Mute or Sick Guinea Pig?

[AppleandTwig]

Hi one of my Guinea pigs recently passed away, his partner never really made much sounds. But after the passing we realized his partner didn’t make sounds at all, other then the occasional chatter after his friends death.

It’s been about 2 weeks and we are still searching for a new home (sadly) for our piggy as we are unable to adopt another pig. But I’ve noticed that my piggy is making like snorting sounds, like muffled, grunts, and such. He’s never made sounds like this and I am super worried. I’m thinking maybe he’s trying to learn to make sounds, but I’m not sure, do you think I should get this checked out? Or maybe HELP. his breathing is grunting like that now, I need help. Help. Help. Please.

 

[Piggies&buns]

If his breathing is grunty, wheezy or otherwise noisy or laboured, then please do see a vet

 

[AppleandTwig]

Well I just learned that the reason my other Guinea pig passed is the vet did something. So, we are trying to find another clinic, his breathing is really horrible, and it only started up a few minutes ago maybe 10 so I’m really, really worried

 

[Wiebke]

Well I just learned that the reason my other Guinea pig passed is the vet did something. So, we are trying to find another clinic, his breathing is really horrible, and it only started up a few minutes ago maybe 10 so I’m really, really worried

Place a bowl of steaming water next to the cage and see whether it helps ease the breathing.

Hold your ear next to the nose, the throat and the chest and see where the sound are coming from. If it is from the lungs then that is worrying.

Could you please tell us exactly what the companion has died from? It may inform any advice and recommendations we would give.

 

[AppleandTwig]

Place a bowl of steaming water next to the cage and see whether it helps ease the breathing.

Hold your ear next to the nose, the throat and the chest and see where the sound are coming from. If it is from the lungs then that is worrying.

Could you please tell us exactly what the companion has died from? It may inform any advice and recommendations we would give.

Hi thanks so much for the advice! We’ve made a vet appointment unfortunately soonest is in a week, but he’s doing better now.

His partner died of cancer, a tumour in his jaw that was removed. He also did have some breathing issues that occurred in his last week, they weren’t horrible, but after the surgery we were informed he was put on oxygen for an hour. So unconfirmed respiratory issue that contaminated the cage is my worry. It’s been cleaned twice since then so I’m not worried about it still being there. But if it does exist and his partner did get it might be a problem. Anyway sorry if this doesn’t make any sense, thanks for the help!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi thanks so much for the advice! We’ve made a vet appointment unfortunately soonest is in a week, but he’s doing better now.

His partner died of cancer, a tumour in his jaw that was removed. He also did have some breathing issues that occurred in his last week, they weren’t horrible, but after the surgery we were informed he was put on oxygen for an hour. So unconfirmed respiratory issue that contaminated the cage is my worry. It’s been cleaned twice since then so I’m not worried about it still being there. But if it does exist and his partner did get it might be a problem. Anyway sorry if this doesn’t make any sense, thanks for the help!

Respiratory bugs are transmitted directly from pig to pig; they are not picked up from the environment.

Breathing issues can also be caused by dust (hay or house), dry indoors air with radiators on full, sented candles etc.
Irritants to Avoid Around Guinea Pigs

PS: The GA itself can sometimes cause temporary noisy breathing issues post-op.