Help.. Allergies or URI?

[Angela99]

Hi again... my Truffle is just sneezing too much and it's been 4 weeks now! Maybe more! The Vet said he has allergies but lady who runs Rabbit Rescue where I get hay said he needs antibiotics because it's not likely he has allergies. I've eliminated all bell peppers in case he's reacting to pesticides. I bought organic now but I'm waiting a couple days. Anyway he's sneezing lots tonight. I contacted the Vet who specializes in rodents to get a second opinion as this Vet is a Hospital and they told me she's the rodent specialist but I'm not convinced. What do you guys think? He doesn't look like he's sick but animals hide sickness well I heard. Its giving me huge anxiety. Has anyone had this problem? Your Guinea pig sneezing for weeks ? Anyone had pigs with allergies?
Thanks again.... I don't have any piggy friends where I live.
Angela

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Firstly do your own research into the vets credentials. Here in the UK were able to do that and I’m sure it’s the same for you.
A specialist should be an exotic vet and not a general vet. It’s a bit like Doctors - GP as in General Practioners as they don’t specialise outside of their general knowledge even if they have a leaning towards a particular topic.
Now the sneezing - i’d be inclined to consider environmental issues, bedding, other pets, temperatures fluctuations in tandem seeing an exotic vet. Sorry if you’ve already done this, I’m not always in the forum.
I’d too be concerned about the sneezing and follow your instincts - we have them for a reason.

 

[Angela99]

Firstly do your own research into the vets credentials. Here in the UK were able to do that and I’m sure it’s the same for you.
A specialist should be an exotic vet and not a general vet. It’s a bit like Doctors - GP as in General Practioners as they don’t specialise outside of their general knowledge even if they have a leaning towards a particular topic.
Now the sneezing - i’d be inclined to consider environmental issues, bedding, other pets, temperatures fluctuations in tandem seeing an exotic vet. Sorry if you’ve already done this, I’m not always in the forum.
I’d too be concerned about the sneezing and follow your instincts - we have them for a reason.

Thank you so much.... could he be allergic to hay dust? After 4 years of life? I keep hay dust out of cage best I can but sometimes I shake fleece somewhat close to cage. I've been doing the same thing for years and super clean so it's odd that all of a sudden he has a new allergy.

 

[Angela99]

Thank you so much.... could he be allergic to hay dust? After 4 years of life? I keep hay dust out of cage best I can but sometimes I shake fleece somewhat close to cage. I've been doing the same thing for years and super clean so it's odd that all of a sudden he has a new allergy.

Also I keep hay in three spots in cage... they like to run through it but as I mentioned I've done this for years and has never reacted.

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Depends on the hay. Some is dusty and no matter if it’s filtered there’s always a bit of dust, but it’s worth considering the condition of the hay. I’ve been buying hay from the same place For years but had to change as the last batch wasn’t anywhere near as good and has caused mites.

Shaking bedding away from their enclosure is best. Even when I place their bedding and hay, I ensure all the doors are open and everything settles before putting the furry crew back in.

To get an allergy after 4 years would mean something has to change dramatically in my eyes it’s more likely to be a URI but I’m not a vet so a good one will be able to spot the issue.

 

[Piggies&buns]

You need to always rule out the medical before looking to irritants - therefore URI is what needs to be checked first. However, after four weeks with a uri and no treatment I’d expect to be seeing hooting, crackly breathing, discharge from the eyes and nose and really a rather poorly piggy but that doesn’t mean to say you assume it’s allergies.

Other potential irritants, after uri has been ruled out , include hay dust, candles, sprays (deodorants, perfume, bug spray, air freshener),

 

[Angela99]

Depends on the hay. Some is dusty and no matter if it’s filtered there’s always a bit of dust, but it’s worth considering the condition of the hay. I’ve been buying hay from the same place For years but had to change as the last batch wasn’t anywhere near as good and has caused mites.

Shaking bedding away from their enclosure is best. Even when I place their bedding and hay, I ensure all the doors are open and everything settles before putting the furry crew back in.

To get an allergy after 4 years would mean something has to change dramatically in my eyes it’s more likely to be a URI but I’m not a vet so a good one will be able to spot the issue.

Hi yes that's what I mean after 4 years all of sudden developing an allergic reaction.... I removed actually all the hay from when he started and cleaned whole cage/laundry then used Oxbox hay for a week... changed his diet, just got new hay again from Rabbit rescue... but the sneezing has been the same throughout. Unless I get orchard hay from oxbow and remove this hay tomorrow clean out cage again to see if he's having a reaction to hay dust. I'll try that tomorrow.

 

[Angela99]

You need to always rule out the medical before looking to irritants - therefore URI is what needs to be checked first. However, after four weeks with a uri and no treatment I’d expect to be seeing hooting, crackly breathing, discharge from the eyes and nose and really a rather poorly piggy but that doesn’t mean to say you assume it’s allergies.

Other potential irritants, after uri has been ruled out , include hay dust, candles, sprays (deodorants, perfume, bug spray, air freshener),

Hi there... thank you... makes sense! No he doesn't look like he's dying which is good! His energy is good. Good information thank you that helps! No I don't use any chemicals or perfume or anything like that... I too have asthma and am very sensitive. I just thought I might get orchard hay from oxbow tomorrow and clear out cage again to see if its the dust. I'm just lost. I took out certain veggies too. There is literally nothing else. He usually coughs if he has a sensitivity to a chemical... or his dirty fleece from urine ... so I change it often, but I've actually never heard him sneeze until a few weeks ago after 4 years!

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’d still have a vet actually give a hands on check, listening his chest etc before assuming it’s an irritant of some sort.
Guinea pigs cough if they eat too fast due to their narrow airways, or if there is something blocking the nose you hear it so much more.

 

[Angela99]

I’d still have a vet actually give a hands on check, listening his chest etc before assuming it’s an irritant of some sort.
Guinea pigs cough if they eat too fast due to their narrow airways, or if there is something blocking the nose you hear it so much more.

I did have him at the Vet last week... she said he was healthy... heart lungs etc. Was good. But the sneezing continues and I can't find the culprit.

 

[Angela99]

Hello... so today Truffle had an intense sneezing fit and I panicked... I immediately picked him up and wiped his nose... and I saw red fleece pieces on the tissue! So he's getting these stuck up his nose. I removed all red fleece from the cage asap. I've been using it 2 months. When I cut it little pieces of fluff fall off... its never been an issue before but now never again! I feel horrible... just horrible... I think this was the problem and now it's out so I'll see how he is. My concern is that he has more of these pieces stuck in his nose! Maybe I should buy used fleece bc it wont fluff when I cut it. I contacted vet and they both are going Saturday. Not sure if anyone has experienced this? He couldn't breathe bc he was sneezing so much and they don't breathe through their mouth... I hope he will be ok and there's nothing more inside his nose. He's fine now thank goodness.