Crackly breathing

[twobigpigs]

Hey all,

My guinea pig pebbles (6-7yrs old) has always had bad respiratory issues. Never anything i’ve gone to the vet for as its usually cleared up by the morning. However, we have a bale of hay in the shed covered up using a duvet cover. It is very dusty in some areas and her breathing is horrible. When she sneezes it clears for a moment making me thing its just mucus that is near the top of her nose and she could sneeze out but isn't able too.

I did run the shower quite hot until it was steaming the bathroom up and I let her wander around in there for 5-6 minutes and it did help a little! No idea what else to do as I do not have money for vets at the moment.

 

[Wiebke]

Hey all,

My guinea pig pebbles (6-7yrs old) has always had bad respiratory issues. Never anything i’ve gone to the vet for as its usually cleared up by the morning. However, we have a bale of hay in the shed covered up using a duvet cover. It is very dusty in some areas and her breathing is horrible. When she sneezes it clears for a moment making me thing its just mucus that is near the top of her nose and she could sneeze out but isn't able too.

I did run the shower quite hot until it was steaming the bathroom up and I let her wander around in there for 5-6 minutes and it did help a little! No idea what else to do as I do not have money for vets at the moment.

Hi

Give her half an hour in the shower and see how she is after that. Make sure that she has a dry towel to sit on.

 

[twobigpigs]

Hi

Give her half an hour in the shower and see how she is after that. Make sure that she has a dry towel to sit on.

oooh good idea! theres a little bench in my shower that i can put her in a box with a towel/fleece liner and some food. I plan to wash my hair tonight so
I will bring her in with me then. Will update you later tonight.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Can you try her with different hay? remove all the old hay and clean the cage. Then see if she improves quickly. If not she really does need to see a vet, she may have a chest infection and will need antibiotics. Is there anyone, friends or family that can lend you money for a vet consultation? Start a savings plan so you are covered. I have a standing order which pays in a regular amount each month into a building society account which has a good interest rate too. It’s not much but it soon mounts up and puts your mind at ease

 

[twobigpigs]

Can you try her with different hay? remove all the old hay and clean the cage. Then see if she improves quickly. If not she really does need to see a vet, she may have a chest infection and will need antibiotics. Is there anyone, friends or family that can lend you money for a vet consultation? Start a savings plan so you are covered. I have a standing order which pays in a regular amount each month into a building society account which has a good interest rate too. It’s not much but it soon mounts up and puts your mind at ease

I am cleaning their cage tomorrow and will replace all the hay then. She has new hay currently and is fine (still breathing funky) and no friends or family to lend me anything as of now.

 

[Wiebke]

I am cleaning their cage tomorrow and will replace all the hay then. She has new hay currently and is fine (still breathing funky) and no friends or family to lend me anything as of now.

Hopefully, it is just the dusty hay but please accept that it will take a few days for symptoms to settle down. She has obviously got a sensitivity to hay dust. Keep on with half hour sessions in the steamedup shower twice a day if they are helping.

Please check the dustiness of the hay before putting it into the cage.

What we cannot tell you without vet examintion is whether it is just a sensitivity to hay dust ot whether there is an underlying infection.

 

[twobigpigs]

Hopefully, it is just the dusty hay but please accept that it will take a few days for symptoms to settle down. She has obviously got a sensitivity to hay dust. Keep on with half hour sessions in the steamedup shower twice a day if they are helping.

Please check the dustiness of the hay before putting it into the cage.

What we cannot tell you without vet examintion is whether it is just a sensitivity to hay dust ot whether there is an underlying infection.

The hot shower does seem to be working a bit! Of course its not a cure but she is still a bit poppy with her breathing now. Definitely sounds better than yesterday but of course its still not perfect. Will keep an eye on it and will take her to the vet if it is still persisting.

 

[Wiebke]

The hot shower does seem to be working a bit! Of course its not a cure but she is still a bit poppy with her breathing now. Definitely sounds better than yesterday but of course its still not perfect. Will keep an eye on it and will take her to the vet if it is still persisting.

Do you or your family fall into the category where you could apply for payment support with the PDSA? Especially in one of the more urban centres?
A guide to vets fees, insurance and payment support.

 

[Seven7]

I wondered if she also has wet nose in addition to having unusual breathing sound.

My Bear, who came from a pet shop, had to be taken to emergency for having unusual breathing sound almost immediately after joining our family. He also appeared to have wet nose in addition to having unusual breathing. Dr. Jayne, my boys' doctor, prescribed Baytril and Bear was better in no time. Bear is now, 2.5 years old and best friend to my 7 year old Finn.

 

[twobigpigs]

Do you or your family fall into the category where you could apply for payment support with the PDSA? Especially in one of the more urban centres?
A guide to vets fees, insurance and payment support.

Unfortunately not no. My parents are both retired but not at retiring age so essentially they’re unemployed by choice. I am in university close to home and also unemployed. Her breathing is better, still bad but its not as loud.

 

[twobigpigs]

Actually she just fixed it the second i sent that reply. She did the cough/choke sound they do if they eat too fast. Its still a bit poppy but it was completely silent for a while! Will keep an eye on her.

 

[Wiebke]

Actually she just fixed it the second i sent that reply. She did the cough/choke sound they do if they eat too fast. Its still a bit poppy but it was completely silent for a while! Will keep an eye on her.

I hope that it was just a bad reaction to the dusty hay bag.

 

[twobigpigs]

I hope that it was just a bad reaction to the dusty hay bag.

I hoped so too. Shes back it breathing funky. The only vet I can go to is one that has free consults and then you have to pay for any medications you receive. Except they are not the best vets with exotics at all.

 

[Wiebke]

I hoped so too. Shes back it breathing funky. The only vet I can go to is one that has free consults and then you have to pay for any medications you receive. Except they are not the best vets with exotics at all.

I am very sorry.

 

[twobigpigs]

I am very sorry.

its okay! I mean these things happen you just can’t predict them. The only thing I can think of thats not helping is the fact my bedroom is icy cold most nights to the point that the heating does barely anything. The guinea pigs are over on the other side of the room close to my bed away from the radiator as there isnt space on the other side of my room. Is there a chance the cold could be worsening this? It could be hay? I can attach a link to a video of it if i have to.

 

[twobigpigs]

Hopefully, it is just the dusty hay but please accept that it will take a few days for symptoms to settle down. She has obviously got a sensitivity to hay dust. Keep on with half hour sessions in the steamedup shower twice a day if they are helping.

Please check the dustiness of the hay before putting it into the cage.

What we cannot tell you without vet examintion is whether it is just a sensitivity to hay dust ot whether there is an underlying infection.

She is having a shower session right now (just on the floor of the bathroom whilst the hot shower is running) She does seem to breathe better in here! except I cant keep it running for long as nobody is actually using the shower. It does help a bit but shes still sick

 

[Wiebke]

She is having a shower session right now (just on the floor of the bathroom whilst the hot shower is running) She does seem to breathe better in here! except I cant keep it running for long as nobody is actually using the shower. It does help a bit but shes still sick

She would likely need an antibiotic.

 

[twobigpigs]

She would likely need an antibiotic.

Oh god. That is definitely not something I wanted to hear hopefully the vet has appointments soon. I have just looked.. none until the 1st of feb which is the only one until past the 7th. Unfortunately it clashes with university. I am
unsure what to do.

 

[Wiebke]

Oh god. That is definitely not something I wanted to hear hopefully the vet has appointments soon. I have just looked.. none until the 1st of feb which is the only one until past the 7th. Unfortunately it clashes with university. I am
unsure what to do.

Please try to get her to a vet.

 

[twobigpigs]

Please try to get her to a vet.

I have her an appointment for wednesday in the morning! I am not sure what to expect at all from this appointment.. no idea what they will say to her. Its surely cureable but due to her age there is a thought in my mind thats telling me theyll just want to euth her. She has been choking/coughing today and did it before when i held her snd it was so frightening I never want to experience that again.

Will keep you updated on wednesday.

 

[twobigpigs]

Please try to get her to a vet.

Took her today, she didn't make a sound whilst we were there but the vet prescribed us metacam (once a day for 2 weeks) and an antibiotic which she has to have twice daily for 2 weeks.

 

[Wiebke]

Took her today, she didn't make a sound whilst we were there but the vet prescribed us metacam (once a day for 2 weeks) and an antibiotic which she has to have twice daily for 2 weeks.

Been there myself...

But at least it is not something really serious if the lungs check out clear.

 

[twobigpigs]

Been there myself...

But at least it is not something really serious if the lungs check out clear.

Yep! I mean, if it doesn’t get any better then we have to go to an exotic vet which is fine but the best part about our vet experience yesterday was that she got told she was the best guinea pig theyve ever handled! I came home, proud of her, then she showed me up by being a little menace!