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Hay Allergy, Wetting Hay And Long Term Fibreplex

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Beans&Toast

Beans&Toast

Adult Guinea Pig
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So I've had Toast back and forth at the vets as she's been breathing funny for months now; Toast's Making A Strange Sound

A URI seems to have been ruled out as she's not had a runny nose or eyes and it's not gotten worse in the months it's been going on. 2 exotic specialist vets have listened to her chest and everything sounds really good. An x-ray also showed no issues with her heart or lungs.


Today I've been given 2 options;

1. Go further into diagnostics to get to the bottom of what's causing the hooting sound. This would require putting Toast under GA to get an even better x-ray of her lungs along with other scans etc. Both myself and my vet are reluctant to do this as long as she's still active and eating well as she doesn't come round from anesthesia easily. She also reacts badly to a few different antibiotics so we can't treat for a URI on a "just incase" basis. She's also such a nervous animal that even being at the vets causes painful cystitis for her.

Or

2. Treat for a hay allergy and see what happens. I've to trial antihistamines and I've been asked to wet her hay to see if it makes a difference. I've also been advised to keep her on 0.5 ml of Fibreplex long term as she suffers from constant bloat.


Has anyone heard of wetting hay for guinea pigs? Would they still eat it.. And for the Fibreplex, it does seem to help with her bloat but it's ridiculously expensive, does anyone know of any other paste probiotics?
 
I'm sorry Toast is unwell,fibreplex is £7.40 a pack on vet uk,it is pricey,but I'm not sure of other probiotics will have as much fibre in.ive heard of wetting hay for horses but not guinea pigs !i use timothy hay blocks as a treat for my cavies,you can wet these.I'm sorry i cannot be much help,maybe @Adelle could give you more information.Hope Toast improves soon.x
 
eileen said:
I'm sorry Toast is unwell,fibreplex is £7.40 a pack on vet uk,it is pricey,but I'm not sure of other probiotics will have as much fibre in.ive heard of wetting hay for horses but not guinea pigs !i use timothy hay blocks as a treat for my cavies,you can wet these.I'm sorry i cannot be much help,maybe @Adelle could give you more information.Hope Toast improves soon.x
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Thanks :). By time I pay delivery it's the same as getting it from my vet. It's going to be £24 a month just for the Fibreplex alone...

Yeah I've heard of farmers doing it but never for guinea pigs. I can't think of why it would do any harm but still not too sure.. plus they use it for bedding too not just eating so I don't want to take that away from them :hmm:
 
that would explain wetting it to to stop the dust particles from getting into the air
 
Kiara said:
Hmmm i have heard of guinepigs getting breathing problems from hay that has not been dust extracted?
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The hay I use is dust extracted, although it seems to be that Toast is extremely sensitive so could be the tiniest bit of dust causing issues maybe. I just don't want to have to wet there hay as then they can't sleep on it, which they love doing :hmm:
 
Hmmm are they indoor C&c piggles or outside hutch pigles? if they are inside you can keep them on matts and add snuggle beds like i do and just have a hay rack?
 
They're indoor on a c and c. I use fleece and vet bed in their sleeping areas so they're cosy but they love sleeping in a pile of hay.

I'll try wetting it for a week and see if it makes any difference to her breathing.

Beans will be very upset she can't sleep in a big pile of hay :td:
 
My boar has breathing issues but it doesn't sound like it's like Beans issue. Does her being near steam help? We noticed it did with my boy and he now has a nebuilser for his off days. I'm not sure whether that would help Beans though, especially if it's a constant hoot.

Have you asked your vet to trial heart meds? I had a boar many years ago with hooty breathing. My non guinea pig specialised vet xrayed him and could see nothing. I showed the xray to Guinea Lynx and they couldn't see anything either. We were stumped, but a few people on GL suggested a trial of meds. Apparently you can try them for a short period with no ill effects. So I signed a waiver form and we tried them. They really helped my boy and he lived another 2 years.

It might possibly be no help to Beans but it might be worth a discussion with your vet.

I've been suggested wet hay for my pig, but I'm reluctant to try it in case it starts going moldy quickly. He loves his constant supply to I don't want to limit him.

Let us know what Beans thinks!
 
Jaycey said:
My boar has breathing issues but it doesn't sound like it's like Beans issue. Does her being near steam help? We noticed it did with my boy and he now has a nebuilser for his off days. I'm not sure whether that would help Beans though, especially if it's a constant hoot.

Have you asked your vet to trial heart meds? I had a boar many years ago with hooty breathing. My non guinea pig specialised vet xrayed him and could see nothing. I showed the xray to Guinea Lynx and they couldn't see anything either. We were stumped, but a few people on GL suggested a trial of meds. Apparently you can try them for a short period with no ill effects. So I signed a waiver form and we tried them. They really helped my boy and he lived another 2 years.

It might possibly be no help to Beans but it might be worth a discussion with your vet.

I've been suggested wet hay for my pig, but I'm reluctant to try it in case it starts going moldy quickly. He loves his constant supply to I don't want to limit him.

Let us know what Beans thinks!
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Thank you :) It's Toast who has all the issues, Beans is a picture of health :P

I have tried steam but I don't think it actually helped. I might try it again though just to be sure.

The issue with trialing any meds is that she has has so many bad reactions to several meds, anesthetic, antibiotics, pain relief, that my vet is very hesitant about giving her anything new unless absolutely necessary. The way he explained it is that although there does seem to be something going on with Toasts breathing, it isn't interfering with her life as such, she's still eating and running about and playing with Beans. So he's a bit reluctant to put her through more tests or meds as she's so active and otherwise healthy... I think I agree with that as well, but I do wish I could get to the bottom of it though.. I don't know what to do for the best?!:blink:


I've been having a really good read about feeding wet hay the past few hours. The only info I can find is relating to horses but still the same idea... washing off any dust and mould spores that can cause respiratory issues. Does mean I'll have to change it a lot more so it's not left too long but I'll try it for a week and see if it helps:hmm:
 
Just a thought, have you tried using an empty Swede or onion bag, they're made of a plastic netting type material.
If you pull out the hay from the original bag &shake it around outside a bit before putting into the netting bag, then hit it against a Wall or fence (like beating an old fashioned rug) this would hit any more excess dust outside.
You're house would gather less hay dust &hopefully toasts breathing would improve.
Or make a makeshift bag out of garden netting-anything that lets the dust out &keep the hay in :)

Or shake it into a large cardboard box &put the vacuum nozzle in the top of the box to draw out the dust.

I have my two younger girls that both sound nasal'y at times, the vet thinks its connected to where they were housed originally (before they came to me)was where wild rabbits roamed. He thinks its something to do with bordatella &that their airways were damaged permanently. But he said as they were generally fit n well (touches wood) that they were free of the virus.
They only seem to be nasal'y in the winter &only when they're really relaxed,all a bit odd!
My Ellie had a trial of heart meds but hers was a real hoot sound opposed to a whistley nose sound.

Get well soon toast xx
 
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GPTV said:
Just a thought, have you tried using an empty Swede or onion bag, they're made of a plastic netting type material.
If you pull out the hay from the original bag &shake it around outside a bit before putting into the netting bag, then hit it against a Wall or fence (like beating an old fashioned rug) this would hit any more excess dust outside.
You're house would gather less hay dust &hopefully toasts breathing would improve.
Or make a makeshift bag out of garden netting-anything that lets the dust out &keep the hay in :)

Or shake it into a large cardboard box &put the vacuum nozzle in the top of the box to draw out the dust.

I have my two younger girls that both sound nasal'y at times, the vet thinks its connected to where they were housed originally (before they came to me)was where wild rabbits roamed. He thinks its something to do with bordatella &that their airways were damaged permanently. But he said as they were generally fit n well (touches wood) that they were free of the virus.
They only seem to be nasal'y in the winter &only when they're really relaxed,all a bit odd!
My Ellie had a trial of heart meds but hers was a real hoot sound opposed to a whistley nose sound.

Get well soon toast xx
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I do give the hay a wee shake before putting it in the cage but I hadn't though to do this.. it does get quite dusty with lots of hay bags. The neighbours will think I'm mad, swinging a bag of hay about :))
 
I think before trialling antihistamines you should go for proper dust extracted hay. Most hays say they are and they're really not. Dust free hay company are great, they do meadow and timothy. Their dust free american timothy is nearly identical to alfalfa king timothy- minus all the dust!

Crunchie became suddenly ill this morning and was taken to the vet and put on oxygen, she has a URI. Iv stopped with the alfalfa king hah at the moment as its ridiculously dusty and it really wont help her, she sounds horrendous!

Havent heard about wetting hay I'm afraid but it makes sense to get rid of the dust x
 
Adelle said:
I think before trialling antihistamines you should go for proper dust extracted hay. Most hays say they are and they're really not. Dust free hay company are great, they do meadow and timothy. Their dust free american timothy is nearly identical to alfalfa king timothy- minus all the dust!

Crunchie became suddenly ill this morning and was taken to the vet and put on oxygen, she has a URI. Iv stopped with the alfalfa king hah at the moment as its ridiculously dusty and it really wont help her, she sounds horrendous!

Havent heard about wetting hay I'm afraid but it makes sense to get rid of the dust x
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I did think about that but is it worth it? If it really is different to the "dust free hay" you get in shops then I'd try it.

I stopped using Alfalfa king too it's crazy how much dust is in there... but the seed heads from that hay are Toast's favourite, she won't eat other Timothy hay so I'm worried she'd reject it, just like she rejected the wet hay. :doh:

Sorry to hear about Crunchie, is she doing any better? X
 
Beans&Toast said:
I did think about that but is it worth it? If it really is different to the "dust free hay" you get in shops then I'd try it.

I stopped using Alfalfa king too it's crazy how much dust is in there... but the seed heads from that hay are Toast's favourite, she won't eat other Timothy hay so I'm worried she'd reject it, just like she rejected the wet hay. :doh:

Sorry to hear about Crunchie, is she doing any better? X
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Its miles different dust wise- truelly dust free. You will pay through the nose for it though, i used to get the 3x 2kg boxes and it was £40.. Whereas i pay £42 for 11.36kg of alfalfa king timothy. The only reason i stopped is all of mine only eat the seed heads and soft strands from the alfalfa king; and done the exact same with the dust free american timothy and i couldnt justify £40 for seed heads! The dust free soft meadow went down well though and itsnt as expensive.

Crunchie is being syringe fed around the clock, I'm knackered. She will eat herself after a steaming session in the bathroom so its the congestion thats putting her off eating rather than feeling generally ill from the infection. She had chest xrays yesterday whilst on the oxygen, they ruled out pneumonia so it is just the URI.. But as you know they can be dangerous :-( hoping she ralies round x
 
Adelle said:
Its miles different dust wise- truelly dust free. You will pay through the nose for it though, i used to get the 3x 2kg boxes and it was £40.. Whereas i pay £42 for 11.36kg of alfalfa king timothy. The only reason i stopped is all of mine only eat the seed heads and soft strands from the alfalfa king; and done the exact same with the dust free american timothy and i couldnt justify £40 for seed heads! The dust free soft meadow went down well though and itsnt as expensive.

Crunchie is being syringe fed around the clock, I'm knackered. She will eat herself after a steaming session in the bathroom so its the congestion thats putting her off eating rather than feeling generally ill from the infection. She had chest xrays yesterday whilst on the oxygen, they ruled out pneumonia so it is just the URI.. But as you know they can be dangerous :-( hoping she ralies round x
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I just ordered 3 of the boxes and it was only £24... :hmm: just ordered one of each hay.

Yeah Toast only eats the seed heads too, someone should sell bags of them on their own :P

I'm not surprised you're knackered, you really have your hands full with Fudge and Crunchie. I hope she comes around x
 
When URI was ruled out with Bramble our vet suggested wetting the hay in case of hay allergy too, although she also said that there could be fungal spores in the hay thats causing the issue. So yeah, we were told to wet the hay and leave it to dry, then feed her that. Apparently its a common thing used with horses with allergies? Anyways, I tried doing that but to be honest id of been put on the street after having bunches of hay drying around the house haha so I tried switching hay brands to one thats from a localish farm and instead of being chopped, compressed and dust extracted, its just really long fibres then dust extracted. We noticed a pretty fast improvement after swapping to a less processed hay ive not even heard a sniff out of her, after having to wipe mucous from her nose multiple times a day so she could breathe!

I think I made a thread about it at the time, I'm not sure what responses I got but if there was anything useful on there i'll shout. I'm almost certain someone suggested an air purifyer? Which sounds like it would be helpful if its a bad allergy.
 
Beans&Toast said:
I just ordered 3 of the boxes and it was only £24... :hmm: just ordered one of each hay.

Yeah Toast only eats the seed heads too, someone should sell bags of them on their own :P

I'm not surprised you're knackered, you really have your hands full with Fudge and Crunchie. I hope she comes around x
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The american timothy is more expensive so works out dearer if u get 3 of that. Its been a good year since i last bought any!

A bag of seed heads.. Fudge would be in heaven! She loves them.

Thanks, hope toast improves soon too!x
 
Eriathwen said:
When URI was ruled out with Bramble our vet suggested wetting the hay in case of hay allergy too, although she also said that there could be fungal spores in the hay thats causing the issue. So yeah, we were told to wet the hay and leave it to dry, then feed her that. Apparently its a common thing used with horses with allergies? Anyways, I tried doing that but to be honest id of been put on the street after having bunches of hay drying around the house haha so I tried switching hay brands to one thats from a localish farm and instead of being chopped, compressed and dust extracted, its just really long fibres then dust extracted. We noticed a pretty fast improvement after swapping to a less processed hay ive not even heard a sniff out of her, after having to wipe mucous from her nose multiple times a day so she could breathe!

I think I made a thread about it at the time, I'm not sure what responses I got but if there was anything useful on there i'll shout. I'm almost certain someone suggested an air purifyer? Which sounds like it would be helpful if its a bad allergy.
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Thanks :nod: yeah it seems really common with horses. I did try the wet hay last night and although Beans ate it (she'll eat anything) Toast was having none of it. I did try the whole "it's that or nothing" but she just looked at me like she was not amused and didn't touch it all last night.

So I'm going to try a better hay, and see if that helps. I'm also going to start storing the hay in the cupboard instead of in my room where they are.

I swear I could have bought a new car with the amount these pigs have cost me :doh:
 
You wet horses hay to make the fungal spores expand and stick to the hay so they are ingested rather than remaining airborne and entering respiratory system. If you are soaking hay for this it's important it doesn't dry out again as the spores/dust can be released again. I can't imagine feeding soaked hay would be very easy or nice for piggies as everything would end up a bit soggy :( I'd try a few different dust extracted hays and see how it goes. I recently got some from dust free hay and it was pretty dust free.
 
Kit06 said:
You wet horses hay to make the fungal spores expand and stick to the hay so they are ingested rather than remaining airborne and entering respiratory system. If you are soaking hay for this it's important it doesn't dry out again as the spores/dust can be released again. I can't imagine feeding soaked hay would be very easy or nice for piggies as everything would end up a bit soggy :( I'd try a few different dust extracted hays and see how it goes. I recently got some from dust free hay and it was pretty dust free.
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Yeah Toast turned her nose up at it right away. :P I've just ordered from DFH as so many people have said how good it is so hopefully that'll solve the issue:roll:
 
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