URI or Anxiety?

[MediaCrisis]

I recently adopted two young guinea pigs. I've had the for about a week, and I've noticed that one of them (Midori) has been breathing more heavily than the other (Moxie). I don't know if shes nervous since this is a new home or if this is a sign of a possible URI.

When I pet Midori, whe shakes and purrs/rumbles. I'm pretty sure she is expressing annoyance, its not a wheek type sound. She also seems to shake off Moxie when Moxie tries to cuddle near her read.

Midori also nibbles on my hand when I hold her (she doesn't bite or break the skin, its just a little nibble). I don't know if this is because she likes the salt on my skin or if she's being irritated by me holding her. She will sit on my lap or chest and chill with Moxie no problem.

They both seem to be eating normally. When I introduce new veggies they'll nibble at them, and they're eating their pellets and Timothy hay with no fuss. Both of their stool looks normal and healthy.

Tomorrow I am scheduling a checkup for both of them with a local vet who has gotten wonderful reviews. But I'm curious if anyone has had a guinea pig with this temperament or knows if these are signs that I should take them to the emergency vet since I'll probably have to wait a bit for a vet appt.

Any advice/help is greatly appreciated. I'm not a first time guinea pig owner, but I haven't had them as pets since I was in junior high :x

[PrayerWarrior]

Is she sneezing more than normal? Crusty eyes or nose? What does her breathing sound like (clicking, wheezing)?

[banjosnotbombs]

This link will explain more about URI's. http://www.guinealynx.info/emergency.html#uri
If you're really concerned, when you call to book an appointment, express your concern. The vet will likely book you in that day or the next, if you feel she has something as threatening as a URI.
Oh, and overall, GuineaLynx will be really helpful. Congrats on your new piggies!

[MediaCrisis]

Originally Posted by PrayerWarrior

Is she sneezing more than normal? Crusty eyes or nose? What does her breathing sound like (clicking, wheezing)?

I haven't seen any crust in her eyes/nose. She doesn't make too much noise while breathing, she just breathes heavily and you can see her whole body breath in an out, and it seems a little faster than what would be normal (I'm comparing her to the other guinea pig, who seems to be happy as a clam since I introduced her to the joy of cilantro!)

[MediaCrisis]

Originally Posted by banjosnotbombs

This link will explain more about URI's. http://www.guinealynx.info/emergency.html#uri
If you're really concerned, when you call to book an appointment, express your concern. The vet will likely book you in that day or the next, if you feel she has something as threatening as a URI.
Oh, and overall, GuineaLynx will be really helpful. Congrats on your new piggies!

Thank you very much for the link! That did help alot. Her eyes and nose appear healthy and aside from the rumbling when I pet her she hasn't made too much noise (though I did hear some wheeking when I gave them strawberries and then went into the other room. But I know a happy wheek when I hear one!)

[MediaCrisis]

Just an update:

I was able to get an immediate appointment so I took them both to see a local vet today (he's amazing and loves guinea pigs). He confirmed my suspicion of a URI, thank goodness we caught it pretty early. She has some wonderful smelling tutti frutti antibiotics. I'm jealous, if only cough syrup smelled that good when I was a baby! So hopefully Midori is on the speedy road to recovery.

The vet only charged me for one exam and gave me enough medicine in case Moxie started to have labored breathing. SUCH a nice guy! So if any of you live in Southern Connecticut, Good Friends Veterinary Clinic is the place to go!

[banjosnotbombs]

That's so great!
Good luck Midori!