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Guinea pig breaths loudly / wheezy

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dobson156

New Born Pup
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Hi everyone

I have just rehomed a guinea pig after one of my two Guinea Pigs died (my other post on this forum) so I am back up to two and they've bonded really well, which I am really happy about. They're the same age and sex so it couldn't be a better match really.

But one thing I've noticed taking the new guinea pig in is that my other one, Herbie, breathes really quite loudly. He's a 4 year old male and mostly lives outside except when its cold.

I've done some reading up on this on the web, but most of the resources I've found have told me to look out for him struggling to breath, looking like he's out of breath or breathing rapidly. But he's not, he's just loud. He seems otherwise very comfortable and certainly not in any distress.

When he's running around he and he's breathing more heavily he gets a bit louder, as well as when you pick him up, possibly even wheezy. The only other thing of not is he does seem to sneeze and sniff quite a bit.

I can't remember how longs he's been like this, it was just when I've compared to his new house mate its quite noticeable, he might have always been this way/

Should I be concerned or is it just a quirk of his?
 
If he has always been like this and is not otherwise unwell, it may be his normal. However, any breathing issue should be checked by a vet before looking at any other possible environmental issue.

However, and being outside I’m assuming he is bedded on an absorbent layer and then the hutch stuffed with hay? Is the hay dusty at all?
 
Thanks for the reply.

Piggies&buns said:
However, and being outside I’m assuming he is bedded on an absorbent layer and then the hutch stuffed with hay? Is the hay dusty at all?
Click to expand...
Yep, the flooring is wood shavings and timothy hay (in fact, I am wondering if it started when I switch to timothy hay rather than just "normal" hay). It doesn't seem overly dusted and it is marketed for pets. I might try using normal hay for a bit after this pack runs out and see if there is a difference in his breathing. It does kind sound a bit asthmatic, but other than the sound his breathing seems alright.

If it doesn't seem like there is much need to worry, I'll just leave it until I have to take one of them to the vets in the future. As I said, he otherwise seems happy.
 
dobson156 said:
Thanks for the reply.


Yep, the flooring is wood shavings and timothy hay (in fact, I am wondering if it started when I switch to timothy hay rather than just "normal" hay). It doesn't seem overly dusted and it is marketed for pets. I might try using normal hay for a bit after this pack runs out and see if there is a difference in his breathing. It does kind sound a bit asthmatic, but other than the sound his breathing seems alright.

If it doesn't seem like there is much need to worry, I'll just leave it until I have to take one of them to the vets in the future. As I said, he otherwise seems happy.
Click to expand...

Outdoor piggies need a hutch filled with lots of soft meadow hay for warmth, insulation and bedding. Timothy hay can be added for eating but it’s not really suitable as a bedding hay.
Wood shavings are fine as bedding but they can irritate some piggies. There are alternatives which can be less dusty - aubiose, snowflake soft chip etc.
As I say though, a health check with a vet needs to come first to rule out/deal with any medical issues before you start trying out other beddings etc
 
Thanks, that's good advice. They're definitely warm and I bring them in when it gets cold.
But I'll try those other options out and see if that changes his breathing.

He did get a check up when I took Fela (who died) to the vet. Unsurprisingly I am not filled with a lot of confidence about that vet after that, I spoke to a local Guinea Pig rescue centre (when looking for a new house mate for Herbie) and they said there aren't really any great vets for gpigs in the area. High Peak/Stockport (North West, UK).
 
So do you bring them in and then put them back out when it warms up a bit, potentially a few days later?
I'm only asking because those kinds of temperature fluctuations needs to be avoided. If it gets cold and they need to come indoors, they then really need to stay in for the rest of winter and can’t be put back outside until April/May time when frosts have passed.

Local rescues are usually very good for getting advice about vets nearby given they are going to need them regularly. This is our Recommended Guinea Pig Vets, in case it is of any use to you
 
ermm they go into my workshop which is not heat but doesn't get cold either.
I do however bring them inside to pet them and let them run around everyday but thats only really for 20mins at a time.
 
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