Lost Squeak but Clicking instead, for months?

[George&Nugget]

Hi, our eldest boy, George (who turns 4 in December), started clicking instead of squeaking about 4 months ago. He lost his companion, was very down in the dumps for a couple of weeks and then perked up when we got him a new little friend. They were bonded properly, neutrally and gradually and have a healthy relationship. However, a few weeks after we adopted Nugget (his younger companion) we went away for 10 days. Our neighbour fed them for us and messaged me to say she’d noticed George was clicking rather than squeaking, whilst we were away. Initially I was worried, as I know this is usually an indicator for respiratory illness AND we’d just lost his pal to something similar very suddenly. However, when we returned after 10 days away, he was still clicking but absolutely fine in himself: eating, drinking, pooping, popcorning, coming to me at feeding time, playing with Nugget, snuggling for cuddles etc. I haven’t heard him squeak since we got Nugget, he just clicks instead. I’ve watched his belly when breathing, it is completely regular. However, when I hold his belly to my ear, the clicking sounds more like a rattling sound. I’m just baffled because he really does seem fine in himself (I’ve had piggies for over 25 years and know the signs for poorly little ones. I also know how rapidly they decline when ill).

Has anyone else ever come across this? I wondered if it could be something stress related after losing his companion? Or perhaps he isn’t as happy with his new friend as I thought? (Although if that’s the case, this is the only sign I’ve seen apart from some teeth chattering when they both go for the same veggies sometimes) Any help greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[Claire W]

My Elizabeth was making weird clicking / snuffling sounds so I took her to the vets even though she had no other symptoms. Initially she was prescribed antibiotics for a uri and when it didn’t clear after the antibiotics finished I took her back. She saw the small animal specialist who said the noise was coming from her nose and she didn’t have a uri so he was reluctant to prescribe her any more antibiotics. Her heart and lungs sounded healthy. I was told it could be a bit of hay fever or something in her environment and to keep an eye on her. She’s stopped making the clicking noise now so I’m still stumped at what it was. But please do have him checked to rule out a uri or the beginning of one x