Coughing What is this "Jerking Head" type Movement?

[KatzeFace]

My pig has sometimes been doing this thing where he kind of slightly jerks his head forward, but there is no sound. If he were to be coughing, I feel like that would be the movement for it, but like I said, there's no sound to it, or any other symptom of a URI. I kind of feel like I'm worrying too much, as he is my first pig. However, I also understand how little time you really have once symptoms are fully evident. Another thing, he really only does it in his pigloo, and even then it seems like it happens more when he appears to be "scared stiff". No movement other than the head-jerk. I'm sure a lot of you have seen enough of me on this particular board, but do know that I appreciate your advice. I'm just a concerned new mother.

 

[bpatters]

One possibility is that he's gotten something caught in his throat and is trying to get it out.

Do you know what popcorning looks like?

 

[KatzeFace]

Yes, I think I've seen him do that once or twice, but this doesn't look like that.

 

[KatzeFace]

He doesn't do it when we pet him, and it's never to move anything..he just stands totally still except for his head. There aren't any audible breathing complications, so perhaps it isn't a URI?

 

[pocketmonster]

One will jerk the head up to move things around; jerk head up to get you to stop petting them.

Scout will do this during laptime, does that mean he doesn't want to be petted? He chirps and purrs when cuddled, but when I pet down his head and down his body, he does this.

 

[KatzeFace]

Most likely he doesn't like to be pet that way, then. Don't take it as a personal rejection, think of it as a "please stop, I don't like that right now".