Possible allergy to Hay???

[Kat]

I have just got a couple of new degus. One of them is sneezing and a little bit stuffy. The person I bought them from said that there weren't sneezing at her house.

How soon would a degu start sneezing as he started within 1 hour of being put in the carrier containing bedding and hay.

The bedding I was using is finacard and the hay is excel timothy hay with marigold and dandelion.

I removed the finacard from there cage last night and want to change the hay.

Is it worth me trying a new bag of hay? The stuff I'm using at the moment is the end of the bag. So would be the dustiest (word?) anyway.

I have seen some dust extracted timothy hay on-line but it is £22 and don't really wanna pay that much if it might not be the problem. I would prefer to buy it a bit cheaper and save the extra in case a vets visit is needed.

The breeder didn't have anything at the bottom of the cages so I can't swap to what she had.

Sorry my post is a bit scatty, I hope someone can help

Kat

[blossombrooks]

I had the same problem with my two but I swapped to the excel hay with dandelion in. It is dust extracted and mine haven't had a problem since. If you think it could be the hay get a sieve and sieve it so any remaining dust comes off. All goos seem different on preffered hay, I couldn't get on with basic timothy hay at all.
Another thing is to make sure they aren't in a draught, I keep a thermometer in with the girls now and keep the room at 19 or 20 degrees.
I don't use finacard but a lot of people do without problems so I wouldn't think it was that. A small dab of olbas oil under the cage can help the degu snuffles but be careful to only put it under the cage. Hope all that helps a little, I'm no expert but I've had a similar problem when I first got mine. :-)

[blossombrooks]

Sorry, also if you think it could be a cold you might need a vet visit. They'll probably give you antibiotics. :-)

[Kat]

Jan 23, 2011 10:55:14 GMT blossombrooks said:

Sorry, also if you think it could be a cold you might need a vet visit. They'll probably give you antibiotics. :-)

I don't think its a cold as it came on when they were brought into my home.
Good plan with the seive, I will get a fresh bag today and give it a good shake before I give it to them.

Thanks I will post back with how I get on.

[Kat]

I always thought that excel was one of the better brands to chose for hay.

I have heard of using a sieve for wood shavings. It just never occurred to me to use it for hay. Duh.
Sometimes obvious thing have to be pointed out to me.

I have seen different opinions on the subject of olbas oil and degus. What do you think?

Kat

[deguconvert]

I wouldn't do any olbas oil unless you can see evidence of a snotty nose or rattling in the lungs.

[nickymills30]

i use finacard and mine are fine, hope you sort this out very soon hun xx