Hay stuck in nose

[BobaTheGuineaPiglet]

My Guinea has a small hay stuck in his nose and he won’t let me take it out. I’m afraid if I do, it will bleed excessively. And the next vet appointment is in two weeks. He’s also sneezing, due to the hay. Does anyone have experience with this? What did you do?

 

[Siikibam]

Is there no other vet who can fit you in? Have you told them why you need to get him seen?

Do try and see if you can pull it out in the meantime. But if it feels stuck then best to leave it. Or if you do get it out still have him checked by the vet.

 

[Swissgreys]

You really need to call the vet again and explain the situation.
Anything that interferes with a guinea pigs delicate airways is considered an emergency and he certainly can't wait 2 weeks.
If he can't sneeze it out or remove it on his own he really should see a vet.

 

[Free Ranger]

I'm afraid I'd be tempted to try and sort this myself as it's obviously bothering him. Ideally I'd try and get a gentle hold and see if he draws his own head away or if he freezes. If it's a soft hay strand it might just slip out. A harder stand might have stuck through the delicate membranes but I can't help thinking that if it was my nose I'd want somebody to have a go now rather than wait 2 weeks. It might be over in a second if you're lucky!

I have to check my boy's front teeth every night and to do this I have to hold his head still. I sit cross-legged on the floor with a towel in my lap. I am right-handed so he is on my lap facing right. His butt is lower that his head so I can get a good view of his face - and I put my good glasses on! Then I put my left hand over his head like a sort of crash helmet and gently hold the whole head. They tend to pull the head away up and back but they can't if your hand is over the head like this. Then I use my right hand to gently pull his lower lip down for the tooth check. George knows what is happening now and this is no problem for him but your piggy might fret the first time. Keep talking gently all the way through. You will hopefully have long enough to take a firm hold of that little bit and see if it comes away easily at this point before there is any inflammation.

Good Luck!

 

[weepweeps]

I’d definitely try pulling it out gently.

 

[BobaTheGuineaPiglet]

Forgot to give an update, but it’s out now. I grabbed onto the hay just as he turned his head and it came out easily. The piece was super small, and soft. He didn’t bleed afterwards!

 

[Free Ranger]

That's so great! I bet he'd just sniffed up a little piece rather than it jamming up as he snuffled. He'll be so happy about that - and I bet you'll be loads more confident next time (eek... hopefully no 'next time'!)