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Making a weird sound...

  • Thread starter Thread starter DM270921
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DM270921

I've very recently started hearing Sam the piggie making weird noises in his mouth. It's like he's got excess saliva in there or something similar. Sometimes when he does it his cheeks move up and down a fair bit too. Anyone know what this is or has anyone had a similar experience? Also a few times when he does it (or after) he opens his mouth like he's yawning but makes a noise like a small furball is getting coughed up (very small sound, not like choking or hacking). I have only noticed this in the last few days and it's usually right before I give him breakfast (veggies) - I'll offer him the veggies and then he'll pause and do the weird noises for a few seconds... I've never heard anything like it before so am of course stressing myself out (as an FYI - his partner in crime, Frodo, has never made these noises)
 
I can’t tell from what you say. Perhaps try recording a video and posting a link here? Otherwise as usual we recommend you take to the vet.
 
Thank you, I'll try to catch it on video tomorrow at breakfast - it's quite quiet though so I'm not sure if it would pick it up...
 
gerbilord said:
I've very recently started hearing Sam the piggie making weird noises in his mouth. It's like he's got excess saliva in there or something similar. Sometimes when he does it his cheeks move up and down a fair bit too. Anyone know what this is or has anyone had a similar experience? Also a few times when he does it (or after) he opens his mouth like he's yawning but makes a noise like a small furball is getting coughed up (very small sound, not like choking or hacking). I have only noticed this in the last few days and it's usually right before I give him breakfast (veggies) - I'll offer him the veggies and then he'll pause and do the weird noises for a few seconds... I've never heard anything like it before so am of course stressing myself out (as an FYI - his partner in crime, Frodo, has never made these noises)
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Please have your boy vet checked as soon as you can get an appointment; he may have overgrown back teeth or oral thrush. Salivating is always a sign of either swallowing problems or a blockage in the gut.

If salivation is coming on very suddenly and your piggy is deteriorating very quickly, then you are dealing with a blockage somewhere in the digestive tract between the mouth and the anus. This is an emergency.

In the meantime, please switch from the usual once weekly weigh-in and body check to weighing daily at the same time and stepping in with support feed as necessary. Mushed up pellets will do in a pinch. Please keep in mind that hay makes about 80% of what your piggy eats in a day but is the food group you cannot control by eye, and it is generally the first impacted by a health issue. A small bowl of preferably green veg and 1 tablespoon of pellets are more in the way of an afternoon snack and a dessert.


Please take the time to read this link here, in which we have collected all relevant information and practical tips on how to look after an ill piggy until they can be vet checked and until any medication and treatment can kick in: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
 
Oh god, ok I'll have a read of the link now, do you know who are the recommended piggy vets for Buckinghamshire? Thanks for the detailed answer.
 
gerbilord said:
Oh god, ok I'll have a read of the link now, do you know who are the recommended piggy vets for Buckinghamshire? Thanks for the detailed answer.
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For potential dental problems, the Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton is by far the best place; they are seeing dental piggies from as far as Edinburgh and Cornwall and doing about 25 piggy dentals every week - that is more than most general vets do in their whole career or exotics vets in several months or even a year. A vet appointment with a specialist vet is counts as a valid travel reason; especially as you are not all that far away. it is really worth it as they have exactly the kind of experience you are looking for with these symptoms. they will however only open again after new year; you may want to try for one of their daily emergency slots by ringing first thing in the morning.
https://www.northlands-vets.co.uk/cat-and-rabbit-clinic

As long as your boy is still eating and not vigorously refusing any feed, the 'inner conveyor belt' is still working and it is not a life or death emergency or a race for pts; but he may profit from extra fibre to keep his gut balanced in the meantime. We can only guess and not replace a hands-on vet visit.
 
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