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Possible heart problems, what do I do?

winifredandalp

winifredandalp

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Dec 29, 2017
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Location
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Hello, it’s been a while since I made a post on here. My guinea pigs are coming up to 4 years old in November, but Alp has been having problems with breathing it seems since December. Money is really tight so we cannot afford to get her to a vet which is really making me worry. She makes a honking sound at night and it has been on and off for months, but over the past few days she’s been doing it all day. When I watch her breathing it’s very rapid and hard, unlike Winifred where her breathing eases in and out. She also can’t seem to get comfortable when laying down. She’s still eating and drinking fine! I just would like to know if she’s in pain and whether, maybe, it would be better for her to put her to sleep :( Of course I would love to do anything to help but unfortunately we don’t have the funds and she seems to be deteriorating.. Attached is a video of the noise at one of the worst times, and shown is how she sometimes coughs and it goes away. This made me think it was food stuck in the throat, but this has been going for months and it would’ve dislodged by now. It also can’t be a URI, as she is an indoor pig and has not come into contact with any other guinea pigs. Someone suggested allergies to me but said they’d suspect sneezing rather than coughing.
https://imgur.com/a/mU7ARz2
 
The cough at the end sounds like something is stuck - like when they eat too fast and cough to clear their airway.

I’m afraid she really does need to see a vet. There is nothing else you can do. Is there any way you could borrow money from family or friends. Or speak to the vet about a payment plan? There is a last resort but I think you want to avoid that.

Being an indoor pig and not coming in contact with others doesn’t mean she can’t catch a URI. Does she live alone or next door to another piggy (or piggies)?
 
She does have 1 cagemate Winifred who shows none of the symptoms Alp is experiencing.. I definitely thought it was food stuck for a long while because she eats very fast and has always been the greedier pig, but I don't see how it could be causing problems for this long :( I didn't know that about URI's! I read that they only get them from those 2 things, so the more you know. I'm looking for extra work right now, hoping she can pull through long enough (like these past months) that I can get her the help she needs.
 
I’m really sorry about your situation, but you can’t have her wait any longer to see the vet. Are you not able to borrow money from anyone at all, or speak to the vet about a (manageable for you) payment plan? I know she’s been like this for months and given that, I’d try to get her seen.

The last resort is to surrender her and her friend to a rescue so that she can be treated. I know that’s not what you want, hence calling it a last resort. If you can’t offer her the vet trip she needs (anytime soon) then you have to think about her welfare.

I hope you find a solution that works for everyone. Changes in circumstances can be really tough ☹️
 
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