What is "normal" breathing?

[TurboPiggy]

Or better yet, what sort of breathing is indicative of a URI? On another board I was describing a sound like a cross between a cough and tongue clicking noise during introductions and was told it could be a URI. I've only heard it twice and thought it was a domination dance noise. What do I look for in a URI?

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Raspy breathing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, clicking kind of noise coming from chest, snotty/runny nose, runny eyes, lethargy, weight loss, appetite loss are the main symptoms of a URI.

 

[bee1101]

Ly&PigsRaspy breathing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, clicking kind of noise coming from chest, snotty/runny nose, runny eyes, lethargy, weight loss, appetite loss are the main symptoms of a URI.

A further word though. All pigs are different. We have one who always gets her nose blocked up, she has her nose in everything so its not suprise. Some pigs are just more suseptable than others. It doesn't neccessarily have to be a URI.
Main thing is to monitor your pig, so you know them, how they breathe and move etc.
But clicking is the big sign I have found, if you hear that, get them to a Vet straight away and or put some Vicks Vaporub on their nose, give them some Sudafed, I think its a quarter of a tablet in 5ml of water. Not 100% sure though as the amounts of stuff in tablets can vary. Vet should give you Baytril if its a URI.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Vet should give you Baytril if its a URI.

I would suggest Bactrim if the pig is less than a year old. Baytril can interfere with growth.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Bee1101-I don't know where you got the information about using Vics vapo-rub or sudafed but you should NEVER ever give a pig any medicine without a Vet's approval. Using Ivermectin for mites is ok, but for any other medication, call your vet and make sure it isn't going to hurt the pig. If people just start going to the pharmacy and buying over-the-counter drugs and start giving it to their pigs may end up with some dead pigs. There is a list of some safe medications at guinealynx, but most of the meds on that list are prescription drugs. There is also a list of dangerous medications on guinealynx too.

 

[Christys GPS]

I know when I use vapor rub onmy chest and uder my nose it kinda burns and is extremely strong, I could not possibally imangine that could be safe for a gp. I agree with Ly, if any concerns about a gps breathing contact a VET.

 

[TurboPiggy]

I wouldn't ever give any of my animals (although I only have guinea pigs) any medication without first consulting a vet. I read on that Peter guy's website something similar about giving them sudafed and vapor rub.
Their breathing is normal. I put them to my ear and they sound fine. It's just that every once in a while I hear a cough/sneeze noise. I think it's coming from Scooter, but I thought I saw Turbo do it last night. They are eating fine, drinking normal, no crusty eyes/nose/ears, I weighed them yesterday for their weekly weighing and they have both gained weight. They are munching hay right now, which is what the usually do if they aren't sleeping or eating veggies. Turbo is still rumblestrutting around and we are well into day 2 of this introduction.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

I wouldn't worry about it then. They sound like they are getting along, too.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Do you hear that noise during veggie time by any chance?

 

[TurboPiggy]

I've only heard it twice while looking at them. Most recently it came from Scooter and he was in his pigloo. I think I know why you are asking. When I introduced romaine to Scooter he would eat it from my hand on my lap. About half way through he would cough/gag and when I asked about it online, I was told that he was eating too fast. This isn't the same noise.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

If one or both had a URI, the noise would be continual not just once in a while. Yes, I was wondering if Scooter might still be eating too fast. Pigs have such a variety of noises they can make so it's probably nothing too out of the ordinary. Oh and by the way, Peter Gurney's information on his website isn't all accurate. Some is and a lot isn't. More realiable information can be found on www.guinealynx.info

 

[pennick]

One of my piggies has been coughing/sneezing a couple of times each day, still can't distinguish between the two, anyway, she is fine in every other way and it has stopped for now. We also cough and sneeze just like this sometimes, so why can't they. As long as they are acting healthy in every other way.

 

[LuvMyPiggers]

Uh oh....
My new addition has two of the symptoms:
Lathargic (Sort of)
Runny Eyes
CLicking sound

I better get him to a vet...

 

[LuvMyPiggers]

Add sneezing to the list...