasionally a bit crackly and would even snore a bit but checked out clear for URI at the vet's.

Sensitivities in guinea pigs are not uncommon but true allergies thankfully are. However, respiratory sensitivities are more common in younger/new guinea pigs coming from a comparatively sterile commercial background into a complex pet home.

 

[squigpopwinchoc]

The airways in some older piggies can narrow so any tiny obstruction in there is even more audible. Often a bowl of steaming water next to the cage or turning on the humidifier can help ease the breathing. The steaming bowl usually did the trick for my Hywel, who was occasionally a bit crackly and would even snore a bit but checked out clear for URI at the vet's.

Sensitivities in guinea pigs are not uncommon but true allergies thankfully are. However, respiratory sensitivities are more common in younger/new guinea pigs coming from a comparatively sterile commercial background into a complex pet home.

Thank you for this! Makes me feel much less paranoid. I get so much more worried when they get older.