Pete got hay up his nose, lots of sneezing

[Penguingirl]

Pete got a bit too enthusiastic about his fresh hay a few hours ago and I think some went up his nose, or he breathed some in. He went into immediate fits of sneezes and trying to wash his nose with spit and paws. As soon as I could I had a good look and couldn't see anything up his nose. It seems to be irritating him further inside. He's still having violent sneezing fits and trying to wash his nose, but they're about an hour apart. He enjoyed comforting pats after the first two, and even went hunting through the hay for the tasty bits. So he's eating and sleeping, just having intermittent horrible sneezing fits. How can I help him? I've given him his eye drops (Remend) because of his usual allergies. I'm just keeping an eye on him now, will try to get some sleep next to him.

 

[bunny momma]

Did a vet diagnose allergy and prescribe eye drops?
Could the hay be dusty or moldy or musty smelling?
If his sneezing continues a visit to the vet may determine if he has an infection or other reason for sneezing.

 

[InspectorMorse]

He could have a small strand of hay embedded in the soft tissue lining of his nostrils. He needs to be examined by a Vet. If a foreign body remains embedded in the nostrils it will not only cause ongoing sneezing but it can result in the formation of an abscess.

 

[William]

Is this hay more dusty than usual? Is it a brand he's never had before?

If you have any of his old hay left, or can get more, i think I'd try that just to see if maybe this new hay is too dusty or maybe moldy...or if he's just allergic to it? I'd remove all trace of this new hay and vacuum the area to get up any dust.

If that didn't work then I'd be wanting to go to the vet so they can check if there's a small strand of hay stuck in his nostril. Like Jane outlined, that could be quite serious and better dealt with sooner than later.

 

[Penguingirl]

Thanks for the replies I've checked the hay and it is a bit dusty, so I'm shaking it out well before giving it to him now. It's a new bag. Not mouldy, thankfully. His eye drops are prescribed. He stopped sneezing after a few hours, so that was a relief. No runny nose. I think it just tickled him badly but I'm keeping a careful eye on him.

 

[bunny momma]

Sending vibes he continues to do well. If he starts sneezing again, then a vet visit and culture would be appropriate.

 

[Penguingirl]

Update on Pete: after a week of metacam he's still sneezing, so I'm getting a referral to the exotic pet specialist (Highcroft in Bristol). He's eating, pooping, playing, sleeping, flopping etc. His nose is a bit damp sometimes, but not runny or snotty. The normal vet says he needs 'further imaging' which may include a CT scan... I'm not keen because of the general anaesthetic. He says my insurance should cover the cost (£££) because it's a foreign object/result of foreign object we're looking for.
Is there such a thing as a nasal flush? The vet tried to flush P's tear duct but couldn't. Netherlands Dwarf, tiny tear ducts.
If he's got a bit of hay stuck what treatment is there?
I'm worried.

 

[InspectorMorse]

Update on Pete: after a week of metacam he's still sneezing, so I'm getting a referral to the exotic pet specialist (Highcroft in Bristol). He's eating, pooping, playing, sleeping, flopping etc. His nose is a bit damp sometimes, but not runny or snotty. The normal vet says he needs 'further imaging' which may include a CT scan... I'm not keen because of the general anaesthetic. He says my insurance should cover the cost (£££) because it's a foreign object/result of foreign object we're looking for.
Is there such a thing as a nasal flush? The vet tried to flush P's tear duct but couldn't. Netherlands Dwarf, tiny tear ducts.
If he's got a bit of hay stuck what treatment is there?
I'm worried.

He will probably need an endoscopic examination of his nasal cavities. As well as the possibility of a foreign body there could be nasal polyps. A CT scan would get a more detailed evaluation of his tooth roots. Tooth root elongation being common in NDs and can cause a lot of sneezing and blocked nasolacrimal ducts. From your Avatar I am assuming Pete is a Nethie?

 

[Penguingirl]

He will probably need an endoscopic examination of his nasal cavities. As well as the possibility of a foreign body there could be nasal polyps. A CT scan would get a more detailed evaluation of his tooth roots. Tooth root elongation being common in NDs and can cause a lot of sneezing and blocked nasolacrimal ducts. From your Avatar I am assuming Pete is a Nethie?

Yes, he's a Nethie. He dove into his hay a bit too enthusiastically last week and a long straw went up his nose. He's showing no signs of teeth trouble (he's had that before). He's had trouble with his tear duct for years since having an eye infection after neutering (he's come back with all sorts from the vets so I'm trying a different one) but I manage that with washing and eye drops.
I just heard from the exotic pet specialist, who had completely the wrong end of the stick because she was looking at his notes from years ago when I was referred there for the tear duct issue - which I didn't have investigated because the outcome would have been the same - management like I'm doing. They want to give him a general anaesthetic and give both an endoscopy and a CT scan. Is that overkill for having a bit of hay poke him in the nose? I'm freaking out a bit. The way she was talking she's linking it to the tear duct issue and so the insurance won't cover it because it's pre-existing. She wouldn't say what treatment options there might be - so it's like last time when they wanted to endanger his life with anaesthetic unnecessarily.
If there's something stuck up there, or a scratch or an infection, what treatment would they actually give?

 

[InspectorMorse]

Yes, he's a Nethie. He dove into his hay a bit too enthusiastically last week and a long straw went up his nose. He's showing no signs of teeth trouble (he's had that before). He's had trouble with his tear duct for years since having an eye infection after neutering (he's come back with all sorts from the vets so I'm trying a different one) but I manage that with washing and eye drops.
I just heard from the exotic pet specialist, who had completely the wrong end of the stick because she was looking at his notes from years ago when I was referred there for the tear duct issue - which I didn't have investigated because the outcome would have been the same - management like I'm doing. They want to give him a general anaesthetic and give both an endoscopy and a CT scan. Is that overkill for having a bit of hay poke him in the nose? I'm freaking out a bit. The way she was talking she's linking it to the tear duct issue and so the insurance won't cover it because it's pre-existing. She wouldn't say what treatment options there might be - so it's like last time when they wanted to endanger his life with anaesthetic unnecessarily.
If there's something stuck up there, or a scratch or an infection, what treatment would they actually give?

IMO the diagnostics are necessary as the only way to rule out a FB embedded in the nasal tissue is an endoscopy and the Vet appears to be thinking along the same lines as my suggestion of tooth root elongation which can only be diagnosed by scans

Treatment will depend on diagnosis. A FB would need removing

Nasal polyps would need removing + biopsies

Tooth root elongation would mean attention to the crowns of the teeth would be needed on a regular basis, tooth root elongation is progressive, painful and can result in tooth root abscesses. So what medication needed would depend on the findings of the diagnostic procedures.

In short, no, I don’t think the Exotic’s Vet’s opinion is ‘over kill’

 

[bunny momma]

In your prior post you said he stopped sneezing. How long did he stop sneezing before he started sneezing again? Would the specialist do the nasal flush/ culture and check his teeth crowns at the same time?