Guinea Pig With Allergies?

[Miss Red]

Hey. Good morning/afternoon/evening, everyone.

I am wondering if anyone has had this problem or a similar one and if they can help me. I am wondering if my guinea pig is having allergies and I do not know what to do. I fill my girls' hay up every time it empties which is usually in the evening. My one lady, Pony, is fine all day and then minutes after I give fresh hay she is snuffling and snorting up a storm. She sounds congested but no drip or running. She eats and drinks well, is not losing any noticeable amount of weight but she is not comfortable, obviously, and nobody else is sick. I have tried giving her children's' benadryl (as has been recommended by my vet in the past) but that does not seem to really help. Nothing does.

Has anyone else had or heard of a guinea pig with allergies to timothy hay? And what did they do to remedy the situation? Thank you so much in advance for your help.

 

[Wafflez]

I've personally never heard of this but, I think that if you change up the hay maby she might feel better. I'd recimend the orchard grass hay. It's soft ,sweet and not at all dusty. Maby, posably you could find another exotic vet in your area. fingers crossed

 

[Wiebke]

Hey. Good morning/afternoon/evening, everyone.

I am wondering if anyone has had this problem or a similar one and if they can help me. I am wondering if my guinea pig is having allergies and I do not know what to do. I fill my girls' hay up every time it empties which is usually in the evening. My one lady, Pony, is fine all day and then minutes after I give fresh hay she is snuffling and snorting up a storm. She sounds congested but no drip or running. She eats and drinks well, is not losing any noticeable amount of weight but she is not comfortable, obviously, and nobody else is sick. I have tried giving her children's' benadryl (as has been recommended by my vet in the past) but that does not seem to really help. Nothing does.

Has anyone else had or heard of a guinea pig with allergies to timothy hay? And what did they do to remedy the situation? Thank you so much in advance for your help.

Hi! Please change the hay brand; dust extracted hay is not necessarily dust extracted hay - here are some major differences and it is often a matter if trial and error to find the brand that is best for your piggy. Guinea pigs can be allergic to both hay dust and pollen.

Benadryl is a decongestant, not an anti-histamine. We no longer recommend it for exactly the reasons you have discovered for yourself!

 

[Miss Red]

Thank you both for your answers. I am going to look for an alternative. Going to clean them out completely tomorrow to get rid of any hay dust. I have some orchard grass we the horses and subbed that tonight. But probably will not know accurately until their place is completely clean.

 

[yayoiharuko]

I can side with everyone on this.. dusty hay gives my Ollie the sneezies/snifflies.