Whistling Noise When Breathing Out

[Lynette09]

Hi Everyone

I have posted previously about our boy Oliver who is 6 years old and looking for advise as this site and the people have been helpful and gave personal insights.

Oliver had started making wheezing/whistling type noises a few months ago and since then he has been on Baytril, Septrin and still getting Bisolvon.

His lungs don't sound too bad although vet had said something about when exhaling (sorry I can't remember word). On the most part Oliver has been fine but sometimes will get wheezy for a few hours and then it goes. Tonight however it's ongoing although he's still doing everything.

He's still eating (1.5kg) same as he's always been, interested in stuff although he does sleep a fair bit now but he is getting old.

I am going to take Oliver to the vets Monday for another check up, but the vet had said last time about giving him a steroid shot to boost his lungs. However, he would need to come off of his Metacam which he gets daily (0.2ml) for arthritis in front paw. As you can imagine I am not keen pulling him off the Metacam as it makes a difference and he has a good quality of life.

After researching I am wondering if this could be heart related and if anyone has any insight? The vet said there was no murmurs or anything untoward when he was checked last time.

I just wish he could talk as my worst fear is he is suffering although there is no change in him and it doesn't seem to distress him but we all know it's horrible having a stuffed up nose.

I'm sorry for such a long post and would appreciate any experiences or insight as I want to do anything I can for him.

Thank you for reading.

 

[sport_billy]

Poor little handsome dude... Did the Bisolven make any difference?

So the noise in only on exhaling? The vet said lungs were clear? Maybe worth asking the vet regarding possible allergies?

The Steroid would help any inflammation in the foot, but wouldn't cover the pain relief metacam provides... Tagging in @helen105281 @Jaycey @Elwickcavies

 

[piggieminder]

He is a lovely guinea, sorry to hear he is unwell. Just thought I would draw your attention to this sticky in case it helps you make a decision.The Problems With Steroids And Why They Shouldn't Be Used.

 

[helen105281]

Would your vet be willing to do a conscious x-ray? That way they could check to see if the heart is enlarged or if there is fluid either around the heart or on his lungs. As he is making the noise when breathing out though it reminds me of my Tabitha who has narrowed airways. The vet has suggested using a nebuliser when needed and also taking her in a steamy bathroom. You could look at putting a bowl of steaming water next to his cage with a couple of drops of olbas oil in it too.

For heart issues there would possibly be other symptoms like laboured breathing, weight loss , blue tinge to nose or other extremities, Bumblefoot, abdominal bloating or difficult to rouse when sleeping. They can also hoot which is sometimes followed by a cough though Tabitha does this and a heart issue has been ruled out by an experienced vet.

 

[helen105281]

The only reason I am suggesting the x-ray is done conscious is in case of a heart issue. Otherwise a whiff of gas can help the vet get the right position for a clear x-ray.

 

[Lynette09]

Hi sport_billy

Thank you for your comment. It seems to be only when he exhales that the wheeze/whistling noise is there at times. He also at times looks like he works harder at his breathing, in that it is more prominent at the sides of his back.

That is the reason I took him back last time to vets and he was put on Septrin and steroids were discussed. He has also had only one nostril that gets wet and still does at times.

I'm not 100% convinced that's the way to go as I honestly can't say there is a definite pattern to this as it's still on and off after Baytril and Septrin. Nights tend to be when I notice it more though.

He gets his Bisolvon in the morning sprinkled on chopped up cucumber. He likes his food and always demolishes it haha It did have a positive impact when he started on it. Never got rid of the problem 100% but helped.

Can I give Bisolvon twice a day? I have researched but as usual there's not much info out there for these wee guys.

Thank you piggieminder. I looked at the link and not keen on that route anyway as surely there would be something obvious when listening to his lungs?

I just want to do what's best for him and not try this and that and pull him off pain medication for something that may not work. He's too old to be going through that. He likes his comforts haha

He's on fleece and I use Burgess Excel hay and also Timothy Alfalfa hay which I know can be dusty sometimes.

 

[Lynette09]

Hi Helen

Your message must have come through when I was doing last comment.

I will ask vet on Monday about a conscious X-ray. He had a procedure a year ago on back teeth as he had stopped eating. It took them 4 hours to rouse him properly and had phoned me to say they may need to give him something but my little guy woke up himself properly. Picked him up later that night and it was like he had had a night on the drink : / Know he's getting quite old for going under so will mention about little gas if needed.

Some of the symptoms of heart is what Oliver has. Prominent breathing at times, terrible to wake sometimes to the point I freak. The one sided nasal discharge I'm not sure of.

One thing I do wonder and I have googled is Olivers leg with the arthritis has a swollen foot and turned a little. It wasn't my exotic vet that checked but she said the swelling was due to arthritis but the pics I have looked at of Bumblefoot don't match.

How is Tabitha doing? Is she on medication for it? I have put a bowl of steaming water next to his cage but will buy Olbas oil tomorrow. I have also sat in my bathroom with him whilst it steamed up a bit and did seem to help last time.

I honestly cannot thank everyone enough on here that helps and gives their own personal insights.

 

[helen105281]

She is doing ok at the moment. Hasn't needed the nebuliser since her vet visit, though we have it on standby.

My heart pigs (I currently have 2) were given a 2 week trial of heart meds which they improved on so that gave us our answer. They are on Benazepril which is an ACE inhibator.

 

[Lynette09]

That's great news on all your guys are doing well on their meds.

Before I came back on everything was going through my mind, but this is why this site is great. It's not always as bad as what the imagination can play, as in there is medications out there to help them.

Just need to work out once and for all what is causing this as I truly don't believe it's a URI and even my vet was just being cautious with the antibiotics. The reason she wasn't sure was because it's only 1 nostril he gets discharge out of.

They might be little guys, but they certainly grab your heart and have their personalities : )