[3'sCompany]

Hello

I’ve been feeding my piggies hay, which I purchased from a local farmer. The hay is timothy hay. Although the hay is fresh and the piggies really enjoy eating it, I’m concerned about the texture and color of the hay. The store bought hay I used to feed them is much greener and softer. I’ve read that hay can sometimes cause abscesses in guinea pigs if it scratches their throat. It’s been one month since I’ve switched from the softer greener store bought hay to the rougher local farmers hay. Last week I began to notice loose hanging skin under one of my piggy’s throat. At first I had thought it was nothing more than weight gain, but now I’m thinking it might be an abscess due to the change in hay texture. I pressed around the area, but it felt soft-no hardness or bumps.

I’ve seen pictures of abbesses and they look nothing like what my piggy has. The abscesses I’ve seen look like pea size bumps…Caramel has loose hanging skin. Could this be an abscess as well? I’m getting very worried. Today I heard her make a strange noise that sounded like someone blowing their nose, not as loud of course, but it’s something I have not heard before, and so I’m thinking it might be related to the loose hanging skin. I will be taking her to see a vet, but I’m anxious right now and interested in hearing some of your opinions on what could be causing this. I hope it’s nothing more than weight gain. She is about 7 months old and has put on a few pounds in the last month.

Regards,
3’sCompany