Please help with grass seeds (and how to avoid them)

[Gazzdw]

Hi everyone,

A couple of weeks ago one of our pigs had a grass seed in her that got infected and ulcerated. Thankfully it has been resolved. However my partner noticed again the other day the same pig had a grass seed floating in her eye that she managed to rescue.

We have had maybe 15 pigs over the last 10 years and never had a grass seed in the eye incident until now. I am wondering is it something this pig is doing specifically to cause this through her behaviour or a mad coincidence or is it the hay itself.

At the moment their hair is raised in a cardboard feeder with the top exposed. So I am wondering if she keeps trying to jump in it. However before when her eye got the first grass seed the hay was set up differently (more open I think).

The hay we are using is a really nice meadow hay from Just for Pets that they really like but would people recommend changing that?

We just feel like any way we set the hay up now she will get one in her eye and we are not around to constantly monitor (they live at my partner's rents but live in a large C+C on aubiose bedding).

Any tips or recommendations or first hand experience?

Thank you ever so much

Thank you ever so much!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,

A couple of weeks ago one of our pigs had a grass seed in her that got infected and ulcerated. Thankfully it has been resolved. However my partner noticed again the other day the same pig had a grass seed floating in her eye that she managed to rescue.

We have had maybe 15 pigs over the last 10 years and never had a grass seed in the eye incident until now. I am wondering is it something this pig is doing specifically to cause this through her behaviour or a mad coincidence or is it the hay itself.

At the moment their hair is raised in a cardboard feeder with the top exposed. So I am wondering if she keeps trying to jump in it. However before when her eye got the first grass seed the hay was set up differently (more open I think).

The hay we are using is a really nice meadow hay from Just for Pets that they really like but would people recommend changing that?

We just feel like any way we set the hay up now she will get one in her eye and we are not around to constantly monitor (they live at my partner's rents but live in a large C+C on aubiose bedding).

Any tips or recommendations or first hand experience?

Thank you ever so much

Thank you ever so much!

Hi

Please change the way the hay is offered. I would recommend to provide it in a heap - if you wish on a shallow cardboard lid for your convenience. If problems continue, then you may want to consider trying another hay supplier, at least until the next harvest.

The problem with hay is that it very much depends on the time it is cut - and that depends on the weather. Your supply has obviously cut right in the middle of the seeding time and with your piggies having to stick their heads, that means that seeds will get into the eyes.

We have just updated the recommended UK providers list if needed: A Comprehensive Hay Guide for Guinea Pigs (incl. providers in several countries)