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Has your guinea ever croaked like a frog?

S

Surfergirl

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi I’m brand new to this forum.

For the last two weeks, my guinea has been croaking like a frog with every single breath. It is not a crackle, definitely a croak. I have been to the vets twice. He said that there is no temperature, she’s feeding well and behaving as normal. Poo normal, no discharge from eyes or mouth, so appears very healthy otherwise.

The vet couldn’t tell where the noise was coming from and didn’t know what it was. He has given two lots of antibiotics and a powder to reduce any mucus (don’t think there is any or I’d assume they’d be a runny nose). No change whatsoever.

I have seen a similar thread on here some years ago, but no outcome. Same when I google it, vets seem baffled and no diagnosis.
Had anyone experienced this please and has been told by a vet what it is?
Thank you
 
How has her weight been and was her chest clear when the vet checked her?
 
Thank you for replying!
Her weight is stable, always been a good eater! The vet didn’t think it was her chest. I understand respiratory infection is more of a crackle, and the vet said it is likely the other guinea she lives with would have it too?
 
Oh yes, I see. Her urine is the normal healthy colour and if it was that, would two different doses of antibiotics not cleared it up?
Is croaky breathing a sign of a uti?
I’m assuming because of clear urine and no temperature the vet rules this out?
 
Surfergirl said:
Oh yes, I see. Her urine is the normal healthy colour and if it was that, would two different doses of antibiotics not cleared it up?
Is croaky breathing a sign of a uti?
I’m assuming because of clear urine and no temperature the vet rules this out?
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Siikibam said:
One having a URI doesn’t mean the other would have it.
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Sorry I misunderstood, is that an upper respiratory infection? The vet said if it was a chest infection the other would have it, is that not correct? I’ve no idea as never come across this problem before.
 
Surfergirl said:
Sorry I misunderstood, is that an upper respiratory infection? The vet said if it was a chest infection the other would have it, is that not correct? I’ve no idea as never come across this problem before.
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A URI is an upper respiratory infection. Its not correct that if one gets it the cage mate does as well. It is entirely likely that the cage mates immune system fights it off and you only ever have one piggy suffering with a respiratory infection at any one time and all other piggies remain well

A UTI is a urinary tract infection.
 
Yes it’s an upper respiratory infection. Just because one has it doesn’t guarantee that the other will have it as well.
 
Piggies&buns said:
A URI is an upper respiratory infection. Its not correct that if one gets it the cage mate does as well. It is entirely likely that the cage mates immune system fights it off and you only ever have one piggy suffering with a respiratory infection at any one time and all other piggies remain well

A UTI is a urinary tract infection.
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Thank you, I was getting uti and uri mixed up! Ok, so that’s the opposite of what the vet said. He didn’t seem too knowledgeable to be honest and I left a second time still without a diagnosis.
Would she have a temperature with a uri? Would be she off colour, not eating or runny nose/eye?
What would the next step be please? He said there are no other antibiotics suitable. I’m at a loss what to do next. She does seem absolutely fine in herself otherwise, but I’d hate her to be suffering.
 
Thank you for your reply. I live in south Cornwall and the nearest vet at Saltash doesn’t say it’s an exotics vet. Should I be seeking a specialist or are these vets recommended by members please?
I have read the uri link. My piggy isn’t sneezing, doesn’t have a runny nose or eye, isn’t lethargic and is eating as normal. I agree it could still be a uri, would anyone be able to tell me how many courses of antibiotics are required to treat an uri please? We’ve done two courses plus a powder for treatment of mucus and the croaky breathing is still the same.
thank you.
 
Any vets on the locator come recommended, even if they don’t say they’re exotics specialists. I would call and see if you can get an appointment. There’s a few others around Saltash that you could try as well.
 
Thank you. I’ll like to ring round and find someone who may specialise more or have more experience with guineas. I feel the £100 I’ve just spent was a complete waste. I can’t see any others on there from Saltash?
Interesting the next nearest on the list is Calweton which is where I took my guinea. I certainly wouldn’t recommend them as they haven’t been able to diagnose or successfully treat my guinea.
Should I maybe find an exotics vet, or are they few and far between please?
 
The ones on the list are recommended so any of them should be fine.

One is in Callington and another in Plymouth. And in Ivybridge. I’m afraid vets down there are a bit sparse the further you go towards the coast
 
Ok thank you. The one in callington has failed to help so I’ll try another. May I ask who has recommended these vets please?
 
Will they respond on here? Sorry, I’m brand new so not familiar with how this works.
 
It may be the vet practise was recommended some time ago and the vet/vets that were good with guinea pigs are no longer there. Do you have a guinea pig rescue anywhere near you? If you do it would be worth ringing them and finding out where they take their piggies.
 
Thank you. I have already emailed a local rescue centre I used for boarding when we went away, but haven’t heard anything. I can try to find another.
Maybe the vet I used should be removed from the recommended vet list, the vet said he sees one guinea a week, which says it all really.
 
Surfergirl said:
Sorry I misunderstood, is that an upper respiratory infection? The vet said if it was a chest infection the other would have it, is that not correct? I’ve no idea as never come across this problem before.
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No, it's quite possible for one to have a respiratory infection without the other. A lot of factors play into whether pigs present with symptoms, including age, general condition, etc. I've had a pig treated for a chest infection without their cagemate ever getting sick. It's also possible to have a chest infection without a runny nose... I've had a pig in the past treated for a chest infection without any real symptoms other than hooting when breathing. Definitely worth a second opinion here... I've never had a pig make a croaking noise, but any persistent breathing sound I would feel better covering with antibiotics for a chest infection to be safe.
 
Freela said:
No, it's quite possible for one to have a respiratory infection without the other. A lot of factors play into whether pigs present with symptoms, including age, general condition, etc. I've had a pig treated for a chest infection without their cagemate ever getting sick. It's also possible to have a chest infection without a runny nose... I've had a pig in the past treated for a chest infection without any real symptoms other than hooting when breathing. Definitely worth a second opinion here... I've never had a pig make a croaking noise, but any persistent breathing sound I would feel better covering with antibiotics for a chest infection to be safe.
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Thank you for replying. I spoke to a different vet today who did sound far more competent. She told me that the second antibiotic I was given is not licensed for use in the uk for guineas! She suggested trying another course of Baytril. She thinks it’s a lower respiratory infection and said that’s more common than upper in guineas.
Fingers crossed it works. She’s otherwise extremely healthy and always been stronger than her friend. Still eating like mad and has always had a very healthy guinea diet.
I think it looks like a tiny spot coming on her eye today, I assume that it somehow related?
 
Surfergirl said:
Thank you for replying. I spoke to a different vet today who did sound far more competent. She told me that the second antibiotic I was given is not licensed for use in the uk for guineas! She suggested trying another course of Baytril. She thinks it’s a lower respiratory infection and said that’s more common than upper in guineas.
Fingers crossed it works. She’s otherwise extremely healthy and always been stronger than her friend. Still eating like mad and has always had a very healthy guinea diet.
I think it looks like a tiny spot coming on her eye today, I assume that it somehow related?
Click to expand...
I would ask about the eye too, it could easily be a poke injury from hay. Spots on the eye really aren't connected to chest infections at all. Good luck at your appointment!
 
Freela said:
I would ask about the eye too, it could easily be a poke injury from hay. Spots on the eye really aren't connected to chest infections at all. Good luck at your appointment!
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Thank you for the advice. What do they usually give for hay poke please?
 
Freela said:
No, it's quite possible for one to have a respiratory infection without the other. A lot of factors play into whether pigs present with symptoms, including age, general condition, etc. I've had a pig treated for a chest infection without their cagemate ever getting sick. It's also possible to have a chest infection without a runny nose... I've had a pig in the past treated for a chest infection without any real symptoms other than hooting when breathing. Definitely worth a second opinion here... I've never had a pig make a croaking noise, but any persistent breathing sound I would feel better covering with antibiotics for a chest infection to be safe.
Click to expand...
I forgot to ask how long it took for the chest infection to clear please? This has been going on two weeks now and I know they can go downhill fast. Three vets visits so far, not sure what else I can do at present, but am getting worried.
 
Surfergirl said:
I forgot to ask how long it took for the chest infection to clear please? This has been going on two weeks now and I know they can go downhill fast. Three vets visits so far, not sure what else I can do at present, but am getting worried.
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It really can depend. Some infections can progress really quickly... others can stay at a low level for awhile. When Hadley had a chest infection it took quite a while to get it clear, because the first antibiotic she took wasn't a good match for whatever she had. She did a course of antibiotics and improved but not to 100%, then worsened again off the meds, took a second course of the same antibiotic and again improved but not 100%, then a third course of a different antibiotic that finally fixed the issue. All told it was probably about a month of various treatments.
 
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