Guinea Pig Clicking Noise

[PotatoandBessie]

Hello
my guinea pig Potato has been making this clicking noise for 3 weeks. A little history, potato would make this clicking noise and we were told by our local pet store this was normal and that she was in heat. Recently we have learned this to be inaccurate, which is unfortunate. In the past this noise would evidently coincide with her heat cycle, generally lasting 2 days maximum . We have contacted our vet and have an appointment next wednesday ( in 5 days) , but I am worried this is to far away. My vet does have an ER however appointments are “scarce” according to their website. I will obviously take her to the ER if necessary but am wondering if anyone else has any suggestions or an idea if we should wait to this appointment. She is doing everything else normal, eating, drinking, pooping, peeing, and being very active (which is her usual). We weighed her yesterday and she had lost not weight since her last vet appointment 2 months ago. Thanks for your help!

 

[Wiebke]

Hello
my guinea pig Potato has been making this clicking noise for 3 weeks. A little history, potato would make this clicking noise and we were told by our local pet store this was normal and that she was in heat. Recently we have learned this to be inaccurate, which is unfortunate. In the past this noise would evidently coincide with her heat cycle, generally lasting 2 days maximum . We have contacted our vet and have an appointment next wednesday ( in 5 days) , but I am worried this is to far away. My vet does have an ER however appointments are “scarce” according to their website. I will obviously take her to the ER if necessary but am wondering if anyone else has any suggestions or an idea if we should wait to this appointment. She is doing everything else normal, eating, drinking, pooping, peeing, and being very active (which is her usual). We weighed her yesterday and she had lost not weight since her last vet appointment 2 months ago. Thanks for your help!

Hi

Could you please tell us whether the clicking sound is from the mouth, the nose, the chest or somewhere else?

 

[PotatoandBessie]

the nose. She doesn’t seem to have the heavy breathing or straining in the abdomen which we are looking out for closely.

 

[Wiebke]

the nose. She doesn’t seem to have the heavy breathing or straining in the abdomen which we are looking out for closely.

Thank you.

In this case, it is likely caused by some kind of partial obstruction in the nasal passages that becomes audible whenever your girl is more active and breathing more deeply/frequently. These passages are very narrow and - since guinea pigs are not much in the way of mouth breathers - always very audible. Seeing that it is a recurring issue and since partial or full blockages can be formed by some rather weird and wonderful things (including polyps or teeth growing the wrong way, both thankfully rare), it is worth seeing a vet for a more thorough investigation.

It may however be that they cannot find anything and that it could be just caused by a little water or saliva getting into the nose. Only a hands-on examination can tell.

 

[PotatoandBessie]

Thank you.

In this case, it is likely caused by some kind of obstruction in the nasal passages that becomes audible whenever your girl is more active and breathing more deeply/frequently. These passages are very narrow and - since guinea pigs are not much in the way of mouth breathers - always very audible. Seeing that it is a recurring issue and since partial or full blockages can be formed by some rather weird and wonderful things (including polyps or teeth growing the wrong way, both thankfully rare), it is worth seeing a vet for a more thorough investigation. It may however be that they cannot find anything and that it could be just caused by a little water or saliva getting into the nose. Only a hands-on examination can tell.

Thank you so much for this. Do you think it is okay to wait the 5 days or go to the ER vet?

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much for this. Do you think it is okay to wait the 5 days or go to the ER vet?

Yes, since this is an ongoing issue that is not causing any impact on her general health and weight (especially weight loss/loss of appetite or mobility), sight, heavy sheer bleeding or severe pain etc., it is something that can definitely wait for a regular appointment.
Hopefully it is just a very minor issue. The nose is in most cases the most harmless place for clicking to happen.

You may find this guide link here helpful as a bit of a directive: How Soon Should My Guinea Pig See A Vet? - A Quick Guide