Hi, so for nearly two years now my 6 year old penny has had a wheezing/“hooting” issue as some may call it. Having episodes of this “hooting” usually happening 1-2 times a week to 1-2 a month depending on the season. Tends to be more frequent during the hot months and less frequent during cold months. Ive also had these episodes happen on days her hay needs a restock in her cage (shes a lone pig for special reasons so her hay doesnt needs an every other day refill) which i assume is from dust. Anyway, i took her in for a check up with my vet so i could ask her about this and her likelihood of having arthritis. Her response to the hooting was that since shes had it for so long and is completely healthy otherwise, its ruled out this is not an infection of sorts. So she told me unless her health deteriorates, theres not much we can do. At the time the hooting was barely once a week in the month of november, so i went with this. But now the hot summer months have returned, the hooting has significantly gotten worse. She has been having these night/early morning episodes of hooting nearly 4 times a week. She will only have these episodes in the night/early morning, which i find strange. Also, her cage is located upstairs, where its signifigantly warmer. I plan on getting a fan to let blow far from the cage just to circulate the air; i know in humans asthma tends to worsen in heat. These episodes can last a while and they do seem to stress her a little bit; but ive also seen her sleep through them, eat through them, drink through them- pretty much act entirely normal despite the obvious discomfort. Which eases my mind a little bit, but i still get so upset hearing it and often will stay up to make sure shes alright. The only thing that makes these episodes stop sooner is if she coughs, which shes done before during an episode, but lately she hasnt been able to.
Now, I'm not asking to be told to just “go back to the vet”. I understand thats what i have to do. What I'm asking from anyone really is if this is sounds like an asthma issue and if there is ANYTNING at home i can personally do to make her more comfortable or help her through these episodes. I'm also asking if anyone knows any sort of medications i can bring up to my vet that i can give her to possible lessen or rid of these episodes entirely. Ive heard of metacam being an anti inflammatory and also bactrim (i think i spelles that right). But if anyone knows of something better then please let me know. Any information is helpful. Also, reminder, penny is an old girl and any medication is a risk on her kidneys. If the medication is heavy please say so.
EXTRA INFO
Her cage is a 2x4 and she tends to like her hidey hut close to her “kitchen” area due to the fact she has minor arthritis and sleeps more often. This makes her close to her possibly dusty hay 24-7. Her bedding is fleece and is given daily spot cleans with the weekly machine wash. No chemicals (besides distilled vinegar) or dryer sheets ever used.
Other then the hooting and minor arthritis, she has no other compelling issues and is completely healthy otherwise with no past/current signs or illness or infection.
Side note: please, no rude or hateful remarks. At the end of the day, my little girl is everything to me and i came here to help her. I understand ive made some mistakes, but i want to fix this. Thank you.
Now, I'm not asking to be told to just “go back to the vet”. I understand thats what i have to do. What I'm asking from anyone really is if this is sounds like an asthma issue and if there is ANYTNING at home i can personally do to make her more comfortable or help her through these episodes. I'm also asking if anyone knows any sort of medications i can bring up to my vet that i can give her to possible lessen or rid of these episodes entirely. Ive heard of metacam being an anti inflammatory and also bactrim (i think i spelles that right). But if anyone knows of something better then please let me know. Any information is helpful. Also, reminder, penny is an old girl and any medication is a risk on her kidneys. If the medication is heavy please say so.
EXTRA INFO
Her cage is a 2x4 and she tends to like her hidey hut close to her “kitchen” area due to the fact she has minor arthritis and sleeps more often. This makes her close to her possibly dusty hay 24-7. Her bedding is fleece and is given daily spot cleans with the weekly machine wash. No chemicals (besides distilled vinegar) or dryer sheets ever used.
Other then the hooting and minor arthritis, she has no other compelling issues and is completely healthy otherwise with no past/current signs or illness or infection.
Side note: please, no rude or hateful remarks. At the end of the day, my little girl is everything to me and i came here to help her. I understand ive made some mistakes, but i want to fix this. Thank you.
