Guinea Pig Breathing Problems

Guinea pigs are very docile animals and both young and old owners have enjoyed their quirky behavior and companionship. Also known as cavies, guinea pigs generally live between five and seven years. However, like all mammals, they are susceptible to certain diseases and conditions that can affect the quality of their lives. A guinea pig that is exhibiting any sort of breathing problem should be taken to an experienced veterinarian immediately in an attempt to treat the condition before it becomes fatal.

  1. Identification

    • Veterinarians will be able to diagnose any abnormal breathing symptoms in guinea pigs by listening to their hearts with a stethoscope and by conducting further diagnostic testing, including X-rays and blood tests. However, owners can also be on the lookout for specific symptoms at home also. Any obvious labored breathing or wheezing, gasping, raspy sounding breathing, watery or fluttering breathing sound, clicking noises when breathing or an owl-like hooting noise all point to respiratory distress, according to Cavy Information International.

    Types

    • Guinea pigs that are showing evidence of breathing problems in addition to a loss of appetite, lethargy and discharge around the nose and/or eyes may be suffering from pneumonia or an upper respiratory infection. If breathing is labored and the guinea pig has a blue tinge to its lips or nose, it may be suffering from a heart condition, like congestive heart failure.

    Considerations

    • Although genetics may ultimately be responsible for any breathing disorders affecting a guinea pig, owners can take certain precautions to try to prevent any irritation to the windpipe and air passages. For example, it is recommended that the cavy's cage be lined with some sort of recycled paper product rather than pine shavings, which tend to be dusty and can cause breathing problems, sore noses and possibly even liver damage, according to the eRodent website.

    Expert Insight

    • According to the Guinea Lynx website, an ill guinea pig can deteriorate very quickly and they don't typically recover from ailments without human intervention. Because they are prey animals, they tend to hide symptoms of weakness for a long time so that by the time the symptoms are obvious the illness is often very advanced. Prompt care from an experienced exotics veterinarian can be the difference between life and death.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Similar to humans, an overweight guinea pig can experience labored breathing and difficulty with mobility. A proper diet, which consists of a daily, measured amount of timothy-based pellets, timothy hay and fresh vegetable treats like carrots and leaf lettuce will help keep obesity at bay. And daily spot cleanings of wet areas of the animal's habitat will rid the cage of wet and spoiled bedding, which can cause pneumonia.