Almost sudden heartbeat/breathing

[ChubbyMonroe]

Hello everyone,
One of my guinea pigs has become quite sick recently as he is quite lethargic and not eating even though we give him his favourite treats. Also if you rest your hand on his chest the heartbeat is quite sudden or passive. I don't really know how to explain but I think it might be URI? Any other suggestions of what it might be?
Thanks

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum
You really need to get him to a vet as soon as possible.
This is always a good move with guinea pigs who can deteriorate rapidly if something is wrong.
Do you have a piggy savvy vet to go to?
If you are in the UK there is a list of recommended vets on a forum thread
Let us know how things go

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone,
One of my guinea pigs has become quite sick recently as he is quite lethargic and not eating even though we give him his favourite treats. Also if you rest your hand on his chest the heartbeat is quite sudden or passive. I don't really know how to explain but I think it might be URI? Any other suggestions of what it might be?
Thanks

Hi and welcome!

These are red alarm symptoms. You need to see a vet as soon as possible!

Please also be aware that over 80% of the daily food intake is normally unlimited hay, so you piggy is eating a LOT less than you think! A guinea pig off its food cannot survive on a few treats for any length of time.
List Of Life And Death Out-of-hours Emergencies
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre

 

[Sophie B]

Please get your guinea pig to a cavy savvy vet, as a matter of urgency

 

[Posyrose]

Yes, please see the help of a vet. There is a list of recommended vets with knowledge of guinea pigs in the vet locator above

 

[Freela]

See a vet promptly any time you notice changes in breathing, activity level, and willingness to eat. Guinea pigs typically hide symptoms and by the time you see these changes, things are becoming urgent. Guinea pigs with respiratory infections can get very sick very quickly. Hope you can see someone and your piggy makes a full recovery!

 

[ChubbyMonroe]

Hi, I have forgotten to mention my guinea pig has a rare condition where he loses protein through the kidneys so however much he eats he still loses weight. Would this be related to it? Anyway, I took him to my local vets about half an hour away and they have given him 2 injections which is Antibiotics and a vitamin boost. Do you think this OK?