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Blocked Nose

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Treaclelove

Treaclelove

Junior Guinea Pig
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I have two boars around a year old that are currently living outside. This evening I went out to clean them out and say goodnight to them but as soon as I lifted the lid off the hutch I heard one of them making a strange noise. At first I just thought that he was squeaking but after listening I realised he was just breathing and that it sounded as though he had a blocked nose. I took him out the hutch at once and checked over him, especially his nose, but I could see no snot or anything else wrong with him he just sounded a bit wheezy. I will try take him to the vet tomorrow to get him checked out but I was just wondering if anyone had experienced anything similar and knew what it was or what was causing it. The grass had been cut that day, could that have caused it? He had been fine that morning when I fed them.
 
Treaclelove said:
I have two boars around a year old that are currently living outside. This evening I went out to clean them out and say goodnight to them but as soon as I lifted the lid off the hutch I heard one of them making a strange noise. At first I just thought that he was squeaking but after listening I realised he was just breathing and that it sounded as though he had a blocked nose. I took him out the hutch at once and checked over him, especially his nose, but I could see no snot or anything else wrong with him he just sounded a bit wheezy. I will try take him to the vet tomorrow to get him checked out but I was just wondering if anyone had experienced anything similar and knew what it was or what was causing it. The grass had been cut that day, could that have caused it? He had been fine that morning when I fed them.
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Hi! Guinea pigs don't breathe through their mouths, so any obstruction in the airways is always very audible; it can be just some pollen or hay dust stuck in his nose. In many cases, this goes away on its own as it clears.

However, there is always the risk of it being the beginning of an URI, a bacterial respiratory infection, which is usually more common with quick weather changes from warm to a cold spell, windy weather, or cold nights following warm days. As a URI can kill and at the worst can deteriorate very quickly, you are right to have your piggy seen tomorrow if wheeziness is still there. Any vet will usually treat for URI first to be on the safe side if in doubt.
 
Thank you for replying so quickly.
I shall check again tomorrow and take him to the vet, hopefully he'll be just fine and I will be moving them back into the heated shed soon just in case.
 
Treaclelove said:
Thank you for replying so quickly.
I shall check again tomorrow and take him to the vet, hopefully he'll be just fine and I will be moving them back into the heated shed soon just in case.
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When it comes to outdoors guinea pigs, treat them like you would tender plants. ;)

Hopefully, it is nothing and is gone again by tomorrow. In that case, just keep a closer eye on him for a few days.
 
Wiebke said:
When it comes to outdoors guinea pigs, treat them like you would tender plants. ;)

Hopefully, it is nothing and is gone again by tomorrow. In that case, just keep a closer eye on him for a few days.
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Will do. Thanks for the advice
After going out this morning they both seemed just fine so I think I'll cancel the vet appointment and keep a close eye on them for a while.
 
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