Distress when separated/ Hay Poke

[Big Sky Piggies]

Hi there,
One of my girls Luna got a really nasty case of hay poke on Friday, she’s been to the vet and she’s got 4 lots of eyedrops each day so I’m obviously taking her in and out of the cage frequently. Her cage mate Willow has seemed a bit out of sorts since (more skittish, chirping and freezing). I do the eyedrops in the same room so they can smell/ hear each other but I’m just wondering if this is normal or whether I need to be worried about Willow as well? Is she just freaked out at the different smells of the medication? Or just doesn’t enjoy being alone even if it is only for 5-10 mins at a time?

I’m also wondering if anyone has any tips on preventing hay poke; Willows had it about 3 times and now Luna, I’ve already switched hay brands and changed from a hay rack to a hay bag, and I’ve got rid of the hay bag entirely after the recent incident. They just have hay in litter trays now. Not sure whether it’s something I’m doing wrong or if it’s just bad luck!
Thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there,
One of my girls Luna got a really nasty case of hay poke on Friday, she’s been to the vet and she’s got 4 lots of eyedrops each day so I’m obviously taking her in and out of the cage frequently. Her cage mate Willow has seemed a bit out of sorts since (more skittish, chirping and freezing). I do the eyedrops in the same room so they can smell/ hear each other but I’m just wondering if this is normal or whether I need to be worried about Willow as well? Is she just freaked out at the different smells of the medication? Or just doesn’t enjoy being alone even if it is only for 5-10 mins at a time?

I’m also wondering if anyone has any tips on preventing hay poke; Willows had it about 3 times and now Luna, I’ve already switched hay brands and changed from a hay rack to a hay bag, and I’ve got rid of the hay bag entirely after the recent incident. They just have hay in litter trays now. Not sure whether it’s something I’m doing wrong or if it’s just bad luck!
Thank you!

Hi

Just keep up a friendly chatter with plenty of praised and Luna will soon figure out that you are actually making her better. Her mate will get used to her returning pretty quickly again. Some especially younger piggies don;t like being on their own. Your voice will also eventually eassure Willow because she knows where Luna is. Ideally, Willow should learn to be on her own for short periods but if that is a real problem (thankfully not all that often) then take them out together and giva Luna a quick body check and paw feel as a health/illness training. Learning to drink from a syringe etc. is also something useful ou can do with her during medicating sessions.

Are you feeding stalky timothy hay? It may be worth switching to softer orchrd or meadow hay and see how that goes.
A Comprehensive Hay Guide for Guinea Pigs (incl. providers in several countries)

 

[fluffysal]

When Dignified Sir George has to have medication I also have to involve Mischievous Master Boris as he seems to get jealous. So he also gets taken out, checked over and weighed before a syringe of water and a treat. He's then happy.....
I'm rather hoping that if he ever needs medicine it should be easy!

 

[Big Sky Piggies]

Thank you! Willow is actually 5 so definitely not a young piggie, I’m thinking she is actually jealous… it would fit in to her cheeky miss bossy boots personality! Luna had her checkup today and her eye is on the mend but I’ve got another week of drops, I’ll try taking Willow out for a fuss after her and see if that helps. She has actually seemed more herself after today (she came with us to the vets) so maybe it is jealousy!

I’m not feeding Timothy hay, they have a long strand soft meadow hay as I found the shorter strand brands meant more smaller debris that ended up in her eyes. I’ll have a read of the hay guide thank you so much!