Breathing problems

[Caffee]

Hi all. In the past i have came on this forum looking for ways to help my guinea pig with her breathing problems. I have went to the vet twice now for that issue and have not found a straight answer about it, but considering she was happy, healthy, and eating just fine- we decided it was best to leave it alone unless she was acting ill. Shes had it on and off since then but has handled it well, but with the recent and sudden rise in temperatures has come a new issue. Penny is now having labored breathing on and off almost every day for the past week. Its no longer “hooting”, but sounds like her nasal cavity is almost obstructed (imagine blowing through a tube type sound but harsher). It tends to last 5-10 seconds, disappears for about 10-20 minutes, then returns again. This isnt all day long, but it happens enough to concern me. Her appetite has decreased slightly (she still eats, but not as ravenous especially with her pellets) , along with her weight, and these moments of labored breathing seem to scare her. She lets out a loud, high pitched squeal when they occur and shes never been that frightened even by the hooting. I cant see a vet till june 21st and beyond due to the pandemic. I have starting added sprinkles of crushed oats to her pellets and giving her a 1 1/2 to 2 cups of veggies instead of one for her weight. The only thing that i think could of cause this sudden problem is the fact the window in her room was left open without my knowing.

If anyone has any tips that can help, i’ll take anything. I plan on getting her to a vet ASAP.

 

[Siikibam]

I think the best thing you can do is get her to a vet as soon as possible. 21 June is a long way away, can you not get there earlier? Perhaps call them and talk to them. Mention the weight loss and the laboured breathing.

You will have to step in with syringe feeding rather than giving her more veg. The main staple of their diet is hay so if she’s losing then she isn’t eating enough that. Pellets should also be kept to a tablespoon per day and no more. Have a read of the syringe feeding thread below. And also move to weighing her daily at the same time.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

I’ll also tag in @Wiebke and @VickiA
Please also add your location so info can be tailored to you.

 

[Caffee]

I think the best thing you can do is get her to a vet as soon as possible. 21 June is a long way away, can you not get there earlier? Perhaps call them and talk to them. Mention the weight loss and the laboured breathing.

You will have to step in with syringe feeding rather than giving her more veg. The main staple of their diet is hay so if she’s losing then she isn’t eating enough that. Pellets should also be kept to a tablespoon per day and no more. Have a read of the syringe feeding thread below. And also move to weighing her daily at the same time.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

I’ll also tag in @Wiebke and @VickiA
Please also add your location so info can be tailored to you.

Sorry for the late reply. The only vets open are emergency so i plan on trying to get her to one when i can. As for the weight loss, shes eating her hay just fine? Dont get me wrong i believe you, but most of the stack is gone by the next time i refill it (every 24 hours) and its dragged all over the place, so i dont think thats the cause for her weight loss. One thing that scares me is that shes around 7 years old and has other problems as well (arthritis and cataracts), so I'm starting to wonder if shes developed a heart condition (which would explain her past “hooting” and now her other problems). I think i just need to get her into a vet. Its just so complicated with covid and not wanting to prevent other emergency appointments.

Edit: do you know of any illnesses in older (or just any age) that causes weight loss even if your guinea pig is still eating?

 

[Siikibam]

Don’t they consider breathing issues an emergency? Good luck getting her an appointment and do let us know what they say.

 

[Caffee]

Don’t they consider breathing issues an emergency? Good luck getting her an appointment and do let us know what they say.

I was told by my regular vet over the phone that i should go to emergency for breathing problems, but again its iffy. She could of thought i meant that shes constantly heaving and struggling to breathe, which isnt the case since its on and off. But considering that she is continuously losing weight, they would consider that an emergency. I will let everyone know. I'm a minor so its hard knowing when i can get in since i rely on my parents.