Health Question

Question
Kat-
I have a 1 and 1/2 year old female who is having trouble breathing.  She appears healthy and is currently eating well but over the last two days has developed a loud breathing noise, especially when sleeping.  I have heard the same sound in an older pig and a sickly pig but it was associated with their heat beat as if it hurt when their heart beat.  This is more a breathing problem and is not every breath but pretty often.  You know how they burble a lot, well this sound is a loud version of that noise.  I just picked her up so I could type easier and she got excited, the noise became even louder and then she made a cough of snort that sounded wet and her beathing sounded better.  Changed from every other breath to just now and then.  Can you help?

Answer
Hello Bill,

It sounds like the beginning of a URI. She'll need to see the vet to get antibiotics. Within the next few days her nose and eyes will likely get icky and she'll most likely stop eating and become lethargic. It's important she see a vet soon because URIs can kill if not treated quickly. To help her with her breathing you can run a vaporizer or take her into the bathroom with you while you take a hot shower. It's also wise to stop by the drug store and pick up acidophilus (a supplement found near the vitamins) to give her when she starts the antibiotics. Antibiotics kill off the good bacteria in the tummy and the acidophilus replaces it. About 1/2 a tablet a day should be plenty. Just crush it and add it to a bit of water (or her food mush if you are force feeding) and syringe feed it to her. Good luck. I hope she is feeling better very soon. Oh and with URIs they often get worse before better even with treatment so don't give up or feel defeated if she still isn't doing to good a first.

-kkat
www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs