Strange Noises...

Question
Hi Virginia,
Iv had my 9  week old guinea pig for a month now and love him to bits. Iv had guinea pigs all through growing up but have never heard this noise.
Its started since he literally jumped out of my hands from just below hip height and landed on wooden flooring. He did not squeek in pain and seems fine, however the noise he has been making for the past hour is as if he's got a stuffy nose or slight 'clicky' noises as he breathes.  Im starting to worry and feel really upset about the whole thing.

Would really appreciate some advice from an expert.

Answer
Guinea Pigs are fragile little animals, and hide illness well. My first response would be to take your piggy to the vet and have him examined. I know that can be costly, but the weight it takes off your mind to know your piggy is  in good health is worth it.
    There are several different types of noises a piggy can make including the usual squeaking and chatterings which I am sure you are familiar with. Some guinea pigs make a chirping noise that sounds just like a baby bird, but I don't think this is the case. If your piggy stops making this noise when you pick him up, I wouldn't be quite as concerned.
  Pick up your piggy and put his nose to your ear. Is he still making the noise?
  Sometimes this noise your are descibing is made when a piggy has a respiratory infection, or when they are under distress. The infection wouldn't be caused by dropping him, but by using a type of bedding that has oils in it or some kind of other airborne allergen like perfume around him. Most of the time, if the piggy has a respiratory problem, you will see discharge on his nose or crusty boogers on the insides of his hands where he is whipeing his nose.
  Pick up your piggy and place him on th bed or other confortable area where he can't get away, or have a friend hold him. Now start to feel him, as if you are giving him a massage. Feel his throut, and his feet. Feel his stomach and sides. Feel his spine and bottom. You don't have to press hard, but hard enough to feel the internal organs or bones. If at any point while you are doing this he cries out in pain, or pulls away quickly and starts chattering, take him to the vet. If he doesn't seem to complain too much, then put him on the floor and watch him walk around. You can even intice him to follow you by holding a piece of lettuce or carrot and moving it away from him. Look for any limping, or rfusal to move. If he is usually very active, and suddenly doesn't want to move, there may be a problem. If he is walking just fine, them don't be to worried.
  If you rub him down and watch him walk, and he seems fine, then watch him for the next couple of days very carefully. Is he eating normally? Does he except treats as vigoriously as he did before? Listen to his breathing both in the morning and at night. If it gets any worse, take him to the vet. If it doesn't get worse or better in the next week, take him anyway. Soemtimes my pigs will get a bit of a runny nose or cough once in a while, but it goes away quickly. Also watch him while he is just sitting in his cage, resting. If he seems to be having a hard time breathing, a trip to the vet is in order.
  Yes, the theme here does seem to be taking you piggy to the vet, and this is definatly what I recomend. Having a vet see him is the only way you can be completly sure he is fine, and it will certainly make you feel beter knowing for sure that he is. Even regular check-ups are a good idea if you can afford it.
  Good luck with your little boy. Hope he is doing better.